In the lavish study room of Jayla's father in the Delgado mansion, Jayla's voice echoed with fury as she shouted in disbelief, her anger palpable as she confronted her father's shocking announcement.
"What do you mean you've arranged my marriage?" Jayla's voice trembled with rage, her eyes flashing with anger as she faced her father, Noah.
Noah stood before her, his expression a mix of resolve and regret as he attempted to explain his decision. "Jayla, I understand that this news may come as a surprise," he began, his voice calm but tinged with apprehension. "But I believe that this marriage alliance with the Lopez family is in the best interests of our family."
Deep down, he knew that this union was not in the best interests of his family. Still, the specter of the incident ten years ago loomed large in his mind, casting a long shadow over his thoughts and actions.
Noah couldn't shake the feeling that he was merely a pawn in Martin Lopez's game, forced to dance to the tune of a man whose power and influence far exceeded his own. The memory of the incident, shrouded in secrecy and shame, served as a constant reminder of the debt he owed to Martin. This debt seemed impossible to repay.
But Jayla was having none of it, her anger boiling over as she lashed out at her father. "How could you make such a decision without even consulting me?" she demanded, her voice rising with each word. "I refuse to be treated like a pawn in your business dealings and even in this family, Dad."
Noah's gaze faltered under the intensity of Jayla's anger, a pang of guilt tugging at his heart as he realized the extent of her fury. Even though Noah's demeanor toward his daughter seems unfair, he still loves her. "Jayla, please try to understand," her father said with all authority. "I only want what's best for you and our family."
But Jayla would hear none of it, her frustration and resentment bubbling to the surface as she turned away from her father in disgust. "I won't stand for this, Dad," she declared, her voice ringing with defiance. "I'll make my own decisions, and I refuse to be forced into a marriage I don't want."
With that, Jayla stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as she fled from her father's presence, her heart heavy with anger and resentment. And as he watched her go, a sense of remorse washed over him, knowing that he had caused his daughter pain with his decision. But despite his regret, he couldn't shake the conviction that he had made the right choice for their family's future, even if it meant sacrificing Jayla's happiness in the process.
As Jayla went to her room, she sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone. She stopped and looked at a picture of her and her friend, Tricia. Jayla nodded. She hadn't seen Tricia in a few weeks, and she missed her. She decided to give her a call. Jayla dialed Tricia's number and put the phone to her ear. After a few rings, Tricia answered.
"Hey, Jayla!" Tricia said she could hear exhaustion in her voice.
"Hey, Tricia! What are you up to?" Jayla asked as she lay on her bed.
"Did you fight with your mom again?" Tricia asked immediately due to the past events that had just happened. Every time Jayla calls, she always complains about her fight with her mom.
"No," Jayla said, rolling her eyes at just the thought of her mother.
"The truth?" Tricia said.
"It's the truth! You know I miss shopping," Jayla said.
"I'm free tomorrow, Jayla," Tricia suggested.
"Then we could go shopping," Jayla suggested and rose from her bed.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Tricia said.
"Yes!" Jayla said.
Jayla hung up the phone and smiled. At least she could ease the pain her family gave her if she was with Tricia tomorrow.
The next day, Jayla stepped out with Tricia. She put on a brave front, determined to enjoy their day despite the turmoil brewing inside. "I'll treat you to everything today," she declared with forced cheerfulness, her words tinged with a hint of desperation.
Tricia's been her friend for almost a decade, and a kind and understanding nature shines through in her appearance. She has warm hazel eyes that convey compassion, and her gentle smile invites comfort and trust. Her soft, honey-blonde hair falls in gentle waves around her face, framing her features with a sense of warmth and approachability.
As Jayla insisted on treating Tricia, her friend's apprehension grew. "Jayla, are you sure about this?" Tricia started to protest. Her concern is evident in her furrowed brow. "You always spend so much every time we go out; what if your mother...?"
But before Tricia could finish her sentence, Jayla cut in with a determined look in her eyes. "I know what I'm doing, Tricia," she insisted, her voice tinged with resolve. "My mother can't control me always?" Jayla and her mother constantly fight over her spending too much.
Tricia hesitated, torn between her concern for Jayla's well-being and her desire to support her friend. In the end, she relented with a slight nod, a hesitant smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Okay, Jayla," she conceded, her voice softening with understanding. "But promise me you won't overdo it."
Jayla returned Tricia's smile with a grateful nod, feeling a surge of gratitude for Tricia's unwavering support. "Don't worry,"
As they went shopping, Jayla grabbed every item she liked; when she approached the cashier to pay, there was a problem when the cashier told her that her card had declined.
"What do you mean it's declined?" Jayla demanded, her voice rising in frustration as she frantically checked her wallet for another card.
The cashier shrugged indifferently, unmoved by Jayla's distress. "I'm sorry, miss, but the transaction didn't go through," she replied.
"Try this." and she handed me a different card. "This is impossible." frustration boiled within Jayla, her patience wearing thin with each passing moment.
" I'm sorry, Miss," the cashier said sympathetically, her tone tinged with regret. "This card is also declined." she handed Jayla her second card.
Frustration bubbled up inside Jayla like a simmering volcano as she stood before the cashier. Her card was once again declined. Anger flared in her chest, igniting a fiery determination to get to the bottom of the situation. "What do you mean by decline? Try it again?" Jayla demanded. Her voice tinged with irritation as she glared at the cashier.
The cashier tried both of her cards again and went back to Jayla, "I'm sorry Miss," she replied, her tone tinged with regret. "But I tried multiple times already. The transaction isn't going through." the cashier politely explained to Jayla, but she's not accepting it.
Jayla clenched her fists in frustration, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to contain her rising temper. "This is ridiculous!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word.
"But your card-"
Before the cashier could finish her word, Jayla cut through." Do you know who I am? Try it again! There's more than enough money in those accounts." With her anger, she almost slams the cashier's desk.
"Hey, it's okay, Jayla," Tricia interjected, her tone soothing as she stepped forward to offer her assistance. "I'll handle this," and smiled at her genuinely.
Jayla's eyes widened in surprise. "No, Tricia, this is ridiculous," she protested. Tricia smiled, her expression warm and understanding.
"Don't worry about it, Jayla. Just wait for me, okay?" she said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. She approached the store manager, explaining the situation and asking for assistance in resolving the issue. The store manager listened attentively, nodding sympathetically as Tricia outlined Jayla's predicament. In the end, Tricia and the manager had to settle the problem smoothly.
As Jayla left the store with Tricia, Jayla's mind churned with thoughts of the recent financial setback. She couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that her father, Noah, was behind the frozen funds. After all, there is one reason why her father is doing this to her. "It must have been my dad," Jayla muttered under her breath, her tone laced with bitterness as she recounted their recent arguments about her life choices.
Tricia frowned in concern, sensing Jayla's inner turmoil. "Do you really think he would do something like that?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with empathy.
Jayla sighed heavily, the weight of her suspicions bearing down on her shoulders. "I wouldn't put it past him," she replied bitterly, her voice tinged with resignation. "It's just..." she didn't finish what she was saying and heaved a sigh.
Tricia reached out to squeeze Jayla's hand, offering her silent support. "I'm sorry, Jayla," she said gently. "But don't let this setback ruin your day, okay?"
Despite Tricia's comforting words, Jayla couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at her heart. "How did you settle the bill anyway? I almost grab anything without looking at the prices."
"Hmm? I call out for James and let him talk to the manager." Tricia smiled.
Seeing the frustration all over Jayla's face, Tricia reached for her hands. "Just forget that, Okay? Let's enjoy the rest of the day. My treat," she smiles genuinely. With a grateful smile, Jayla nodded, allowing herself to momentarily set aside her worries and embrace the simple joy of spending time with her friend.
"I think I'll do that. Once I'm home, my mother will scorn me anyway," Jayla said, rolling her eyes as she thought of her mother.
"Just stop thinking about it for now," Tricia said. And they both giggle.
As Jayla arrived at their mansion that night, fuming with anger, she stormed into her father's study room, her footsteps echoing with each determined stride. "Dad," she began, her voice tight and angry, "What did you do to my cards?"
Noah glanced up from his desk, his expression stoic as he met his daughter's furious gaze. "I froze your accounts," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone unwavering.
Jayla's eyes narrowed in disbelief, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "Why would you do that?" she demanded, her voice rising with each word.
Noah sighed heavily, pinning Jayla with a stern look. "Because of your attitude, Jayla," he replied sternly. "You've been out of control lately, and I won't stand by and watch you squander our family's resources."
Jayla's jaw clenched in frustration, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "It has always been the Mother who had concern over that, now you. So, this is your way of punishing me?" she shot back, her voice trembling with emotion.
Noah's expression softened slightly, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes. "I'm doing what I think is best for you, Jayla," he said firmly. "You need to learn some discipline and responsibility."
With a frustrated huff, Jayla turned on her heel, but before she could storm out of the room, her father spoke.
"Marry the Lopez," Noah said, his tone firm and resolute.
Jayla's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding with disbelief at the audacity of her father's words. "What?" she exclaimed incredulously, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and defiance. "So that's the real reason?"
Noah nodded solemnly. His expression is unwavering. "Yes, Jayla," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is an order from your father."
Jayla's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions as she struggled to process her father's request. Marry Tres Lopez? The thought filled her with a sense of dread and resentment, knowing that it would mean sacrificing her happiness for the sake of her family's ambitions.
"Does marrying him unfreeze my accounts, huh?" Jayla protested. Her voice tinged with desperation.
Noah's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of sympathy crossing his features. "No," he said gently, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That is for discussion on what behavior you'll have there."
"So, what's the point of marrying him if I don't get my money!" she retorted.
"SO, YOU CAN LEARN SOME MANNERS AND DISCIPLINE!" Noah shouted, which sent shivers down Jayla's spine; his father never shouted like that at her, no matter how badly she did.
As Jayla grappled with the reality of her situation, a seething anger simmered beneath the surface of her calm exterior. The prospect of being forced into a marriage with Tres Lopez, a man she barely knew and felt no affection for, filled her with a sense of resentment and frustration. "It's not fair," Jayla muttered under her breath, her hands balling into fists at her sides, and stormed out of her father's study room.
As Noah glanced at Jayla leaving, he contemplated his daughter's defiance, and a grim realization settled over him. He knew that Jayla's stubbornness ran deep, and conventional methods of persuasion would likely prove pointless. Noah concluded that drastic measures were necessary to bring Jayla to heel. The thought of depriving his daughter of the comforts she had grown accustomed to and a taste of hardship would force her to reconsider her defiance and consent to his wishes.