Chapter 1- arranged marriage

My name is Isabella... I come from a pretty wealthy family in a big city. A lot of wealthy people live here. My dad always wanted the best for me, he also wanted the best for his company too. My mother left when I was four... leaving me with little memory of her. My dad can be a little distant but I like it that way. We are both pretty quiet people and keep to ourselves mostly.

...

I heard footsteps walk into the living room through the front door. My father was never home this early..? I couldn't help but notice another pair of footsteps as well. My father's voice broke the silence asking me to come downstairs. As I was walking I saw the tips of someone's shoes which were black with gray laces.

When I got downstairs I recognized the man as Marcus Lowell. We met in high school and occasionally had brief conversations with each other when we crossed paths.

" Marcus? "

Marcus turned to my father and asked surprised " this is your daughter?!"

For some reason, the bitterness in his voice hurt

My dad replies in a questioning tone " yes... have you two already met"

For a moment Marcus looked at me and his cold hard gaze held mine... I was unable to look away for some odd reason

"Yeah..." was all Marcus said in an unmistakably annoyed tone

I slowly tore my eyes away from his to ask my father a question that had been lingering in my mind for a while because of my father unusual behavior over the past few days

" dad what's going on???"

My father looked guilty in a way that made me uncomfortable and couldn't miss the hint of apology in his big green eyes

" because the company is losing money... you and he will be getting married"

I stood there in shock as it slowly sunk in... for some reason I was not angry... I was overjoyed but I had no idea why... was it because I already knew him? Or was it because I had secretly had a crush on him for two years in high school before we had graduated?

"b-but I'm only 20 dad?!"

I wasn't a person that would be able to confess to somebody... But I had always dreamt of how I would finally confess my feeling to him

My dad replied with a sad expression " I really am sorry but you have to so that we can be able to uphold the business."

I couldn't help but ask " what role does he play in this" my dad could sense the weariness in my voice

" his parents are very wealthy and offered to merge our businesses if I agreed to let you marry their son"