CHAPTER 0002

CELINE’s POV

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While waiting at the said restaurant where I will be waiting for my parents here in the private room, I also ordered some food.

I took several deep breaths until I felt hurt. Only then did I notice I hurt my forearm from scratching.

I was too tense about the reason my parents wanted to meet me, which is why I didn’t notice I started scratching on my forearm that led to me hurting myself again.

I took a band-aid and covered the wound on my forearm. Soon, my parents arrived just in time with the server who brought the food I ordered for them. An appetizer of garlic bread and mushroom soup and the main menu of pasta, chicken, and pizza. I order for two people since I don’t plan to eat either.

After the food was served and the server left, my parents said what they needed.

“We need five million dollars,” my mother began.

I silently rested deeply. I knew they needed money from me, but I didn’t expect that they needed this much money from me this time.

“But mom, I don’t have that much money.” I voice..

“We know,” answered my father. “What’s the point of marrying a billionaire like Lance?”

This is the only reason they married me to Lance, because of Lance’s money plus his influence. 

“Haven’t you talked to Lance about this yet?” I dare to ask.

My parents don’t like me asking them, especially about this kind of thing, but I wonder why they are approaching me now? In the three years that Lance and I have been together, my parents go straight to Lance to borrow or sometimes ask for money for their business and company.

I’m ashamed of what my parents doing to Lance and I don’t want to think that I’m only after money from Lance, for all that I can’t do anything more and often I don’t know what my parents are doing when they ask Lance for money. Moreover, my parents don’t tell me either. Lance did not mention the full details every time my parents asked for money.

If I add everything that my parents have asked for money from Lance in the past three years since Lance and I got married, my parents have asked Lance for over five million dollars not including the ones that Lance paid that my parents debt to many people, and as far as I know, not even one cent dollar, my parents have not yet returned Lance.

My father stood up and came closer to me and held my arm tightly. “What right do you have to ask? Did we give you permission to ask?”

I speedily shook my head. “I’m in pain,” I said, almost crying.

My mom put a stop to my father, not due to her concern for my well-being, but to resume discussing the money they were requesting.

As soon as my father let go of my arm, my arm went numb for a few moments. I’m sure what my father did to me will leave a bruise.

“We have already told Lance about this matter, but this time he did not give us the money.” My mother states. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t receive anything from Lance. They always ask Lance for too much money. It is clear to me that they often employ it for gambling, resulting in their financial troubles, and Lance is consistently the one who settles their debts.

“That’s why you will talk to Lance to lend us money.”

“What?” I ask in disbelief.

I never ask Lance such a thing. I never asked Lance for money. I never asked Lance for even one cent dollar.

Lance grants me an allowance for personal expenses, yet I hardly make use of it as I am usually inside the mansion, relying on his personal chef for cooking lessons, given my lack of culinary expertise. I also often seek help from housemaids on how to clean, fold clothes and even iron clothes. 

For three years, I spent more time inside the mansion to learn and be a good wife to Lance because that was all I could give him. I attempted to fulfill the role of the perfect wife for Lance to the utmost extent possible. I am also doing everything to make him love me.

“I can’t do that.” I tried not to stutter.

I jumped in surprise after my father hit the table. “F-Father…” I couldn’t hide the trembling in my voice. Under the table, I scratched the knuckles with one of my palms.

Anger consumed my father, and I braced myself for the inevitable harm he would inflict on me, especially given our isolation in this private room. I think he can do that. 

“Efren, calm down. Don’t make a scene in this place.” My mother’s reminder to my father.

“This fucking bitch makes my blood boil.”

Before sitting down, my father hit the table again, causing my shoulder to be raised at the same time.

My mother’s eyebrows met by the time she shifted her gaze to me. “Celine, make a way for the money we are asking from Lance. We need five million dollars by next week. We need that money for our company. If we don’t acquire that immediately, the company may face financial ruin. Besides, that’s only five million dollars, a small amount for Lance. Tell him this is the last time we will ask him for money.”

“Last time. How can I be sure this is the last time?” Regardless of my fear, I couldn’t help but ask the question.

This is the first time they told me that this is the last time they will borrow money from Lance and I want to know the reason if what they say is true.

“We found you a new man who will marry, like Lance. He is also a billionaire. After you get the five million dollars, you will divorce Lance.”

The unexpected statement of their reason startled me. I was off guard and accidentally screamed. “No!”

In all my life this is the first time I did raise my voice to my parents so I’m not sure what they would do to me–how they hurt me. 

All my life I followed their orders including marrying Lance, but now that I have learned to love Lance I will not allow to what they want to happen.