Chapter 3

IT WAS ALREADY afternoon when I went downstairs to try to talk to Mom and Dad again.I will try to negotiate. In my head, I tried to enumerate the things that I will do so they will see my sincerity. I'll apologize for leaving last night, apologize for what I did in Cebu, admit that my friends can be a bad influence, and promise to try to work in the company. Hopefully, that's enough to change Dad's mind.

”Isabella...” I heard Mommy's energetic voice as I descend on our grand staircase.

I glanced at our open patio, where the voices were coming from, and saw Mom and Dad there, accompanied by some familiar faces, known to me as the elderly board of directors, and one younger person with their back turned to them.

The younger man stood up. The two board members I greeted first were followed by. 

Mom approached me with a smile, which was unusual because whenever I did something wrong, you would see her raising hell, not greeting me. Daddy remained serious while talking to the younger handsome guy who stood up.

I kissed my Mom on the cheek as I greeted the old bosses again before my eyes got a closer look of the man beside my father. In a split second, my jaw dropped when I realized it was a familiar face. Not just casually familiar! But...

"Isabella, this is Damon Montero. He is the new head of the Montero Resorts International," Daddy said.

The man's lips was also slight open as he looked at me. You could also see the surprise in his eyes but he slowly relaxed too.

His lips slowly pursed with a small smirk, as he held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Morata."

I blinked repeatedly, still in disbelief. It feels like I'm still asleep and just having a serious nightmare?!

"Be polite," Mom's voice echoed as a whisper.

I couldn't accept the man's hand. My face heated and my heart feels like running a marathon.

The man in front of me, Damon Montero, is the stranger last night! With just a nod from Daddy, the elderly were led by his secretary, probably towards the mansion's conference room. We are left there with the man and I think I know why he did that! This is something serious and it involves his plan!

I quietly took the extended hand of the man, not wanting my parents to get angrier at me.

Damon looked at me with a smug look in his face.

Mommy guided me to the seat opposite the man before she sat next to me. I remained quiet but my heart was already raging. I am so confused! I want to confront Mommy and Daddy about what they want to happen but I can't because I am still too shocked that the man last night... is the same man I'm supposed to marry.

Dad cleared his throat. The elders finally left the dining table, and I faintly heard that some board members were also in the conference room. Perhaps they have a meeting today, which is why Damon is here too. I want to think that way but I know exactly why he's here and why... he's still with us right now!

"Dad-"

"Let me talk first, Isabella ," si Daddy cut me off.

Biting my lower lip, I almost pleaded for another chance but he continued.

"This is Damon, the man I'm talking about. I know you just met him but I am very positive that you'll get along with him well-"

"Daddy!" I cut off what he's saying, I lost my shame.

I don't care now if he's here. I will assert what's on my mind.

"l w-won't do it again. I will... work! I promise! Please-

Daddy smiled a bit on Damon before he looked at me. "Sure you will, sweetheart. You don't have to but if yo really want to, then alright. But for that, you have to talk to Damon about your arrangement at work. Damon..."

He smiled at my father. "That's not a problem for me, Sir."

With a furrowed brow and disbelief, I alternated my gaze between the two.Is this serious?!

Daddy noticed my gaze. "Isabella, we have arranged things for you. By the end of this week, you are bound to marry Damon so-"

"Daddy, are you really serious?!" I raised my voice.

"Isabella..." Mommy called gently, so I turned to her. I really couldn't believe them.

Damon was silent and serious as he looked at me panicking in front of him. How is this okay with him?! Besides that... Last night, did he know that I am the one Dad promised he would marry?! How dare him! Did he play with me?! What the hell?!

"Dad! Mom!" pleading with them.

"You don't have to look pitiful, Isabella. Damon is a good man, better than your friends-"

"But I don't like him!" I glanced at Damon but I didn't care anymore.

It also seemed like he didn't take it personally. In face, I even saw him smirk but I am too busy panicking to make a big deal about it!

"You will like him eventually, Damon." I really couldn't believe that it came from Dad.

I angrily looked at him.

" How can you say that?! You took away my freedom to choose who I want to marry, Dad! Just because of what I've done, you're going to dictate my life like this?!"

 I said with tears forming in my eyes.

I am waiting for Damon to butt in and say I'm right, after all, it's just not me! He's the same, too.

We're in the same situation but he didn't do anything! The asshole only looked at me with his smug look, greed and arrogance reeking in his expression.

I am a catch. I am the daughter of Diego Morata, so why would he say no? Even if he doesn't love me, he'd marry me. And besides, do men like him even believe in love?

"Please, Isabella. We have talked about this over and over again. Damon is here-"

" l don't care, 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!"

Daddy closed his eyes, listening to what I said.

"This is something that I should be the one deciding because it's my life! I am going to be wedded to the person! I am going to live with him... and yet you didn't even consider my opinion?! Was it really just you and Mommy who decided?"

"And Why, Isabella?" Father's voice was dead cold, something he only uses when he's utterly irritated and angry. "If I make you choose, who would it be?"

I couldn't speak, my lips trembling.

"Do you have someone else in mind?"

If this was yesterday, I could easily say Luis. But if I think about it carefully, would my decision about Luis be right? I can't even answer him as a boyfriend because of my doubts about him. And most importantly, I know that Dad is waiting for me to answer that. I feel like he already has a defense for me the moment I mention his name. He's daring me to say Luis'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.

"Damon is a good man. Do you really think I'll marry you off by just anybody?"

I still didn't answer, tears started to roll down my eyes.

"He's successful, career-driven, and honorable. "Who do you prefer? Your friend who was recently caught with drugs?"

I closed my eyes firmly. "Not really, Dad. There are still many other ways to..."

"l don't think so. Damon is even concerned that your name has been dragged in so many controversies that there is no turning back for you. Drugs, party, and all the other scandals. I've had enough of it!"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. Mommy took my hand.

"The only solution to save our very stained name right now, And to save our business is for you to marry an honorable man."

I can't believe all of this is happening. And despite everything... I looked at the man in front of me with tears in my eyes, who seemed very serious, with that five o'clock shadow in his face.

"He could be your companion. You can choose to file for divorce after a year or whenever you wish, as long as you understand why I want to do this." He sighed.

"This is also difficult for me, Isabella. This wasn't my plan for you to marry like this, but I'll choose this, even if you don't like it, rather than let you leave and see you ruin your name and even yourself."