Chapter 3.

January 17, 2016

Ophelia's POV.

***

"No amore mio, I'm not joking, you are getting married in a month's time. The wedding preparations have already commenced."

***

No, No!!

My life was crumbling before my eyes and my father didn't care.

He must have forgotten the stories he told me as a child, the fantasies he built in my head. What happened to marrying the one you loved?

Someone knocked on my door and pushed it open.

"Miss, your father sent me to inform you that you are to have dinner with Mr Baddo's son this evening. Please get ready."

My face turned red as my anger flared.

"Get out." I said.

"Excuse me?" He asked, with a baffled expression on his face.

"I said get out! Tell my father he can go downstairs and have dinner with Mr Baddo's son in my place!" I screamed.

"But Miss, you cannot disobey an order from the boss..."

The idiot had the nerve to berate me about disobedience!

"If you don't leave now, I'll kill you." I took out the pistol from my bedside drawer, cocked it and aimed at his head.

Blood drained from his face, he eased out the room and closed the door behind him.

I flopped down on the bed and turned on my side, grabbing the nearest pillow, I sobbed into it, trying as hard as possible to muffle the sound of my voice. This was a dream, it just had to be a dream.

"Princess?"

With my head pressed into the pillow, I didn't hear the door open. Luke stood by the door, unsure of what to do, his baby blue eyes filled with concern.

"Luke..." I called out to him, I sat up with my arms wide open, tears running down my cheeks. "Luke."

He closed the door and closed the distance, when he sat down he enveloped me in his arms.

"Shh...." He smoothed my hair as he rocked me. He smelled of oranges, I took in a deep breath. I'd grown to associate his scent with comfort. It calmed me, Luke calmed me. "It's okay, I'm here now." He whispered into my hair.

"He wants me to marry Baddo's son." I sobbed, snuggling deep into his chest.

He tensed up but only for a second.

"I know, princess."

No more words were said, the only audible sound in the room was my muffled sobbing.

"Princess?"

"Yes?" I answered.

"You have to get ready, dinner is in an hour."

I disentangled myself from his embrace, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I wiped my tears and faced him.

So that's why he was here. My father sent him to convince me to come down for dinner because he knew I would listen to him. He wasn't here because he felt bad for me. He was in on it.

"I don't have what to wear." I turned away from him because I did not want him to see how much his betrayal hurt me. I was disappointed.

"That's already taken care of, here." He dropped a bag on my lap. "That's your dress, shoes, jewelry and some other things you might need, essential stuff."

As I looked at the bag, I wondered how did I not notice it earlier and when he said other essential stuff, I hope he wasn't referring to under things, like lingerie, I hope they weren't expecting me to seduce the guy or worse, sleep with him?

"Can you manage on your own? I mean, I can stay here with you if you want?"

Yes, make sure I don't try to run away or sabotage anything.

"Are you coming down for dinner?" I turned a little to face him.

"Of course, I would never leave you alone with that swine."

"Then I can manage on my own."

I needed him to leave now. I considered him to be my friend but he preferred to do my father's bidding, than to support me.

I cleared my throat, "I need to start preparing now."

I wanted him to get out.

He stood up from the bed. "I'll leave now."

He waited, expecting me to say otherwise, it was all an act and I wasn't going to buy it.

I remained silent, pursing my lips.

With sad eyes, he leaned down and placed a kiss on my cheek. "I'll see you at dinner."

No reply.

I was so mad.