The Marriage

“Gael, please. I know you already know about Dad’s plan. It’s a good idea. It’s convenient for you, you can escape your family and do what you want. ” I convinced him with half hopeful and desperate tone.

We’re the only people here at home, he’s looking for my dad who’s currently at the capitol. He ignored me, went straight out the main door of the house and rang the car he parked in front of. I turned quickly to block his path. He looked down on me since our height doesn’t level each other’s.

I’m kind of persistent, but that’s different from being desperate. In my whole life that I have been chasing him I have only just become this desperate.

“Isn’t that what you want? To enter politics? To run away from your empire? Take the chance Gael. Agree to marry me. ” This time I sound ridiculous. I can't even listen to myself, but this is the only chance that I’m gonna have to pursue him.

"I am not desperate like you." he uttered coldly.

He slightly hit my shoulder as I blocked his way. I watched him dumbfounded while riding in the car until he finally left me. Maybe yes, I’m desperate. Because otherwise I wouldn’t follow him just to convince him again. I caught him parking in the tower of his condo. I parked on the empty slot beside him. For sure someone owns that slot but I don’t care anymore.

“What the fuck, Elyse? Are you a freaking stalker now? What are you doing here? ” he growled at me as I got out of the car.

”Gael, I already told you. Yes and I am desperate. We will both benefit from this, won't we? ”

He stared at me and violently closed the car and left me there. I chased him and followed even the man as he took his steps.

 "Go home Elyse," he said coldly.

I ignored him. “Promise, I won't interfere with your life. I just want you to achieve those things that you want in your life. Please use me for that, Gael. Just please, let me marry you. ”

I was surprised when he stopped to turn to me. There was a streak of annoyance or anger in his eyes. I swallowed and felt nervous because of that sharp stare of his. I know his patience is hitting the roof now, I won't be surprised if he lays a hand on me here.

 "I have a fiance just so you know." he said. My jaw dropped. He used that card to me. The card that I wasn’t expecting.

"Now go home and stop being so desperate because I will never marry you." He said with conviction.

Every words are like a daggers piercing into my soul. Instead of following him I grabbed his neck and pressed my lips to his. I moved my lips to get into his system but he held my arms and harshly pulled me away from him.

 “Fuck Elyse! Are you out of your mind? ” he said angrily.

“I love you, Gael. And I know you know that. I will not ask for anything. Even if you don’t love me back, Gael. Just please let me love you. Let me own you.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I said that.

His chest went up and down as he stared at me violently. He tightened his grip on me just to keep me from getting close to him.

“I will never be yours, Elyse. Never.” It was like a slap in the face when I heard that from him. The heat spread across my face and suddenly, like a volcano, I wanted to erupt.

“Why Gael? Is it Savannah that you want? Iss he the one you want to marry and not me? ” I provoked him.

He shut his eyes tight. I know I’m pushing some of his buttons here, and I’m not usually this stubborn but who cares? If this convinces him I don't care.

”She’s the one you want to marry and what? You’ll lead your empire as your family wants for you? ”

"If that's what I want then I've done it a long time ago," he hissed.  

”Then what? Unless you want to marry her without any conditions because you really have feelings for her. ” I provoked him more.

"Fucking no."

 "Then why, Gael?" I begged. I reached for his face to touch it. It hurts seeing him look so distant from my touch. He almost wiped my hand just so our skin wouldn't touch.

”Why can’t I be the one to marry you, Gael? Please— ” I didn't finish and pressed my lips to his again.

I still felt his resistance but eventually he gradually gave up. The next thing I knew, I woke up shirtless beside him. I gave myself to him just to convince him. That’s how far I went for this marriage, only for him to slap me with truth and shame.

“No! I’m against that plan! ”

I was slightly surprised by older brother Jaxon's violent reaction. All eyes are on him now. I am expecting this reactio from him but I was still surprised by it. Dad called this nerve wrecking meeting and my brother is not helping at all.

“Enough Jaxon! You’ve had enough already, ” Dad spoke coldly.

"Elyse — honey, you heard everything." Dad’s tone changed when he turned into me, more slowly and more carefully.

I nodded lightly as I pursed my lips. His eyes smiled gently at me while he waited for my next words, which I’m most problematic of at this moment. Dad is the Governor of this City. Jaxon— my half brother - is the one who’s supposed to be after his legacy. But my brother’s not obedient to obey him.  

Jax is pursuing business, so now that dad’s term is coming to an end, he has been busy convincing him to replace him. And just when the fire is burning, someone had seen the smoke and took it as an advantage.

Gael, the third child of the Navarro’s; the supposed successor of their empire is throwing a rebellion on his family. Gael and my brother Jax grew up together. Ever since, Gael would always be the one to show interest when dad lectures them about laws and politics. Meanwhile, I watch him flourish into a man he is today. Handsome, smart; womanizer, and an as$hole.

"The decision is yours, Elyse," said my father.

My heart ached seeing the wrinkles around his eyes. He knows. I know he knows. He knows how much I have admired the man next to me. So now, that he structured this plan, I’m doubting if it’s just plain politics or he was just handing things to me this easily.

“I-I…” I sighed heavily and shut my eyes. I couldn’t continue my words.

Remembering what just happened days ago makes me want to hurt myself. I love Gael and every person in our lives knows that cause I’m very vocal about it. But why is it not that easy now? After what happened to the two of us, there were many questions in my mind. Is this really what I want for the two of us? Can I really resent marrying him even if I see in his eyes that he won’t be able to love me back?

”Sir, I’m against that idea. Elyse shouldn’t be involved in things like this. As much as I want to run from my family’s conditions, I believe I can do that without getting anyone involved, ” Gael spoke suddenly.

I gasp and glanced at him. I didn’t expect to hear that from him. For some reasons, it’s more painful to hear him declining than him agreeing to it.

“I know you will say that. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get married right away, Gael. You can just announce that you are engaged, ”dad replied.

We heard no answer from him. All I know is, I can already feel what he wants to answer to dad. My eyes bore into him more. I heard my brother Jax muttered harsh words, cursing him.

I can feel my eyes welling up with tears as I watch his cold expression. It’s so easy for him to turned down dad's offer. I can’t believe how easy it is for him to say no. That just explains how much he dislikes me.

"Of course you'll say no." I spat bitterly.

All attention is on me now, including his cold eyes. I could see how he was staring at me with his cold eyes. I could also see how his jaw moved violently.

"It's easy to say no because of your fiance, isn't it?" I added.

His jaw moved violently. I know that because of what I said, he remembered what happened between us the other day.

”They are not mistaken. You’re nothing but a goddamn user. ” I could only hear  bitterness in my tone as hot tears dripped down my cheeks.

I saw how his expression changed. He seemed angry and I opened a pandora box he didn’t want to open. Why? Is he scared? Was he afraid that dad and Jax would find out that something had happened to the two of us?

“Fine. If he doesn’t want it, then fine. ” I said coldly and turned to dad. I saw how puzzled they are by my reaction.

"Who are you to decide for me, Elyse?" I heard him say.

"Isn't that where it's going?" I side eyed him.

I stared at dad again and stood up. ”Let’s call this off. We’re done with this. This man right here would never marry a woman who’s desperate like me. ” My voice cracked.

I was about to leave when he stood up as well and held my hand. I heard gasps. But above all, I was the most shocked in this room. I look at his eyes who’s burning with rage and coldness. I was stunned and couldn’t read what he would do next.

”Then marry us. Marry us, right here, right now. ”