10!
9!
8!
7!
6!
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!
*BANG*
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
"What!?", I shouted on top of my lungs. Coming home from my damned hostel did not turn out in the way I expected. That darn old man, ahem, I mean my father told me the most dreaded news I could ever hear. It was about my marriage. Heck, I am only 22 years old, I do not need this at this point of life. That too arranged marriage? Who does this nowadays? It's like we are going back in time rather than going forward.
"Amelia, maintain your composure." My father had no idea what was running through my mind. 'How to kill a person without getting caught 101'. Hey, if you do not want to be killed by me, do not make my life decisions without consulting me. I am currently being forced to accept the engagement in front of numerous people I don't even know at my Welcome/New year party.
"I do not care, I am going to work in Oasis, not get married". The bustling sound came to a halt, I did not care about the people staring at me. I was used to being the centre of attention, not to brag, but I was the campus belle. Once I started wearing clothes which were meant for my age because of my self-assertive friend Lisa, I started being noticed. Not that I care, I never put those shallow people in my eyes. I am the granddaughter of the Chairman of Oasis, one of the largest jewellery company in the country, my mom is a very successful jewellery designer, many celebrities and influential figures be on a waitlist to wear her designs. My uncle is the CFO and my father is the CEO, my cousin works under my father, training to be the next CEO, totally not fair, all because my father decided to have me later. This company is nepotism at its best. My aunt is an advocate, she is in the legal department. I am the only one who is yet to enter. My grandfather is not a disregardful man, so everyone had to be the best before becoming who they are now.
You're gonna see a lot of certificates and medals when you come to my house. Maybe I turned out weird because of the pressure- something to be noted.
I was prepared to snatch away the title of future CEO from my annoying cousin, Luke. But instead, I am being forced to change my surname, not exactly an ideal situation for my big ambitions.
You see, I am a very money-minded person. I LOVE MONEY; I mean, who doesn't? The world revolves around money and I want to be at the top; I know my ambitions are very big, but I work hard to achieve my goal; I top in every subject I took up till now, and now they are handing the position over to him instead of me? I love my cousin, but that does not mean I will sacrifice my ambitions for him. He doesn't even want to become a CEO, for goodness' sake!
"Stop being so dramatic, Lia". My father rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache while dealing with me. I followed him outside, onto the balcony, away from the crowd.
"Dad, I am not getting married to someone I do not even know, who even does that?", I argued.
"I did that. How do you think I and your mother got married?" at this point I think my aunt's lawyer ways rubbed off on him. He gave me an answer even I can't refute.
"Well, I want to work in Oasis, I do not want to end up like you and mom"
"You mean happy?"
"Dad!", he can drive people insane, I think this is why grandpa always yells, 'You Brat!' every time they meet alone. He is not seeing things from my point of view.
"He is the grandson of your grandpa's best friend and they made this promise years ago. Most importantly he is a good man, you should see his reaction when he saw your picture."
"My picture? When did this happen? I came today!". Not only am I unaware, I have no say in it either.
"Unfortunately YOU never took a picture alone, so we had to show a picture where you were with your friend, Lisa. He fell in love at first glance. He even insisted to get engaged as soon as you arrived."
"Hah! So what? I did not agree with it. I can't even with you, you are shipping me off as soon as I arrived, I will not accept this!"
"Shut it! Your grandfather has a weak heart, his wish is to see his granddaughter married before he leaves," he did give a fair reason; I mean, I love my grandfather a lot, but I am still young.
"What about Luke? Why can't he get married?", I mean, though grandfather loves me more, he still cares for Luke.
"Lia, come on, it is not the end of the world", he tried persuading me, I mean I get him but still....
"I'm going to bed. Oh, and I am going to Lisa's tomorrow", I said as I turned to leave. After the shock I just received, I did not have the mood to party.
"Lisa is not here, did you forget? She is in a different country, interning under Jaque. She is pursuing fashion designing."
"At least she does not have to get married", I sighed to myself. My father, however, was displeased with my reaction. He knows this is too sudden, but he thinks my reaction is too extreme.
"Lia...... Just try to come to terms with this. This may not be a bad thing." He was trying to show me the good side, but it was failing. Being forced does not have a good side.
I left that place, leaving my father alone on the balcony. My mother and my aunt decided to have a conversation with me right after I talked with my father.
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"Ah! Get out!", I threw a pillow at the door. My mother and aunt barged in while I was still changing.
"Oh please, I have seen you nude since you were a child, there is nothing new", my mom assured me, though it was not assuring, it made my whole life embarrassing.
"There is no need to be shy, literally", my aunt spoke with a very neutral. Honestly, it felt like an insult. I am pretty okay. I am taller than most girls are, I have nice, clear skin, my eyes are greenish-blue and my hair is beautiful black- I'm basically snow white but a more sarcastic version. Not to sound like a narcissist, but I am very beautiful. Humph.
I quickly grabbed a blanket and covered myself like a mummy, I do not care if it was my mom, she cannot see me naked like that.
"Darling, don't you think you are being too excessive", my mother said sweetly.
"No, try getting to know you are going to marry someone you do not even know without your consent", I retorted, I can't believe my mother is saying I was too dramatic.
"I meant about wrapping yourself like a mummy, we already saw you, there is no need to turn red,", my mother said without her smile faltering.
I wanted to tell her that I was turning red because of anger and not embarrassment.
"Lia, getting married does not mean the end of your freedom, you can still go out whenever you like, you can still eat like a pig.....", my aunt assured me. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if they hated me.
"Can you guys please leave, I don't want to talk about this right now." An end to this conversation was very much required. They are not even giving me time to think it over, it's like they will not stop until I say yes.
My mother shook her head and sighed as if she was disappointed. She left a picture on the bed before she and aunt left. I wore my nightdress and went over to see the picture, I could guess that it was a picture of the guy I had to marry. I resisted the urge to laugh when I saw that picture.
There was a blonde man with blue eyes, he was wearing a suit which was too loose for him; he leaned on a tree and tried to strike an aloof pose however there were two kids behind him making a funny face, totally ruining the type of atmosphere he tried to create. He looked handsome enough. Maybe I would agree if I was not being forced to. Seeing him, the anger inside me rose again. I could remember my dad's words, it seems that he was acting like a love-struck fool. "Damn you! I know I'm pretty but you did not have to show it in front of my dad!" He did not arouse a feeling of love at first sight but aroused a feeling of anger regardless of how handsome he was. I threw that picture aside and wondered if he seriously did not have any other picture other than the one he sent. He indeed had guts to send an embarrassing picture to the one he had a crush on.
"Movie King, my foot!"
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"Well, Jason, she immediately refused on mentioning you. I think she needs more time but rest assure she will agree to it," Amelia's father was on the phone. He had a helpless expression on his face.
"I'm not in a rush Mr Smith, I will wait for her. I can understand that she does not like being forced, but you see I am like a love-struck fool. I will never let her face any difficulty from the moment she says 'I do', I promise you." A voice rang from the other side. His words contained the tone of utmost seriousness.
"Ah, you're such a good man, I just hope she won't fuss over this." Mr Smith sighed again. He had Amelia's best interests at heart. He was sure that Jason was a good man for her and that he would treat her well.
The call soon ended. He was worried about Amelia; he did not want his only daughter to get married so fast, but the reason was not only because of his father's promise but also because of Oasis. Oasis is in a bit of a pickle. Some investors pulled out their investments for absolutely no reason at all. He already suspected this was the work of Dazzle, Dazzle was the rival company of Oasis and the man behind it would stop at nothing to get on the top. The Old man of the Wilson family requested Amelia's hand in marriage for his grandson, although he did not specify which grandson, everyone assumed it's his younger grandson Jason and not his eldest Chris because Chris was an extreme workaholic who publicly announced that he would not marry until he was 30 years old, he was only 2 years away from the deadline he set up. He is involved in the family company Revolution, which is an IT company. Mr Smith was happy that his daughter took an interest in business and wanted to be the CEO like him, but it was not meant to be, he knew to trade his daughter for the company was not great but rather than being from a company which can collapse at any time, she should be a part of a stable, well off family.
Unlike Chris, Jason was an actor, A-lister. He was critically acclaimed for his skills and was the dream guy of numerous women. Marrying Jason who is ridiculously handsome and rich would be every girl's dream. On the contrary, Amelia did not give a damn about. Jason was initially dissatisfied with his grandpa's decision, but after seeing the picture he was a love-struck fool who did not try to hide his excitement. He readily agreed to his grandpa's decision. He was 25 years old; he was in his prime time and also; he was very sure that Amelia would accept him but for the first time; he faced refusal. After being rejected his poor little ego got bruised but his crush got the better of him. Like a loyal doggy, he would accept whatever conditions Amelia would put forth. When she said no, he decided to wait patiently for her. He was confident that his looks would be enough, but no; it was not enough.