Chapter Two

*Chapter 2: The Unwanted Bride*

Sandra Park walked into the dimly lit bar, the sounds of laughter and music enveloping her. She spotted her friends, Rhea and Akira, sitting at the bar, and made her way over to them.

"Hey, guys!" Sandra said, sliding onto the stool beside them. "What's up?"

Rhea, a petite woman with a shaved head and tattoos, turned to Sandra with a concerned expression.

"Sandra, we heard about the meeting with Grandpa Leo," Rhea said. "What's going on?"

Sandra sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"It's a long story," Sandra said. "But basically, Grandpa Leo wants me to marry some rich guy named Xavier Leo."

Akira, a tall, curvy woman with bright pink hair, raised an eyebrow.

"Xavier Leo?" Akira repeated. "Isn't he some kind of Mafia lord?"

Sandra nodded, feeling a shiver run down her spine.

"Yeah, that's the one," Sandra said. "And I'm supposed to marry him."

Rhea and Akira exchanged a concerned glance.

"Sandra, you can't be serious," Rhea said. "You can't marry some guy you've never met."

Sandra shrugged, feeling a sense of resignation wash over her.

"I don't have a choice," Sandra said. "Grandpa Leo has made it clear that this marriage is non-negotiable."

Akira's face darkened.

"We'll figure something out, Sandra," Akira said. "We won't let you go through with this."

Sandra smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friends.

"Thanks, guys," Sandra said. "But I think I'm going to have to go through with it."

As they sat there, sipping their drinks and discussing the situation, Sandra's thoughts turned to her father. She wished he was still alive, wished he could offer her some guidance and support. But he was gone, and she was on her own.

Sandra pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment. She had to deal with the reality of her situation, no matter how difficult it seemed.

As Sandra walked out of the bar, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. She knew that her mother was going to be thrilled about the idea of her marrying into the wealthy Leo family, but Sandra couldn't help but feel trapped.

She pulled out her phone and dialed her mother's number, bracing herself for the conversation that was to come.

"Sandra, darling!" her mother exclaimed, answering on the first ring. "I'm so thrilled about the news! You're going to make a wonderful bride."

Sandra rolled her eyes, feeling a surge of frustration. Her mother had always been more concerned with appearances and social status than with Sandra's actual happiness.

"Mother, I don't know if I can do this," Sandra said, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I don't even know Xavier Leo."

Her mother's tone turned icy. "Don't be ridiculous, Sandra. You'll do as you're told. This is a fantastic opportunity for our family, and you're not going to ruin it with your selfishness."

Sandra felt a sting from her mother's words, but she tried not to let it get to her. She knew that her mother was just trying to manipulate her into doing what she wanted.

"I'll do what I have to do, Mother," Sandra said, trying to sound resigned. "But can we at least talk about this in person? I have a lot of questions."

Her mother's tone softened slightly. "Of course, darling. We'll discuss everything at dinner tonight. I'll make sure to invite your sister, Luna, as well."

Sandra's heart sank at the mention of her sister's name. Luna had always been their mother's favorite, and Sandra knew that she would have to deal with Luna's jealousy and resentment.

As she hung up the phone with her mother, Sandra couldn't help but feel like she was trapped in a nightmare. She was being forced into a marriage with a man she didn't know, and her family was more concerned with appearances and social status than with her actual happiness.

Sandra took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease. She knew that she had to be strong, for herself and for her friends. She would get through this, no matter what.

As she walked back to her apartment, Sandra's mind was racing with thoughts of the future. What would her life be like as the wife of Xavier Leo? Would she be able to find happiness in a marriage that was arranged for her?

Sandra didn't have the answers to these questions, but she was determined to find out.

As Sandra walked into her apartment, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her motorcycle, parked in the living room. She had always loved the freedom that came with riding, and it was something that she had shared with her father before he passed away.

Sandra's thoughts turned to her father, and she felt a pang of sadness. She wished that he was still alive, wished that he could offer her some guidance and support. But he was gone, and she was on her own.

She took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of sadness. She knew that she had to be strong, for herself and for her friends. She would get through this, no matter what.

As she began to pace back and forth in her living room, Sandra's mind was racing with thoughts of the future. What would her life be like as the wife of Xavier Leo? Would she be able to find happiness in a marriage that was arranged for her?

Sandra didn't have the answers to these questions, but she was determined to find out. She would do whatever it took to make the best of this situation, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness.

As she continued to pace, Sandra's thoughts turned to Xavier Leo. What was he like, really? Was he as cold and calculating as everyone seemed to think? Or was there more to him than met the eye?

Sandra didn't know the answers to these questions, but she was determined to find out. She would do whatever it took to uncover the truth about Xavier Leo, even if it meant putting herself in danger.

As the hours passed, Sandra's mind continued to racing with thoughts of the future. She knew that she had a long and difficult road ahead of her, but she was ready. She would face whatever challenges came her way, head-on.

And as she finally began to calm down, Sandra realized that she had made a decision. She would marry Xavier Leo, but she would do it on her own terms. She would not be a submissive wife, content to sit at home and look pretty. She would be a partner, an equal, and she would fight for her rights.

Sandra smiled to herself, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She was ready for whatever lay ahead, and she would come out on top.

As Sandra stood in her living room, she felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was going to take control of her life, no matter what. She was going to marry Xavier Leo, but she was going to do it on her own terms.

Sandra's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She picked it up, seeing that it was Rhea calling.

"Hey, girl," Rhea said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I've been thinking. We need to come up with a plan to get you out of this marriage."

Sandra smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend.

"I appreciate that, Rhea," Sandra said. "But I think I'm going to have to go through with it. At least, for now."

Rhea's voice was skeptical. "What do you mean? You can't seriously be considering marrying this guy."

Sandra took a deep breath, trying to explain her thoughts.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I think I can make this work," Sandra said. "I'll marry Xavier Leo, but I'll do it on my own terms. I'll make sure that I have a say in our relationship, and that I'm not just some submissive wife."

Rhea's voice was thoughtful. "I see what you're saying. But are you sure you're ready for this? Marriage is a big deal, Sandra."

Sandra nodded, even though Rhea couldn't see her.

"I know it is," Sandra said. "But I'm ready. I'll make this work, no matter what."

Rhea's voice was supportive. "Okay, girl. If you're sure about this, then I'm behind you all the way."

Sandra smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend.

"Thanks, Rhea," Sandra said. "That means a lot to me."

As Sandra hung up the phone with Rhea, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to make this marriage work, no matter what. She was going to take control of her life, and she was going to come out on top.

Here is the continuation of Chapter 2:

As Sandra finished clearing the table, she walked over to her living room window and looked out at the city below. She loved this view, loved the way the lights of the city twinkled like stars in the night sky.

Sandra's thoughts turned to her father, who had passed away a year ago. He had always loved this view, too, and had spent countless hours sitting on the couch, staring out at the city.

Sandra felt a pang of sadness, missing her father dearly. She wished he was here to offer her some guidance and support, but she knew that she had to rely on herself now.

As she stood there, lost in thought, Sandra's phone rang again. This time, it was Akira calling.

"Hey, girl," Akira said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I've been thinking. We need to get you ready for this wedding."

Sandra rolled her eyes, smiling. "I know, right? I'm not exactly thrilled about it."

Akira's voice was sympathetic. "I know, sweetie. But we'll get through this together. We'll make sure you look amazing for the wedding, and we'll be there to support you every step of the way."

Sandra felt a surge of gratitude towards Akira. She was lucky to have such wonderful friends.

"Thanks, Akira," Sandra said. "That means a lot to me."

Akira's voice was cheerful. "No problem, girl! Now, let's get started on that wedding prep. I'll come over tomorrow and we can start looking for dresses."

Sandra laughed. "Sounds like a plan."

As she hung up the phone with Akira, Sandra felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to get through this wedding, and she was going to come out on top.

And with that thought, Sandra turned away from the window and began to plan for the future. She was ready for whatever lay ahead, and she was determined to make the best out of it.

As Sandra stood in her living room, she couldn't help but think about her future. She was going to marry Xavier Leo, a man she had never met, and she was going to have to navigate the complexities of his family's business dealings.

Sandra's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She picked it up, seeing that it was her mother calling.

"Sandra, darling," her mother said, as soon as Sandra answered. "I've been thinking about the wedding, and I have some ideas."

Sandra rolled her eyes, feeling a sense of frustration. She knew that her mother was going to try to control every aspect of the wedding.

"What kind of ideas, Mother?" Sandra asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Well, I was thinking that we could have the wedding at the country club," her mother said. "And I've already spoken to the caterer, and they're willing to give us a discount."

Sandra felt a surge of anger, but she tried to keep her cool. She knew that she had to pick her battles carefully.

"Mother, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I think I'd like to have some say in the planning of my own wedding," Sandra said, trying to sound firm but polite.

Her mother's tone was icy. "Fine, dear. But you have to remember that this is a very important wedding, and we need to make sure that everything is perfect."

Sandra felt a sense of frustration, but she knew that she had to keep her cool. She was going to get through this wedding, no matter what.

As she hung up the phone with her mother, Sandra felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to take control of her life, and she was going to make sure that she came out on top.h