Chapter 02

Flashback Part 1

Ella Victoria Everette's Point of View

As soon as Dad held the doorknob, my heart started to pound fast. Dad unlocked the door as he pushed it to open and a cold breeze from the air conditioning welcomed us. Dad guided us inside.

I went in first and they followed me. Dad shut the door and we made our way to the six-person table. My eyes were directly fixed on the young man who was sitting and he was facing me. He was examining me too and I took the chance to study his face.

He had a Viking-black neat hair and bristly eyebrows. He had defined cheekbones and a concrete jaw. I also notice his Titan-like return of him. He also has long eyelashes. Oh my, he's the real definition of a Greek God's face. Fortunately, I can marry a handsome man. I hope he is also kind and hardworking for the perfect package.

Maybe he's not hard to love, isn’t he?

He has this aura that can make any girl speechless. I think he was aware that he's so good-looking. He was attractive and his sex appeal is on the next level. He was wearing a three-piece suit that made him hotter. I bet, he's the hottest without that suit. I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized that I was fantasizing about him.

You must be crazy, Evie. He's attractive, okay.

"Handsome, isn't he?" I glanced at Mom when she asked that. My cheeks instantly reddened which made my Mom giggle. Oh come on, she's making fun of me. I just grinned at Mom and looked back at the Benavidez. I saw the three of them stand up and greet us. I fixed my dress.

We approached them and the couple looked at me intently. They beamed at me so I also smiled back in respect because I'm not rude. Dad shook hands with a man of his age, it's still obvious that he was chased by many women when he was young because he was also handsome like Dad. While Mom kissed the beautiful lady on the cheeks.

"Right, here's our daughter, Lena," Dad introduced me to them and held me by the waist to bring me closer to the Benavidez. I smiled at them and shook hands.

"Hello, I'm Ella Victoria Everette, you can call me Evie for short," I politely introduced myself and they smiled at me. We then let go of each other’s hands after the handshake.

"I'm Ramon Ismael Benavidez and this is my lovely wife, Elena Margaret Benavidez. This is my eldest son, Soren Reuben Kenzo," Uncle Ramon introduced me with a smile. I looked at Soren who had been calmly gazing at me since earlier.

He doesn't seem inquisitive. I just sigh. Right, who will be curious about unexpectedly marrying someone you don't know, right? But I was surprised when he offered his right hand to me. He then flashed a smile that made my heart beats so fast.

"You can call me Soren," he introduced. I instantly accepted his hand and smiled as well. I can feel his warm palm and it soothes me.

"Nice meeting you, Soren," I replied and he just smiled at me. I thought he was rude but it proves me wrong.

"Same here," he expressed then let go of my hand.

"You're so gorgeous, Evie," Aunt Lena praised which made me look at her. I just beamed at her. She then gently hugged and kissed me.

"Thank you, Aunt Lena," I replied making her smile. She also told me to call them mom and dad because we will be going to be a family soon.

After that short introduction, Dad Ramon motioned us to a seat across them. I dropped my bag on the chair next to my seat. Now Soren and I, who had been staring at me since earlier, were facing each other. Don't tell me, he fell in love at first sight? Suddenly I became conscious of my appearance so I averted my eyes.

Soon there was a knock and the door opened. Two waitresses entered with a push trolley. It has our foods. They served us the food and excused themselves as they made their way out. I then stared at the food in front of me.

Six servings of medium-cooked beef steak and broccoli beside the steak were served. There's also a bottle of red wine, Cheval Blanc 1947 St-Emilion, and six light-bodied red wine glasses.

"Let's eat first," Dad Ramon spoke making us nod. I took the white table napkin folded beside my plate and unfolded it, I then placed it on my lap. I grabbed my fork and the steak knife. As I was slicing the steak, Dad Ramon spoke.

"You may be aware of why we met today. It's the right time to get our children to be married," Dad Ramon started. No one reacted to it because we are really aware of our marriage. All we could hear was the rattle of the cutlery and plates we were using.

"You're right, Ramon. We're not getting any younger and it's the perfect time for them to get married," Dad agreed. I don't know how I should feel but even if I speak, they won’t listen to me so I decided to keep quiet.

“We will throw an engagement party this Sunday,” Mom Elena spoke. I looked up and just nodded. I can say that they are really eager to get us married, it's Friday today and the engagement party will take place in just two days. I took a deep breath and ate my bite-sized sliced steak.

My eyes settled on Soren who was busy slicing his steak. I just heaved a deep sigh because of that, I guess he also has no choice. I then chewed the steak, it was soft and tasty. I reached for my wine and took a sip. Soon we quickly finished eating. Dad later spoke up.

"We'll give you both privacy to talk and know each other very well. Evie, come with Soren later," Dad suddenly spoke I nodded. They smiled at us before standing up and storming out of the room.

I guess, they'll go home first. After they left, I felt my heart beat faster again, especially when Soren and I were the only ones left inside.

No one speaks so I felt more nervous. I took a deep breath and fanned my face using my hand. Suddenly, he spoke.

"Do you like this marriage?" He suddenly asked. I looked at him and stopped fanning my face. Actually, I don’t know. There is a part of me that I’m willing to get married and there is also a part that I oppose their decision.

I want it because it is also for my own good and I am against it because when I marry him, I have a lot of responsibilities and duties as his wife.

I don't want to disappoint my parents. I don’t want to disobey them because I owe them. I was raised to be kind and elegant. They really taught me well and I grew up to be able to get everything I want so I’m happy.

"To be honest, I don't know. I want to follow Dad and I have no reason to disobey them," I honestly answered. He just nodded at me. I then pursed my lips.

"How about you? Are you okay with this marriage?" I asked him too. He just nodded at me.

"As long as you're okay with it. Besides, I don't have any reason to disobey my parents too. Just like you, I don't want to disappoint them," he answered making me nod. He's right, I don't want to disappoint my parents so I agreed to this marriage. Besides, I can sense that Soren is a good man. I don't know but I was immediately relieved knowing that he was the man I’m going to marry.

Its gentle face proves that he’s kind but they said that behind a gentle face, they may be hiding something.

"So, are you done studying?" He then started a topic. I nodded at him.

"I graduated in Business Administration and I'm currently taking a veterinary medicine," I replied. He just nodded at me. Honestly, I want to study again so I took veterinary medicine. I also plan to build my vet clinic soon.

"Do you like animals?" He asked again. I nodded again.

"Yes, especially, cats. I have a pet cat at home. It’s an Albino Cat, her name is Maggie," I replied. The mood lightened because of our topic. The nervousness I felt earlier was gone. I like his vibes.

"That's interesting. I graduated in Business Ad too and currently managing my Dad's company," he shared making me nod.

"You're an only child?" He asked, for us to continue our conversation. It’s also better for us to get to know each other.

"Yes," I replied. I don't know the reason why I don’t have a sibling/s but I'm happy that I'm only a child. Besides, I have cousins that’s why I'm not bored at home.

"That's good. I have two little sisters, Rylee and Raelynn. They are both graduated and to be married too," he said as I nodded. Suddenly I became curious about how old he was. After all, her siblings have graduated and are getting married.

"Have they arranged marriage too?" I asked. He shook me and I nodded. That's good.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"I'm 20, how about you?"

"23," he answered making me nod. Well, it wasn’t obvious to him that he was in his mid-20s. He looks more mature than his age.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked, I just want to know if he has a girlfriend so that I can be prepared for it.

"None. How about you?"

"I don't have a boyfriend," I honestly answered which made his forehead crease. I know that he can’t believe it because I’m beautiful, I mean, maybe he thought I had a boyfriend but not every woman who’s beautiful has a boyfriend.

"Actually, I'm not kidding. Many tried to court me but I always rejected them," I continued to make him believe. He smiled at me and just nodded.

"As you said so. So if I court you, would you reject me?" I held my breath at his question. I mean, does he still need to court me when we're getting married? He's weird.

"Do you need to court me? I mean, we're getting married. One more thing, we don't like each other," I replied. He then flashed a mischievous smile at me.

"You're not sure," I raised an eyebrow at what he said. What does he mean by that? Don't tell me, he fell in love at first sight with me? Anyway, it was fun talking to him. I don't know but he seems to be a warm person.

"You don't need to court me anymore because we're going to get married," I responded. He just chuckled at me. He's making fun of me, I think. He later took his wallet out of the pocket of his slacks. He pulled out a business card there and presented it to me.

"You can visit my company anytime. I will also introduce you as my fiancée," he said. I just nodded and accepted his business card.

Benavidez Corporation

Soren Reuben Kenzo P. Benavidez, CEO

09125372697

"Sure, expect me tomorrow," I replied. He just nodded at me. After that, we decided to go home. I carried my bag and we stood up. Soren opened the door for me and I thanked him because of that.

After we got out of the cuisine, we went straight to the parking lot. As we were on our way to the parking lot, my eyes detected a sight of a woman standing on the side of the cuisine and looking at Soren. My forehead wrinkled.

Does he know Soren? The woman is tall and slender. She is beautiful too. She was wearing a maxi dress and her hair was tied in a ponytail. My gaze shifted to Soren who was busy walking. He didn't seem to notice that someone was looking at him.

"Soren, someone is looking at you," I approached him. He then halted walking making me stop too. He then glances at me and I immediately pointed to the woman who had been standing earlier.

As usual, she was still there. It seemed like she wanted to say something to Soren but she was afraid to approach us, especially when she looked at me. I can also sense jealousy because I am with Soren.

Why is she looking at Soren? Is it because Soren is handsome and attractive? Do they have a relationship? Many questions troubled my mind but I determined to keep them to myself. Soren might get irritated with me if I asked him those but as his fiancee, next time I'll just ask him.

"Do you know her?" I suddenly asked and turned my gaze at him. He was also looking at the woman now. Eventually, he diverted his gaze to me.

"I'll just talk to her. I'll take you to my car first," he said rather. I just nodded at him. I looked at the woman again. She was still there while watching Soren and I make every move. She looks creepy. Besides, Soren seems to know her as well. I suddenly became curious.

I jolted when Soren held me by the waist and guided me to the parking lot. When he found his Black Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita car, he unlocked the passenger seat door. I just entered the car quietly. I glanced up at Soren who was also glimpsing at me.

"Wait for me here, I'll be quick. I'll just talk to her," he stated as I just nodded.

"Don't come out, it's late and unsafe," he resumed which made me nod again. With that, he closed the door. I followed him with my gaze until he vanished from my sight. I just sighed and held my chest when I felt my heartbeat beat fast. But who is that woman? Is she Soren's girlfriend?

I then just ignored my curiosity. I took a deep breath and leaned my head on the headrest. Although I was curious I obeyed what Soren said. I'll just wait for him.

While he was away, I was busy with my phone. I browsed the YouTube App and typed a 'cooking show' on the search bar. Actually, I know how to cook and I learned by watching a cooking show. I entertained myself browsing the YouTube app until Soren came. I exited the YouTube app and turned my phone off. I turn my gaze to him.

He looks so troubled. What was the problem and what did they talk about with the woman earlier?

"Are you okay?" I then asked him. He glanced at me and just nodded. He persuaded me his response, so I just smiled at him.

"If you have a problem, you can share it with me, Soren. We are going to get married soon. I'm going to be your wife and we will share the same problems. Always remember that I'm always here," I said instead which made him smile. We'll get married soon, I should also know his problems so I can help him.

"I don't want you to get involved in my problems Evie but thank you. I'll keep that in mind. Let's go," he replied making me nod. I fastened my seatbelt and Soren put the key in the ignition key and started his car.

To be continued...