CHAPTER 5:NOT A JOKE

Ivana was not easy on the steering wheel, she was driving like a mad woman. She was not scared of anything. Thinking of the fact that his father want her to get married to someone she has no feeling for meant one thing to her; that she was not important anymore. That she is a sort of some commodities that can be tossed around.

‘I can't believe it, hope it's a dream, I want to wake up,’ She thought.

She maneuvered through several cars, she broke several traffic rules. She had no idea where she was driving to. What she wanted at that time was to clear her mind, to be away from her dad. She didn't even see him as a dad anymore, he had completely become a stranger to her.

Ivana reversed her car after remembering the party that Lily was hosting. Earlier on they had invited Sammy, her boyfriend, but he hadn't confirmed to them whether he will be attending or not.

“He is the only person that can save me from all this saga,” she murmured.

She pulled over outside the governor's villa, the parking lot was already full of different expensive flashy cars, from Lamborghini Aventador to Bugatti.

“Oh, look who we have here,” Lily Said as she approached Ivana.

Unfortunately, the smiley face Lily expected to see was not there. She raised her brows, confused when she saw, trails of untried tears.

“Were you crying? Oh my goodness, Venus, what's wrong?” Lily asked.

She was the only friend that Ivana allows to address her by her second name.

Ivana sniffed as she pulled Lily into a tight hug.

“You won't believe it, Lily, my damn father is forcing me to get married!” Ivana said.

Lily stared at her for quite a moment, then burst out crazed of laughter. Ivana knotted her brows as she stared at her, confused…

“Why are you laughing? Do you think it's a joke?” Ivana asked frustrated.

“And who said it's a joke? I am happy, at least I will get to dance my friend's wedding? Don't tell me that you are not happy about it? Hold on a second…is this the reason you have her crying? You are search a cry baby. Ivana, you are done with school, you come from a wealthy and influential family, what's wrong with getting married? Besides, you are your handsome boyfriend are such a charm, my dream couple. Don't tell me you don't to love Sammy,” Lily informed.

All this time, Ivana was just stating at her with her hands akimbo. She didn't know what to do to her best friend. She was talking to the things she had no idea about.

Ivana scoffed as she glared at Lily? “You have no idea what you are talking about. I wish I were to marry Sammy, I would have done it wholeheartedly…”

“What do you mean? You are not getting married to him?”

“No Lily it's not him, actually I am being forced into a business marriage,” Ivana informed.

“No, No, Ivana, come here,” Lily Said as she dragged Ivana to her room. They sat to her bed facing each other and asked Ivana what she was talking about. Ivana told her what she knows.

“You mean your father want you to marry into that family to strengthen the ties?” Lily asked surprised.

“Yes, that's right…”

“Who is being forced to get married?” A voice asked as it stepped into the room. It was Lily's mother. The first lady of Orange County, l, she overheard their conversation when she was walking in the corridor.

“Aunt,” Ivana called as she stood to hug her…

“Are you alright?” the first lady asked.

Ivana turned to Lily before turning to the first lady.

“Yes I am fine, thank you for asking,” Ivana answered courageously, she made sure that her voice doesn't stutter.

“Who is being forced to get married?” The first lady asked.

Ivana's heart started to beat faster like a party drum. There was no way she was going to tell her. She knows the first lady and, considering the relationship between the two families, letting her know might lady Ivana into trouble. The first lady might confront Mr. Martin about the whole thing and demand an explanation because she played a part in raising Ivana.

“Hahaha,” Ivana chuckled nervously, “It was just a movie, I was explaining it to Lily. You know how she is Aunt, she is heavy headed,” Ivana joked as she pinched Lily to play along with her.

“Is that so, okay, I will leave you girls to enjoy the party. Lily, I will be out for two hours, to make sure your friends gets home safely. I don't want any kind of cases tomorrow,” The first lady instructed.

“Yes, mum,” Lily said.

Lily turned to Ivana after her mum has left.

“Why did you lie to her, Ivana? Mum would have helped you, you know,” Lily asked.

“Yes, but I can't. Dad might harm Sammy, I know Aunt will confront her, and I really don't want that. I will take care of it.”

Lily hugged her, then took her hands. “Come let's have fun, I was waiting for you, we came swim or drink to our merry, at least to help you forget what is happening for a moment,” Lily instructed as she rushed with Ivana outside.

It was a pool party, so their friends were swimming, others danced to the music and others enjoyed the wine as the cheered to those that were swimming.

****

After the party, Ivana drove home immediately, at least the party has helped her relax for a moment. Lily wanted her to stay at her place for the night, but Ivana refused. She wanted to go home, to her dad.

Mr. Martin was on the mansion balcony sipping her wine as he listened to some cool music. He was not worried according to his looks…

Ivana parked the car and went straight to him. Immediately she arrived where he was seated, Mr. Martin turned and glared at her.

“Where are you coming from? Do you know that you are engaged?” He informed.

Ivana scoffed, “Engaged? To whom?”

He sipped his wine and he was quite for some time, “Where are you coming from? To see your useless boyfriend? Young girl, don't test my patience.”

“Dad, what is wrong with you? When did our relationship turn toxic? I am not coming from his place, I am from Lily's place. You can call her and confirm if you don't trust me,” Ivana Said as she stretched her cellphone to him.

He nodded, “So you have badmouthed me to them? Don't even think of asking the first lady to help. It's not going to work. It's final, you are getting married to him.”

“I won't get married to him, dad, you can't force me to do what I can't. That is a drastic measure, I have my choice and my life to live. Don't force me, dad because it's not going to work. Besides, it's not a must for me to get married to him for your partnership to be strong. Just get honest in your business and everything will flow according to your plan.”

“Who are you to advise me, huh?” Mr. Martin asked as he threw the glass of wine on the wall.

Ivana flinched in fear.

“You have no choice Ivana but do to as I say. I am your father and I know what is best for you,” He said it direct in Ivana face and walked past her.

“I am sorry that, I will disrespect you this time round. I am going to fight for my love, you can't control my life, I am an adult,” Ivana said politely.

“You already did that but One thing Ivana, don't even think of eloping with him, I know how silly your thoughts are.”

Ivana swallowed hard as she clenched get hands in a fist. She stomped her feet in frustration and left for her bedroom.