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My eyes were bloodshot and puffy having cried almost the whole night. My hair a mess, my body looking weak, both mentally and physically. Overall, I looked crap not that I looked good anyway.

I leaned my back against the bathtub, submerging my body in the warm water, drawing my legs closer to my body and placing my chin on top of my knees.

I contemplated several times whether I should stay here the whole day, in silence and peace instead of leaving this small space and face the reality, face the war my heart and mind are fighting, face how much my own parents hate me that they decided to sell me in return for their company.

The former sounded like a better option because I didn't have the courage to go out. I scoffed at how ironical my name was. It meant courage, I was supposed to be courageous, not a coward. I sometimes wonder who exactly named me that.

Someone slammed their fist against the bathroom door. "Drea! Do you think you can hide in there all day, come out!" It was my mother. I got startled and shrunk back into the tub, drawing my legs even closer to my body.

Tears fought their way out of my eyes no matter how much I tried to hold them back and a sob escaped my mouth causing me cover my mouth with my palm.

"You better be out within two minutes." She again ordered.

I took a few deep breaths and tried calming myself down before I stepped out of the tub and dried myself with the towel and slipped into a pair of leggings and a t shirt.

I couldn't even dry my hair properly before I walked out of the bathroom to find my mother standing in the middle of my room, her hand crossed over her chest and her foot tapping against the floor impatiently.

She was an exact copy of me, same hair, same pair of eyes, every feature of my face except, I didn't get her attractiveness, I was plain and simple.

She fixed me with a cold glare, her eyes roaming over my face before glaring at me again. "You are looking pathetic, always crying. Sometimes I really don't feel like glancing at you. Your forever sad face ruins my mood."

Her words cut into my soul but thankfully I couldn't feel the pain settling inside me cause I was almost numb. I wasn't feeling anything.

I lowered my gaze and said nothing, waiting for her to tell me why she was here in my room.

"They all will be coming here in a few hours, I need you to dress up nicely, make yourself a little presentable and be on your best behaviour tonight. Understood?"

I slowly nodded and mumbling to herself about how ungrateful I am, she left the room, slamming the door shut.

I let out a shaky breath and my eyes landed on the dress that was placed on my bed.

The dress was beautiful but I doubt it would look good on me. I sighed running my fingers over the dress, it's too pretty to be worn by someone like me. But since I don't have any other decent clothes, I guess I will have to go with it only.

.

One of my mother's personal maid was assigned to help me get dressed up properly and to make me look presentable.

She did a nude makeup and made sure to hide the dark circles underneath my eyes so that I don't look like a zombie. She let my hair open, making it fall over my shoulder and I was ready.

My so called, future in laws and husband would be here any minute and my father was already shouting downstairs for me to get ready quickly.

I thanked the lady for helping me before I left the room and walked downstairs and to the front door where my parents were already standing, waiting for them to arrive.

I stood beside my mother with my hands behind my back, my fingers fiddling with each other nervously.

They arrived a minute later, the old couple entered first, my parents stepping forward to greet them while I glanced between them. They both looked above fifty yet they looked young and smart.

Their son, was right outside the door, his back towards us as he was busy on a phone call. I just got a glance of his back before I shifted my attention to the others. And I frowned slightly when I felt like I have seen them both before too.

My future father in law was not a least interested in greeting my parents, instead his eyes landed on me and a soft, warm smile formed on his face as he stepped closer to me.

"You must be Drea." He spoke softly. "I finally got to meet you, child. How are you?"

I gulped. I don't really know how to communicate with new people. Taking a deep breath, I said, "I'm fine, sir. How are you?" I tried to mirror his smile.

By then his wife stood beside him, with a wide smile on her face, looking at me excitedly and with warmth in her eyes. "You are so beautiful, Drea!"

That caused me to blush. That's the first time someone ever complimented me. I bit my lower lip. "Thank you, ma'am." Am I supposed to say something else too? "You are beautiful too." Okay...that sounds weird.

She chuckled softly. "Oh, my name's Laura, you can call me that. No need of formalities now."

I nodded in response and my eyes roamed around, looking for their son. At least I want to see whom I am getting married to.

Laura seemed to finally notice my curiosity and she turned to the door. "Sorin, come inside. You can talk about work later."

The only thing my mind registered was his name. Sorin. As in Sorin Araimis Zaveri?

No. This can't be possible. Why would his parents get me married to him when he already has a girlfriend?

No. This isn't possible. It must be someone else, someone else's name can also be Sorin.

But then I remembered where I have seen the couple before. On the internet. While I was learning everything about Sorin, that's where I saw him. They are his parents. That means--

At that moment, their son finally stepped inside and my breath got knocked out of my chest.

Standing infront of me was the man of my dreams, my first love. The reason why I keep surving each day, my motivation. My everything.

Sorin Zaveri.

My mouth fell open seeing him here, so close. He wore an all black suit, the coat's buttons were open, black t shirt tucked inside the black pants neatly. Both his hands inside his pocket, a bored expression on his face as he didn't even bother glancing at me.

He nodded curtly at my parents after which he glanced at his parents and he gave them an accusing look which earned him a slight glare from his mother making him roll his eyes.

This can't be happening. There is no way on earth that I am getting married to him. No. I must be dreaming.

Making sure the attention wasn't on me, I pinched my arm. Ouch. Okay, I am not dreaming. But... doesn't he already have a girlfriend?!

Though not much was mentioned on the internet about his personal life, I still know that he has a girlfriend whom he loves. Then how can he be marrying me?!

My heart was racing rapidly while my mind contemplated on everything.

Before I could think much, my parents started to lead them to the dining room where the table was already set with ten different types of dishes.

And they even made me sit right next to him at the table, my already racing heart was in my throat. My fingers were almost shaking. I am sitting right next to him! This is like a dream! And he smelled so good, his spicy yet sweet cologne invaded my mind.

I didn't feel like eating, I was so nervous that I started to feel nauseated.

I picked up the fork and since luck was never on my side, the fork fell down on the plate cause my fingers were shaking catching everyone's attention except Sorin's.

"Are you alright, child?" Mr Araimis asked and my parents shot daggers at me.

I nodded. "Yes..."

He offered me a warm smile before everyone started to eat again.

Take a deep breath. In and out. That kinda worked and I started to eat slowly.

Once the dinner was over and the table was cleared away, Laura said to me politely, "Drea, why don't you go and show Sorin around the house?"

I glanced between her, my parents and Sorin (who was completely annoyed) anxiously.

"Yes, Drea. You should show him the garden." Mother decided to speak up, silently telling me to get up immediately.

Obeying her, I got up hoping he would follow me and I won't have to tell him specially.

Fortunately, he got up and silently started to follow me as I lead the way to the garden at the back of the house.

Stepping outside in fresh air, I took a deep breath to calm myself down as he stood beside me, his eyes roaming all over the garden, a subtle, sexy frown on his forehead as he seemed to be ruminating.

It was freaking awkward between us.

I don't even know how to start a conversation and neither he looks in a mood to talk with me.

Think, Drea, think. There must be something that I could ask him. Something.

How on earth people communicate...I can't come up with a single sentence to start a conversation--

"How long have you lived here?" His deep voice reached my ear.

I blinked a few times. He asked me a question. He was talking to me. My love for the first time in my life, said something to me.

His eyes were fixed ahead, the frown still visible on his face. And my mind was still busy comprehending what he said.

Finally, he glanced at me. The first time he looked at me.

He raised a brow and I realised I was staring at him.

Nice way to embarass myself further.

"Huh?" Was all I could manage to come up with.

He rolled his eyes. "I asked how long have you lived here? This house."

"Um...I...um...I... I...guess forever...?" I stammered. "W-why...?"

He sighed and looked away once again and shrugged. "This place just seems vaguely familiar. As if I have been here before. Several times."

I don't think so. Why will he be here before?

"Oh..."

He hummed and once again silence descended upon us. Awkward silence.

Oh God, please get me out of this situation already.

No matter how much I tried not to think about that, my mind kept wandering off... thinking that he has a girlfriend then why would he agree to marry me?

Should I ask him about her?

No, I shouldn't. That's his life, he can do whatever he wants with it...but still I am going to marry him and I have to know. Did he break up with her...? But wasn't he in love with her? Did he--

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" I blurted out, instantly regretting my words.

His head snapped to me, his eyes widening ever so slightly before he masked his surprise. "How do you know?"

Because I was stalking you.

No.

"Um...I..." I rubbed the back of my neck feeling embarrassed and tried coming up with a lie. "I... I... don't know... I was just asking you... whether you have a girlfriend or not..."

Please believe it.

He looked suspicious, his jaw clenched. "No. I don't." It seemed as if he forced those words out of him.

The relief that flooded through my body was something I could never describe. And I let out a deep breath.

So what if he doesn't have a girlfriend, that doesn't mean he will ever love you. You don't deserve him. The voice inside me made its appearance.

If I had any hope, it was no longer there.

"But I thought you did...I saw you with h--" I once again blurted out. What is wrong with me?!

He just glared at me, cocking his head slightly while I lowered my gaze, not confident enough to make eye contact with him.

He took step closer and my breath hitched. He leaned closer, his eyes blazing with rage as my eyes met his for a second. "Stay out of my business." He gritted his teeth and in a flash, he turned around and walked away from there.

Chapter completion on: 3/2/22
Published on: 10/5/22