Chapter 1
“I don’t want this marriage! You sold me to Van Allen Family?! I don’t want to! You can’t control my life! I have my decisions for my life! After all, I can’t believe love at First Sight nor love will grow after marriage! That, bullshit!” Josette yelled furiously.
Her face flushed red with hardened jaws, and her hands clenched tightly.
[ It was insane! I can't marry Tom Van Allen? ]
The morning was still early. Josette had just come down from her room about to join breakfast. For God’s sake, Josette is so happy today – the first job interview calls in her life.
After last month she graduated from the Harvard faculty of law.
Top universities, the highest academic scores, and graduated with the best predicate.
That was her perfect life!
But that perfection was shattered, a shadow of her bright future. Where she was at filling the chair of leadership – becoming the first successful female CEO in her family.
Everything melts into dust!
“Don’t say that to mom and dad?!” Stanley jumped out of his chair.
Josette feels cornered. Everyone in this family loves to make her suffer!
“Stay out of your way, Stan! If you don’t stand up for me – just shut the hell up!” she argued.
She lost her appetite.
Stanley cleared his throat, “You smart girl, look at it objectively. You know our family company is down there. All efforts have been made, Jo. But no one can save our company except you agree with this arranged marriage.”
Josette snorted loudly.
There are still many things she wants to do. Josette dreams of a successful career woman she has not achieved. Build her own company.
Josette was not ready to marry. Family commitment is not her plan at the moment.
There is but in the future. When Josette met the man of her dreams or maybe everlasting love?
After all, marriage requires mental preparation and finances.
Require women to be flexible.
[ Definitely not my style! ] Josie mumbled in confusion.
Josette had imagined what it would be like if she married Thomas Van Allen.
Lock in a golden cage forever? Unable to breathe free air.
Josette is adventurous. Curbing her is tantamount to killing her character.
[ Oh, no! In hell! I don’t want it! It’s a disaster!! ]
Eric Havens sighed, his gaze flat, folded the newspaper in hand, and stood up dramatically. “You have to do it!” He said absolute, inviolable. “What does Tom Van Allen lack, Jo? He is handsome, a successful businessman, and still young. You guys are the same age. You’ve known him since childhood, Right? After all, you have already graduated from your studies. What are you waiting for? This business marriage will benefit us. They’re so rich. My company needs a cash injection, Jo. Thomas Van Allen’s the only way out.”
“Profitable for you, not for me!” Josette snorted in wrath.
“Josette!” Stanley roared.
“Shut the hell up, Stan! Never mess with me! I know who you are?! You always supported mom and dad? You’re a great sucker! Don’t you realize?! You sacrificed my feelings as well as my future! It’s about my life!” Josette’s forehead frowned deeply. “Are you my brother or not?! You always made me do everything mom and dad wanted me to do!”
Tamara Havens put down the cup filled with rosemary tea, “your father and brother are right, Jo. The company was headed into the ground. Van Allen family the only way to save your father’s company from recession. Understand, sweetheart, our predicament. Our lives are not as before. Please, we’re begging you, honey.”
Josette’s forehead bent deeply, “I said I didn’t want this marriage!! Please, don’t push me?!”
Eric massaged his nose, “you can’t debate it, Josie! But my decision is final. You must accept this marriage! If I had any other choice, I would have paid for your studies, sent you to the best college, and guaranteed you a good life. Is this how you repay me?! It’s time for you to return the favor!”
Josette’s forehead swooped sharply. It was hard to believe this. Eric’s words so trembling her heart.
She doesn’t know if Eric would say something like that. Josette was a little shocked both her kneecaps felt exhausted.
Eric, Tamara, and Stanley now looked at her intently. They reject for any reason. Josette couldn’t move when they kept cornering and demanding her.
Josette’s jaw hardened. Her mind was sliced poignant. “How can you say such a thing, dad?! Return what?! Isn’t that the duty of all parents?! Why did you bring it up and want me to return the favor? So, do you mind paying for all my life?! Do you think so?! A child is only used as a personal asset to return the favor?!”
“Whatever you say, you have no right to refuse! My decision is final, Josette Havens! Tomorrow they will come, and we will have a banquet! Please, do not embarrass me! Why are you interviewing now? If you accept this arranged marriage – you don’t have to work so hard! Tommy Van Allen will guarantee your life!” Eric said firmly, his tone rising.
“Mom, Please?” Josette looked at her mother’s beautiful face, seeing her eye intensely - hoping she would stand up for her or reject Eric and Stanley’s stubborn ideas!
To death, Josette did not want this business marriage. Her chest trembled as if a boulder was squeezing her airway. So irritated, her clear eyes now pooled.
Her hands clenched tightly, then her face turns white, and her eyes pop out of her head. Josette wants to hit Stanley’s jaw at this moment.
Josette stood up from her chair slam the spoon into the plate, “it’s not fair! Why am I always affected when everything doesn’t go well?! - why am I always the victim?! Stanley can do anything. You give him the highest position in your subsidiary – he can pursue all his dreams! Including the girl of his dreams!”
Stanley was aghast. His eyes bugged out of his head. “it has nothing to do with me! Thomas van Allen is your little friend. So what is the difference?! There is no such thing as true love! Love will grow after you get married! Mom and dad only want the best for you – and Van Allen is the answer, Jo!”
“Bullshit!!” Josie yelled in rage.
“Could you be a little polite, Josette?! Don’t you understand? We only want the best for you?!” Eric started to get inflamed, dragging Josette’s arm roughly. “you can’t go anywhere! You must remain in your room until the banquet arrives tomorrow. All you have to do is sit tight!”
Josette rebelled, “I don’t want it, dad! Get off me! Let go of me!”
Stanley shackles Josette’s arms dragging her by force and locking her in a bedroom.
Josette repeatedly struck a rebellion movement, cursing with anger.
“You can’t do this to me! I deserve my life! Get off me, Dad! You hurting me!”
Josette’s tears spilled. Repeatedly resisting, she was unable to against the will of Eric and Stanley.
“You took my life! You’re cruel! I hate you all! Let me go, Please, Dad. Don’t do this to me! I’m sorry, I’d do anything but not this arranged marriage! Understand me!” Josette squealed bitterly.
Eric was furious, pushing Josette onto her bed. “Don’t expect to escape! Stay here! You can come out when the Van Allen family comes to ask for your hand!”
“No, no, dad! Don’t lock me up, dad! Please! Dad! You can’t do this to me! What’s my fault? Dad!!!”
Then her bedroom door locked tightly, and Josette went madly. Breaking, and kicking the door many times.
There was no answer, and no one cared.
“No one can open the door! Listen to me! Jo never leaves the room! Anyone who dares to open the door for her, I will fire them!” Eric shouted from outside the room.
No one cared about her crying.
“You are cruel! What did I do wrong?! Please, Dad. Let me out! Mom!!! It’s not fair! Don’t do this to me!”
Josette’s tears spilled over, her tearful screams of destruction tore between the house.
Her body slumped to the floor.
It was the worst nightmare in her life.
***
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