Chapter 2

j e a n

2020

Years have passed ever since Matt has left for Italy. In the first few months, we often called each other and sent each other messages but as time passed, we hardly talk anymore. I still message him every single day to ask how he is but most of the time, it was either I was left on read or if I'm lucky enough, I'll get a message saying, "I'm fine." and that was it. There are times that whenever I look at the ring on my finger, I tend to question if it still has the meaning it had 7 years ago. I tend to question what is the point of having it on my ring finger when the one who gave it to me hardly talks to me anymore as if he does not exist.

I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology two years ago and now I am a Medical Student at Harvard Medical School, aspiring to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. I am currently at the library, self-studying. I have been making myself busy with studies lately in order to not overthink what is happening to Matt when all he does is ignore me. Honestly, I am slowly on the verge of giving up. I mean, seven years is a lot of waiting, what if it is all for nothing? I could be saved from my arranged marriage after all.

My phone suddenly vibrated, notifying me that I have just received a text. I checked my phone and turns out it is a message from my mom.

Hello, Jean. How are you dear?

I'm good, Mom. I'm just studying right now. What's up?

I'm sure you're all excited about tomorrow.

Huh? What about tomorrow?

Didn't Matteo tell you he will come back to the US tomorrow? His Dad informed me yesterday.

He's too busy these days and we hardly talk anymore. But I will come home tonight to wait for him at the airport.

I fixed my stuff from the table and returned the books that I have borrowed. Good thing I do not have classes for tomorrow. I returned to my condominium and packed my clothes that will be sufficient enough for the weekend. I hopped into my car and started driving all the way home. It is a two-hour drive, something that is quite tiring as you are driving alone but I actually enjoy silent car drives. I still can't believe he did not inform me that he is about to come home. He made me wait seven years for him to come back and he won't even bother to take a second to inform me? I still haven't texted him about it. Maybe I would later when I get home. I can't help but wonder how he looks like now.

Did he get his last-minute puberty? I mean he's 26 now and I can't believe I don't know what my husband-to-be looks like now. I remember him being a little thin back then but with the slightest amount of muscles. Will he still be the same as he was back then? I know he's been ghosting me for years now and it's weird for me to be excited despite the unlikable treatment but I do miss him so much and love him nonetheless. I'm still the same person as I was seven years ago and I am sure he is just the same, just more busy and have more responsibilities. We are not kids anymore and I understand that. I know Matteo, all he ever needs is someone who understands him. I'm one of the only few people who do that for him, who am I to not do that for him?

Two hours later, I am already parked at our home in Connecticut. The maids assisted me in carrying my bags for me. I thanked them politely and proceeded inside my home. I saw my Mom sitting in the living room watching some soap operas. I gave her a peck on the cheek and hugged her. It's been a while since I was able to go back home. I really missed her a lot. "Where's Dad?" I asked,

"He's doing work dear. You know how busy your Father can be," Mom stated and I nodded in response. Dad has always been busy that he is hardly at home at all. I know we own a big business but does he have to be cooped up at his office every time? I am much closer to mom because she is the one who is mostly at home and always finds time to spend time with me. I appreciate them both but I wonder whether owning a corporation of restaurants is enough to make you busy every single minute.

"I will just rest in my room for a while, The two-hour drive is quite tiring. Love you," I said and went straight into my room. I jumped and laid at the comfort of my bed, letting the mattress and sheets devour my body. I sighed and pulled out my phone from my pocket. I decided to send Matt a message, "Hey, I just found out you'll be coming back tomorrow. See you soon! ❤️"

Knowing that it will take a while for him to actually reply, I went ahead and rewarded myself with a nap.

—

The following day, I went straight to the airport. I'm not really sure when he will arrive so I just went there early and waited for him. I bought a bouquet as a gift for him when he comes back. I really am excited to see him again. I missed him a lot. Hours had passed and he has still not arrived. Matt didn't respond to my text last night and just left it on read again. Maybe he was just busy with work. I have heard that he was already trusted with the majority of their companies for the fact of how responsible and professional he is. I am sure he is a busy man.

Finally, I see him at the airport, he is wearing a nice black suit accompanied by several guards. My guess from yesterday was correct, he did have that last-minute hit of puberty. His jawline is more defined, his five o clock shadow showing, definitely gathered a lot of testosterone while in Italy.

I rushed towards him and gave him a tight hug. His guards were appalled as someone suddenly approached their boss, almost on the verge of attacking me when Matt raised his hand to stop them.

"How are you? I missed you," I said as I remained my arms wrapped around him.

"Good thing you're here already. I have some time until 3:00 pm, we could have some lunch. I have to tell you something," he said looking at his watch in a monotonous voice. I pulled away from him, looking up at him confused. He seems cold. I thought he would be a little more excited as I am to see me again but I guess that's just me. I nodded in response. I followed him outside the airport with his guards walking behind us. A car is there waiting for him outside. The driver opened the door for us and we hopped in.

The whole ride was awkward and silent since I do not know how to communicate with him anymore. He just seems different. It seems like the Matt I have known for over a decade suddenly disappeared and was possessed by somebody else. He kept a straight face the whole ride and occasionally checking his phone. If he always has that on his hand, why doesn't he bother to talk to me even for just a few minutes while in Italy?

The driver dropped us off at a fancy restaurant. Matt was just passing through the whole queue of customers waiting for their turn. I followed behind him. The waiter assisted us and led us to a private room table where we are supposed to sit. The waiter took our orders and left us.

For a few minutes, there was a dreading silence between us. Only the noise of the chattering of the customers could be heard. I am thinking of something to say to break the awkward silence. "So how was Italy? It's actually been a while before we could actually talk—"

"We'll be getting married in a week," he said cutting me off.

"W-what?" I asked,

"I only came here to get you. You will be moving back to Italy with me within the week. We will get married there." He stated

"Wait, this is too much. Isn't it too fast? You just came back and now you're planning our wedding? You haven't even given me an engagement ring yet. I have a med school. I am about to finish it after a year and a half. I can't just leave that all behind. I have been working hard to be a doctor ever since. You know that." I argued,

"An engagement ring you say?" He taunted. He put his hand on the pocket of his coat and pulled out a box, "there you go. Problem solved."

I looked at him, disappointed and insulted. He used to treat me like a princess and now it feels like he looks at me like a rag doll. "What happened to you? That's not you."

"And for that doctor thing of yours. Remember that you are meant to be my wife. You are born to it. Drop out of med school and do what you are supposed to do, serve me."

"I'm not your maid," I argued

"Jean, you talking back at me for a while now really doesn't please me. Stay at your place or there will be consequences."

"What happened to you? Who are you? You are not Matt. I don't want this. I don't want to marry you anymore," I said, my eyes starting to get teary-eyed. I can't believe I'm getting degraded by someone I love. This is not him. Matt respects me. Matt understands the things I deserve.

"Baby girl, you have no choice. You are betrothed to me. Do you even know what will happen if you break such a contract?"

"It was just meant to strengthen my family's business. What contract are you talking about?" I asked confused that I almost feel like everything is falling apart right in front of my face.

"Your parents are lying to you. Wow, 26 years and you still have no idea. How stupid are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"That house of yours, that clothing of yours, everything you own, wouldn't have been yours if your father didn't sell you to my family when you were born. Your father is good friends with my father and they have their own businesses doing well until your daddy dearest did something stupid and went bankrupt. He begged my father for help but of course, my father wouldn't do anything with nothing in exchange. Coincidentally you were born and my dad wanted you as my bride and your dad as his puppet, the end."

"W-what?"

So all of the things I have are something I have to pay for with my life? Is that it? Is that why Dad is always not at home? Is it because he was busy doing dangerous things too? I thought we were just a normal family just fortunate enough to have money. Who knew that I am the cost of it all?

"What if I don't want to marry you anymore?" I asked again. Maybe there's a slight hope I can get out of this. Maybe.

"Simple really. You and your family's name will be on the news, maybe tragically died in an accident?" He said with a smirk,

I felt my whole being fell out of my body. I guess I really am tied to this. I was okay at it at first because Matt was a good person. Who knew 7 years could change a person this much? I feel like all those years of being with him were all just a lie and a waste of time. I do not know what to believe. I looked at the ring on my finger and remembered the time he gave this to me. I turned my eyes towards him and wondered whether is it really the same person I've fallen in love with ever since I was 5.

He looked at his watch, checking the time. "I'll have you sent home by the driver. I have meetings to attend. Pack your stuff as soon as possible so that when we leave you'll be ready," he instructed and then left the room.

And before I knew it all I can feel are tears rolling down my cheeks at the sudden turn my life become within a day. I grabbed the box and opened it. It indeed is a beautiful ring but looking at it saddens me. I have always imagined the day that he will propose to me and I always thought of it as something so magical and romantic. Who knew he would just throw in front of my face?