Chapter 7 The Reveal

• “What kind of madness is this? Dad, why did you leave me alone in this dark world?” I muttered to myself, tears forming in my eyes which finally came running down my cheeks.
• When would I be free? When would I be able to live the life that I want? That I truly deserve! Oh God! I cried internally, tears still flowing down.
• I quickly cleaned it with the back of my pale right palm. I didn’t want to be seen as a weakling in front of this wicked woman.
• My mother had gotten up from where she was seated, paced about the room for a while and then said to me.
• “Freshen up and get dressed. You’re going to meet your soon-to-be in-laws today. You will be staying there until after the wedding.” She stated, with no iota of guilt in her voice.
• I scowled at her, my heart racing with so much anger.
• “At least, you will allow me recover fully first beloved Mother!” I snapped at her.
• “Oh please, there’s no time for all that. I need you downstairs in the next 20 minutes. Don’t keep me waiting.” She fired back at me walking away from the room.
• A lump of disgust grew in my stomach.
• A few seconds later, Susan the maid walked in. She was to help assist me. I could barely walk without my head spinning and me feeling like I would fall next minute.
• Approaching the stairs, I could hear the whispers of voices downstairs. Everyone was waiting for me.
• Ashley, my step-sister looked like she had ran out of patience. Her face glammed with frustration.
• “Finally, “ Ashley groaned as she stormed out of the house, my mom also stood up and I followed behind them.
• “Emilia will be riding with you Ashley”, my mother informed.
• “Never! There’s no way she’s riding with me. I’m riding alone” Ashley grunted, opening her door. She ignited the engine and sped off.
• As we arrived at the Brook’s residence, my anxiety peaked. My palms became sweaty. Balls of sweat started to roll down my face despite being in an air-conditioned car. It wasn’t even summer yet. I was so nervous.
• I tried so hard to picture what the man I was being forced into an arranged marriage looked like.
• Oh how I will frustrate this man. I will make him go through hell. I silently muttered, clenching my teeth.
• We were welcomed by a maid at the entrance who helped with my bags, took our coats and guided us in.
• Walking down the hallway, a woman stood waiting for us.
• “That must be my soon-to-be mother-in-law” I thought to myself.
• She was elegantly dressed in a V-neckline gown, accessorized with a pearl necklace and dropping crystal earrings. She was so breathtaking.
• “The delectable Mrs. Brooks, you look drop dead gorgeous” my mother’s voice was filled with excitement as she hugged Mrs. Brooks.
• She was really eager to marry me off.
• “Oh Pamela, you’re so sweet. You look so beautiful yourself. Welcome to our humble abode!” She greeted, throwing her arms out as she hugged my Mom, kissing the air while Mom did the same.
• Mom laughed. “Come on, Christine, you’re making it seem like we are just visiting for the first time”.
• “Well, we don’t get these important visitors every day.” Christine chuckled.
• “Thank you for hosting us, then,” my mother replied giggling, showing her perfect dentition.
• Everyone else exchanged pleasantries while I stood there, watching until my mother grabbed me by my wrist, pulling me close to her.
• “Christine, this is my beautiful daughter Emilia”. She introduced us.
• Oh bitch please! Cut the chase. I silently scoffed.
• “Emilia, meet your soon-to-be in-law.” She signaled me with her eyes and whispered, “Be polite.”
• “Hi, nice to meet you,” I forced a smile, stretching my hand as we exchanged handshakes.
• “You’re even prettier in person, just like your mother. It’s nice to meet you as well. Welcome, I’m so delighted to have you”. She spoke with soothing affection.
• Christine gave a joyful smile as she pulled me and gave me a warm embrace.
• “Oh wow, I think I like her.” I inwardly muttered. This marriage might not be that bad I guess. I mean, I have a sweet mother-in-law.
• “Please have your seats and make yourself comfortable. Let me go inform my husband and Lucas that our guests have arrived.” Christine eagerly exclaimed.
• “I learnt that Ethan is back. Would he be joining us for lunch?” My mother inquired.
• “Of course, but he’s caught up with work so he should join us later”. Christine replied while my mother nodded.
• Christine left us walking up the stairs briskly.
• After Christine left, Ashley faced my mother. “I thought the first son left the family 5 years ago after he was disowned by his father and Lucas was appointed his heir.” Her voice laced with curiosity.
• “That’s what I heard too, maybe they’ve made up, who knows!” She shrugged, bearing her hands in the air.
• “Or is he back to claim his right as the heir? I thought he’s a billionaire already”. She sighed.
• “Mother, don’t you think it won’t be a bad idea if Emilia gets married to the first son instead, then I can have Lucas to myself. I have even told you already that you let me marry him anyway.”
• “Shut it right there, that’s never going to happen” my mother warned while Ashley sighed in reply.
• Just then Christine, and a man, probably in his late 50’s or early 60’s walked in.
• “That must be my father-in-law”
• He exchanged pleasantries with everyone and then Christine introduced us.
• “Please lunch is served” the maid signaled to us.
• We all stood up walking towards the dinning arena.
• The culinary arrangement was quite impressive with gold and crystal elements adorning the table. It was screaming exquisite, fine dining.
• Few seconds later, we heard sounds of footsteps coming from the stairs. Just then, a tall, lanky man appeared.
• He was quite handsome. His narrow jawline and blonde hair was totally giving me the vibe of a runway model.
• As he approached the table smiling, displaying his dentition, I could see a shared resemblance of Christine and his father.
• “I sincerely apologize for my lateness. I was on a conference call with some clients and I totally lost track of time” he said while dragging the chair out to have a seat at the table. He sat directly opposite where I sat.
• His gaze moved to me, and I gave him a genuine, real smile from the depth of my heart.
• I would have been eager to meet him if I knew he was this handsome.
• But Lucas just looked at me, his eyes cold and dismissive.
• Everyone started interacting with each other like they didn’t see what happened, or maybe they actually didn’t.
• A gush of embarrassment and rejection overwhelmed me, making me loose my appetite.
• I stared at Ashley, whose attention was fixed on Lucas. She looked enchanted.
• Why didn’t my mother just allow her get married to him instead?
• I tried to take a few spoons of the mashed potatoes. It was so hard to swallow. I felt a sharp pain in my throat.
• I quickly took a gulp of water before I choked .
• About to take another spoon, I sighed and dropped my cutlery, the sound echoing through the room.
• “I need to use the convenience, excuse me please” I said, but got only a response from Christine, who pointed at the maid to show me where the rest room was.
• I felt so invincible, everyone else carried on with their conversation like they didn’t hear me.
• Getting to the restroom, I released a deep breath in frustration. I poured water on my face using my palm and then wiped it with a disposable towel.
• My head was starting to spin again. I could barely feel my legs. I leaned towards the wall for support.
• “I should be resting, I really shouldn’t be here with the state of my condition”.
• I still couldn’t comprehend that I was being forced to marry a man who couldn’t even stand my presence. Who couldn’t look at me talk more of falling in love with me.
• I just hope I would eventually be able to cope with this until I can go back home.
• Suddenly my head spun out of control. My chest started to ache so bad like I was pressed against a heavy metal. My legs started to tremble beneath me.
• I struggled my way out of the restroom. Trying so hard to drag my feet down the hallway, my legs betrayed me.
• I groaned in pain.
• “Please help me” I cried out but my words came out as a whisper, barely audible. No one was coming to save me.
• My vision became blurry. I missed my steps and fell to the floor.
• As I laid there hoping for a miracle, I heard a male voice piercing through the air.
• “Who’s there?”. He walked hastily towards me.
• “ Hey! Are you okay? His voice laced with concern.
• The person grabbed me, trying to help me sit up.
• “Are you okay” he asked again.
• I looked up, fighting to keep my eyes open.
• My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. I felt like I was drowning into those familiar eyes.
• This couldn’t be happening. “What?... what are you doing here?” I managed to stammer after what felt like an eternity of us staring at each other.
• He didn't seem surprised to see me, but his expression was laced with a hint of annoyance.
• “You must be my brother’s fiancée”.
• I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Is this a prank? Or was I being set up?