Chapter 1
I stare at my father in absolute shock. Has he gone mad?
“What.” I grit my teeth trying not to do anything irrational. This whole this is irrational so I don’t think anyone will really blame me if I do something irrational.
“Your getting married in a week, Shailene. You’ll meet him tomorrow for dinner at the Blue Wolf.” He repeats with irritation and I know he doesn’t like repeating things.
I really feel like going to Grans farm right now and smashing a shovel into the mud, digging my own grave.
“This is absurd! You can’t do this to me! This is the twenty-first century, arranged marriages don’t exist anymore!” I yell shooting up from my seat in my father’s office. My father does the same and points his index finger at me.
“You will, because if you don’t we lose the half of our properties and a substantial amount of its money. Your grandfather borrowed money from a company and didn’t pay it back so now I’m stuck with this mess.” He says red faced. The contrast between his red face and pale hand is pretty shocking.
To think we’re related is astonishing.
“I don’t care about your company anymore. I’m a grow woman with my own money and life.” I protest but his face suddenly becomes oddly calm and this scares me. He only becomes calm in an argument when he has his final blow arranged in his mind.
“You might not care about my company but you surly care about your stepmother and half-siblings, don’t you? Do you want to be the reason why they have to start living in discomfort or not be able to go to college?” He sneers and my angry crumbles. I can’t believe he would pull that card. He knows I care.
“Think of the youngest, Shailene. Poor Josh eating crumbs because you were to selfishness.” He continues making my shoulders slump even further if it was even possible.
“Oh and what about Macy-.” He starts but I cut him off completely even though he hates being cut off especially in his final argument.
“Fine.” I hiss not wanting to hear the end of his argument.
I never win.
A devilish grin spreads across his face making feel absolutely disgusted. It shocks me that I share the same blood as this man.
“Good girl. Now go meet him for dinner tomorrow afternoon to discuss things and you better not run from this wedding.” He threatens with his eyes scanning me up and down to make sure I take his threat seriously and believe me I do.
He never makes empty threats.
“You don’t tell anyone this is arranged and go do something about your awful rat’s nests of what you call hair.” With that he sits back down picking up papers that look like bank statements. Criticizing me is something he does every time I see him but I have gotten used. I sigh and head towards the door.
What have I ever done to deserve this type of person in my life? What did I do to deserve being sent off to be wedded with someone I have never even met before?
I close my eyes for a second then I quickly leave his office.
He is like a chess player and I am just one of his pawns. My stepmom is his queen and my half siblings are his precious pieces he wouldn’t just give up. I’m the piece he throws into the front.
Just his pawn.
I arrive at my house a little later with my small pickup truck that I bought second hand a few years ago with my own money that I worked for.
My Grandmother owns a small farm about an hours drive away from my house. I used to visit every weekend and I would basically live there in school holidays. She is always there for me and has been like my motherly figure for years.
One of the only things my father did pay for was my education. After school I got a teaching degree and got a job pretty quickly. I work at an Elementary school teaching the 1st grades. I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t want any other job.
Barking brings me back from my thoughts when I look down at a very energetic George, my golden retriever jumping up and down on top of my toes. This is my everyday welcoming.
I smile and I pet his head while walking towards my coach dropping my bag on it next to a sleeping Aurora, a German Shepard.
I got Aurora first but I had another name for her. After a few days I changed her name because all she does is sleep all day. After that I got George to keep her company but Aurora is unless when it comes to anything except for sleeping and cuddling.
I place a pan on top of the small stove to start making dinner for myself. I have to get my thoughts straight before tomorrow.
I didn’t even ask who I was marrying tomorrow. How stupid of me to do that. I could have spent tonight stalking him on social media.
“Idiot!” I mutter out loud.
Aurora lifts her head for the first time since I came in and looks at me as if agreeing with my statement before dropping it onto the couch again.
Lazy dog.
I glance at George who can’t keep still. His tail is wagging while his eyes are following my every move waiting for me to drop food or throw a ball for him.
“You two should trade secrets to even each other out.” I say pointing my spatula at an unresponsive Aurora and a jumping George who thinks my spatula is a stick.
