Wedding Gift

The longer we rode in silence, the more I noticed and with the more I noticed the more irratatted I grew.

For example, If I have to watch this man continue to glare at me but look out the window when I confront him with my own glare-- I'll go mad.

"Put on your ring." A voice pulled my attention, cutting Arican off mid lour. The velvet blue box felt even heavier now that Julius acknowledged it.

For Christ sakes I haven't been this awkward in years. I had planned the entire argument out; I would get in the car and I'd give him the silent treatment for majority of the ride. Next, he would initiate the conversation because we have business to discuss but I would ignore that and fiercely remind him that he was an asshole. That women were not objects to be sold off and that ai wouldn't pretend to be nice for his benefits. I would continue to holler about how he turned against his moral and broke.

But how could I have known that his father would be accompanying us? How could I have known that everything was finally set in stone?

I use to be the newly appointed Underboss and Artistic Director for my dad's company before he sold me off, old fashionably, to a man with a very high status?

I opened the box and paused to take in the ring.

It was obnoxiously big and was shining even without a lights reflection. I'm not saying it's not beautiful because it is, I just always thought my wedding ring would be made using my birthstone. I was more romantic than I let on and it made this situation even more depressing.

I watched myself push the ring onto my finger before throwing Arican's father-- Julius--a fake, grateful smile.

The melonin beneath the diamond studed ring and former engagement ring glowed. If you weren't Arican or Vicky, I probably looked like a woman happily married.

But I wasn't happily married, I was my Dad's sacrifice. Miserably I was living the life built for a celebrity instead of a Senior in college during her week of Graduation.

"Your wedding is in it's final stages, I want to send you both my congratulations." Arican's father commented.

I gave up on planning the wedding when I had the chance. Who would volunteeringly plan out a wedding that they didn't want? Not I, that's who.

The corporations behind both Arican and I were too powerful in the business world, a divorce was impossible for people like us. Not without purposely sabatoging ourselves starting a war.

Legally, I am Mrs. Areya Monette but before I signed away my single privelages, I was Areya Reyez.

The fabric from my dress stretched across my chest felt like a boa constrictor.

The off the shoulder body con, form fitting and beautiful, started feeling restricting. It wasn't the dress that made me feel trapped all of a sudden, it was the father and son duo sitting in front of me. With both of their eyes focused on my every move and reaction-- it felt intimidating.

Especially Arican's. The man was as much worked up over yesterday as me, he was probably more so.

"Thank you," I barely managed to squeeze out.

A smile ghosted his lips while his old age gifted telling signs on his face. Wrinkles formed on the side of his mouth where dimples usually appeared and he looked exhausted.

"Your my daughter-in-law now. Feel free to ask me for anything."

My eyes clashed against his intense green ones. "Of course," I said for lack of words.

-But what could he give me that I could not already get myself? I was starting to believe this man, my father-in-law, was delusional.

"Anyway, think of this as my congratulatory gift and live well." He responded as soon as the car stopped. I couldn't help but to glance at Arican, whom hadn't spoken a word the entire drive here. I wanted to see his hand, to see if he was wearing his ring like I was being forced to wear mine but his hands were hidden in his pockets.

It wasn't a long transaction before the driver opened our door and let the three of us out. We stood shoulder to shoulder, our eyes stuck on the view in front of us, to which even I had to admit was pretty good.

I wasn't a fan of big houses, especially for the folk with money but I was reluctant to remind myself of that. This place was definitely lavish and luxorus-- a home I'd probably see in one of my Kdramas that was lived in by a royal family. This wasn't a house, it was a modernized town! The land behind the main place of entrance had so many buildings connected that I was more than positive I'd need a fucking map to find a bathroom.

"Everything is new, your closets are stocked and the food is gourmet. I expect your parties to be top tier now that you live comfortably, of course."

My eyes reeled themselves back in and took note of the men dressed in black littered all over the place. There was no doubt in my mind that we'd be watched every second of everyday which ruled out living in our own sections of this place.

A cold hand embraced mine, my ring feeling the pressure of being held, before I was pulled forward.

He was taller than me and had his father's severe green eyes, it went well with his keen jaw and sharp features. His hair was styled lavishly and out of his face, probably staying in place with gel. My point is that he was ridiculously attractive and his personality wasn't always this bad but I was having a really hard time getting along with him this week.

Besides, he still went back on his word yesterday. He said he'd never sign it, that he'd go to hell and back before he signed.

But look at us now.