CHAPTER 1

- ELYNA

"What? How? Who?...stop joking dad" I screeched at my father as his lips uttered words that pierced through my heart; my arranged marriage to a billionaire.

"Elyna, we are talking about my future here, our future. If I had not done this deal we would lose everything within the next three days. Besides, this is in your best interest" 

My dad, Jules, gave me a lecture on why he has made me a commodity in his business dealings, which he describes is in my "best interest."

The collateral deal was between a ruthless and feared among men billionaire, Hugo Dubois. It consisted of 30% of my dad's company's shares as well as his only daughter, me being married to him, before the deadline date given by the state regarding my dad's bankruptcy filing.

"No, No!...What about my dreams? My life aspirations? My feelings? Raphael? Dad I'm in a relationship with Raphael, dad! "

As I uttered those words, my throat was scorched with heat. As Raphael's name left my lips, my dad's visage changed from a passive into an aggressive visage, his eyes raged with intense anger, and he stared deep into my eyes, before unleashing a raging confrontation, with gestures flying all over.

"Raphael! Raphael…how many times did I tell you to don't mention that boy's name again and in my presence?"

"Jules..." My mom, Jeanne tried to calm my dad, as the tension between us kept on rising with each confrontation.

"That boy can't even take care of himself. How will he take care of you? What has he done for us, our family?"

My dad leaves the room, as enraged anger encompasses his aurora.

" I love Raphael, he loves me and there is nothing that will change my mind! "

My voice reached its highest vocal cord, as I gasped for air as tears fell from my eyes.

"Elyna, I know this is a difficult situation, but I need you to come to terms with what your dad has just told you" my mom, the last person I expected to defend my dad's decision, in the exchange for my freedom.

"Mom?!..so you and dad have been conniving together for my demise?" I uttered as confusion took a hold of my senses.

" Look at my condition. I need medications and regular treatments, you know? Mr Dubois is a well-mannered and wealthy young gentleman, that has promised to take great care of us, especially you." My mom sympathises with me, while using her stroke condition as an excuse of why I should sell my dreams off to a person that I barely even know of.

"Mom, why are you guys acting as if you don't know my stance on Raphael? We have been dating since our high school days. There is no way that I will be leaving him for a person I barely even know, and certainly don't love, just for the sake of financial reasons. This was dad's fault. How can I be part of a deal that doesn't even concern me?"

As I reaffirmed my stance on my relationship with Raphael, loud thumping theatrical footsteps could be heard from the corridor leading into my room. 

"Hey, Elyna, listen here, whether you like it or not, you are getting married on Friday, end of discussion" 

My dad commanded as he entered my room, and left the room within a split second of ushering the news.

"Why, mom, why? What did I ever do to deserve such treatment, why?"

Tears rushed down my face as I tugged my mom's coat back and forth before sinking into my bed.

"Ely, El, please stop crying, come here"

My mom affectionately pulled me across and rested my head on her chest as we both allowed our tears to rush down our faces.

"Elyna, think about us, your only family. If you don't accept this offer, where will we live? This house will be repossessed, all our assets as well will be taken by the state as well, how will we feed ourselves? My health is deteriorating by the day, as stress keeps on mounting, at such a pace I don't think I'll be alive any longer."

"Mom…" as I tried to calm my mom down as I could hear her heartbeat racing wildly as she uttered those resentful words.

"Mr Dubois is our saviour, our only hope for survival. You have to marry him for the sake of this family."

As soon as those words left my mother's lips, my head escaped the warmth of her chest.

"Mom, this statement that you just made, just proves that my suspicion was in fact correct. This is for you and dad's interest, Not Mine!"

Suddenly, my mom gathered strength and her voice was raised above a whisper as her teary eyes calmed down into vivid red puffy eyes.

"Did you hear what your father said? We both know Raphael can't take care of his own self, how do you intend to spend your life with such a person, huh? You are not a child anymore. Act like an adult that you are Elyna!

Without hesitation, I jumped onto my feet and looked my mom dead in the eye, and professed my love for Raphael, as tears crept from my eyelids.

"I love Raphael, with every being of me, even though he is not as wealthy as Mr.Dubois, or financially stable, I still and will continue to love him, my love for him is not based on financial interests".

Mom picks up her walking aid and gathers the strength to get out of my bed. As her visage transforms into a non-emotional state, her voice becoming monotone she utters these words, as she leaves my room.

"Elyna, you have heard what I said, now you have to prepare for your wedding. It's on Friday. There is no turning back, or escape possible, contracts are signed already. Trying to evade this would result in imprisonment.

My back found its place on the centre of the bed with great force, as my hands eased the flooding tears that rolled uncontrollably from my puffy eyes, as the reality of my new life sinks deep into my consciousness.

"This can't be it, no way" I uttered inconsolably, just before an adrenaline rush vitalized my body, and a new idea ushered into my brain, causing a reflective movement igniting my posture up straight from my back.

"I need to inform Raphael…maybe we could escape…yes!" I muttered under my breath, as hope rekindled, and my hands stretched throughout the edges of the bed in search of my phone.

"Brr, Brr…Brr, Brr, The number you're calling is unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone." The call goes to voicemail, as Raphael does not pick up his phone.

"Babe, call me as soon as you see this message. We need to leave Paris before tomorrow."

I anxiously spoke through my phone, with a voice below a whisper, as I recorded the message as instructed by the caller ID.

Desperation crept in, I fondled my legs within my chest, as my hands gated them, with my hair all over my face, as three hours have gone past and no phone call nor message has been sent to my phone by Raphael.

"Elyna, come downstairs and prepare dinner for us tonight" my mother yelled from the comfort of her seat, down in the living room.

Silence bemoans the scenery after my moms, instruction. This gets the attention of my mom as she grabs a hold of her walking aid and sets her sights on my bedroom.

She enters the room, and finds me in the fondled position, with my fingers bumping against each other anxiously with tears failing to drown my face as my eyes have become puffy.

"Elyna, didn't you hear me call your name?"

Shaking my head hesitantly, "Uh, No..no mom"

Mom leaves the room, with the door slightly open with these piercing words.

"Come downstairs and prepare dinner for us. Crying won't change the situation. The sooner you get to terms with your new life the better."

Trying to be a respectful kid to her mom, I accepted the request.

"Okay, I'm on my way."

A split second after stepping out of my room, the vibration of my phone from my bed creeps into my ears. I rush towards it as my eyes lighten up. As I reach the screen lock, a caption stating, "message from Raphael" grabs my attention, and I gasp for air as my fingers anxiously unlock my phone.