Chapter One

“Please don’t do this” I pleaded with my father. He stared at the window, refusing to look at me.

“I don't have a choice,” he said, refusing to look at me.

“I don't understand. I'm too young to get married” I pointed out.

“You're 21 Christy, you're old enough and I am done having this conversation. You may leave” he said sternly. 

I looked at my father with pleading eyes. However, he kept his eyes glued to the window. He was again, refusing to look at me.

I could feel my body trembling as sobs were threatening to escape my lips. 

“But they're horrible”, I whispered, hugging myself.

Still not a word from my father.

“Can you at least tell me why?” I asked softly, tears streaming down my face.

Finally, he turned towards me.

“I owe a debt” was all he said as he turned back to face the window. 

I was dumbfounded. Baffled, even. Wondering how on earth my father could be indebted to the Mafia Lord that basically runs the whole of Texas. 

Feeling numb, I slowly walked out of my father's office and toward the exit. Tears still streamed down my face.

It looked like I had received the worst possible news which to me, I had.

“Christy?” a familiar voice said. I couldn't gather the energy to look towards the voice calling my name.

“Christy!” the voice got louder as it got closer. I remained walking towards the exit.

“Hey! Wait a second!” I felt a tug on my upper arm that pulled me to a stop. Finally mustering up the strength and courage, I looked up only to meet blue eyes looking concerned.

“Christy, you okay? Why are you crying? Why didn’t you answer me when I yelled out your name? Christy? Are you even listening to me? What’s wrong?” My friend, Jason, asked all at once.

It was as if a dam had burst as tears flowed and my ugly sobs escaped my mouth. My legs gave out as I sank to the floor, Jason holding me on the way down.

“Hey, hey, you're okay” he cooed, trying to get me to calm down. I was struggling to breathe at this point.

“Okay, Christy? I need you to take a deep breath for me, okay?” he tried. I tried focusing on his words and finally allowed myself to take in a deep, albeit shaky, breath. 

“That's right, deep breaths,” he said soothingly while rubbing my back. It took me a few minutes to regulate my breathing. Feeling slightly better, I looked up to see his worried face.

“Better?” he asked, worried. I nodded my head slightly.

“Okay then. Let's get you off the ground and into the car. It'll be better to talk away from prying eyes and ears.” As he said that, I finally took in my surroundings. The whispers, the concerned glances, the disgusted glances and the pitiful stares.

Shakily, I stood up with Jason’s help and he led me to his car. 

“Okay, spill. What could possibly make you break down like that? And in the middle of the company, might I add.” he asked once we got into the car.

“I'm being forced to get married,” I revealed, my voice hoarse from crying.

“Wait, what?! To whom?” he asked, surprised.

“Jillian Colbert,” I said dryly.

“No!” Jason gasped while covering his mouth with his hands.

I nodded my head solemnly. Jason pulled me in for a hug and held me tight.

“Sweetie, I'm so sorry,” he said, while lightly squeezing me. 

I could only sink into the embrace. Jason is my best friend and the closest thing I have to a brother. His boyfriend, Matt and I became close too.

After a minute, he released me from the hug but kept rubbing his hand up and down my back.

“When is the wedding?” He asked. I could hear the disappointment and sadness in his voice.

“I don’t know. He only just informed me about it”. I said miserably.

“There’s nothing we can do about it?” He asked, semi-hopefully.

“He said he owed a debt. I must be the compensation for that debt” I said, my head hung in sadness.

“Oh, sweetie,” Jason cooed.

“It's like I don't have a say in my own life. I did everything for him. Went to the college he wanted and lived the life he wanted me to live. Now he's forcing me to marry the son of a mafia leader just so he could pay off a debt” I said bitterly as anger, frustration and sadness slowly consumed me. 

“Honey I-” We were interrupted by a knock on the window of Jason’s car. Jason brought down one of the windows.

“It's time for Miss Christy to go home and pack,” said a man wearing a formal suit and dark sunglasses.

“Pack?” Jason and I asked simultaneously.

“Yes. I have been instructed to take her home and then move her to her new residence” said the same man.

“New residence?” Jason asked.

“What new residence?” I asked, confused.

“You are to begin living with your fiancé immediately,” said the suited man.

My eyes widened in disbelief. I looked at Jason to see that he had the same expression as mine.

“Immediately?” I whispered to myself. The man must've heard me because he replied;

“Yes ma’am, immediately.” 

I still couldn’t believe what was happening to me and by the looks of it, neither could Jason. His expression held a mix of disbelief and sadness.

“Your fiancé awaits ma’am. I must insist that we take our leave”, the suited man continued.

Jason looked at me, pity evident in his eyes.

“I guess it's time to go,” he said, solemnly. I nodded my head sadly. 

Together we walked to the vehicle parked on the other side of the road, accompanied by the suited man.

He drove us to my home, where I was instructed to be done in 30 minutes and my remaining belongings would be brought to me at my new residence. 

Jason helped me pack as much as I could, comforting me when a few tears dropped in the process.

Upon finishing my task, we headed towards the car waiting for us outside but Jason was stopped just before entering.

“Unfortunately sir, you are not allowed to go with her”, the suited man said sternly.

“And who, may I ask, gave such instructions?” Jason asked, appalled.

“Mr. Rhee did, sir” the suited man replied, readily.

Jason scoffed upon hearing this. I remained still while watching the exchange.

Jason looked at me and his expression softened.

“I guess we don't have a choice then. Call me as soon as you can, okay?” he said, while hugging me.

“I will”, I said softly into his chest.

“Okay, then,” he said, breaking the hug. “Take care of her, will you?” He instructed the suited man.

“I will do my best, sir,” the suited man replied.

Jason gave a final wave as I got into the car and headed off.

The drive was long as time seemed to be going by slowly. I stared out the window, watching the scenery go by, wondering what sort of misery awaited me at the Colbert household.

The mansion was bustling with guards and armed men.

After being dropped off, I stood outside the door, my body refusing to move. I don't know how long I stood there with my bags beside me but nobody bothered saying a word to me.

‘Maybe they haven't noticed me’ I thought to myself. 

‘Or maybe they just don't care’ came another thought. 

Either of those thoughts could be correct. 

Still lost in thought and wallowing in my misery, I didn't notice someone stop behind me. Nor did I notice the staff and gunmen outside bowing their heads in respect. 

“I know the door looks nice but most people prefer to see what's on the other side of it,” a gruff voice with a slight accent remarked.

Shocked, I turned around only to come face to face with a tall older man. I stared at him, my mouth still sealed shut.

“Well? Do you want to stay out here for the rest of the day or would you like to come in?” he asked playfully. His eyes danced with amusement.

“I… I would like to come in” I said quietly, internally cursing my voice for sounding so shaky.

“Then come in” he smiled as he led me into the mansion. 

Before moving, I tried picking up my bags but he stopped me.

“Leave it, they will take it to your new room” the man instructed. 

“Oh, okay,” I said.

We walked closer to the large doors and it was opened by two men wearing suits and sunglasses.

We walked through the open doors and into the mansion. The decor took my breath away. 

I stared in awe at the marvelous paintings and the luxurious chandeliers. 

“I always love it when people have that look.” My attention was brought back to the man who was standing directly under one of the chandeliers, a grin threatening to grace his face.

“This is beautiful” I said, still awestruck.

“I know” he replied, amusement evident in his voice. 

“I didn't think it would be this luxurious.” At this point, his shoulders shook slightly as he fought to suppress a chuckle. 

Don't get me wrong, I also live in a mansion but mine is a lot simpler and more gray. 

Footsteps slowly approached us from behind as I stood, still admiring the beauty of the paintings in front of me.

“Ah, here he is,” the man said, smiling at who was behind me.

“So, this is what you want me to get married to?” a cold voice said, sending chills down my spine.

I froze in place, too scared to move. I knew that voice as I had heard it through my dad’s office door many times before.

“Oh, don't be so mean,” the older man admonished. “She is going to be your new wife,” he said teasingly but with an undertone of warning.

The man behind me scoffed.

“Turn around,” The cold voice commanded.

Still frozen in fear, my body stayed still.

“I said,” I felt a tight grip on my upper arm, “turn around”.

Whimpering out of fear and slight pain from the man’s tight grip on my arm, I slowly turned around.

My eyes widened at the sight in front of me.