Betrothed To The Cold Billionaire

*THE NEXT DAY*

I woke up really late today because I slept in the early hours of the morning. I wasn’t really able to fell asleep fast because I kept crying through out the night.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I still couldn’t believe what had happened yesterday. I sincerely hoped it was all a big nightmare that I had woken up from or just a prank that my parents were playing on me. I would have still locked myself inside but sadly, I had school today.

Normally. I wouldn’t have bothered going but I needed to talk to Sandy about all that had happened. I needed someone to console me and only Sandy could do that now.

I stood up tiredly and walked slowly into my huge bathroom. I stood in front of the huge mirror and stared at my reflexion with a sad smile on my face. My eyes were red and swollen from all the tears I had shed last night.

I put on the tap and used the water to rinse my face hoping it would clear the puffiness of my face a little. After that, I did my business in the bathroom before heading out.

After drying my wet body and rubbing my skin cares on it, I was about to put on my school uniform when I got a call from Sandy.

“Good morning.” I greeted, trying to sound really cheerful.

“Morning Ariel. I just saw your missed calls. I slept off really early yesterday.” She explained as she released a small yawn.

My guess is that she had just woken up. I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.

“Is there something wrong? Why did you call last 0night?” She asked.

“I’ll explain to you at school.” I answered.

“Okay. But I’ll be late. I woke up really late today.” She had just confirmed my thoughts.

“Sure… see you soon. Bye..” I said before I hung up the call.

After that, I put on my uniform and applied some makeup on my face to hide my hooded eyes. I stood in front of the mirror as I tried smiling cheerfully so as to hide the sadness I was feeling inside of me.

I picked up my designers school bag and opened the door only to find mom standing behind it. She was about to knock. She sighed in relief when she saw me.

“You’ve finally opened the door. We were so worried about you.” She said, making me almost roll my eyes but I held myself.

They were actually worried about me but they still went ahead and arranged a marriage that I obviously didn’t want with someone I don’t even know.

“Good morning mom.” I greeted. Even though I was mad at her and the rest of them, doesn’t really mean I have lost my respect for them.

“Morning baby.” She answered cheerfully.

I nodded my head and shut my door. I started heading downstairs, into the living room while she followed suit behind me.

I was about to leave the house when she held me back.

“Are you not going to eat?” She asked.

“No… I’m not hungry.” I said even though my stomach was growling softly.

“But you didn’t eat last night. You can’t skip your food today too. It wouldn’t be good for your health.” She was right but I was trying to prove something.

I was on a hunger strike. As long as they keep pushing me to get married, I wasn’t going to eat anything at all. We’ll see who’s going to get married to skinny oand malnourished girl.

“We made pancakes… your favorite.” Mom added making my stomach growled louder. I really was starving but I wasn’t going to let food spoil my plans even though I loved it.

“I said I’m not hungry.” I screamed… trying to sound as angry as I could and that worked because mom released her hold on me instantly. I took that chance and started heading for the main door.

“Ariel..” Mom called but at that same time, I heard grandma’s voice.

“Why are you forcing her? Let her go. She’ll eat something when she’s hungry. She can’t stay like that for a long time.” She said.

“Watch me.” I resounded trying to sound determined but I was breaking down inside. Only God knows how hungry I am.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to prove and I don’t care. You’ll get married to him whether you like it or not.” Grandma said and I turned to face her.

“Why are you so hell bent on destroying me. I’m your grand daughter for christ sake.” I said, about to cry again.

“Because you are my grand daughter, that’s why I’m doing this for you. Do you know how many girls your age would kill for this position.. for this title?? Can’t you see I’m doing this for your own good?” She asked angrily while mom tried to calm her down but she wasn’t having it.

“My own good?” I asked, my words dripping with hravy sarcasm while I released a small chuckle.

“You and I know that isn’t true. You’re only doing it for yourself.”

“Ariel..” Mom warmed, trying to get me to keep quiet but I didn’t listen to her.

“You are only doing it because you know what would happen to all of you if I don’t agree to this marriage.”

“You ungrateful brat!!” Grqndma called angrily.

“After all we have given you, after all we had sacrificed for you you still don’t want to help the family in the little way you can.” She said. Her face was already fuming. If she was a cartoon character, literal smokes would have been coming out of her ears.

“Little?? You seriously call this little. It’s not like I’ll just go on a date with him and end it like that but you guys are seriously giving me out for a marriage that I don’t even want.”

“I don’t have time to argue with you anymore. You’ll get married to him and that’s final.” She said as she threw a file I never noticed that she was holding over to me.

I was able to catch it and I took a brief look at it. It is the marriage contract. It seemed like the boy… rather man in question had already signed it. All that remains is my signature.

“I’m not going to sign this. Never!” I said as I placed the file down on the table.

“You had better not go against me.” Grandma warned.

“Or what??” I asked back, deciding not to feel threatened.

“If you don’t sign the contract before today ends, I’ll make sure that you won’t be able to do anything you love.” What is she talking about?

“Your modelling career will be over and all these money you’re lavishing on yourself, I’ll take it back since you ckaimed that we never did it for you in the first place. You won’t be able to even take care of your ‘flawless skin’. With no source of income and not being able to shine than the rest student at your school, I bet you will become a laughing stock to the people that you claim to be better than.” She said.

“You can’t do that to me.” I said, with fear written all over my face.

“Watch me.” She answered before she finally left the living room. Leaving me feeling speechless and looking dejecteted.

“Ariel baby.. don’t worry. I’ll try talking to her to help you change her mind.” Mom said but I didn’t reply her.

“I just need you to stop arguing with her or things might get worse.” Mom adviced before she went after grandma.

I had tears at the corner of my eyes, waiting to drop. After forcing me to get married to someone I don’t know, she wants to ruin one of the things that makes me happy.

Well, not on my watch. I dried my tears so that I wouldn’t ruin my make up. One thing is for sure, I wasn’t going to get married to anyone now. I just need a plan that would stop the marriage.

After racking my brain for a while, I smiled when I finally got an idea. A brilliant one at that. I picked up my school bag as I head to the garage. All I need is Sandy and my boyfriend, Lucas to help me execute my plan.

**********************************

*CRESCENT HIGH SCHOOL*

It was lunch break already so I was seated with Sandy at the cafeteria. Thankfully, the drama of yesterday had already died down. I guess dad had already deleted all of the videos.

But that didn’t stop me from getting mocking looks and whispers from students but I didn’t care. That seriously wasn’t what was bothering me at that time.

I couldn’t find Lucas since I arrived at school till this very moment. I needed to tell him about everything that had happened.

I tried calling and texting him but he wasn’t answering. When I wanted to text him the last time, Sandy snatched my phone from me.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I tried to collect the phone back from her but she moved her hand away.

“Stop disturbing the poor guy. I’m sure he’ll call you when he gets your numerous messages.” Sandy said.

“Just one more text.” I said and wanted to take the phone again but she wouldn’t let me.

“Let’s just discuss why you called last night. It seemed really serous because of the amount of missed calls I saw this morning.” Hearing her say that, I sighed sadly.

“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?” She asked in concern.

I didn’t waste why time and told her everything that had happened without leaving any single detail out while she listened with rapt attention.

“What the fuck!!” She gasped in shock when I had finished with my story.

Her loud voice attracted the attention of some students seated around us but they were quick to look away when I gave them a wierd look.

“Easy..” I said to her. I didn’t want anyone to listen to what we were saying.

“I’m so sorry. It was just too shocking. It’s as if I’m listening to some soap drama.” She said with amusement written all over her face.

“I’m explaining to you what’s bothering me but you seriously think it’s funny.” I said, feigning anger.

“Sorry but it feels so surreal.

“If you feel it’s like that, how exactly do you think I feel? I got home only to realise I’ve been sold out for some marriage and no one even bothered to tell me. I feel like my whole life was a huge lie.” I said as I bowed my head sadly.

“I feel you girl and what’s more worse is that the man in question is a crippled with a disfigured face.” She said.

“Wait.. what??”

“Isn’t it the first son of the Montgomery’s family?” She asked and I nodded.

“Rumors have it that he is a crippled man with a horrific face. It happened when he got into an accident years ago.” Sandy explained while my mouth opened wide agape in shock.

What the hell?? They all knew that but they will wanted me to get married to him??

“Didn’t you know about that?” Sandy asked in surprise.

“No, I’m just even hearing about that family for the first time.”

“You must be joking right?” She said on an unbelievable tone.

“I’m serious.”

“That family is like the number one in the whole of Miami.”

“More richer and powerful than mine?”

“Yes. How come you haven’t even heard of it?” Sandy asked again, giving me a more surprised look.

“Well, how rich their family is isn’t the problem right now. My future is currently at stake. We need to find a way to help me get out of that arranged marriage fast.” I said.

“Okay.. do you have any plan in mind?” Sandy asked.

“Oh yeah. I do.” I said with a knowing smile playing on my lips.

“Anytime you smile like that really makes me scared. I hope the plan won’t be a bad one.”

“Don’t worry. It’s a very brilliant one.” I assured, trying to ease her fear.

“Alright. Tell me and I’ll see how I can help.”

I moved closer to her and whispered the plan to her. Her eyes widened the moment I said that.

“What?? No fucking way!!”

“Isn’t it good?”

“You are seriously planning to run away with your boyfriend???”