"Beatrice Chastain. You're being released today." Bea heard the prison cell door open and although she wanted to get the hell out, she stayed crouched in the corner, still stunned with what's waiting for her back home.
Hours just passed and her parents were quick to act. They just bailed her out of prison but instead of relief, dread filled her body.
"Hey!" The warden clanged his baton on the prison bars trying to turn her attention at him.
She glanced back up and her tired and seemingly dead eyes greeted the warden.
"I said you're being released today. You were bailed and someone's waiting for you outside" The warden signaled her to get out and she knew someone sent by her parents was waiting to pick her up.
She heaved a sigh and stood up, reluctantly stepping her foot outside the prison cell.
"Can't I just stay the night here?" She smiled at the warden as she withdrew her foot back and stood still inside the prison cell.
"Are you nuts kid? Who wants to stay longer here in jail." He gave her an Are-You-Crazy look and her smile immediately dissipated.
She wanted to reply with a "Me!", but the look on his face was discouraging and she doesn't want the warden to think more self-degrading thoughts of her.
What's wrong with just asking for a one-night stay in the prison?
She heaved a sigh as she groggily dragged her feet outside the jail. A driver ushered her to a BMW car and she sat on the passenger seat with a plop indicating she was against riding it.
She wanted to escape but two huge-muscled men were beside her and they both gave an intimidating aura signaling she better not do anything stupid.
"Where's my car?"
The driver looked at her from the rear-view mirror "I don't know Ma'am. But your father already took care of it."
She slumped back in her seat and looked out of the window which was impossible due to the thug-like-better-looking-because-of-a-suitmen. She tried to clear out her thoughts but her mother's words were like an echo repeating in her brain. It was like there's a broken radio inside her.
You're getting married...You're getting marrie-
"Aargh! Married? Who the fuck said I'm going to marry someone I don't know? They can't just decide that. They just can't marry me off that easily." The driver flinched with her sudden outburst but Beatrice cared less. The two bodyguards just looked at her nonchalantly like they were used to this attitude.
She was frustrated with the thought of marriage and getting tied down. She loved freedom and getting into trouble, that marriage is just out of the question.
The driver looked at her with the same expression the warden had a while ago and she wondered if everyone thinks she's crazy. She brought her hands to her face, covering them and she looked as if she was really stressed out, the problem is that she really is.
Minutes passed which felt like an eternity with her constantly thinking about marriage and her future, and they arrived at her residence.
The silver gate adorned with intricate carvings opened and they were greeted by a modern Victorian mansion that stood proudly with all its glory and grandeur.
The mansion was extravagant and boasted elegance but all Beatrice could think about was how it was never a home and how cold it was every time she stepped foot in this place. It took her moments to gain courage and went outside the car. Maids poured out from the mansion and greeted her but she flicked her hand signaling it was pointless and proceeded inside.
Her mother and father, both dressed as if they were going to attend a lavish party, were seated in the living room. She also noticed that a man was seated parallel from her parents facing his back at her and she cursed herself for not fleeing earlier.
Her parents noticed her and they both stood up. Smiling widely, her mother went near and took her hand. Her grip was hard and she literally dragged her, to face the man.
"This is our daughter Beatrice, Bea this is Lucas Landcaster, and he's the one you're going to marry." Did she hear it right? Beatrice looked at her mother with a bewildered expression. Her face was all scrunched up as she brought her hands up to protest.
"Wait! wait! Why don't I have any say on this?! You can't just decide my marriage and then dump your decisions at me?! I don't even know this man and you're saying I'm going to marry him? Hell no! Say what you want but I'm not getting married!"
Her parent's expression was indescribable and she internally rolled her eyes.
'What do they expect? That I'll easily obey like a dog. That I'll shut my mouth and blindly follow their will even if it'll cost me my current lifestyle and freedom. Well sorry to burst their bubble but I'm not that kind of person' Beatrice thought to herself.
"Bea it's just-"
Her mother was interrupted by a deep alluring voice.
"Your company is on the brink of bankruptcy and I have offered help in exchange for something and that something is you...Beatrice Chastain" She was stunned with the words of the man who called her something and abruptly turned her head towards the direction of the voice, but rather she was astonished.
The man was gorgeously breathtaking, his silver-grey eyes which apparently seeped through her innermost soul and his sharp features almost sent her on edge. She gulped as she continued to observe him physically and she was at awe.
The man was absolutely gifted, underneath the dark tuxedo, she could make out thick lean muscles that would make any woman drool. He was fit and his stunning face matched perfectly with his body, like a walking masterpiece of God that was brought down to bless the Earth.
She chased the thoughts away and coughed lightly as she wore a mad expression.
How dare he? Calling her something and treating her like a thing.
"That doesn't mean I'll just marry you! I can't be an offering for the sake of our company!" She glanced at her parents but they all looked away, which in turn made her scoff.
They're willing to throw their child away for the sake of the company? Well, it's understandable from the start, all they could think and worry about is the company and money. They just had the opportunity to get rid of their problematic daughter while saving the company, it's like killing two birds with one stone and all they could do was grab it.
The man named Lucas stood up and his towering height was intimidating her. He glanced at her way and smirked.
"Well, that's all. I'm just here to secure the deal and I guess the deal is settled then."
Her eyes widened as they just ignored her and the man was getting ready to leave. She grabbed his arm as he was about to step out.
"I said I won't be marrying you and you can't force me." She said in a firm manner.
"Too bad. You've got no other choice... Future wife."