Chapter 1

ACEIA'S POV

I got home last night, so fucking wasted, so basically I'm still in bed feeling like I'm going to die because of a fucking headache. My parents don't want me to go clubbing, so last night I didn't let them know that I sneaked out to party, and I knew if my father found out, I'm sure I had my punishment for that, but I didn't think of it anymore. I needed to go to that party because my friends were there.

Going to every party makes me feel free. I get to socialize with people, and it's giving me popularity by just hanging out with them. My parents don't want what I have been doing since they always said that I should act like a Christenson who is working and making money rather than spending it.

They always told me that I should change and be a good woman so that I could take over the company. That idea made me sick. Working is not for me; I was born to be a princess.

I felt so annoyed when I heard the noise of the alarm clock beside my bed. I was still sleepy while reaching for it to turn it off. The moment I turn off the clock, someone knocks on the door.

I didn't open the door because I don't feel like facing anyone right now, but the person on the other side is still knocking. So I don't have a choice but to stand up, feeling annoyed and ready to blow a fire.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I was still half asleep while talking to the person in front of me. "Don't you know I'm sleeping; just go away, okay?" I was about to close the door, but the person didn't let me, so I got more annoyed. "Don't you hear me? Back off, or I'll tell dad to fire you!" I said, thinking that I was talking to one of our maids.

"So that's how you talk to your mother, Aceia Louise Christenson?" Hearing my mother's voice made me come to my senses. So I opened my eyes to see if it was really my mom.

Fuck! I cursed in my mind. I'm really dommed.

"Mom! Good morning," I said, and I was about to kiss my mother's cheek, but my mom put her hand in front of my face.

What was that? I'm sure she smells the alcohol in me. Shit!

"What are you doing, Ace?" My mom's angry voice makes me nervous. "Did you drink again last night?" I could tell that my mom was mad. And here I am, out of words on how to answer my mom.

Honestly, I just want to sleep and not argue with my mom because the conversation would just get long, but it seems like my mom doesn't want me to end the conversation without giving her an answer.

"Mom, it was Natasha's birthday, and she invited me, so I just had fun and drank a little bit of liquor," I said, holding my mom's hand, trying to ease her anger.

But it seems like it didn't work. damn! How can I get away from this without any punishment? I know my mom would do anything to keep me from doing crazy things.

"A little bit?" Amora glared at me. "Don't fool me, Aceia; it is enough that you reeked of alcohol, and look at you, it seems like you didn't sleep for almost a month; you looked wasted. God, did I really raise a daughter? Your attitude is not really feminine."

I was really nervous. Oh my god, I can't afford to be grounded again. Just thinking about not going to a party makes me feel agony.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I was having so much fun that I didn't know that I drink a lot, so please don't tell dad about this. I'm sure he would ground me and freeze all my cards." I was begging, looking at mom, trying my luck.

"Fine, I won't tell him." Hearing those words makes me feel relieved. "Anyways, your dad wants to talk to you later after his board meeting."

Hearing what my mom just said makes me feel nervous. Did he know that I sneaked out? What if this time he really forced me to work at our company as a punishment? Or worse, would dad cut off everything from me?

I just looked at my mom and didn't answer. I still want to sleep. Mother didn't speak either. So I slept and decided to just think of my problem later because I knew I couldn't think straight if I still had a hangover.

I woke up again the next hour; this time I really felt nervous and was starting to overthink.

Involuntarily, I got up and went to the bathroom. I'm glad I had the strength to wash up, even though my head still aching a little bit. I sighed and just started my routine in the bathroom.

I was fixing my hair when I put my brush on the vanity table with a bang. I really can't believe that this is happening! A part of me still hoped that my father would never do that to me, but as the time passed by, I was only getting more nervous.

It was afternoon when I went down to talk to Mom and Dad. I will try to negotiate. In my head, I tried to enumerate the things that I would do so they would see my sincerity. I will apologize for leaving last night; I will apologize for what I did in Barcelona; and I will admit that my friends are bad just for them to believe me.

As soon as I reached the living room, I saw my father, who was drinking some tea. I immediately greeted him.

"Hi dad," I said, and I walked towards him to hug him. "So what was it? Mom told me you want to talk to me. It is again about me taking over the company. Well, you already know my answer, dad," I said, not wanting to bash around the bush.

I think I just made the wrong move to say those words. What if it's really on the agenda that dad wants me to work at our company? If that happens, I will not have enough time to do what I want.

And that would be a horror!

I heard my father, Leonardo, sigh and put the cup of tea on the rounded table. "Where were you last night? I'm asking you a question, so answer me honestly."

It shocked me. I didn't expect that my dad would ask me those questions. Did Mom tell him?

Shit! What am I going to do?

I didn't answer him, so my dad stood up, got something from his study room, and went in front of me.

My father Leonardo put a photo on the table in front of me: "You were captured last night, Aceia Louise Christenson. You were kissing a married man. What were you thinking? I didn't raise you as a family wrecker."

Damn! What was I doing last night? I didn't know that I had kissed someone. Did I really drink so much that I can't even remember the happenings last night?

She was doubting if she could get out of this scandal this time. She has to think of a way.

I stood up and got the photo. "Dad, I can explain—"

"No," Leonardo said, cutting me off. "I already told you that if you do this again, I will cut everything from you: your car, your money, and your card."

I felt scared hearing my dad say those words, not my money. What would happen to my lifestyle if my dad took everything from me?

"Dad, I'm sorry, please. I promise I won't do it anymore–"

"You already told me that a couple of times!" Leonardo voices thunder in the whole living room. "But you still end up doing it."

Fuck no! Not my money. I was thinking of something that could change my dad's mind, and an idea popped into my mind.

"I'll do everything, dad; just please don't take everything from me," I said and went to my dad. "You want me to run the company right, then okay, I'll take over it. Just please don't do this to me."

I was just looking at my dad, waiting for his answer, but my dad just sighed. It's not a good sign, and I'm starting to get anxious.

Not my lavish life. No!

"No. Seeing you do such horrifying things, I wouldn't give you the company. I won't let you destroy my company."

I can't believe what I just heard. It's just that I want to run the company, but I hear my dad say no. It made me feel hopeless. What will happen to me?

"But dad!" I shout, and frustration is already eating me.

"But if you agree to my proposal in exchange for your lavish life, I wouldn't take anything from you." It gave me hope, so there's another chance for me. I wouldn't think twice about accepting it just to stay in my lavish life.

"And that is?" I can't wait for my dad to tell me what kind of joke he would spill. Even though I could feel what he was going to tell me, I wouldn't like it.

"You need to marry Hudson Blake Vasco—"

"What! I didn't mean to cut off my dad, but it makes me throw up hearing him say those words.

"No! That's not going to happen. Is this a joke?" I said with a shaky voice." Dad, please don't do this to me!"

I never think about marriage, not even for a single second. It gives me goosebumps. Marrying someone is like going to prison.

"I just got into a scandal, then you will just say that I need to marry someone? Dad, marriage is not a joke; you can't just say it like it's not a big deal! It's my life that will be ruined if I just marry someone that I don't even love," I said, and I was about to walk away from my father, but I heard him talk again.

"Okay, then give me your cards and your car keys now. And expect that tomorrow all of your luxurious things will be donated to the foundation," my dad said without even thinking. "And Aceia, it's not just a scandal; it's our reputation. You always do things that make our name dirty; don't you even see that everything we have can be taken away from us if you're always involved in so many scandals? I told you to change, but you didn't. Now you need to pay the price."

That made me stop and face my father. Frustration is already showing in my face. I don't care if my dad tells me I don't have respect, but what he is demanding is my goddamn freedom! I wouldn't let him force me to marry a man who is a total stranger. That's not going to happen over my dead body!

But what about my lavish life? What about my lifestyle? No one can be friends with me if they know that I am poor.

"So your parents' money means a lot to you," a little voice said in my mind.

"Aceia, we have arranged things for you. By next month, you are bound to marry Hudson."

"Dad, are you really serious? Do you even hear you self, I'm your fucking daughter and you will just marry me off to someone I didn't even know?" My voice has risen.

"Ace..." My mom called me softly, so I turned to her.

I really can't believe them.

"Mom!" I'm begging while looking at my mother, who was just walking towards us. Maybe my mother would convince my father not to force me to marry someone.

 I was silently praying that my mother would defend me, but I think my prayer wasn't heard. My mom is just looking at me with emotions that I don't even know.

"You don't have to look pitiful, Ace. Hudson is a good man, better than your man."

"But I don't like him!" I said, raising my voice, and I didn't care anymore.

"You will like him eventually, Aceia." I really couldn't believe that it was from my father.

I turned to him.

"How can you say that?! You took away my freedom to choose who I want to marry, father! Just because of what I've done, you're going to lead my life like this?" I said with tears forming in my eyes.

I am waiting for my mom to butt in and say I'm right, but my mom didn't do anything.

I was sure that, whoever the man is, he's really eager to marry me because I am a catch. I am the daughter of Leonardo Christenson, so why would he say no? Even if he doesn't love me, he'd marry me. I'm sure that he just wanted my family's wealth.

"Please, Aceia, whenever you like it or not, you are going to marry him. I'm just doing this to cover your scandal, and this is final!"

"I don't fucking agree with this, dad! Can't you see? You're taking away my freedom, so how can I stop myself from talking about this? This is a life-changing decision!"

Leonardo closed his eyes for a moment, like he was already tired of arguing with me.

"This is something that I should be the one deciding because it's my life! I am going to be married to this person! I am going to live with him... and yet you didn't even consider my opinion?! You and mom just planned this bullshit marriage?"

"Watch your mouth, Aceia!" Amora interjected. But I didn't give a damn care.

"And why, Aceia Louise?" Leonardo's voice was dead cold, something he only uses when he's utterly irritated and angry. "If I made you choose, who would it be?"

I couldn't speak; my lips were shaking.

"Do you have someone else in mind?"

I could easily say Aidan's name, my fling, for a long time. But if I think about it carefully, will my decision with Aidan be the right one? I can't even answer him as my boyfriend because of my doubts about him. And most importantly, I know that my dad is waiting for me to answer that. I feel like he has something ready to attack me the moment I mention his name. He's daring me to say Aidan's name.

I remained silent, scared to say anything. I feel like he had it all figured out. Whether I like it or not, his decision is final.

"Hudson is a good man. Do you really think I'll marry you off to just anybody? It's not about cleaning your name, Ace. If you marry him, his family can help us enter the business world in Spain."

I still didn't answer; tears were rolling down my face. So it was just for business.

"He's successful, career-driven, and honorable. Tell me, do you like that friend of yours who was a playboy and a cheater?"

I closed my eyes tightly. "That's not what I'm saying, dad. There could be other ways..."

"I don't think so. Hudson is right for you, and that's final. I've had enough of all you did, Aceia, so please just say yes this time."

I shook my head, tears pouring down my cheeks. My mother held my hand.

"The lavish life you want will stay if you marry him."

I can't believe this. I can't help but think that my mother and father are both cruel. I know I am at fault, too, but is this really the only way? It's not like I'm not regretful. I promise to put my life together this time, but then I guess, they've had enough of all my stunts.

"He can keep you company. You can choose to file your divorce after a year or so, as long as you finally get why I want you to do so."

Leonardo sighed and looked at me.

"It's hard for me, Aceia; it's painful for me to make a decision about you getting married; it's not my plan, but I'd rather do it, even if you hate me, than let you go and watch you ruin your name and yourself even more."