THE LOVE I CAN SACRIFICE

Arella's pov

Hearing my father spill nonsense from his mouth made me wonder if I was truly his daughter, I sat there in awe and shock as I listened to him, "You have to get married." He said to me, I looked at him for the tenth time hoping he'd laugh and say, "It's a prank!" And that he was just fooling around, but unfortunately, he wasn't, he was damn serious with everything. What was my offense that he was willing to throw me off to some stranger at the slightest wave of money? I felt betrayed, and alone once again. Dad was always like that, and could I blame him? No. His business had struggled since the death of Mom, apparently, she had cancer, and Dad had spent most of his life savings on her, since then, life's been really tough on all of us particularly me who had just finished graduating from college, that was five years ago and as sad as it seemed, their marriage wasn't the perfect one, at some point I felt like I wasn't much of a daughter to dad than I was to mom. We never had the father-daughter connection, nothing like that. How would some spark when dad had wanted a male child all along? Yes. In some parts of the world, or some people's mindset, things are a frivolous ad that existed. My name is Arella Buchanan, the only daughter of my parents, apparently, they say they love me which I hardly see. "You have to get married and I have found the perfect man for you." I immediately lost it immediately, standing up abruptly as I interrupted his words, "Dad, I am going to say this just once so you'd better listen good. I ain't getting married to any damn man! I'm old enough to make my decisions!!" I said standing firm he looked at me with a glare, "Old enough you say? You're 24! What the hell are you still doing in my house? I have tolerated your presence enough for 24 years, now I'm asking you to leave in peace!" He spat out, I felt somewhat hurt, and there he said it. I was a burden all along. Jessica stood at the door confused, she was his new wife, and I could say she did a better job at parenting than he did. I glared at Dad, fighting the tears that were trying to stream down my eyes, I couldn't take it anymore, so I walked out of him, heading to my room, in anger banging the door so hard that it couldn't ironically pull the building down, falling flat on my bed, the tears broke out in their numbers, I cried hard into my pillow. If there's anything I've yearned for over the years it's father's love. A knock Interrupted my bawling, I sniffed as I raised my head, then asked, "Who's that?" "Can I come in?" Jessica's voice said, "The door is open," I said flatly, falling to the bed again. The door opened, and she stood there with a tray of hot noodles, looking at me with pity in her eyes, "You know, your father meant well." She began, I rolled my puffy eyes, I was interested in the food she was holding, "What's that?" I asked completely ignoring her statement, she then smiled raising the tray, "Your favorite. Pepper noodles with water." I gulped down, she just knew how to bribe me. "So tell me, don't you want to get married?" She looked at me, sat on the bed, Jessica was nice, she reminded me alot of Mom but despite everything, I missed Mom. Dad could use her to get to know parenting better. "Not that I don't want to get married, I want to experience love in its dimensions before I get married. But what dad's telling me to do...that's torture" I sniffed. She sighed, then patted me on the back, "How about I speak to your father, maybe just maybe, he'd listen to me." She added, I smiled, then threw my arms around her, "Thank you, Jessica," I mumbled to her. "You're welcome. Now eat your noodles before it gets cold. That totally worked." She joked, making me laugh a little, as she walked out of the door, I stared at the noodles, about to munch it when I received a text, "Babe, let's meet up". My smile widened, as I saw the text from Lan. Apparently, I had a boyfriend whom I loved so much, and the feelings were reciprocated. I met Lan in school and we've been sweethearts for close to three years now, and no matter how my dad kept telling me to get married to a man old enough to be my grandfather, that was not happening, I took a deep breath, then stood up as I grabbed my jacket from the table, I stormed out, ignoring my dad's incessant calls. I turned looking at my house, this was the last time, anyone was going to see me. I turned heading to where my love lay. Wellington's Residence DOMINIC'S POV The house was calm, the peaceful glance of the mansion which held countless memories of my childhood surfaced before me, taking a deep breath, the door suddenly opened, with Damian holding onto the door as it opened ajar, Taking a short bow, he says" Welcome home, sir." Looking at him, couldn't help but wonder how he had been all these years, "Damian," I called, with our eyes meeting, it's been a while. "Most definitely.' flashing a small smile to me, just then the butler came out with Grandpa behind him, "Son, how nice of you to return home to this old man after all these years." My grandfather frowned a little, his skin which was already wrinkled due to old age, as he stared at me. That was the brain behind the successful name, Wellington. Grandpa had built the name from scratch with my father taking over the company, but it didn't last in his time as my parents were brutally murdered alongside my oldest brother while I was away at a piano competition in Poland. It's been a traumatizing life for me, seeing my grandfather, the only parent I've had all these years, even though sometimes he seemed to nag a lot like a woman. "But I'm here now, ain't I?" I beamed, while he squeezed his face walking Into the arms I had opened up for a warm hug. "Welcome home, Buddy." He says to me in a whisper, which feels peaceful. "Feels good to be home," I said to him. . . "Marriage?" I squinted my brows at the mention of the name marriage, "Yes, and I've prepared a wonderful bride for you." I don't while his words felt sketchy, Grandpa Wellington has always been cocky and sly, "And she agreed?" I questioned, at this point in my life I had already given up on hope. It felt like life itself was tired of my existence. I am sick and in desperate need of an heir to the entire Wellington asset before I leave this earth. "Are you that in a hurry to bid me a goodbye." I spat out, rolling my eyes, "At this point, I think I'm the one dying instead." Grandpa Wellington looked at me as he spat out unbelievably, I snorted as I crossed my legs, ignoring the look he gave. "So who's this mysterious lady who accepts to marry a sick man in this time and age?" I asked if it was he moved back, rubbing his temples, "Oh my goodness," He finally says, "She doesn't know," I rose in surprise, "She doesn't.." He immediately cut me off, "Before you say anything she should know nothing." He says, I stared at him in disbelief, "You can't be serious?" "What? Apparently, you two have been betrothed to each other since you were two. You wanted to marry her so badly when you were younger." He says he can't be kidding me right now, "What?" "I know this girl?" He nodded, I turned to Damian who seemed quite flushed, "Arella Buchanan. Does the name ring a bell?" Grandpa suddenly says, at that moment I froze. All seemed like a small joke, "Arella?" I asked again, "Yes, the same one. And this time she's more beautiful than ever." Grandpa continued, "She lost her mother and her father just remarried, from what I heard, his business is struggling, they moved back to their old house about five years ago." He looked at Damian snapped his hands, who then walked up to me with a brown envelope, hesitating a little I opened it up, to see pictures of her, "That's her now," Grandpa says, I stood in awe of her beauty, she had indeed grown up to be very attractive. "I'm sure she has a love interest but there's nobody I can trust you with, So what do you say? Should I get you another bride?" Probably this time fate was on my side and not against me, "No, she's just perfect and if I can, I'll steal her away. "

ARELLA'S POV

The door opened and there stood Lan as he access me with his eyes, then heaved a deep sigh of relief before pulling me into his hug,

"I was so scared." He says in whispers, I couldn't help but feel guilty, he had done nothing but love me but my father has decided to make our lives miserable.

I couldn't take all of it, I immediately broke down in tears,

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for putting you in a situation like this." I sniffed as I broke off the hug wiping my tears with the back of my hand. He stared at me, then said

You don't have to be sorry, Ella. It's not your fault". He says trying to comfort me, which was not working apparently.

"I miss my mom in times like this". I uttered as I sniffed harder, my nose was already red from my cries.

He looked me in the eye before saying,

"Let's make love." He dropped the bombshell, I watched him in shock, for a moment it felt hot then terribly cold, finding my voice, I instantly broke away from his embrace a bit disappointed by his utterance, then moved away as I glared at him in shock.

"What did you say?" This time with my voice a little deepened, a drop of tears falling off my eyes as I watched him.

He stood there at the entrance as he watched me in shock,

"C'mon, you and I know all this would stop if we want it to." I stood in disbelief, surprised he'd make such a suggestion knowing fully well how I kicked against this.

Our relationship was built on a no sex promise which he had kept diligently for three years and just as the one wave of a challenge he suddenly wanted to break it.

"You know my take on this?" I replied totally uninterested.

"If you carry my baby then all these would..."

I immediately raise my hand signifying he stopped as I was already boiling in anger,

"Is that why you asked me to come over? So we could have sex? And then what?" He was already losing his cool,

"Do you blame me, Ella? Your father is about to give you away to a total stranger, and worst this stranger is far better than I am, I wouldn't watch you get married to an old man!" He yelled and for the first time, I felt his anger, everything seemed real.

"Do you truly love me?" He suddenly asked,

"Why would you ask me that question? If I didn't love you I wouldn't have left home to come be with you! I want us to get married, to get my father's bless..."

"And what if we don't?" He cut me off halfway, I was confused already.

Then we'll try again. Your father has made up his mind. So it's left for you to make up your mind and be with me. Marry me Arella and let's run away from our problems." He says, I watched him in tears. I couldn't take it any longer, I rushed into his embrace, and as I wailed, I love him, I truly love him and nobody can change that or take him away from me.

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I woke up later in the evening. I had cried myself to sleep, I looked around, I was in Lan's bedroom, I turned to see our pictures from college hung on his wall, making me feel important. I picked up my phone to see a dozen missed calls from Fiona and Aunty Jessica.

I sighed,

"They must be looking for me." Too bad I can't tell you guys where I am. I switched off my cell phone, then came down as I headed downstairs where the sound of the chopping was coming from. Lan was pretty successful shortly after our graduation. He worked as a supervisor in a nice and decent company and was comfortable, he was everything I dreamt of in a man. Now she was in the kitchen making dinner, when he abruptly turned as he caught me gazing at him.

"I think I'm too handsome for you to not have said anything but watch me." He says, flashing a smile.

"You wish." I smiled as I walked down the stairs, approaching him.

"Your mom and Fiona called. They're worried about you." He added as he gave me a glass of juice. I sighed taking the glass from him,

"What did you tell them?"

"That I haven't seen you all day." I nodded uninterested, taking a big gulp of the juice down my throat.

"That's a big gulp." He teased, as he returned to what he was cooking.

"What are you making? I asked as I walked up to him wrapping my arms around him,

"Pancakes." He replied as he flipped over the pancakes.

"Sounds delicious," I mumbled,

"You should rest. And yes, I fixed our wedding tomorrow." He added,

"What?" I broke off from him,

"What wedding?" I asked,

"Our wedding? He says as he takes out a small ring box from his back pocket and then goes down on one knee, I was flabbergasted, not knowing exactly what to feel, my emotions were all over the place and felt like they burst me open. My eyes suddenly became teary,

"Arella Buchanan, I love you so much. Would you do me the honor as I ask you this very important question?

I promise to love you forever, till your hair turns gray and your teeth fall off," I broke into a burst of small laughter,

"What..." hitting him playfully,

"Will you marry me, Arella Christine Buchanan?" I stared, my legs were weak our lives in three years flashed before my eyes and this was the best decision of my life, I took out my hand and with a bright and wide smile on my face, I looked at him lovingly in his eyes then said to him the answer every other man in his knees would love to hear their girl say,

"Yes....yes I'll marry you," I said as he heaved a deep sigh of relief, then slid the ring into my finger, then hugged me,

"You've made me the happiest man on earth". He whispered into my ears, giving me shivers down my spine, this was everything and more I wanted, what more could I ask for?

The Wellington's Residence

DOMINIC'S POV

"What do you mean you can't find her? She's been gone all day!" I heard Grandpa on the phone,

"Dominic's back and he wants to see her right away!" I was confused, Arella missing?

"What do you mean she eloped? With whom!" I felt a surge of anger go down my spine as I walked away picking up my phone,

"Damian, meet me in the car now." I walked out and entered the car, shortly, he walked in,

"What's Ms. Buchanan's situation like?" I asked, he seemed shocked,

"You.. you know she's missing?"

"Give me details," I said coldly, he sighed and handed over the file, he was just about to give Grandpa.

"She's dating him. He goes by the name Lan Gibson. They both went to the same college and have been sweethearts for three years. Maybe that's why she's repulsive of the decision to get married to you." I stared at his picture in silence, then turned to Damian,

"You can go. I'll figure this out." I spat out.

"Huh? But..?' his voice trailed off,

"Don't you have some work to do at the office before I resume? I'll take care of these and leave Grandpa out of this.

Damien looked at me, then gave up since my mind was already made up.

"Fine. Do be careful. You just returned." He stated, I stretched my hands,

"Keys," I said not answering, he sighed, having no choice. I was the boss anyway. Handing me the keys, as he stepped out, I shoved the key turning on the ignition as I drove out of the building.

"She wants to leave me again? Not possible." I sped off.

My phone beeped, it was a message from Damian,

"This is his location. I tracked his number." Looking at the map, I reversed the drove off to the location, they were at some place downtown, which is going to take hours to get there.

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ARELLA'S POV

It was a beautiful morning, the day was bright, and I felt alive. I was getting married today, this was not my ideal wedding but we had to rush things before my father would Intervene.

I stood in my white dress as I stared into his eyes, it was just the priest who was officiating the wedding and I felt that was the most important part,

"Do you, Arella Buchanan take Lan Gibson to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and care for him in sickness and in health for the rest of your lives?

"I..."

"I don't think you should complete that statement." A voice suddenly says we both turned abruptly to see a strange man dressed in a black suit, staring at us Intently, he immediately felt familiar but who was this,

"You have guts you know." He turned to Lan,

"What are you? And who do you think will stop this wedding?" " Lan asked in anger,

"You are getting married to my wife." He spat out, throwing me off balance,

"What?"

"You heard me. We're married." He stated, And his eyes fixed on me, before I knew what was happening I blacked out.

Everything felt like a bad dream when I woke up, I slowly opened my eyes to see myself in a pretty fancy room that looked nothing like Lan's bedroom,

"If this isn't Lan's bedroom, then where am I?"

"In my bedroom." Another voice answered, my heart dropped to my stomach as I turned abruptly to the man in the black suit. He poured red wine into his empty glass, then turned to meet my gaze. The situation in the garden didn't give me time to analyze how stunning he looked. He had a perfect score and would sell off as an A-list male model, Well-built with a chiseled shoulder and broad chest, gray eyes, pointed nose...

"Are you checking me out?" He suddenly asked out of the blue, my cheeks flushed, embarrassed, how could I be mesmerized by another man's appearance when I am to get married to Lan?

"Wait, I was to get married to Lan. I looked at myself. I was still in my white gown, so was it all real? I was actually getting married and not dreaming,

"Where's Lan? Who the hell are you?" He looked at me expressionlessly,

"Your husband. How many times do I need to spell it out for you to understand?" Was he out of his mind? I looked at him, and I was pretty sure I had not met a man like this, who was he?

"You may not know me but your father knows me. Apparently, we're going to get married but you ran away with him." He explains, pouring himself another glass of wine,

"That explains nothing. I was never getting married to you. You are young. My dad had proposed to an old man.."

"An old man?" Then laughed, "I find that very insulting.

"Who are you?" I asked, he looked wealthy and polished, no matter how scared u am right now I was not meant to show it.

Before he could say anything shove words Into his mouth,

"Did my dad gamble? Are you some mafia coming to me for payment? Well, newsflash, I have no money." Making sure my words rang in his ears to be able to know what next to say to me.

"You're beautiful." He suddenly says, I stared in disbelief, my throat seems dry, no words could come out of my mouth. The door opened, and a guy in a suit walked into the awkward moment as he watched us stare at each other,

"Errhhm," He cleared his throat, handed him some documents, and then left and I could have sworn I saw him shake his head.

He read the file and then tossed me a green small book,

"That's your passport, get ready we're going home." He said hastily, about to leave,

" I'm not going anywhere with you. Where'd Lan?" I asked, tossing it to the floor, he looked a bit upset but tried to control himself like I cared.

"You mean the criminal?" His voice deepened in mockery, I shot him a glare, "Well, he's a thousand. iles away from you," I gasped covering my mouth with my hands, he looked shocked

" You kill him?"

" What? Are you insane? I don't kill miscreants. Flying you home in an hour." He walked just like that, closing the door behind him, I grunted in anger,

"Argh! " I screamed to the duvet, I must say he does know his Business. This was a hotel close to Lan's place, I reluctantly got down from the bed and slid into the slippers, after which, I walked into the bathroom, seeing myself in the beautiful wedding dress, I broke down in tears, my cheeks instantly became hot, the tip of my nose reddened, as I bawled my eyes out.

I was really getting married. I heard a soft knock on the door, Interrupting my crying session. I washed my face then damp it with a towel before heading to the door. It was a female room service attendant. Probably to clean the room was my guess,

"Arella Buchanan?" She smiled, she was a short, light-skinned benign-looking lady, although she looked calm and welcoming. She looked stressed, probably still on her shift from the previous day but one could hardly notice. She looked shocked to see me in a wedding dress but managed to quench her curiosity.

"For you." She thrust the paper bag forward, catching the popular Designer brand, I just knew they were clothes.

"From Mr. Wellington ." She smiled then walked away,

"Hey wait." She didn't turn, guess she had already done the work she was asked to, sighed, I glanced at the dress and then dragged it. my feet to the bathroom to change.

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I was fine with the dress, after which I applied my gloss to my lips. It was simple Jeans pants and a red top blouse. I picked up my bag, tied my hair in a bun, walked out of the room, and headed to the lobby, I was already at a loss and should probably think of other plans. There was a car already waiting for me in the lobby, who was this guy? I asked myself, I watched the two bodyguards walk up to me,

"We will escort you to the airport, ma'am." I felt embarrassed, the glares I was getting were already embarrassing enough,

"Acts like she owns the world." One of the ladies rolled their eyes, as they walked passed me,

"You'd never wish it were me, "I thought to myself.

"Let's go," one of them says impatiently taking my purse for me and then opening the door,

"Oh gosh," I sighed, we drove to the airport with him waiting, I believe the darkness of the room hid all his charms, the door opened and I walked out approaching him

"You're late."He immediately said, his pa looked away,

"Do I have a choice?" I replied sarcastically. As soon as we both walked to the airplane, he took a seat, I was about to sit when he abruptly stopped me,

"No one sits with me." He then turned to the flight attendant, "Show her seat and serve her well." Did he just bash me in the face with degrading words?

"What the hell!" My subconscious mind yelled the flight attendant showed me to a seat adjacent to his, I threw my face out of the window and picked up my cell phone, Fiona was furious,

"I'm going to whack you when you get here." I forced a smile on my face, watching him, opening up his laptop again and working. I suddenly felt sleepy. These past few days have been rough, resting my head and facing the window. I quickly dozed off.

DOMINIC'S POV

I tried to not burst out, but she has a loud mouth, and wouldn't keep to herself, Damian walked up to me,

"You know this game doesn't get old for you so I suggest you take it easy with the poor girl." Taking a seat as he beckoned to the flight attendant for a drink.

"I can't help myself when I'm around her, so the best way to control that is to be repulsive.

"No one seats with you? Really?" He teased, I threw my face back to the laptop,

"Have you heard from Mr. Rolando?" I immediately changed the topic and switched fast to business. Damian looked at me shook his head then said,

"He seemed to be occupied, but would let us know when the time is ready." He then stood up and left, the plane was cold, and I turned to see her tightly hugging herself,

I called on the attendant to get a blanket.

Shortly she returns with the brown striped blanket,

."this is it, sir." Handing it over to me, I turned to her,

"You're dismissed, Would call you if I need your help." I stood up, as I covered her properly with the blanket, then went back to work.

It's been barely two hours when the pilot announced our landing, Damian walked up to me with a worried look on his face,

"What's going on?"

"There's a picture of you and Arella up on the blogs."

"What?"

"Seems like someone followed you." I'll look for a means to clean this, there are reporters jam packed at the airport awaiting your arrival.

"What? I just arrived how..?"

Damian laughs, " Atlanta's a scary place." He added, I glanced at Arella who was still soundly asleep

"Have the bodyguards protect her, we have to let this issue die before it gets to Grandpa's notice, the old man would nag." As soon as we walked to the airport lobby, we were rushed by the reporters with lights flashing everywhere,

"What the hell is going on?" Who would have tracked us down?"

"Mr. Wellington, who's the supposed lady with you in Miami?

"Is she just another fling?

"You just got back to the country, who's she?" I suddenly felt dizzy, Damian held me,

"We will have a proper press with you on Monday but for now I'd advise you to leave, if not we won't release the clips to the stubborn stations, " they immediately cleared the way, and I could breathe. We walked to the car far away from the crowd, there she was standing by the car,

"Are you for real?" She shot me a glare, everything suddenly went black as I collapsed on her.

She wasn't supposed to find out like this."