Meeting Him For The First Time

Roxanne's POV

“Dad, please, you can't just marry me off to him, we have to be in a relationship first!”

“Well, I thought you've always had a crush on him since you were in high school, so what happened now?”

“Nothing happened. I would rather not be in a contract marriage with a man who possibly might not actually like me.”

“So, are you saying you can't marry him?”

“Dad, please be rational.”

“What, are you saying we are thoughtless about this marriage?” Lady Diana asked, staring at me with her artificial lashes, which almost touched the roof of her eyelids. 

“The only way you can escape marrying Klaus Raymond is if I disown you, and you really don't want me to do that.”

My mouth fell open in a gasp when my dad threatened to disown me if I refused to do his bidding. 

“Mark, calm down, I'll talk to her. What's wrong with you, Roxanna? The least you can do is agree to this marriage after everything that we have done for you.”

I can't believe them. Why did they suddenly want to pair me with Klaus? I wouldn't deny the fact that Klaus used to be my crush in high school even to this very moment, but I can't marry him out of the blue. He's the son of my dad's business partner, Derek Raymond. Not only that, I remembered confessing my feelings to him and ended up getting the worst embarrassment of my life. I can't forget the words he used on me, “have you ever taken a look in the mirror lately? If you have, then you'll understand that you're not any man's choice. You're too ugly to dream high of getting yourself hooked on someone like me. If only you were half as beautiful as your sister, then I might consider you.”

Just thinking about those words alone made me fold my hands into a fist. Ever since that day, I hid from him and every other guy I came across. Everyone called me ugly and called my sister a princess. And this is because I'm plus-sized, and I always put on glasses. 

“Dad, please reconsider, I'm sure he doesn't love me.”

“Love? Love is an illusion, there's no looking for love in this century, so I guess it is settled then.”

Lady Diana finalized. She's actually my stepmom, and I believe that's the reason she's doing this. She had been my stepmom ever since I was eight years old. She has my dad wrapped around her fingers. To make matters worse, my dad actually cheated on my mom with Lady Diana and they both have a daughter named Paula who is the same age as me. It was only after my mom died, Lady Diana moved into the mansion. 

I'm sure if it was Paula, Lady Diana would listen to her. She never listens to me or lets me have whatever I want. Tears stood in my eyes presently, as I watched my dad get up from his seat and strolled over to the cellar to pour himself some wine. 

I looked in the direction of Paula and for some reason, she was oddly quiet. I know Paula and the fact that she would have either supported her mom and told me to get married, or even asked them to prepare her marriage first. 

“Why am I the only one getting married, what about Paula?” I summoned the courage to ask. Paula at that moment raised her gaze up at me. What I saw in her eyes was rage, and I didn't understand why. 

“You think I would let you marry him if-”

“Paula! Shut the hell up!” Lady Diana yelled at her daughter before she could complete her statement. 

What is going on? Why is everyone acting weird all of a sudden? 

I took my gaze back to my dad, who had just walked over to the balcony with his glass of wine and cigarette in hand. If anything, I had expected him to be on my side and try to understand my situation, but I was wrong. He doesn't give a damn about me. 

Just staring at the three people I call my family, all trying to sacrifice my happiness for no good reason, brought tears to my eyes. I quickly dabbed the corners of my eyes and immediately pushed my chair backwards before exiting the meeting room. 

Even as I walked out of the room, no one paid attention to me. Tears trickled down my eyes as I walked away. I went into my room and headed straight to the bathroom. There, I began to cry out loud. 

I clutched my chest, which was in so much pain. I'm 20 years old, but I know nothing about a loving family. 

While I was crying in the bathroom, I suddenly heard shouts coming from the room next to mine which was Paula's and the voice I heard at this moment was hers as well.  

Immediately, I switched on the tap in the sink and washed my face. When I was done, I picked up my face towel which was just by the door and wiped my face. Even at that moment, I could still hear her screaming. What could be the reason? 

Slowly, I walked over to my door, turned the door knob and tiptoed outside. At that very moment, the next words Paula said made me stand rooted to the spot I stood.

 “You know Klaus and I have always been in love, why will you give him to Roxanna!”

Immediately my heart skipped that very moment. 

“Paula, don't be stubborn! I know you love him, and so does Roxanna.”

When I heard this, I blinked. I needed to get closer to listen to this argument, and so I continued to tiptoe until I was in front of the door. 

“Oh please, mom. Since when did you start taking Roxanne's side instead of mine, huh?”

“And who says I'm on her side. Listen to me, child, I have my reason as to why she needs to go to Klaus.”

“There's no reason, mom, we are talking about my happiness here.”

“Of course darling. Listen, Klaus's parents are wealthy, and they'll help your dad's company if they should have a marriage partnership. But then, I have great plans for you.”

“What plans? What plans could be as important as my happiness?”

“The Duke of Cadenza!” 

I froze when she said this. 

“W…what? Are you kidding me, mom? The Duke? How on earth do you plan to do this pairing? No one has seen him before. What if he's hiding because he's ugly!”

“Why don't you trust your mom for once, honey? He's handsome. I got this from a close source.”

“Asides that, we are talking about royalty here, mom. Do you think we can rub shoulders with royalty?”

“I know, but trust me, only you, my daughter, is worthy of a Duke. You know I can't be petty since people are watching, that's why I paired your sister with Klaus Raymond.”

I leaned back and shook my head. So, she was going to make her daughter marry the duke of Cadenza and offer me to a man who hates me, and she calls that not being petty?

I need to get out of here before I choke on my tears. 

***

I honestly don't know what I was doing. I've been calling my best friend Clair, but she isn't picking up. I had drunk three bottles of beer and began to feel terribly dizzy. I needed someone to talk to or do something to clear my head. 

After drinking for a while, I suddenly developed the urge to urinate, and so I headed to the restroom, where I collided with a man.  

“F*ck! Can't you see where you're going?” He thundered in a deep, raspy voice. 

The cuss was not what was on my mind at this moment. I felt like I had just seen the sexiest man on the planet. His eyes were dark brown, and his hair was jet black. His features made me wet myself that very moment. His lips stood out, taunting me to touch them with mine. 

Gosh! I've never been this hungry for a man like I feel now. 

As if I were possessed, I found myself stretching my toes and trying to pull my lips to his. 

“What are you doing?” He asked, in a deep voice, while staring into my eyes. 

“Do you want to sleep with me, I'm hungry for it,” I blurted out without realizing it.”

“Wow! You're a bold one. No woman has ever been this outspoken around me before.”

“Well, you just found one. I could be a tiger if you like.”

“Damn! Then I'll like to see what this tigress can do," with that, he drew me into a corner.