The hard thumping on the door made Ivanna whine. It took her many seconds to crawl off her bed and head for the door. She unlocked it and glanced at whoever was disturbing her peaceful sleep.
It was Nicholas.
"Are you alright?" Nicholas inquired as he noticed her eyes were half-close.
"Just a headache,"
"Ok. Father wants to speak with you, so freshen up and come down quickly." Ivanna nodded and Nicholas left.
Ivanna groaned and headed for the bathroom.
After bathing, she went downstairs and met her father and Nicholas with grim expressions. "Is…there a problem?" She asked. She hauled from the stairs toward them.
Her father gestured for her to sit down beside him. "Do you know Stella Quinn, the wife of Quinn's head?" Ivanna bobbed. "She was hospitalized this morning. Her sickness was getting to the edge."
She knew Mrs. Quinn but had never once met her. Maybe she had when she was little. But she had no memories of it.
"And…," She trailed. Knowing her father, there was more to just informing her about a person being hospitalized.
Her father sighed before replying. "Do you remember what I told you when you were little, about an engagement of two people where the girl had no idea?"
Ivanna nodded. How could she forget when her dad made sure it was printed in her head?
"Yes," she answered. "An engagement of two children made by their elders who want the families to unite. The girl wasn't aware but the boy was because his brother found out accidentally and informed him."
"Very good." Mr. Pierlot smiled. He skimmed over Nicholas's face to see if he was in disagreement with what he was about to say, but Nicholas had none. So he continued.
"That boy is the second son of the Quinn family, Roman Quinn. And the little girl is… Ivanna." He confessed.
Ivanna stared at him. She wasn't surprised or shocked, she was simply confused because she heard her name. Were there other Ivannas she wasn't aware of?
"Ummm...I don't think I know her. Ivanna is not a rare name though, but I've never come across one." She honestly said and peeked at Nicholas to see if he knew any. But she only met a blank expression.
"You're not getting it, Ivanna. That girl is you. I know that wasn't right but that's it." Her father told.
Ivanna remained confused. She couldn't remember getting engaged, although her father told her the girl had no clue, there was no way she was that dumb to not know what was going on. Or was she?
"Why?" That was the only question she could muster. She was stunned, but thankfully it was an engagement, she could easily call it off. She just hoped it had nothing to do with her mom.
"Mrs. Quinn and your mom were best friends, they attended kindergarten, high school, and university together. They always wanted a way to unite both families. Nicholas and Julian were boys, so they decided on the second son after we had you. I'm so sorry, honey,"
Ivanna looked at her brother to know if he was aware, and by the looks of things, he was.
No wonder he made sure he was clear of boys. And the strict rules.
She clenches her shaky hands together. It would have been better if her mother didn't want this, it would have been easy, and she would have been about to call it off. But now…
"I wanted to call it off and let you live your own life and make your own choices, but this was the last and only thing she wished for on her deathbed, I couldn't say no or promise her only to disregard it. I just hope there was another way."
"There is, actually," Nicholas, who had sat down quietly and finally spoke up. "To not marry Roman though. Mom's first choice was Julian, but he's off limits, so she said the next Quinn. But Roman has a twin brother, Rogue. And I'll prefer Rogue to Roman."
For the first time that morning, Ivanna was disgusted. Not about Rogue being Roman's twin or the engagement, but because her brother suggested Rogue as a replacement for Roman. Do they really know Rogue? Of course, they didn't.
"I also do prefer Rogue. He left the country the same year as you, and now he's back. He's calm and well-mannered." Mr. Pierlot butted in.
Ivanna snorted. Rogue has won the favor of her father and brother with a single speech, and now they're behaving as if they have known him for years when he had just arrived after many years abroad.
"I'm not marrying anyone."
She stood up angrily and decided to leave, but her brother stopped her with the most effective words.
"Mother wished for this, don't make her regret not being here."
Those words struck her chest.
She would never do anything to hurt her mother, whether she was here or not. And her father and brother knew that.
She sat back down and folded her arms.
"The main reason for telling you this is because Mrs. Quinn had been hospitalized, her days are numbered. According to Mr. Quinn, that was why his youngest son came back. She wants to use her remaining days to make sure you and Roman get married, for her to die happily."
The moment she finds a way to leave the situation, another thing weighs her down.
After her dad said that, Nicholas shifted to the tip of his chair. He was about to report a serious matter.
"Mrs. Quinn had already arranged everything. It will be attended by families and close friends. The wedding is in four days."
What the HELL?!