Chapter 6 Another Compulsion

• The weekly meeting was in progress as usual. All division heads were giving their presentations, reporting their respective division's performance over the past week. Of course, these reports were directed to the meeting's leader, none other than the president director, Rhea Addilyn Blaire.
• However, there was something different this time. Rhea, who was usually meticulous and firm, appeared unfocused. Her gaze was empty, as if a multitude of thoughts were swirling in her mind. Naturally, her unusual demeanor raised questions among all the meeting participants, especially her assistant, Monica.
• The previously calm meeting atmosphere suddenly turned into a commotion when everyone's phones vibrated simultaneously. Rhea looked in confusion at all the people before her, who simultaneously checked their phones and then shifted their gazes toward her.
• "What is this? We are in the middle of a meeting, so why are you all playing with your phones?" Rhea asked, demanding an explanation for the participants' inappropriate behavior.
• However, no one answered. Instead, they whispered among themselves, leaving Rhea, who had no idea what was happening, increasingly irritated.
• "Miss, I believe this is the reason," a voice whispered beside Rhea, catching her attention.
• "What is it, Monica?"
• "Look, Miss, a message was sent to all of us."
• "A message? What kind of message?"
• "A message informing us that you will soon be getting married. Is it true, Miss? Oh, congratulations!"
• At that moment, Rhea's eyes widened in shock.
• "Congratulations, Miss Rhea! We are happy for you," one by one, the meeting participants offered their congratulations, making Rhea even more frustrated.
• Without saying anything, Rhea stood up from her seat and left the meeting room. Walking quickly toward her office, she let out a heavy sigh as she opened the door and found her mother sitting comfortably inside.
• "It must be you who did this, right?" Rhea asked bluntly.
• "Did what?"
• Rhea rolled her eyes at her mother’s pretense of ignorance.
• “You were the one who sent the message to all the employees in this company, announcing my wedding plans.”
• “Oh, so they’ve read the message already? That’s great.” Aliza laughed cheerfully, in stark contrast to Rhea, who could only pinch the bridge of her nose, unable to comprehend her mother’s antics.
• “Why would you do something like this? This is so embarrassing.”
• “What’s so embarrassing about it? You’re getting married, of course, all your employees should know. I plan to invite all of them to your wedding with Dion.”
• Rhea shook her head, clearly disagreeing with her mother’s plan. “No, Mom. It’s bad enough that you arranged my marriage to a man ten years younger than me. Don’t humiliate me any more than this.”
• Aliza clicked her tongue. “Who’s humiliating you? This is wonderful news. You, who are always obsessed with work, are finally getting married. I’m sure this will be exciting news for all your employees. They have the right to know.”
• Rhea didn’t know what else to say to her stubborn mother. She chose to give in, not wanting to prolong the argument. “So, why did you come to my office? It’s unusual for you to show up here.”
• Aliza smirked, making a bad feeling settle in Rhea’s chest.
• “I’m taking you somewhere. Let’s go.”
• Seeing her mother walk toward the door without waiting for her response, Rhea knew she had no choice but to follow her mother’s wishes once again.
• ***
• Rhea said nothing, merely closing her eyes as two boutique assistants adjusted the wedding gown she was wearing. Yes, this was the reason why Aliza had come to her office and stirred up chaos by announcing her wedding plans to all the company employees—she wanted to take Rhea to one of the most renowned boutiques in California to try on the wedding dress she would wear on her wedding day with Dion.
• “Wow, you look absolutely stunning. I knew this dress would suit you best,” Aliza said cheerfully as Rhea emerged, looking breathtakingly beautiful in the wedding gown her mother had chosen.
• “I’m sure Dion and all the wedding guests will be mesmerized by your beauty.”
• Rhea crossed her arms in front of her chest, clearly unimpressed by her mother’s praise. “Have I even agreed to marry that man?”
• "As far as I remember, I haven’t said anything to you," she said casually, without a hint of guilt, even though her words made her mother’s eyes widen in shock.
• "What do you mean by that? Didn’t you already agree to marry Dion?"
• Rhea shook her head firmly. "I never said that. I only agreed to meet him, but I never agreed to marry him. Besides, after finding out that he’s ten years younger than me, do you really think I’d be willing to marry him?"
• "I’ve told you many times, you can’t refuse this marriage because I already promised his parents that you would marry Dion."
• A scoff escaped Rhea’s lips. "That’s your mistake for making promises without asking me first. Now, you have to deal with this mess yourself because I still refuse to marry that man."
• She turned her back on her mother, intending to remove the wedding dress she was wearing.
• "After losing your father, do you want to lose your mother too?"
• Rhea’s steps halted instantly upon hearing her mother’s words. She turned back to face the woman who had brought her into this world.
• "What do you mean by that?"
• "If you refuse this marriage, it means you don’t care about me anymore. It means you don’t care even if I die."
• Rhea let out a weary sigh. Once again, her mother was threatening her.
• "I’m serious, Rhea. You will see your mother die if you reject this marriage."
• "Mom, please don’t do this. Besides, why does it have to be him? He’s more suited to be my younger brother than my husband."
• However, Aliza ignored her daughter’s words. She pouted and turned her face away, refusing to look at her defiant daughter.
• Seeing her mother’s behavior, Rhea once again felt powerless. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Fine, Mom, I’ll marry him."
• Aliza’s sulking face instantly brightened. "Really?"
• "Yes, I’ll marry this man named Dion, but on one condition."
• Aliza frowned. "One condition? What is it?"
• A faint smile formed on Rhea’s lips, carrying a hidden meaning. This time, she wouldn’t let her mother win so easily. What condition was she about to propose?