Chapter 3: Chapter 3

The next day I woke up early because of the noise from the next room. As I recalled, only my room on the second floor was occupied, and the other rooms were empty. But why is it so noisy this morning?

I could no longer hold back my anger when the sound of objects being pushed turned into a loud bang of music.

I tied my hair into a bun, then left my room, intending to curse whoever had caused such a commotion.

When I arrived in front of the room with the door open, suddenly all the words I wanted to say disappeared from my head. Rainy was standing there, checking a book. She was standing facing me, so I could see how stunning she was even without makeup. As for me? I must look like a lion now. My hair is a mess!

"You're awake," I gasped as Sarah stood behind me. Because of her, Rainy also looked at me now.

I rubbed the back of my neck, and just nodded.

"Sorry for making such a fuss," Rainy walked over to me, and I smelled her sweet fragrance.

"It's okay," I replied curtly. "So you moved here?"

Rainy nodded with a sweet smile. "Yeah, dad said we'd both be taught to continue his business."

I fell silent hearing Rainy refer to my father as her father too. And study business together? My father's business will be her business too?

Sarah cleared her throat, probably noticing my discomfort after Rainy's words. "Shall we have breakfast now? Get ready, and meet me downstairs."

Rainy nodded. "I'll go take a shower now. You too, Mabel."

"Yeah," I whispered almost to myself.

I was not ready to share my father's love for others, but I didn't want to get in the way of my father's own happiness. Why is this so complicated than I imagined?

After getting ready, I felt heavy going downstairs, let alone hearing the laughter that came from the dining room. Rainy had come down earlier than me. I fell silent when I saw them laughing from my place. Rainy even sat on the chair where I used to sit next to my father.

Don't cry! Don't cry! Don't cry! I prepared myself to join them.

"Mabel, come here! Sit next to me," asked Rainy to which I just nodded. I sat next to her and realized that my father was already looking at me.

"Look, Mabel. I have something to tell you,"

Sarah and Rainy smiled at each other.

"What is it, Dad?" I asked when I was the only one not smiling. I was sure they had been told by my father.

"It's about you," My father continued. "Sarah and I have made a decision, and we think this is the best path for you at the age of twenty-three."

I furrowed my brow. I had a bad feeling about what my father was going to say.

Sarah took my father's hand, as if to convince my father to let me know immediately. "We decided to marry you to a man,"

Whoever it is please tell me this is just a dream! I must be asleep right now!

Sarah immediately continued. "I'm sure you already know this man. His name is Adrian Moretti, sole heir to the Moretti Family."

So Adrian's last name is Moretti? Wait a minute, this name sounded so familiar. I looked at my father after realizing who this Moretti Family was. No wonder Adrian was at the party last night!

"You want to marry me to a man from the biggest Mafia family in this city?" I looked at my father in complete disbelief. "You have the heart to do that, dad? You let me be with them?" I pressed my lips and got up. "I lost my hunger now,"

Rainy tried to hold me, but I pushed her hand away. Nothing was fine at the moment. I couldn't contain the anger that had taken over me since last night, so it's better if I was left alone for now.

"Mabel," Sarah tried to hold me back as well, until I heard my father's voice forbid anyone to stop me.

Normally I'd run to Ashton, but right now our friendship wasn't going well either. I could only go back to my room, to the balcony. While looking at the garden view from there, everything was not fine. I thought about Adrian. Oh man! Last night I didn't even know what kind of guy I was dealing with. I should have listened to Ashton.

I grabbed my phone, pushed my ego aside and called Ashton. But he didn't pick up my call for the fifth time. This time I couldn't stand it. I decided to go to him.

I rushed down the stairs. I almost fell because of it!

"Trust me, you can learn well, okay?"

My father's voice made me stop at the sixth step. The stairs in our mansion were shaped like a later L, and I haven't arrived at the stairs at the end of the L.

"Of course, Dad. I won't let you down," Rainy answered, so enthusiastically.

"Ashton, please take good care of Rainy." asked Sarah.

My heart seemed to have lost its beat. I fell down right where I was standing. This was very painful.

"Of course," replied Ashton. His voice made my thighs go limp. He seemed fine. The worst part was that I was the only one who wasn't okay. I returned to my room, not wanting to hear their next conversation.

I laid on the bed, not realizing that I was fast asleep. I woke up at two in the afternoon. My body ached all over, maybe the effect of a broken heart?

I stared at the roof of my room, imagining that one day I was the one who was knocked out and had to leave. Maybe that's better?

I sat down when I heard someone knocking on my door. And that person was my father. "Come in,"

My father entered slowly and closed the door behind him without making a sound.

"If you want to discuss about the matter earlier, then my answer will remain the same. Nothing will change, or can change my decision!" I emphasized before my father started his speech.

My father sighed and sat down next to me. "I respect your decision. I won't push you either, but Mabel, Adrian isn't as bad as you think."

I snorted softly. I couldn't believe my dad still prioritized his own ego. "You want me not to think badly of one of the mobsters?"

My father stared at the floor. He was like in a dilemma.

"Tell me, do you owe their family and can't afford it? Or do you have an attachment to them?" I immediately asked, according to what I had in mind. An arranged marriage would not have been possible, if it wasn't for these kinds of things. Gosh, why is it so predictable?

My father shook his head.

"Then why are you doing this to me?"

"Because last night, Adrian proposed to you himself, and I said yes! Oh My God, Mabel, his family is very dangerous. I'm afraid they'll hurt you if I don't grant their only son's wish,"

My lips parted, like a goldfish. "You're the one who said yes! Then why should I marry him? Why don't you marry him yourself?"

My father looked at me intently, without any hint of joking at all. I looked down wearily. "So last night he proposed to me?"

My father nodded weakly. "Yeah, he also told me that you two had a talk."

It saddened me to see my father looking so desperate. A slow forced-smile appeared on my face. "Give me some time to think, Dad. And I'll tell you my final decision,"

My father nodded and smiled. "I hope your decision won't let us all get hurt,"

I knew exactly what my father meant.

After my father left, I did a quick internet search about Adrian. And from it, I found the location where he lived. I took my car keys and immediately went to Adrian's mansion. I knew I must had gone crazy for daring to come to his base! But it was for the good of me and my family. Last night Adrian said he didn't do girlfriend, then why did he secretly propose to me?

I went there without my father, or Sarah knowing. They would have banned me if they knew.

By the time I got there, I was already dealing with many men dressed in all black. Black leather jacket and ripped jeans.

"I just wanted to meet your boss," I chimed in as they interrogated me for a long time with tons of questions. "Adrian Moretti, I need to see him!"

"What do you need with him? Your name isn't even on the meeting list of today, Miss." said one of them.

"Oh my God! Why is it so difficult just to meet him?" I hissed.

I was about to curse, but another man appeared who seemed to be bringing news to the others. After that, I was also allowed to go inside, but still under their supervision.

I admitted the Moretti family's mansion was really classy. Although the average color was in black. It matched their instincts.

"I'm sure your father have told you, Miss Mabel." Adrian already greeted me when I arrived at his office.

"What do you want by doing this, Adrian?" I yelled at him.

"I want to marry you, is that a problem?" Adrian got up from his seat and faced me. "If you think I have other, or bad reasons to hurt you, then you're wrong. I have absolutely no intentions. Talking to you last night made me feel comfortable,"

I raised an eyebrow. "How about your 'I don't do girlfriend' thing?" I almost mocked him.

"That's true, but I never said 'I don't do wife', did I?" Adrian folded his arms across his chest.

Wait, what?

"Whatever. Just convince my father that you won't marry me!" I ordered. "Besides, you know I like another man, why would you want to marry a woman who doesn't like you at all?"

"Are you sure you won't like me?" Adrian smirked, and made me question it secretly.

"I'm not going to like you. You need to know that I've liked Ashton a long time ago, and no man can ever take his place in my heart." I boldly explained.

"Even though he hurt you so many times?" Adrian really tried to shake my resolve.

"Even though he hurt me so many times!"

Adrian returned to his swivel chair, then sat with his legs crossed. "Shall we see how much he will hurt you in the future? By the way, I know Rainy is with him right now."

My lips trembled as I realized that Rainy was still with Ashton at that point.

"Imagine if they were making out right now,"

I shook my head and covered my ears. I didn't want to hear that. "You son of a..."

"A what?" Adrian smiled smugly.

I looked at Adrian annoyed. Why did he come into my life like this? I should have just let him pee in his pants last night.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"You are attractive, maybe different from most women? Especially loyal. You showed me that there is still one woman who's so loyal to a man even though she has been hurt," Adrian didn't look at me this time. He seemed to be talking to himself. "And I need that kind of woman,"

"But I would never, even hundreds of years later like you." I was so irritated when I said that.

"Relax, Mabel. You and I won't live that long,"

I could tell that Adrian was the king of kings to piss me off because he was always good at turning back my words.

Annoyed, I turned and left the room. I heard that Adrian had ordered one of his men to take me home.

"I brought my own car!" I shouted loudly, deliberately so that Adrian could hear it.