Chapter two : The first met

Not only once did he bring another woman inside our house but many times and almost all of those who become my private tutors become his secret lover, but all of that my mother did not know. Over time, a lot has happened in that mansion, a lot has changed, and I've been keeping plenty of secrets related to my father. I lived in that family as a quiet student and perfect child, as they expected me to be. I've gotten used to the dark place where I don't feel lonely anymore when I'm alone. Furthermore, I've gotten used to what's happening around me, and I've learned to accept my fate. Many years ago, I almost forgot about my past and who I really am or where I came from. I considered them as my real parents where I got used to interacting with different people who are big names in the industry and business. I was known as quiet, cold-hearted, intelligent, talented and good in the field of sports.

“At the age of seventeen, who would have thought that your son Anton was a perfect man? Perhaps many women like him, and whoever his wife will be will surely benefit greatly from him.” My father's business partner spoke jokingly, and then they laughed while I just stood next to my father.

“His wife should also be a perfect girl because Anton will be the future of the Placido corporation, right son?” Dad said to me while putting his arm on my shoulder that I just nodded my head with no expression and they laughed again. While they were busy talking, I turned my gaze in another direction where my attention was aroused by a beautiful woman wearing a pink dress walking towards our direction. I must admit that I was amazed by her beauty, and almost all the men around us turned their necks to her.

“Wait a minute, who is this beautiful young lady who caught Anton's attention?” Dad said when he noticed that, I was just dumbfounded by her. She suddenly stopped in front of me and drew a shy smile on her lips that made me even more amazed by her.

“She is Brigitte, my one and only princess.” A man standing behind her said that, and he seemed to be only in his forties, where it was not obvious from his face that he already had a child who was almost my age.

“Mr. Suarez!” Dad said, and then he came to him and they both shook hands and so did my mother who hugged her mother while we were staring at each other.

“By the way, he is my son, Anton.” Dad's introduce me to her parents, so they both turn at me. I immediately noticed on his father's face that he looks strict, and he is not just an ordinary businessman on this occasion because people around us look up to him, and he seems to have a big name when it comes to business.

“I know him because I often hear his name from my daughter.” Mr. Suarez said that surprised me. Brigitte approached her father and hid behind him as if she were ashamed of what her father said.

“Is that so?” said Dad, and then he turned to me, but I just bowed my head.

“Actually, Anton is well known in their university and there are many women who admire him, and Brigitte is one of them. You are our princess number one idol.” His mother said, smiling at me. I turned my head and didn't know what to say to them, so Dad came to me to help me get closer to them.

“Its our pleasure to have princess Brigitte be part of our family, isn't it, Anton? What do you think? Can't you see in her that she will be your future wife?” when I heard what he said, I immediately turned to him with a look of astonishment on my face.

“Wife? Aren't they too young to talk about that?” my mother said, and I agree with what she said, but it seems that that is not what the adults around us think because the only thing that they care is about business.

“You know it's better that while they're young, they're open-minded about marriage, and it's better if they can immediately produce heirs in the future.” Dad said that surprised me more.

Wait, how can he say all that in front of his guests and besides, why don't they get angry with him or object to what he says? don't tell me that they have talked about it before and that they really have plans to marry the two of us? But I'm only seventeen years old, and I haven't finished my college and besides that, I don't have much experience about having my own family, so why does it all seem so easy for them? And how could they make a decision without even telling me about that?

“You don't have to worry about the wedding because we'll take care of everything.” After saying Mr. Suarez, I immediately turned my gaze to him, where I noticed Brigitte was looking at me with a smile and no trace of concern on her face. I frowned and shook my head because I couldn't fully understand why she wasn't concerned about everything when her life and her future depended on it. Dad seemed to notice that I was against that arranged marriage, so he held my hand tightly, and then he drew a forced smile on his lips.

“If that's what you want, we won't refuse you, but if you need something else, just tell us and I hope that the marriage between the two of them will be successful.” He said to then that I was even more shocked, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing where they were all happy and excited to talk about that matter as if none of them objected to what they planned. I couldn't even see one of their faces that understood my feelings, not one.

“Why don't we let them talk first? So, they can get to know each other completely.” Mr. Suarez said that they all agreed on where they left Brigitte and me. I wanted to leave and refuse, but I was too weak in those moments and I didn't have the power to object to what they were planning. I was just standing there quietly and avoiding looking at her when she suddenly stepped closer to me.

“For you.” She said, and I slowly looked up at her where I noticed she was handing me a red box. I didn't accept it, but just stared at it. “I baked this for you, I hope you like it.” She added as she tried to give it to me but because of what I heard and learned earlier I lost my mood and I accidentally hit her hand where she let go the box, and it fell to the ground where her cookies were scattered on the floor. Her eyes widened in shock, and she covered her mouth with one hand. I was just about to speak to apologize to her and explain that I didn't mean it, but I was stunned when our parents came where they had the wrong idea from their minds and thought I meant to hurt her feelings.

“Anton what did you do? Apologize to Brigitte right now.” Dad said angrily to me, causing everyone's attention to turn to me. I clenched my fist and turned towards Brigitte where she was staring at me with tears in her eyes. Therefore, I frowned and couldn't believe the quick change in her expression. How did she do that? How could she pretend in front of so many people that what happened isn't a big deal besides that, I'm sure she knows it was just an accident and because of what she's doing, she's making the situation even worse.

“Can't you hear me, Anton? Ask her for forgiveness.” Dad insisted on me, but I didn't listen to him, instead I looked around my entire surroundings where they were all staring at me as if I had committed a big sin. However, I didn't lower myself to her and I don't have anything to apologize to them because in the first place they were the ones who made a mistake with me, and they should be the only ones to apologize to me, so I just turned back, and then I walked away from them with my two fists tightly clenched.

“I will decide what I want to do in life. I will choose the woman I will marry, and I will never let that woman enter my life.” I whispered to myself, and then I got into my car where I just went home to our house.