Chapter 2: Lets Make a Deal...

"Welcome Alex. Take a seat next to Felicia."

Alana pointed at the empty seat next to Felicia as her eyes grew wide. She began fidgeting in her seat as he made his way next to her, taking a seat. His face void of any emotion. Felicia grew curious about how he felt to be in the same position as her. Was he unhappy or willing to make it work? She thought. Time ticked by as they sat next to each other in awkward silence. Ibelina seemed speechless at the sudden turn of events and felt as though it was unfair that her cousin was going to live a fortunate life with a handsome man such as Alexander Stills. Felicia caught her cousin staring shamelessly at the man beside her as she let out a scoff. Just earlier she was mocking her of this unfortunate and now she looked as though she would change places with Felicia if she could.

Alana shared a glance with her husband, Edgar, as they watched the tension between their son and their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. They hadn't even introduced themselves to each other as yet. Letting out a sigh, a bright idea came to Alana's mind as she cleared her throat catching everyone's attention.

"I had seen a wonderful garden when entering the mansion earlier, I heard Felicia was the one taking care of it, is that right?"

Felicia looked bewildered. What was going on, all attention was drawn to her in an instant.

"Um, yes. It was special to my late mother so I felt as thou it was my duty to keep her memories ongoing by looking after the garden."

"is that so? Well, it looks so very beautiful. Why don't you take Alex to the garden and show him your hard work?"

A sly smile plopped it's way on Alana's face as the words left her mouth. Felicia's eyes widened at what was happening. They wanted her to be alone with him? She took a quick glance at Alexander's face for help but he looked the same as when he had entered the dining room. Expressionless. Feeling helpless, she put on a smile to cover her discomfort.

"…Sure."

She pulled her chair back and stood up as Alexander followed her movements.

"This way."

She said as she began walking with him following behind her. She felt more tension than what was present at the table as they made their way out of the house towards the large glistening rose garden. Silence enveloped the both of them as the awkward atmosphere became difficult to bear. Trying to break the awkward atmosphere Felicia stopped walking and slapped a smile on her face, turning to face him.

"We did not get to introduce ourselves earlier. I'm Felicia Francis. It's novice to meet you"

"…"

Sighing she looked down, unable to anything to change the atmosphere surrounding them.

"Felicia. 18 years old. Lost her parents at 12 years. Under the guardianship of Madeline and Anthony and the same age as her cousin Ibelina. Was getting ready to start college but because of the family debt she stands here before me, Alexander Stills." He said.

Felicia's eyes widened in shock, did he really know her most basic information. Sighing she stared hard at his face in confusion, as he looked back at her expressionless.

'can this man be anymore stoic than he already is?' she questioned herself as she let out a puff of air in frustration.

"Look, I don't want this any more than you do, but it has to happen. My parents are playing matchmaker because they are too worried I'll be alone for the remainder of my life, not that I have any problem with that. So as long as you stay worried about your self and don't concern yourself with me we should e dandy." He slapped on a pretentious smile.

Felicia felt speechless at his sudden calm outburst. The words refused to form coherently as she just stood dazzled by the beautiful man with a foul mouth. Suddenly an idea came to her mind as she let out a calm smile.

"Then, Mr. Stills, shall we strike a deal?" she asked.

His eyes locked with hers, as something sparkled in her auburn eyes, making him raise his perfectly shaped eyebrow. Alexander could not comprehend what she was aiming for and simply stared bewildered at the young woman in front of him. Taking a good look at her he couldn't seem to fathom why his parents were so drawn to her. She was as ordinary as they came and nothing special seemed to hold his attention except for her determined eyes.

Felicia on the other felt nervous as the words left her mouth. Was he going to think she was weird? She couldn't decipher what he was thinking at all. A short period of silence surpassed them as he put on a cunning smile.

"What is the deal you wish to make?"

'right! He seems interested.' She thought inwardly with a smile.

"if you promise to allow me to live how I want and at least be able to allow me to finish my studies, I will not interfere in your life and I won't bother you as much. You don't have to feel bound to me in any aspect and you can have the freedom you want in your life."

Alexander froze at her words. What kind of man did she think he was? Yes, he was cold and yes he was cruel. Yes, he didn't want some teenager clinging on to him like a lost cause but he was not someone disloyal. A frown made its way on his face as Felicia fidgeted in her spot. Was he upset with what she had said? She thought he would like the terms she had proposed.

"I do not know what you have heard of me or what standards of me you have set in your mind, but there is one thing I'll make clear. There is to be no unfaithfulness or cheating in this marriage. You will carry out your duties as a wife and I as a husband. I am marrying you to make my parents happy, it's not my free will or choice. Just be sure to mind your business and I will mind mine. Stay clear of the places I restrict and don't do anything that will tarnish my reputation and my family's." he said sternly.

Felicia seemed surprised by his view of things. 'I guess he is older than me' she thought.

"If that is what Is then, I guess they aren't such bad terms to uphold." She confessed, nodding her head.

Alexander was confident he could meet her requirements. Getting her to finish her education was what he had wanted anyway, from the moment his parents had proposed this marriage to him. But he couldn't afford to give himself to her. If the case had been different and he was the one proposing he would've made some effort in getting along with her, but that was not the case. Felicia was a burden his parents were throwing at him, trying to encage him. Alexander simply nodded at Felicia, not exchanging another word as they continued to walk through the garden.

*

Ibelina continued to fidget as she couldn't accept this defeat that was coming her way. The cousin she despised was going to have something she wanted. From the moment Alexander walked in, her breath was taken away. Her eyes stared at him like he was her prey, yet he did not even send her a single glance.

Her eyes kept wandering to the dining entrance, as her patience wore thin waiting for both of them to make an appearance.

'what should I do if he fails to notice me?' she thought to herself.

Were they having a good time for them to be taking this long? Questions bombarded her mind as she tried making her anxiety unnoticeable.

Slow minutes passed before the two made an appearance. The atmosphere around them remained the same allowing Ibelina to sigh in relief. She felt a small sense of victory, as she watched both of them.

'I'll allow Felicia to be the sacrifice, and when things have settled down at home, I shall make Alexander fall for me.'

A small smile played on her lips as she devised her little scheme. Life was going to work out for her and her alone.

It slowly started becoming late as the families moved to the living room, conversing whilst Alexander and Felicia drowned into their own little thoughts, unable to say much to each other.

The ringing of a phone caught everyone's attention, as Alexander stood up picking up the call, excusing himself. Felicia felt as though she could breathe a little. It wasn't every day that someone could sit next to a man as beautiful and powerful as Alexander and be able to breathe without thinking whether they were annoying.

"Madeline, I think registering their marriage should be fine tomorrow. Alexander seems to have taken a liking to your beautiful Felicia. So the quicker the better."

Felicia turned her head so fast, it felt as though she was going to detach it from the rest of her body. She looked at Alana with wide eyes. Tomorrow? That was too fast and Alexander did not most likely like her one bit. Just as she was about to protest and ask for some time her uncle spoke up with a sly smile.

"Indeed. They should register tomorrow. The faster the better." He said agreeing with Alana, giving Felicia a threatening glare.

Gulping, Felicia simply nodded as she felt tears slowly make their way into her eyes. She held them back with a masking smile. Soon Alexander made his way back into the living room and was simply informed without question. He simply nodded as though he was used to being ordered around by his parents.

"Mother, father, I think it's time we leave. I have some work to take care of ."

Soon the Stills were up and were exchanging goodbyes. As soon as the door to the entrance closed, Felicia turned away towards her room, dropping herself onto her bed. So this was what she had to face. This was her fate. And she really had no say in her future.