The next morning, Aliyah descended to the dining hall, her heart heavy with anxiety. Her father, Juan, sat at the head of the table, his eyes watchful.
"Good morning, Aliyah," Juan said, his voice dripping with warning. "I trust you're clear on your duties?"
Aliyah nodded, her gaze lowered. "Yes, Father."
"Why do you ask?" Aliyah retorted, her tone laced with resentment. "You're selling me off, after all. You don't need to ask for my permission."
Juan's expression darkened. "Aliyah, don't speak to your father like that," Isabella intervened.
But Aliyah pressed on. "You dictate my life, Father. You're marrying me off to a stranger. What's the point of asking me?"
Juan's face reddened. "I work my ass off every time, trying to give you a good life. You live comfortably, as the daughter of the wealthiest man. You haven't even tasted pain, and you dare question me?"
Aliyah threw the napkin, pushed her chair backward, and walked out on her parents.
"Get back here, Aliyah! I'm not done talking!" Juan thundered.
But Aliyah didn't budge.
Isabella turned to Juan, her voice laced with concern. "You're marrying your only child off to a stranger, not just any stranger—a criminal! Contract marriage in this time and age?"
Juan shifted uncomfortably. "Isabella, please..."
Isabella pressed on. "Did you marry me for love or not?"
Juan hesitated, his eyes avoiding hers.
"This woman and the girl will be the death of me," Juan muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, in Luis's mansion, he sat on his expensive sofa, smoking a cigar and sipping vodka. Cruz, his best friend and right-hand man, approached him.
"Boss, isn't it too early to be smoking and drinking?" Cruz asked.
Luis glared at him. "Is there a time for smoking and drinking? I'm trying to clear my head."
Cruz sat down beside him. "Clear your head? Why?"
Luis exhaled a stream of smoke. "It's the marriage issue."
Cruz's eyes widened. "Are you having second thoughts?"
Luis scoffed. "No, I'm not. I'm only getting married because of the stupid ultimatum. I can't lose everything I've worked so hard for."
Cruz ventured cautiously, "And you had to choose Juan's daughter. Isn't she too good for you? You could've just paid a random lady for this job."
Luis chuckled, a cold glint in his eye. "I did it to spite Juan, and I have something up my sleeves. He won't know what hit him."
Cruz hesitated, unsure whether to probe further.
Luis's gaze turned icy. "Love? Hmph! Love is fucked up. My father fell in love, and where did that get him? A broken heart, and he got killed. There's no love in my blood; it's just a contract."
"What time is it, Cruz?" Luis asked.
"It's noon already, boss," Cruz replied.
Luis scowled. "I'm meeting her today. What should I wear?"
Cruz smirked. "The big bad wolf trying to look good for his woman?"
Luis snapped, "Fuck off, Cruz."
Cruz laughed, and Luis continued, "We're having new shipments tonight. Make sure I receive my imported guns safely, or we'll have problems."
"Yes, boss," Cruz said before leaving.
As soon as Cruz left, Luis dropped his cigar and vodka glass. He went upstairs to his luxurious bedroom, filled with cash and guns.
"Why am I dressing up? It's not like I'm trying to impress her. I only need her for my plans," Luis thought.
Meanwhile, Aliyah was getting ready.
"Isabella, I need to be alone with my daughter," her mother said to the maid.
The maid left, and Isabella gazed at Aliyah. "You look beautiful, my princess."
Aliyah replied, "You're here because of the marriage, right? The child you're giving away to some man."
Isabella sighed. "I'm sorry, Aliyah, but you know how your father can be. My hands are tied."
Aliyah nodded. "It's okay, mama."
Before leaving, Isabella kissed Aliyah's forehead. "I'll be downstairs waiting for you."
Aliyah checked herself one last time in the mirror before heading downstairs.
"Let's get this over with," she thought.
As she left the house, her father's driver, Carlos, greeted her.
"Good evening, Miss Aliyah."
At the El Florentine restaurant, a luxurious sports car caught her attention.
"Must be him," she thought.
A waitress approached her. "Good evening, Miss Gómez. Your guest is waiting for you in the VIP lounge, table 4."
Luis thought to himself, "I arrived early to scan the environment. His taste is impressive." Then, he saw Aliyah walking toward him.
"Hi, good evening. You must be Luis Moreno," Aliyah said.
Luis's eyes widened. "Fuck, she's beautiful."