The arranged marriage

Emma Watson

"Get a grip on yourself, Emma." My mother, Eliana, spat out in annoyance as she gave me a dirty glare.

I retreated my stares from her, scanning the room as the air turned suffocating, heavy with perfume, whiskey, and all you could call that was filled with Wealth.

I tugged at the edges of my too-tight dress, a red number that she had insisted I wear. Likewise, I hated it. It felt like a costume for a role I hadn't agreed to play.

"Stand up straight," she hissed in my ear again, her manicured nails digging into my arm and causing me nothing but pain. "And for God's sake, try not to look pathetic."

I held in the urge to snap at her. To tell her, I am not the cause of the accident and I would never do that to my sister, but no, would she even listen? Even when it is darn obvious the accident was a mistake.

The room suddenly felt silent. A man in black suit stepped onto the stage at the front of the room, holding a microphone. With a smooth voice, he started.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining this little event. As always, discretion is appreciated." He announced, and loud murmurs filled the air.

Discretion?

Just the word alone sent chills down my spine. I wasn't naive to the extent that I wouldn't know what that meant. I had heard rumors of places like this. ...where the rich and powerful traded not just money, but in people.

But then my mother's grip on my hand jolted me back to reality as I raised my brows at her. "Smile," She said through gritted teeth.

I didn't. I couldn't.

What was there to fake? I was leaving my life behind. I had an interview today about my paintings, but she didn't let me go. She deprived me of my rights and made her beloved daughter stay back home, giving her attention, and she expected me to smile?

The man on stage gestured, and a series of young women were led onto the stage. Each was made like a prized possession, their eyes empty, their bodies stuff. My stomach twisted.

And then it was my turn.

"Next," the man announced, his voice echoing in the room.

Tears from nowhere started to gather from my eyes as I shook my head.

"No," I whispered, pulling back from the grip of my mother. "I'm not doing this."

But she was stronger than she looked. She shoved me forward, her nails leaving bruises on my hand.

"Don't embarrass me, Emma, you fool! Your sister needs the operation that you caused." She hissed, and I sighed, silently cursing underneath my breath.

As I went to the stage, my heels made a loud sound on the floor, making me feel uncomfortable. The lights were blinding eyes, and I could feel dozens of eyes on me, assessing and judging me. I don't know, but their eyes made me feel unwanted.

"Lot twenty-seven," the man said, reading out my information. "Emma Watson . Twenty Three. Unmarried. Educated."

I clenched my fist, finding it challenging to keep calm because I wanted to scream so loud for my freedom. How dare they reduce me to a list of attributes? He even reduced my age?

The bidding then started.

It was surreal, hearing the numbers climb higher and higher, as if I were nothing more than a painting or a piece of jewelry.

"Three million."

"Four."

"Four-point-five."

My eyes scanned the crowd, desperate to find a face that might offer some kind of help, some kind of escape. Praying silently not to get sold to an ugly fat man with a stinking breath.

And then, a voice cut through the room. Deep, calm, and commanding.

"Ten million."

Murmurs filled everyone, and my legs wavered as I stepped backwards with a gasp.

The man stepped forward, and for the first time, I saw him. He took away my breath. He was talkative, impeccably dressed in a black suit that fitted him perfectly. His face is sharp, angular, like a carved stone. But his eyes- it was amusing. He wore dark glasses, hiding his eyes away from the people.

"That concludes the bidding." The announcer said, his voice entering the whole room. "Congratulations, Mr. Maverick ."

My breath seized as the man approached the stage with confidence. Two men in black suits followed him with a stone-cold face.

"Emma," he called, his voice wasn't cool, nor was it cold. "Come." He instructed but I didn't make a move.

Come?

One of the men stepped forward, reaching out for my hand, but the Maverick guy raised his hand up to stop him.

"She'll come on her own," he said, and I sighed.

His voice sounded like I had nothing to do anyway because he bought me already. It was an order and I had no right to defile it. I turned towards my mother, hoping to see her say at least something, but she only rolled her eyes at me.

Lena's operation wasn't even up to Ten million and she still stood there?

It was all a terrible one time mistake that I regret with every minute of my life. The night party, the loud bang from the car, the explosion, it was all a nightmare dream and to think I never instigated the party yet, my mother blames me for all their predicament. How to serve?

My legs trembled, and I reluctantly stepped down from the stage.

"Good," he murmured, almost to himself.

For the rest of the moment, I was escorted out of the building and into a black car, the tears I was holding slowly dropping in my eyes.

All of this was supposed to be a dream, but it was coming to reality.

The Maverick man sat beside me, silent and still. I sniffed, notwithstanding the pain anymore.

"Why?" I blurted out with a breaking voice. "Why did you buy me? You...you could have just left me back there, but you choose to show yourself. How heartless can you be!" I yelled, and he raised his head to my direction, a dark chuckle coming out from his lips.

"Because I can."

His words hit me like a slap right hard across my face.

"You're a monster," I whispered.

"Perhaps," he said, unbothered by my words. "But I am your monster now."

This man! He was getting on my nerves just at our first start.

When we arrived at his mansion, I was struck by its beauty. The estate was all sharp angles and glass, placed on the cliff and overlooking the city. It was the kind of place that screamed power and authority.

Inside the house was as cold as the man himself. I just couldn't continue to make out the beautiful things I had seen.

Was it the beautiful adorned art? Oh, my love for art.

"Follow me," He said, his voice cutting deep into the place and I noticed his bodyguards had left us.

I trailed behind him, staring at every little thing I saw. He kept me in a room... more like a bedroom.

"There it is. This is where you'll stay," he said, gesturing with his hand. "You'll find a dress in the wardrobe and anything else you might need in the drawer. I will go to the mall to pack some clothes tomorrow. Dinner is at seven. Don't be late." He instructed, and I opened my mouth in disbelief as he turned to leave.

"Wait," I called out, stopping him in his tracks. "What do you really want from me?" I asked with arms crossed.

He paused in the doorway, his back still turned to me.

"Obedience," he curtly said, and before I could say another word, he was gone, leaving me in my truancy.

Ray Maverick

I patiently waited at the dining table, hearing the ticking of the clock and the clicking of plates made by my maid, Belinda.

"What did you make today?" I asked, and I heard a deep silence followed before a reply was given.

"Your favorite dish, Sir. Caviar topped blinis" She replied and I sighed.

"The lady?"

"Dainty sandwiches, for her." She responded, making me nod my head.

"What is the time now, Belinda?" I asked, smacking my lips. The lady was testing me if the time had passed.

"Two minutes past Seven, Sir." She replied curtly, and before I could say something, I heard a rough walk from behind me, making a loud thud.

Clumsiness. That's one thing I hated about women...

"You're late." I said, my voice cold as ice.

"I'm" she started, but I interrupted her.

"I despise tardiness, Emma. You had one instruction, and you failed to follow it." I leaned back in my chair, my expression unreadable behind my dark glasses. "Do not let it happen again. It hasn't even passed a day, and you are already acting all up." I scoffed, but she remained quiet.

"I am sorry," she murmured with a soft voice.

I thought she would give me a slap across the face since she showed a side of her in my car, but it turned out that the little woman couldn't do a thing.

One of the reasons I had purposely chosen her. I saw through her. The decency, the honesty. It was all there and I felt a spark.

"Sit." I gestured toward the chair to my right, and the scrape of the chair made a loud SCRA on the floor.

After sitting, we started to devour and I could feel her gaze on me. Probably curious, probing, as if she was trying to get something out of me.

My lips curved into a faint smile. The fact that she was looking all naive was something. I doubt she even realized that I am blind. How many months did I get myself into this? The stares, the questions that no one wanted to ask. But then, I had to brace myself because of people like her that are negligent. I had studied sensory substitution, even at my lowest. I wouldn't allow anyone to see that vulnerable side of me. No, Never.

Dumbass Woman.

I wanted to say something when my phone vibrated.

"Sir," Maria said, approaching the table. I could hear her steady footsteps. "It's your brother, Mr.Lucas." She said, and I raised my eyebrows, letting out a sigh.

Of course, it wasLucas. My elder brother always had a way of showing up at the most inconvenient time.

"Answer it," instructed, leaning back in my chair to listen to what he had to say.

I felt the hand of the maid near me and I took my phone from her with ease.

I had gone for so many blind practices and all, making sure I was never a laughingstock and people wouldn't see through me.

"Ray,"Lucas' voice came through the connection, always smooth. "You're surprisingly easy to get a hold of these days."

The grip on my phone tightened. "What do you want,Lucas?" I asked, not wanting to get into his tactics.

But he only chuckled, and in a mocking tone. "Always so charming. Can't a brother call just to check in? I mean, I am not that bad. Occasionally I care about my brother's welfare, but he wouldn't even reciprocate." He said, and I scoffed.

Brother, my foot.

"We both know that's not why you called," I responded coldly. "Get to the point, young man."

Silence eluded the place after I said that, and after a while he cleared his throat.

"Very well," he said and continued. "There's a family meeting at the house this Friday. Grandfather insists on tour presence."

My brows furrowed just at his words. The family house? The ones who hated my gut and never wanted me near them.

"And why, after all these months from my accident, am I suddenly required to attend?" I asked, my voice sharp. "I've been more than happy to stay out of your little gatherings. I hate to break it to you that I would not be attending the petty gatherings on Friday." I declared, but I ended up hearing his scornful laugh.

"Oh, Ray, must you always be so dramatic? Let's just say your...unique perspective is suddenly of interest to Grandfather. You know how he gets when he's in one of his moods, but you should know if it was left for mother, Elaine, father and me, I would gladly push you off because you wouldn't be able to see the situation at hand." He said and chuckled.

My hand tightened around the phone. Lucasalways knew how to needle me, how to twist the knife just enough to draw blood.

"What are you playing at,Lucas?" I inquired, my voice dangerously calm, and I could feel a peer of eyes on me.

"I'll see you Friday," he mockingly said. "Try not to be late. You know how much grandfather hates that."

The line went dead before I could make a response, and I let out a slow breath, lacing the phone down on the table with care.

"Everything all right?" Emma Asked for a long time of thoughts.

I turned my head to her direction. "That depends on your definition of 'all right,'" I responded dryly with a scoff.

"Get ready on Friday." I declared, standing up to my feet and exiting the room.

Perhaps this was my chance to finally let them know I am not as useless as they think.

Emma Watson

A light knock on the door made me jolt up from my sleep and I raised my eyes towards the door, standing up on my feet to open it.

As I opened the door, maids from different angles started to appear with different designers on their hands.

My eyes widened, and I gasped, unable to believe what I was seeing.

"W....who are those for?" I asked when they settled inside.

"Ma am. Sir. Ray, asked for these to be sent to your room." One of the maids replied, making me furrow my brows.

"For what?"

They all raised their heads at me. "We are not in question to know that, ma'am."

After dropping off the accessories, I couldn't help but wonder who this man was.

Who was Maverick ?

I picked up my phone, turned on the internet and did some research on who Maverick was. Then it all appeared, giving me a shock on my bones.

Ray Maverick ? I mean, I am auctioned to Ray Maverick . The billionaire bachelor that got everyone tripping for him. I finally have him in my abode? But then, one thing struck me.

"He is blind. He is a blind man?"

I couldn't believe my ears. Reminiscing on how he came onto the stage like he could see perfectly and the way he ate elegantly. It all didn't make any sense to me.

Was I being deceived by the internet?

I rushed out of my supposed room, waltzing into the kitchen, where a maid was assigned.

I knew it sounded stupid, but I still had to ask. It was better than not getting to know anything.

"Please." I called the attention of the maid, and she raised her brows up at me.

"How may I help you, miss." She asked, and I scratched my hair with my hand awkwardly.

"I am sorry if this sounds off, but is Mr. Maverick a blind man?" I asked, I didn't fail to notice the frown that appeared on her face and for some reason she looked past me, unable to give me the answer.

"Is this how it is now? Asking my maids for information about me." The husky voice I heard from behind me made me jolt in shock.

Ray.

He was here.

"I... I.... I promise I didn't mean it like that." I tried to defend myself, but I watched him tuck his hand into his pocket, his back resting on the door frame that led to the kitchen.

"Your words don't matter to me. As far as I get it. That you are so dumb and can't see clearly." He responded, his words sending slaps across my face.

He was so mean. Right from day one, I suddenly started to realize why he was like that.

Perhaps he didn't get his fame anymore.

"Get your face clean and be ready for dinner tonight. Any form of clumsiness and tardiness won't be allowed." He said and started to walk off, then he stopped in the middle of the hall.

"And, we are to go for a contract marriage today." He announced, and my eyes widened in utmost disbelief.

"What!?"

"I am sure you are not deaf and you could hear me. We are going for a contract marriage today. I hate it when people make me repeat myself." He said, his voice oozing with coldness, and I sighed.

"I don't seem to get your point, Mr. Maverick . You brought me here and without informing me, you suddenly want us to get a contract marriage and the day is to...."

"Your opinion is not relevant! I own you! I bought you with my money, and you don't get to decide what I do." He interrupted, his voice held disgust and irritation, causing me to flinch back in shock.

What the heck has gotten into this man?

He didn't even say a word before he started to walk off. I watched him retreating in amusement. How was he even able to do that? To walk on his own while he is blind without missing a step or no one helping him to walk? He must have gone through so many tough times to be able to stand on his own...how industrious.

I rushed into my bedroom, retrieving my phone from the drawer, and dialed my mother's number. It was needed. To tell her what she had gotten me into.

After the second ring, she finally picked the call and as always, she held disgust for me.

"You called? I thought I had seized the opportunity of calling since you got the maid application, and it amuses me that someone bought you for that kind of amount, lowlife like you." She blurted out, and I clenched my fist, trying to hold on to the surge of saying something I might end up regretting.

"G.... Getting Married?" She stuttered, disbelief laced in her voice. "You are getting married? How? I thought the man bought you as his maid?" She questioned and I scoffed.

"Mother, as I have been sold off to him, it is none of your business anymore. I just called to inform you, in case you heard, that I am now married to a man. And, I hope Lena is getting all the treatment she deserves because the money taken to sell me off is enough for whatever expenses now." I said, and I heard her hiss from the other line of the Connection.

"In case I hear you get married? Are you being delusional right now, Emma? The man isn't even all popular, so cut the crap. Happy married life to you." She greeted, and before I could say any more words, the call made a loud beep, indicating that the call had ended.

I can't believe she's actually doing this.

I sighed out loud and a soft knock on the door interrupted my new thoughts and I stood, walking over to the door.

"Mr. Maverick said to inform you about the preparation he asked for, earlier. He said you should get dressed and met him by 3 on the dot. Tardiness won't be allowed." She ended and started to walk off.

Unbelievably! I scoffed, my hand placed on my waist as I tried to get what was happening.

Anyway, I got dressed into one of the dresses he bought for me, an Emerald gown, and after making myself up, I headed outside in a rush.

Even one minute could be tagged as lateness to him.

"Thought you wouldn't keep to this time." He scoffed and without waiting for me to reach his side, he walked outside into the car that was already opened for him.

This man. He was exceptional.

"Ma'am, get into the car. Mr. Maverick orders." His chauffeur yelled, titling his head outside to check on me and I jolted back to my senses, rushing into the car.

The marriage was fast, and it felt as though he had planned everything ahead and all I was left for was to sign the contract. I scanned the papers again and my eyes caught the pro's and con's of the marriage I was getting myself into.

I would rather not get married to him! My freedom, I had to find my way of leaving this hell of a prison, and yet, I was getting myself into a marriage. A contract Marriage at that.

"Will you just stare and not sign those darn papers? I gave you what you wanted, and you would give me mine." His thunderous voice filled that silence that had come in between.

I was getting married to a blind cold man. How was I supposed to cope?

My eyes caught one out of the several lines that were listed for me.

The tag: "You would be my surrogacy mother and after bearing a male child for me, we are even."

My eyes widened, could I say I was flabbergasted because I am?

"You what!" I yelled, staring at him with my socket eyes all out. "I will be a surrogacy mother? You? Tell...tell me you don't mean that. Hi ... .how am..."

"I hope you know your suggestion isn't needed here. Just sign those darn papers and let us get out of here." He declared like I had no choice, and I gulped in hard before signing the agreement with trembling hands.

"Now we are even."

~♥

Staring down at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel mesmerized by my reflection. I never knew I could be dolled up like a princess but to someone I am not in....free will with.

A plan to escape so badly was all I hoped for.

"Are you done or do you want to take one hour more?" I heard his husky voice and I immediately picked my bags and ran outside.

The drive throughout the journey was silent, drop-dead silent with no one saying a dime to each other but when we got to the parking lot, the car highlighted and the chauffeur got down, giving us space to talk, I guess.

"You know these steps now. No matter what happens. You met me and we got married. Do not say more than that and be coordinated." He said and knocked on the car door before the chauffeur opened the door, and we got out of the car.

Mere staring at the sprawling estate, I knew that this estate had memories that only the man standing beside me knew.

Back to the night, he was talking to his brother like he was an outcast in the family.

It was night but it all shined beautifully. We got into the main house and the interior was all to be hyped. The decorations and opulence were a sweet masterpiece.

The art! Most especially the art, they gave me goosebumps all around me.

"Ray Maverick ! What is this about

the deadly rumors I have been hearing about you?" The loud voice of a man looking exactly just like Ray filled the air and almost lost a step.