Adeline Carter's POV

"It is way too early for this shit" I mutter, probing around my desk in the dark in search of my blaring alarm clock.

I slam my hand down on the clock, turning on my side, ready to fall back to sleep.

I drag the pillow over my head, willing for at least a few good 5 more hours of sleep.

Not gonna happen.

I feel a hand start to shake my shoulder gently.

Elijah.

"Adeline. Get up. We need to be there at a specific time" he tells me, his voice normal, obviously used to waking up at ridiculous times.

I groan and attempt to go back to sleep and ignore him.

I lay back on the bed and start to snooze off again until suddenly, I don't feel the warmth of my bed anymore.

"Stop!" I yell as I feel my body being thrown over my brother's shoulder.

Compared to my brother, I am quite small, which means that this height is dangerous and if he drops me well...

At least I won't have to see Matéo and his smug face again...

He starts walking out of my bedroom and into my bathroom.

He sets me down and picks up my toothbrush, giving it to me.

I snatch it off of him.

"Brush your teeth, before I do it for you. I'm serious. The Santiagos do not need a reason to start shit with us." he says.

I glare at him and I start brushing my teeth, looking away from him.

He switches on the shower leaving it to heat up and then walks out of the bathroom.

"I'm gonna make some food. You can have some" He tells me, and I hear my bedroom door close.

I sigh and start getting ready.

I brush my teeth quickly before undressing and stepping into the almost piping hot water, letting it splashing all over my like hundreds of tiny needles hitting my skin without drawing blood or making me feel any actual pain.

It is a weird feeling, but I like it.

After scrubbing down, I finally get out of the bath and dry myself off quickly, before grabbing the Cocoa butter cream and using it.

I walk to my closet and look for what I want to wear.

Ok, I am going to Matéo's home this morning.

I pick out clothes that aren't too casual and aren't too formal and analyse them before wearing them.

^^ Adeline's outfit.

I like it.

I head down the stairs to see my brother in the kitchen eating and reading at the same time.

He has already gotten changed

^^ Elijah's fit.

He notices me and looks up.

His eyes skim my outfit and then he goes back to reading.

I breath out.

"Your food is in the microwave" he tells me, taking a large gulp of his coffee.

I nod and quickly walk over to the microwave, taking out my food.

Porridge with honey in a smiley face on it.

I smile a little.

"I hope you know that you're a fuckin idiot" I tell him.

"Kiss my black ass" he responds, flipping me a bird.

"And get your skid marks on my- -"

"Eat ya fuckin food kid" he tells me.

I laugh at him.

My brother does the silliest stuff sometimes just to make me happy.

He has been trying to cheer me up since yesterday, even though he's not happy about it either.

I sit sitting opposite my brother at the breakfast bar.

I say grace quickly and then tuck in.

"What time am I leaving?" I ask, before I start eating.

He puts down his book and picks up his bowl and mug.

"We will go once we have finished packing up your stuff " he says.

"Where is dad and mom?" I ask, my pride not allowing me to admit that I want them around despite everything.

"They will meet you at your 'family dinner' tonight" he says.

I drop my spoon.

"What the fuck?!" I ask.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"You're meeting Matéo's parents today..." He says.

"You know that don't you?" He asks.

My eyes must be the size of tennis balls, because my brother chuckles.

"Just relax and be on your best behaviour" he warns.

I nod.

"Best behaviour, my ass!" I mutter under my breath.

He grabs my clean bowl and takes it to the sink, washing up all the stuff.

"I'm serious. Best behaviour kid. I didn't raise you in place of our parents just for you to make yourself look stupid" he says.

I nod, not really listening.

After that, we go up the stairs and to my room, packing up more stuff.

By the time that we have finished, it is the afternoon.

"How are we gonna get all of this stuff to the Santiago's I ask.

"I'll get Oscar to do it" he says.

Oscar is one of my father's men.

He is in charge of everything when my dad isn't around to do it.

We walk down the stairs, as I collect my thoughts.

I'm getting married.

I think I'm go to be sick.

"Let's go." My brother says, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

I come out of the daze and walk out of the kitchen with him.

I grab my coat but just as we are about to leave my brother stops me and I turn to face him.

"Ade, you know that if anything happens you can call me right?" He asks.

I nod.

"Yes, Elijah of course" I reply. His voice softens.

"And I'll always be your favourite go to guy right?" He asks.

I look into his eyes which are brimming with tears.

My heart swells!

My brother never cries!

About anything!

"Aw Elijah, you know that you will always be my best friend!" I say, tears choking me up.

I'm not a massive crier either, but an arranged marriage could do that to you I suppose.

He wraps his arms around me in an engulfing hug.

"I know but you'll be all married and I- - you're my baby sister" he sniffs.

I hug him tighter.

"I'm not going nowhere you big baby" I say.

"I'll always be your baby sister" I tell him.

He pulls away first and brushes away tears quickly.

"Let's get going " he says walking out and I follow him.

***

The whole car journey is quiet. We reach the Santiago house and I gape.

Woah!

I step outside of my brother's car and he walks out the other side, swinging his keys around his finger nonchalantly.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch moths" he says.

I snap my mouth shut and wrinkle my nose in disgust.

He knows fully well that I hate those little things.

I mean, they're pit like black eyes.

They're dusty wings and God only knows how many legs, shit!

I walk next to my brother towards the house, my heart beating erratically.

My thoughts are spinning around my head and my stomach lurches nervously.

What are his parents like?

Was this their idea?

My thoughts are cut off when I hear the door opening.

A girl about my age, or maybe a bit older, in a white button down and black pants uniform opens the door.

She stares at my brother who looks down at her with one of his award winning smiles, causing her to blush deeply.

I roll my eyes inwardly.

I can't take him anywhere!

"Good evening, I was wondering if Alejandro is around?" He asks.

The maid gasps and looks surprised to hear, the man's first name being mentioned.

"Oh of course, you must be from the Carter family?" She asks, pulling herself together.

She's got brown skin and she's average height.

Very pretty.

My brother nods.

"Please. Come in." She says to us, making brief eye contact with me and stepping back to allow us in.

We step inside to see a magnificent hallway grand in all aspects.

From the black and white marble covering the entirety of the floor to the beautiful glass ornaments that sparkle in the light of the room, the chandelier above us grandly dimming the lighting only slightly.

"Welcome!" I suddenly hear someone say. I see a woman walking quickly directly towards us, her heels clicking across the floor.

She is gorgeous!

^^ Sofia Santiago.

Her slender arms are outstretched towards us and she smiles brightly at us, flashing her white teeth.

The dress that she is wearing flows over her curvy figure as she bounds toward us hips swaying.

Her dark red lipstick a beautiful contrast to her olive skin.

Her long and glossy black hair has been parted at the side swept back into a neat ponytail that flows to her back.

She suddenly hugs my brother.

"Oh Elijah, look how much you have grown!" She exclaims holding him at arms length.

These two know each other?!

"Look you are even taller than me now!" She says pinching his cheek.

I swear that we are meant to be rivals...

Well, former.

And looking at Matéo...

I honestly thought his mother would be black.

My brother smiles back at her.

"It's good to see you too Mrs Santiago" he says calmly.

This is Matéo's mother.

"It's Sofia dear, we will be family soon!" She says.

She's far too excited about this.

My brother nods.

"Ok" he responds.

She suddenly turns to me.

"And you must be the bride to be!" She says happily.

Hardly.

She grabs me into a fierce hug and kisses both of my cheeks.

I pat her back awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

Does she even know that this is a deal?

She holds my hand and start to drag my arm along with her as she walks.

"Leave us Elijah, I will introduce her and I will see you and your parents tonight!" She exclaims.

I look at my brother, eyes wide and he just shrugs.

'Sorry!' He mouths and I scowl at him.

Mrs Santiago walks me through several corridors until we are in front of a door.

We hear muffled voices talking behind the door.

"My husband and son like to talk a lot" she sighs.

I say nothing.

"Well, let's enter, si?" She says.

Without waiting for my repose, she clicks open to door and bursts inside.

My heart immediately drops to my ass immediately.

A plan for my future.

And I'm not the one planning it.

How did you find it?

What do you think will happen?

Tell me in the comment and don't forget to vote.

~ Xo.