Chapter 5 Had No Option

With quivering hands, Lila pulled open the entrance to the Fifth Avenue café. The restaurant smelled of freshly brewed coffee and was alive with axel conversation, but she didn't feel the warmth. Rather, she was confronted by calculating stare as he sat at a lonely corner table staring at her.

"Sit," he commanded without elaboration.

With a step full of fear, Lila squared her shoulders and moved forward. Heart palpitating, she sank into the chair across from him.

"Axel, what do you want?" She questioned, attempting to maintain a steady tone.

With unwavering gaze, he declared, "I want you to marry me."

Lila was having trouble breathing. "Why? Why me? You have never even met me. Axel reclined, a small grin teasing his lips.

"You're accurate. I'm not familiar with you. However, I am well informed. I am aware of your kindness, talent, and concern for your family. That's sufficient for me.

"Enough for you to force me into marriage with blackmail?" Lila fired back, escalating in her rage.

"Name it whatever you want," shrugged Axel.

"But it's true that the media adores it. You have an impact.

"I'm not bothered by the media!" Lila lost his temper. I have dreams and a life of my own. That's being taken away from me by you.

Axel's expression slightly softened. "I acknowledge your upset.

But consider it from my point of view. This is what my father want, Lila, he's dying. Perhaps a year remains for him. This is his final request.

Lila, despite herself, felt a twinge of sympathy. That's awful, Axel. However, it doesn't excuse what you're doing. Axel leaned in with keen eyes.

"Perhaps not still, that's the truth and I'm providing you with a means of escaping your father's debt. Nothing will ever need to worry about again for you.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Lila shook her head. "I'm not capable of it, I am unable to wed someone I do not love, Axel grew stern-faced.

As for you, Lila, you have no choice. Your father will lose everything if you don't accept. Additionally, you will bear responsibility. As the impact of his remarks descended over her, Lila sensed her determination disintegrating.

She couldn't let her father suffer because of her, even though she loathed him for placing her in this situation.

She muttered, "Fine," her voice breaking. "I'll carry it out. I'll wed you. With a look of delight in his eyes, Axel nodded.

Alright, next week, we'll throw a party to announce the engagement. Prepare yourself. Feeling like a puppet on strings, Lila got to his feet. With a hollow voice, she said, "I'll be there." She sensed the walls closing in on her as she left the café. There was no going back now that she had committed herself to marrying a guy she detested.

At home, Danielle was pacing the living room, waiting for her. Concern written all over Danielle's face, she ran to Lila as soon as she entered.

"What happened?" she blurted out.

Lila collapsed into the sofa, exhausted.

"I consented to wed him." Danielle's shocked eyes grew wider, How come?

Why not? Lila trembled in her voice as she answered.

"He didn't give me a choice." He's keeping the debt owed by my father over my head.

My father will be devastated if I don't marry him. Danielle took a seat next to her and encircled Lila in her arms, my apologies, Lila. This is really unjust. Lila responded,

"I know," her tears streaming down her face.

"But I'm at a loss for what else to do."

"We'll work it out," Danielle remarked angrily.

"There must be a solution to this." Though it seemed unlikely, Lila hoped she would believe her.

There was no way for her to wake up; she was stuck in a nightmare. Danielle gave her a strong hug.

"You're going to overcome this. Lila, you're strong."

With an artificial smile, Lila responded, "Thanks."

"All I want is to feel incredible." Danielle hugged her a bit closer.

We'll manage to make it happen, In this, you are not alone. Lila inhaled deeply as she made an effort to gather herself.

"I have to be strong for my father as well as for myself." Danielle gave a nod.

That's right and never forget that you have everyone who loves you, including me. We'll work together to overcome this. Although Lila was grateful for Danielle's support, she was nonetheless troubled by the thought of her forced engagement.

"I just find it unbelievable that axel and I will be married. He's really very calculating. "Yes," Danielle replied.

However, there might be a way for you to benefit from this. Perhaps you can figure out a method to keep your father and yourself safe. Lila scowled.

"Explain what you mean." "Consider it. For now at least, axel needs you just as much as you need him. Apply that. Don't just watch this nightmare unfold passively. In each way you can, fight back. Find out the true motivation behind his desires. Lila considered what Danielle had said. She was correct; she couldn't passively accept her lot in life.

"You're accurate. I must take the initiative. "Exactly," replied Danielle.

"Look into his past first, discover his flaws and vulnerabilities. Something must exist that you can utilize. Lila nodded, driving himself with new purpose. "I'll carry that out.

I'm not going to allow him rule my life. With a smile, Danielle said, "That's the spirit." "Let's go to bed now. We shall begin our planning tomorrow.

That night, as Lila laid in bed, ideas on ways to make axel pay for his actions ran through her head. She had to try even though she knew it wouldn't be simple. For her own sake, for her father's sake, and for the future she still wanted.

Lila got up early the following morning, eager to get her research underway. She started by looking up whatever information she could find online about axel that may help her. Even though it was taking a while, she wasn't going to quit up. Danielle joined her, offering encouragement and research assistance. They searched social media, business reports, and news articles together for anything that could provide them an advantage, just when Lila was starting to lose hope, Danielle discovered something intriguing.

"Observe this," she exclaimed, gesturing to a vintage newspaper item, a few years ago, axel was a part of a scandal. It appears that his family business was charged with engaging in dubious commercial activities. Lila's eyes grew wide as she perused the piece.

"This might be the one. Finding evidence that axel still engaged in criminal activity could provide us the leverage we require. "Exactly," replied Danielle. We simply must delve further. There needs to be more data available. They hunted for further information for the remainder of the day, and by nighttime they had compiled a brief but possibly useful dossier on axel. Although it wasn't enough to defeat him just yet, it was a start. She felt like she had a chance to fight back, for the first time since axel had made his ultimatum. Although she was unsure of what lay ahead, she was resolved to take charge of her own fate .

Lila and Danielle kept looking into it, gradually accumulating more proof. They also started organizing their strategy for confronting axel and pressinguring him to concede.

At last, the day had arrived to announce the engagement. Lila made a conscious effort to convey composure and confidence through his attire. Even though she might be stuck in this circumstance, she refused to show axel how scared she was. The rich and famous of the city attended the extravagantly decorated gala.

Lila maintained a confident demeanor while interacting with the attendees despite feeling uncomfortable amid the glitzy gathering.

Axel took her hand and ushered her into the center of the gathering when it was time for the announcement. He gave a stirring speech about their impending nuptials, and the audience cheered, apparently unaware of their falling out.

Lila kept her eyes and ears peeled, waiting for any chance to learn more or establish new contacts. She was aware that she would need assistance from others and that each new acquaintance she established would be useful in the battle against axel.

She'd gotten a few business cards by the end of the evening, and she'd heard some fascinating talks. Though it wasn't much, it was a beginning. Lila gave her a firm handshake as they departed the celebration, his eyes bright with delight. "Lila, you did great tonight. The media will cover this extensively.

Lila artificially smiled. "I'm happy you're satisfied." As he glanced at her, axel's smile dimmed a little.

"Keep in mind that this is only the beginning. There is still a long way to go, Lila nodded, determination tightening in her. "I am aware, and I'm prepared.

While driving home, Lila's thoughts were constantly buzzing with ideas and tactics as she peered out the window, whatever it took, she was going to find a way out of this nightmare.