Chapter 8: Chapter 8

"Ella! Gabriella!"

She rolled her eyes as she heard her mom screamed her name from downstairs. She had just had an argument with her father and it was because of no other thing but about the stupid contract marriage with the Abiola's son, Jayson. She was supposed to meet with the Abiola family the day before, so they could discuss about the contract and get engaged first but she didn't show up. Well, you cannot blame her. She wasn't ready to meet them and that was why she did not show up but that excuse was lame to her father's ears.

She left the house last night after they had the argument and when she came back this morning, her father suddenly started talking about her getting married in a few days.

The Abiola family was one of the most richest families in the country and they were known all over and beyond. Their son, Jayson, was the CEO of their company and he was well known for his competency towards the business but well, she didn't care about any of that. She just didn't want to get married yet and especially to some random person.

"We will go broke if you don't marry Jayson, Ella! We need to legally have their support, what's so hard there? It's just marriage!"

Those were clearly the words of her father the day before, after she didn't show up at the meeting. 'It's just marriage.' It was so easy for him to say that because he wasn't the one being forced to marry a stranger. She had tried to convince him that they could come up with other strategies than marriage but he didn't listen. Forget the fact that the family business was on a thin rope, her father had always been like this, making all decisions for her and expecting her to just go with it.

Then again, she loved a luxurious life and she did not want to become poor either so she cannot disagree to it.

"Ella!" The voice became louder and she knew her mother must be close to her room already.

"Oh goodness, this woman." She grumbled as she stood in front of the mirror. Her mother was always playing the role of a 'reconcilation manager'  whenever she had issues with her dad. She was definitely coming to lecture her.

"Ella." Her mother knocked on the door and she sighed before she turned to it. "Open the door, we need to talk."

She slowly walked over to the door and opened it and immediately the door was opened, she started walking back to the mirror without sparing her mother a glance.

"Your father only means well darling..." Her mother, Mrs. Stella started to say. "You know that, don't you?"

"This is not fair mom..." Ella started to say as she turned to her mother. "How can he just ask me to marry in five days when I have not even finished pulling myself together? We haven't even gotten engaged yet."

Mrs. Stella sighed. "Sweetheart..." She moved closer to her. "After an engagement, marriage comes next, you know that."

"Well I do not think dad understands that, because it seems he wants to get me married before the engagement."

Mrs. Stella chuckled lightly before she reached for her hand. "Sit down first." She said as she led her to the bed.

Ella sighed and sat down while her mother sat beside her and placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Your father is only worried that you might not take the engagement seriously. You didn't even show up yesterday, what do you think he would do?"

"I was nervous mom. I... I was not ready." She said shaking her head.

"You kept everyone waiting yesterday Ella. That was not nice of you at all. Your father felt so embarrassed and you left a bad impression to the Abiola family. You have never even met his family before and you do not even know how their son looked like. He..."

"I don't care mom. If he likes, let him look like an ape or a chimpanzee or he can even be the most handsome man in the universe but I...do...not...care." She emphasized on the last words with a serious expression on her face.

Mrs. Stella sighed. "You will be fine, darling. You don't have to worry about anything. I know it is sudden to you and I understand how hard it is to marry someone you know nothing about but it's only for a while."

"You don't understand it mom. No one forced you to marry dad so you cannot actually understand how I am feeling. You just won't get it."

Mrs. Stella sighed and patted her hair.

"Relax Ella, it wouldn't be so bad. Besides, you are only getting engaged first."

"But that was not what dad is saying, mom. How does he expect me to get married in five days?"

"Your father was only saying that because he is angry you didn't show up yesterday. If you can assure him that you will comply, then he won't bring up marriage for now."

Ella sighed."So what should I do then? There is no way he will listen to me now."

Mrs. Stella smiled lightly. "Why don't you go on a date with Jayson?"

Ella furrowed her brows. "A date? Oh come on mom, it's not like we are in love or anything, it's only a contract marriage."

"I know that but if you do that, your father would have a change of mind."

Ella frowned and folded her arms across her chest.

"Fine, I will try that."

Mrs. Stella smiled, "Alright. Don't worry, everything would be fine. By the way, are you going somewhere?" She asked as she stared at the red exquisite gown she was putting on.

"Um... Yes, I am going to a friend's birthday party " She answered before reaching for her hand bag.

Her mother nodded before she stood up. "Alright, but don't forget about what I said. I am sorry you have to go through this sweetheart. You know I will not let you go through this if I could..." She paused as Ella reached for her hand.

"It's okay mom, it's fine." She caressed her hand.

Mrs. Stella smiled before she walked out of the room. Ella turned back to the mirror and heaved a sigh as she stared at her reflection. The makeup she had applied was very light but still looked very beautiful. With her looks, she did not even need to apply makeup.

She was aware of her beauty and was proud of it. Wherever she went, she always has admirers and she loved it; the attention she got from men and the envy she got from girls as well but now, she was going to be married to a complete stranger. What if he was ugly? What if he actually looked like an Ape?

She shook her head abruptly at the thought and snapped her head to the bed as she heard her phone ringing.

She reached for it and after glancing at the caller, she slid her finger against the screen to answer.

"Gabby!!"

She winced and withdrew her phone from her ear as she heard the sharp feminine voice which belonged to her friend, screamed through the phone.

"I will develop ear problem because of you one day, Lizzy." She said to her friend as she rolled her eyes.

Lizzy chuckled from the other end of the call. "I wasn't that loud. Well, I and Rihanna are waiting for you outside your house."

Ella furrowed her brows in confusion. "You guys are here?"

"Yes hon! Now come outside or the party would be over before we even get there."

"I said I was going to pick you guys up, didn't I?" Ella pointed out as she started putting on her heels with her other hand.

"We figured out that if we wait for you, we would likely end up not going. I am sure you must still be putting on your shoes by now or wearing makeup."

Ella rolled her eyes because that was actually what she was doing. Her friends knew her too well. She sighed and stood up after wearing her shoes and looked at the mirror one last time to make sure her makeup is okay before she started walking out of the room.

"I am coming out now."

Xoxo