Chapter # 1

"It's all your fault! I told you I don't want to get married and here I am stuck in an undesirable situation!"

"Are you going to tell me what happened or not?"

"I told you He won't let me love anyone. He doesn't want anyone to have the same fate as her. He refrained me from destroying lives and you are pushing me in the fire."

"He won't let it, Father... I just told him I have begun to like Ester and that's what he did."

"He will use Ester against me. I cannot love her. I can't."

"Do you love Ester?"

"I DO! That's the problem... I love Ester. But I can't. I have to hate her..."

***

Hi! I am Ester Willows, the only child of James Willows and Danielle Willows. I am the most loved child of our family. I have Semi Curl Black hairs which fall on my back, accompanied by Blue eyes. I have recently turned 22. My height is average. I have a scar on the back of my left shoulder, But it never bothered me that much. I don't like revealing dresses, So, It's covered most of the time.

I was walking merrily in the garden. I closed my eyes as the cold breeze greeted me, I smiled to myself and inhaled the sweet scent of beautiful flowers around me. I plucked a Yellow Rose. It looks so beautiful and Unique. I smiled when I looked at it. Everything is beautiful in its way. Every flaw has a beautiful side too. That's why I never felt insecure about my scar. I am sure someone is gonna love it. I removed the thorns carefully. After removing them, I tugged it behind my ear. It looks so graceful. I smiled as Sarah; Head Maid came and called me,

"Miss Ester!"

I look behind and smiled,

"What is it, Sarah?"

"Ma'am is waiting for you in the main hall." I sighed and went to see Mother. Looks like my sweet moment in this garden has to wait.

I entered the hall and saw Mother as well as Father.

"Mother! Father! "I ran towards them and hugged both of them. They smiled back and father kissed my forehead.

"You have called me?" I asked as I took a seat beside my father.

"Yes Sweetie," Mother smiled.

"Look, Ester, Do you have a dream? That you wanna fulfill badly?" My father asked. I put a finger on my chin and began to think. But nothing came to my mind, I do have an aim but not a dream. I sighed and began to say,

"Not a primary goal but an aim ...Well ... I want to become a motivational speaker .. Nothing Else... But, It's not the primary goal of my life..." I trailed off.

They both laughed and looked at me,

"Well ...If, You don't have any goal. We want to talk to you about something." Father said rather nervously.

"Is everything all right?" I was concerned. This time mother began to say,

"Ester do you like someone?"

"N-No!" I shudder while blushing.

"See. I told you." Father told the mother as she sighed and continued,

"Well Sweetie, We are getting old and we want to see our daughter getting married." I blinked.

"Come again?" I asked again, thinking I might have heard wrong.

"We want you to get married." Father tried to say a little sternly but failed.

"BUT! If you don't want to, It's alright." Father reassured me. I smiled.

"Anything for you. Your Wish is my wish." I told them as their faces lit up with happiness. I just couldn't say no to them. They have done so many things for me and if I can't even fulfill their one wish, then I won't be able to look at myself again. They never asked for anything, this is the first time they asked for something. Even though I don't think I am ready, Still, It's alright.

They both hugged me.

"Thank you very much, love." Mother kissed my forehead.

"What kind of daughter would I be, If I can't do that much for my parents." Upon hearing this, Mother eyes teared up as she said,

"May God bless everyone with a daughter like you." I smiled and replied,

"I am sure there are other daughters who are more of a blessing than me."

"But, You are our blessing," Mother said, releasing me from the hug.

"But, If you don't want to, it's alright," Father said.

"It's alright." I smiled.

"Well, Since you don't have anyone in your mind, I have chosen Mr James La Corte's only son, Desmond La Corte." I looked at my father as my heart began to beat faster. I felt like my cheeks were heating up. I looked down as father continued,

"If you don't mind, They can come over for dinner. If you liked him, then, we'll talk further."

"Okay.."I shyly said. Father laughed as I excused myself and went to my room.

Oh My God! I don't believe it. I am getting married. I am blushing just at the thought of it. I wonder what he looks like? Desmond la Corte. Just saying his name makes my heart beat faster.

I was standing in front of the mirror. I was wearing a red knee-length dress with a black belt and black net sleeves. It was simply classic and elegant. I smiled to myself. My hair is falling on my back. I just love my semi curly hairs, They don't need any curling or straightening. I took a deep breath as the door knock,

"Miss Ester, Our guests have arrived," Sarah said.

"Coming!" I said and walked out and asked Sarah,

"How am I looking?" I asked, showing my dress. She smiled and said,

"Exquisite ."

"Thanks" I went with her. My heart began to pound loudly. I think it's gonna leap out of my chest. I felt strange sensations in my stomach. My hands were cold as ice. I felt nervous. I entered the hall. All eyes fell upon me. I smiled a little as I walked in and greeted,

"Good Evening." Everyone smiled and replied with a 'Good Evening'. Then an old man smiled and said,

"Hello My child, I am James La Corte. She is my wife Lenny La Corte. He is my son, Desmond La Corte." He introduced them to me. My heart stopped when I saw Desmond. He was simply Handsome. I felt like my cheeks were becoming red. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met.

He has gray Eyes. His Raven hairs are perfectly combed. His skin is perfectly tanned by the Sun accompanied by a triumph beard.

"Nice to meet you." I smiled; Despite those strange sensations I am feeling. Mrs Corte smiled,

"Nice to meet you too, my child," Mrs Corte sweetly said. I felt like I had gained some courage. But, then Desmond stood up and walked towards me. He stood in front of me. My breath became heavy. I felt like I'm gonna faint from nervousness. He extended his hand as he smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Ester," I felt like my heart fluttered with happiness when he said my name.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr Desmond," I can't believe it! I have said his name. My heart is beating so fast. I shook his hand. They are so rough. Then, I noticed, He has a perfectly toned chest too. I flushed and faintly smiled at him.

He then went back to his seat. I also sat on my usual seat and dinner began.

They asked mine about my education, my hobbies, traits and all. However, During the dinner, Desmond's stare makes me so nervous. My hands and feet are freezing.

After dinner, Mother suggested,

"Ester. Desmond. You should go and talk alone somewhere."

"Yeah. You guys go and get to know each other." Mrs Corte agreed. He nodded and asked,

"Where should we go?"

"Rooftop," I said without thinking. I stargaze a lot so I said it without thinking. He stood up and walked toward me, I also stood up.

I am so nervous. My heart is racing so fast. My lips were dry. We were standing on the rooftop. He was leaning on the railing. I was thinking to ask him something, But he spoke up,

"How old are you?"

"22. And you?" I asked.

"26."He replied. Four years gap.

"Do you have a lover?" He asked again as I blushed,

"No! Never. You?"

"Many. But, never had a serious one." He replied monotonously and I felt like my heart was being stabbed. Hmph! Player.

"I see." I turn around and look at the stars. His stare was driving me insane.

"Why do you agree to this marriage?" He suddenly spoke up. I looked at him, he was dead serious. I smiled nervously and spoke up,

"Father's choice."

"What about your choice?" I was shocked but, then I smiled widely,

"Their wish is far more important than anything else" But, He didn't like my answer at all. He looked at me with anger as he took a step closer. I took a step back. I felt really scared, right now.

"Now, Listen to me, Miss Ester Willows. I have no intentions of marrying you. Be good and tell everyone that you don't want to marry me either." I felt heartbroken as well as scared of him.

"Why? Can't you say no." That was my only reply.

"If I could, I would have said that." He looked irritated. I looked away.

"I am not going against my father's wish," I said sternly.

"Is that so?" His glare was piercing my soul. A shallow breath escapes my lips. He leans in and said in a low voice,

"If we got married. Then, I'm gonna make your life Hell"

"If you don't want to marry, do it yourself. Don't force me to do what you want." I said slightly angrily. "I can't." He replied. "Then so do I." I closed my arms at my chest and turned away.

He backed away and leaned on the railing again.

"The choice is yours, Ester Willows. Either say no to this marriage or else be prepared for Hell" He said in a calm tone, but his voice is lingering with seriousness.

What should I do?

I can't break my father's heart. But, I don't wanna marry him either. I turned away and looked at the moon. I closed my eyes to escape from my current world. I just couldn't bear to stand beside him. The man, who was supposed to be my love, at first sight, is now My terror of his real side.

I opened my eyes and growled, "Do it yourself." I was about to walk away but he held my wrist,

"You are not going anywhere." I look at him. His looks are so strict. I lean on the railing beside him and look at the floor. He is using his phone. I don't wanna marry him but...

After a while, he walked away without saying a thing. I also walked behind him. We walked down the stairs. He smiled at everyone and so did I.

He smiled and kissed my hands before leaving that startled me. I watch him with faze, how can a person be that fake? This scares me. He is scaring me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ester" He smiled before leaving.

"L-Likewise," I said in a shudder. Such a fake person.

After they left, Mother asked,

"So..How's he?" I looked away as my smile faded.

"We are not forcing you. Tell us if you don't like him." Father smiled reassuringly. I forced a smile. I felt stuck; what should I say?

"Uh... Father... I am tired... Good Night!" I hugged them and left.

What should I do? I don't want to break my mother and father's heart. But his words are scaring me,

"If we got married. Then, I'm gonna make your life Hell"

I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.