Chapter 1
Ava’s pov
sitting in my semi-dark room. I was staring at the wall trying to comprehend what my life has come to. I knew this day would come but I thought I would have time to think about it.
Being 17 finishing high school and getting married to someone who chose me at 15 that's not how I imagined it to be when I was a kid. I should be able to choose for myself but there's nothing I can do. I read the fairytales that would be the closes I would get.
growing up I was taught to behave like a lady and I would not raise my voice at my parents. I would respect the men in my life and never put anyone above my husband. But what about my needs and happiness? To them that doesn't matter.
I have yet to meet my fiance I have only talked with him on our weekly phone calls which is not what you dream of when you get married.
Laying down I needed to sleep to handle tomorrow
...
I woke up to someone calling my name.
“Sweetie you need to wake up.” I heard the voice of my mom.
“I'm up,” I mumbled.
Today is the day I choose my wedding dress fitting and makeup trial and to say at least I'm not ready.
What time is it? I grabbed my phone looking at the time 7:00. My dress fitting is at 8:30 then I have a makeup trial. Than lunch.
Getting up from my comfy bed I made the bed going to grab clothes. I grabbed a little yellow sun dress since it's not ladylike to wear sweats in public.
I put my hair in a braid and put sandals on. I walked down the long hallway to the stairs going down to the living room and front door.
“Ready?” I heard my mom's voice trailing from the kitchen.
“Yes I am.” I replied giving her a smile. I adore my mother she is a strong woman every woman in our world is in an arranged marriage. She doesn't like this but we have no say.
“Ava.” I heard my father's voice from the dining room. Taking a deep breath I walked to the dining room with my head down.
“Yes, Father,” I said keeping a soft voice.
“I expect to hear that you were on your best behavior,” he said. I could feel him looking at me. But I'm not allowed to look at him without permission.
“Of course, I will.” I said giving a polite smile.
“Look at me.” he said. Taking in a deep breathe I looked up meeting his eyes. “Anthony wants to meet you tonight he is taking you out to dinner be ready by 7:00,” he added.
“I will.” I said giving him a nod. He told me to leave and I didn't reject. I walked out of our two-story house taking the walkway to my black SUV that Anthony has me drive in with all my body guards in the one behind me and one in the same car as me.
Getting to the car, the car door was opened and my mom was sitting inside of it.
Once everyone was ready we took off on the 15-minute drive.
“Martha is meeting us at the fitting place.” my mom said.
“Am I able to pick my dress?” I asked not knowing their plan some families choose it themselves instead of the bride.
“Yes your father is leaving that and the make up all up to you but I do hope I get to help you.” my mom said giving me a smile with hope in her eyes. Seeing her happy was something that couldn't help but make me smile.
“Of course I wouldn't want it any other anyway.” I said smiling grabbing her hand. I swallowed scared to ask this.
“Can I ask you something?” I said my voice lowering.
Her face got serious.
“What is it,” she said.
“What is he like?” I asked knowing she knew who I meant.
She sighed.
“He could be cruel but only if he needs to he isn't a patient man sweetie. She said. “I only know what I have heard I have never spoken to him,” she added. I took a deep breath.
“I'm scared,” I admitted. She grabbed my hands.
“Look sweetie I know your scared I know this isn't the ideal life. But if you listen and do what you were trained to do you will be fine.” she said. I sighed.
“I know I'm just worried I'll mess up or forget something.” I said leaning back.
“You will be just fine. Just try to do everything you suppose to do,” she said hugging me.
Pulling into the dress shop me and my mom stepped out.
I saw Martha Anthony’s mom standing by the entrance of the building, This would be my first time meeting her.
We walked up to her. I smiled at her reaching my hand out to shake her hand.
“It's nice to meet you Mrs. Rodrigo.” I said politely. Just like I was taught.
“It's lovely to meet you I've heard so many lovely things about you,” she said smiling. I wonder from who maybe my mom but I highly doubt it's from Anthony or my father.
“Should we start.” my mom said happily. It has to be her she would never act like this in front of someone she hardly knows. You never know who you could trust in this world mainly being very powerful and I'm about to become Donna making me powerful to all the women in the southside of America and all the girls want that.
Most girls in this world get treated like objects, and men can have a wife and a mistress and the wife can't say anything about it. The more women a guy has the more respect they get from others.
“Yes lets go,” Martha said smiling back at my mom.
We walked in and I wanted to walk out. This is becoming to real. I got “engaged at the age of 16 for crying out loud. It wasn't a big place but it had multiple choices. It has a little platform for you to stand to show everyone.
“So Ava do you like dresses that hug your body or dress that have poof to them.” Martha asked.
“I want some poof but I want the top to be a lacey style.” I explained.
We started looking and we're finding no luck on the one I want. Until I got to the last one in this row. Wow, this dress is gorgeous.
“I think I found it.” I said smiling.
“Let's go try it on.” my mom said smiling her eyes brighten when she saw it.
We walked to the changing room. Taking a deep breathe.
I changed into it and I fell in love with it. It was what I dreamed it would be.
Its full ball gown skirt extends effortlessly into a soft, long train. It's a Low back and has a Lacey embroidery and Mesh sleeves. It has like a lacey flower design going down the skirt. And it hugged the top of my frame.
“Oh my. This is gorgeous.” my mom said tears in her eyes.
“I love this dress this is definitely it.” I said smiling.
“Let's get you out there to show Martha.” my mom said looking at the dress again.
Walking out of the changing room I walked onto the platform. I saw Martha’s eyes light up.
“Oh my gosh, you look gorgeous.” she said smiling. As she looked at the dress I got the chance to really look at her. She seemed to be in her late 40’s. But she looked good for her age like she really took care of herself. She had a raven color hair with blueish eyes. She looked amazing.
“Take this for the dry cleaning and have it sent to my house.” my mom said smiling knowing this is the one.
After the lady that is helping me with the dress made sure it didn't need and alteration. Which the only thing was getting the sleeves to fit my arms better.
I looked at the time and it was 9:40.
“We are going to go for a walk and than go to lunch.” my mom said smiling at me. As we walked out of the dress place we walked to the park that was a pretty decent place. I had my body guards that Anthony assigned to me which are 5 guys a little over board.
You have 2 who always checked the entire building I went into and than you had one who stood at the door and one who followed me everywhere than you have Jake who goes everywhere his phone is the one I use to talk to Anthony.
When I say everywhere he is the one who follows me inside building and actually stays with me.
“Ma’am.” I was snapped out of thought by Jake.
“Yes?” I asked looking up.
He handed his phone to me.
“It's Mr. Radrigo wanting to speak with you.” he said I took the phone turning to my mom.
“I'll be right with you.” I said giving her a small smile. I sat on the bench as Jake stood to the right of me.
I put the phone up to my ear.
“Hello.” I spoke waiting for his answer.
“What are you doing right now.” his husky voice spoke through the phone.
“I'm at the park with my mom and Mrs radrigo.” I said.
“Jake is taking you somewhere go with him and the card that was giving to you, buy a dress for tonight.” he said.
“Ok.” I said curious on why I can't where a dress I have already.
“Be at the restaurant 7:00 do not be late.” he added waiting for my answer.
“I won't.” I said. He hung up without saying goodbye like always. I handing Jake his phone back.
Walking up to my mom and Martha I told them what I had to do and they both hugged me bye.
I got into the car that Jake held the door to. He shut the door going to the other side getting in. I looked out the window watching my mom and Martha watch the car drive off.
About 10 minutes have gone by in complete silence. When we pulled up to the shop I looked at it. It was beautiful and something that shouts money.
I didn't even notice Jake walk out and open the door until I was already outside.
“Wow.” I whispered. Walking inside the building it was filled with clothes. It was all fancy clothes made for events. I went over to the dresses.
Looking over dress after dress I found this one white one it was a long Sleeve V Neck Mini Dress Chiffon Dot Flowy Short Vintage Dress A Line Sun Dress and Floral Summer dress.
This is exactly my style of clothes in this type of industry.
“I want this one.” I said smiling at it.
“Ok follow me and I’ll check you out.” the cashier said smiling at me. I followed her to the counter. I pulled out the card that Anthony gave me to use.
“Is this all your needing.” she asked me.
“Yes that will be all.” I replied giving her a smile.
After paying Jake lead my out the building back to the car.
Getting in the car it was a 15-minute drive to my house. I zoned out not paying attention not wanting tonight to happen.
Why all of the sudden like through out the Whole time I found out about Anthony we have never talked face to face.
I heard the gate to my house open breaking me out of the trance I was in.
Once the car stopped Jake opened the door.
“Thanks.” I mumbled walking up the walkway. Jake had my bags from the shop. Once I got inside I stop seeing my dad looking mad.
“Where have you guys been and where is your mother.” he said glaring at me. I was confused. Mom should be home.
“Mom isn't home?” I asked.
“no if she was I would be asking now would I.” he growled.
“I don't know.” I said. He took steps toward me looking like he was about to hit me but Jake stepped in front of me.
“Get out of my way.” my dad seethed.
“I can't do that sir she is to remain un touch.”Jake replied.
Why is he so mad? I didn't do anything.
Before I could react Jake was pushed to the side making him stumble back and one of my dad guards grabbed him holding him back. I was grabbed getting pushed to the wall.
“Your telling me that you have no clue where your mother is you were suppose to be with her.” he yelled in my face.
“Anthony called telling me I had to go to another shop, mom and Mrs. Radrigo were walking the park before going out for lunch.” I whimpered out.
“Well since your mom was left alone she went to the bar getting drunk now we can't find her.” he screamed in my face. Don't make him convince you he loves her with her being drunk she could expose him.
“I'm sorry.” I whimpered. He raised his hand slapping me really hard. I fell to the floor. Jake broke out, calling for his team. A bunch of people came barging into the house. Jake walked up to me grabbing me pulling me up.
“Shoot.” he mumbled. He took me up to my room.
“Are you alright ma’am.” he said locking my door. It still stings.
“I’m fine.” I said. I looked at the time and it was 3:00.
...
I sat on my bed reading a book. Jake stood in the corner.
I was so in the book I wasn't paying attention.
“Ma’am it's 5:30.” Jake spoke up.
“Thank you.” I replied getting up from my queen sized bed. I walked to my medium sized dresser getting my dress.
Walking into the bathroom it was a decent sized bathroom nothing too fancy. I turned the shower on stripping my clothes and taking a 10 minute shower.
Once I was done with my shower I blow dried my hair curling and pinning some of it back.
Shoot I forgot my makeup back. Looking in the mirror there was a big red spot on my cheek getting ready to turn into a bruise. I’ll just do the makeup out there.
Opening the bathroom door freezing not expecting to see who was sitting on my bed.
