There was another reason for Maria's immediate marriage. It was her mother; she didn't like Maria. Even if Maria was her own blood, she loved her second daughter more than Maria, who was nine years older.
Let's turn back time to twenty five years earlier: Once upon a time, a young and beautiful woman from a middle class family got married into the noble Fenwick's chairman's one and only son, Richard Fenwick. This woman was beloved by everyone inside and outside the Fenwicks. With her marriage she gained popularity, love and money. As her family was slowly becoming bankrupt, she had to live a rough life until her marriage. The marriage was love-based and not arranged, so there were some hard-feelings from the Fenwick's party.
She, Matilda Fenwick, did many things to gain her right and win the hearts of the Fenwick's. After marriage she did contributions to poor people, adult homes and orphanages, which brought her more fame. Matilda lived as a queen and in three years, she gave birth to their first daughter, Maria Fenwick.
This baby girl's birth was known world-wide. She was the first daughter of the Fenwick family, so no one could turn a blind eye to her.
From young age, just like her mother, Maria won everyone's heart in the Fenwick Mansion. More care was given to Maria as her identity was kept secret for safety reasons, such as becoming the next heir. They focused on her, leaving her mother in the shadows. The sudden decrement in fame lead her mother to have jealousy toward Maria, because what she wanted the most was to be loved by the Fenwick family.
The hearts she worked so hard to win was swept away by Maria, thus, she created unimaginable situations for Maria in secret to get revenge and to ruin Maria's reputation.
After nine years, their second daughter, Maria's younger sister, Barbra Fenwick was born. As she was the new youngest, people began focusing on her, however, equal care was still given to the eldest daughter.
Unlike Maria, Barbra didn't have her appearances or identity hidden from public. She had the chance to be publicly famous. She was like her mother and kept all the fame for herself. She amused herself by watching poor Maria who didn't get to know the outside world of fame with her real personality. They tried treating Maria like Cinderella, but their pride would be destroyed so they did everything they could slyly.
As Maria grew older, her road to become the next heir grew wider. She obviously didn't care about what the mother-daughter duo did to her in secret, but her duties and responsibilities weighted heavier for her to carryout with those two women.
It was Matilda who lent money to Charles's family, letting them owe a load of debt and then marrying Maria to that family as part of the payment and the. show the public what kind of husband Maria chose. Unfortunately for Matilda, her plan was backfired when Richard decided to secure positions for Charles in the company, for the rest of the payment. Richard is kind-hearted and that has been inherited by Maria, even though in her public image, she is known to be cruel.
Plan one didn't work out for Matilda. If she showed Maria's and Charles marriage of debt, then the company's name would be stained and that wasn't what she wanted.
Matilda's next plan was to occur the immediate marriage and then make them divorce. The blame would be twisted to Maria, so that the Fenwick's reputation would be safe.
One could say that this world is full of mental idiots. Rich are worse, poor becoming rich is horrible. They have this sudden boost of pride and boastfulness. In short of Maria's story, Matilda is trying to get her favours back to boast to her poor friends. She is using Barbra for her plans which you will soon see and know how.
#
In two months it will become October. It isn't a very long time. Time goes by fast. Especially when the trio are busy firing 'cupid's arrows' at Maria and Ethan. With each date Ethan went, his feelings changed trajectory toward Maria. After their first date, he wasn't willing to go on more dates, but Maria won't miss her chances.
She managed to force Ethan to her dates. Her dates went from holidays to weekdays. By the time it was October 1st, Maria had gone on 50 dates.
"Aaahh...I am satisfied with this result." Maria spoke her mind out.
The trio, Maria and Ethan were at Ethan's house, Ethan's elder sister joining their conversation every now and then to smirk at Ethan's dumbfounded face.
All of the took comfort at the living room sofa which were cushioned and as soft as fur.
"Babe. You are 'OKAY', but why these trio?" Ethan asked feeling awkward with the silence of the smiling trio and his sister.
It was the first time they finally met face to face with Ethan after he started dating Maria last month, Starting from their second date, Maria had been coming to Ethan's house often, so she got the chance to be accompanied to his sister.
"Oh, come on! We have to thank these three cupids for letting us get together." Maria exclaimed closing the gap between her and Ethan while clinging onto his arm.
"So it was these three? How nice. But I heard that his first crush was among you three." Ethan's sister queried standing behind the trio's sofa.
Charissa awkwardly laughed, "Haha...That was me..."
Instantly Ethan's sister pinched Charissa's cheeks tightly from behind, "Don't you think you were unlucky? To be crushed by someone like him..." She jumped up and down, and Charissa's pinched cheeks turned red with agony.
"So whats the important matter?" Janet casually swept away their current topic meanwhile freeing Charissa's cheeks from the sister's grip.
"Did I mention that already?" Maria spoke in astonishment.
"Why bring us here for any other reason?" Janet shrugged.
Maria smiled, "You see..." she sighed, "My wedding is getting near, so...I have to announce some things..."
"Like what?" Elissa chimed.
"First of all, this marriage was sudden and the one I will be marrying is not Ethan as you all know. I have made invitations to the three of you including Ethan to my wedding with Charles. Second, this will be my first time publicly introducing myself even to our company partners, so I will have a hard time when it comes to dating Ethan after that and I will need you guy's help. I promise I will pay back. Lastly, I have a family situation where you guys need to be careful about my mother and sister when helping me. I've decided to tell Charles everything to get more support if possible." Maria's grip on Ethan became harder as she looked at him.
"This invitation will include your family members specifically, Charissa. It was decided by my grandfather. I don't know the details, but he said he has some kind of plan on that day to present to the four of us."
The trio gazed at each other, "Four of you?" Elissa's brows raised as she questioned.
"Me, Ethan, Charissa and Charles." Maria replied.
There befell a swift and intense silence. Ethan's sister who silently stood and listened to their conversation didn't like the looks on the kid's faces (Ethan, Maria, etc..)