I received another text from my father. I groaned in frustration. I knew he wouldn't let me live in peace. I spent the next few days taking into consideration my next move. I knew that my father would no longer take kindly to my refusal of the marriage proposal, he made it clear by making two guards stand post outside my house, they would go to work with me, the gym, and heck, even the mall. It was annoying to deal with two macho men constantly breathing down my neck.
I knew I couldn't ignore him for very long, he was a very persistent man but I knew that my independence was what made me who I was today and nothing that he could do would be able to have him take it away from me.
I was about to step inside my house when I saw the same jeep parked outside my garage again. I rolled my eyes.
Think of the devil and here he is.
I walk inside, ready to face the crap he was about to throw at me until my eyes fall to the familiar figure of Sebastian standing in the corner and my blood ran cold.
"Dad decided to bring his hound dog along with him this time?" I rolled my eyes and plopped on the couch. He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Watch your mouth, Amelia before I decide to shoot your brains out," he growls back.
"Easy there or else you won't get a bone to chew on," I tease. Sitting down opposite father on the couch. A sense of déjà vu hit me.
"Funny how a few weeks ago you were here. Missed me so soon this time Daddy? Careful, it might ruin the heartless image," I heard Sebastian curse behind me.
He ignored my words. "Why are you not picking up your phone?" he asks, lighting a cigar. I scrunch my nose in disgust.
"Mom wouldn't appreciate you ruining her house with your filthy smoke," he puts his revolver on the table and that immediately shuts me up.
"Answer the question." I purse my lips in annoyance. Didn't he know I wanted nothing to do with him?
"As far as I remember, I clearly told you that I wanted nothing to do with you or your silly games."
"These are not games. These are traditions we follow." He replied coolly. I felt the iciness of his words settle into my bones. The hair on the nape of my neck stood up but I kept my cool composure intact.
He doesn't need to see how he affected me.
"Of a family, I wish to have no association with," Sebastian banged the wall behind him. The nerve on his neck popped. My father narrowed his eyes at me before he put his cigar down and crossed his hands on his knees. Images flashed in my mind of the day I witnessed him murder a man in cold blood. I tried controlling my breath.
"Careful sweetheart, I have seen your brother kill people when they say such things," His eyes looked ever so unflinching. I wonder if he even feels any emotions at all. A wave of disgust rolls over me when I see a smirk on Sebastian's crooked face.
I wanted to laugh at the irony of my life. I was, a successful lawyer while my blood ties were related to one of the most influential, dangerous, and morally corrupt families in New York. While I fought for what is right, they killed those who would do them wrong. I wanted to let out a snort but refrained.
"You know how important loyalty is to us," he added.
"I'm aware but since my loyalty is only towards keeping my freedom intact, I cannot respectfully give a crap about showing it to you," I shot back.
"I say we kill her father. Set her as an example for all those who try to defy us," Sebastian growls at me. I can't help but roll my eyes at him.
"Keep your dogs on a leash. They tend to bark when they don't need to," I shoot him a sickly-sweet smile. I could see his eyes darken, so I decided it was better to stop irritating him before he takes his gun out and try to shoot me.
"I have arranged a ball for you this Sunday," my father's voice booms in the room Effectively shutting both of us up.
"For what?" the pricking sensation that was only present in my stomach started traveling to my chest.
"For you to meet your future husband," suddenly my chest felt like it was being priced through with a million little shards of glass and the only thing that went from their wake was the fragment of my heart.
Suddenly all I could see was boiling amber liquid before I stormed up to him, seething with rage.
"I'm not marrying a murderer like you or my brothers. I will not live the life my mother lived with you,"
He stands up and suddenly the atmosphere of the room suddenly shifts. It became just as dark as the glower on his face, "You will do as I say and honor the word of your mother,"
The word of my mother?
What was he on about?
"What do you mean, the word of my mother?" confusion coated my mind. My mother made sure I would never end up as one of my father's puppets.
"Before I let her take you away, I made her sign a pact where you marry the man I chose for you," suddenly the room felt smaller and smaller until the only voices audible were my own words that were next saying no.
"I don't trust you," I narrowed my eyes at him.
He rolled his eyes and fished out a small envelope where it stated that I would marry the man set out by my father. My mother's signatures were evident on the form right next to her initials.
"That was the only way for her to take you away," he says, putting the contract back in his pocket. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes.
"You're a monster," I choke out, bile rising to my throat. "You gave me the illusion of freedom but kept the ropes in your hands,"
"I did what had to be done." His voice was hard and sharp. Not an ounce of love ever dripped from it. "You have till tonight to wrap your head around the idea of marriage. Marco and Ellis will stay put." He stood up and started walking towards the door, Sebastian following behind shortly.
"I won't ever forgive you," I whisper, loud enough for him to hear. He stops in his tracks and turns around to stare at my tear-stained face. I saw a flash of hurt before the walls of his eyes closed in on him again.
"I'm doing what is best for you."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the red dress that hugged my body like a second skill. The day of the ball eventually arrived, and dread nestled into my stomach. I wanted to run far away yet the reality was that Marco was waiting outside my room to escort me to the ball. I had powered my phone off, I didn't want to deal with my family. The thought of having to be in the same presence as them was nerve-wracking. Shaking the intrusive thoughts away, I decide to leave.
We quickly reached the ballroom my father had stored for special events. As I entered the ballroom, I scan the crowd and see the heads of many mafias standing in front of me. Taking a huge breath in, I start meeting the heads, a few women, and some men. I scanned the crowd, searching for the man my father had chosen for me.
My heart sank when I saw him. The sole son of the most influential mafia lord. I felt my heart race with anger and frustration. I knew that I had to play this cleverly and come up with a plan.