As we finished breakfast, everyone was silent, processing the news that had just been revealed to us. My mother and Elizabeth quickly excused themselves, "Liz and I are going to run some errands we’ll be back in a couple of hours” mom said. My father headed to his office, no doubt trying to find a loophole in the contract that had been presented to us. As for me, I retreated to my room, where I was left to contemplate my own thoughts.
I couldn't help but think about my pregnancy. I knew that I couldn't keep it hidden forever, but I was afraid of how my family would react. I also couldn't stop thinking about Josh and Elizabeth's betrayal. The thought of them together made my stomach turn, and I couldn't understand why they would do this to me. I know why Liz did it but Josh I just couldn’t understand.Just as I was lost in my thoughts, there was a knock on my door, ” come in “ I said. It was Janet, one of our housemaids, ” your father requested your presence in his office” she said. “ thank you Janet “ i said smiling at her.I made my way to his office, unsure of what he wanted to talk about. When I arrived, my father looked at me apologetically and said, "Sweetheart, if you don't want to marry that man, you don't have to. We will figure something out."But I knew that if I didn't accept the proposal, we would lose everything. Despite my own reservations, I assured my father that I would marry Damien and do whatever it took to save his company.“Are you sure you want to do this?. You don’t have to sweetly” dad said looking straight at me. “Dad it’s fine I’ll do it” I said fiddling with my thumb."Ok then Amina, we're going to meet the DeLuca's this evening at six o’clock ," my dad said looking at his watch. “That’s four hours from now, I will call your mother and sister and inform them. Be ready by five thirty.” He said pulling his cell phone from his pocket.The news hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew that this would happen but not this soon. I didn't know how I would be able to face Damian or his family when I was keeping such a huge secret. But I had no choice, and I had to do what was best for my family.As I slumped down on the plush couch in my room, my thoughts were spinning in my head. I couldn't believe the amount of responsibility that rested on my shoulders, and I wasn't sure I was ready for it.I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling exhausted. But instead of drifting off to peaceful sleep, a dream took hold of me, which felt more like a nightmare.I found myself standing in the middle of a dark forest, with the wind howling terribly around me. The trees swayed violently in the gale, and branches lashed out at me, whipping my face and clothes. I tried to spot a way out, but the dense foliage around me made it impossible to discern which direction I needed to take.As I stood there, shivering with cold, I heard a crunching sound behind me. I whirled around to see a dark figure, standing only a few feet away from me. The form was human-like, but there was an unnatural aura around it that made me feel uneasy.Before I could even blink an eye, the figure was on me, pinning me to the ground. Its hands were cold, like ice, and its breath smelled rotten. I struggled against it, but it only tightened its grip around me.As the creature brought its face down to mine, I woke up, gasping for breath, with sweat covering my body.I realized that this dream was a representation of my fears that I was alone and trapped in a world I didn't belong in. It also reminded me of the weight that I carried, in trying to keep my secret from everyone, even the people that would be my family and myself.I took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself down. I knew that it was time to face my fears, and that the only way I could move forward was by accepting my situation and making the best of it.Realizing that I had fallen asleep and now had only 30 minutes left before my meeting with the DeLuca family. I was shocked and in a hurry, scrambling to put myself together. I quickly got up and went to my bathroom to freshen up.I started by washing my face with cold water, hoping to wake myself up. Then, I quickly brushed my teeth and put on some deodorant. I knew that my hair and makeup would take the most time, so I decided to tackle those next.For my hair, I decided to go with a simple but elegant updo. I gathered my hair into a sleek bun at the nape of my neck, using hairpins to secure it in place. I left a few tendrils of hair loose to frame my face, giving me a soft and romantic look.For my makeup, I decided to go with a bold blue eyeshadow to make my eyes pop. I used a light blue shade on my eyelids and a darker blue shade in the crease, blending them together for a seamless transition. I finished off the look with a swipe of mascara and a light pink lip gloss.As I looked at myself in the mirror, I was pleased with how I looked. My blue eyes really stood out against the bold eyeshadow, and my hair looked elegant and sophisticated. I quickly changed into my outfit and headed out the door, hoping that I wasn't too late.As I walked out of my door, Liz was standing there, waiting for me."Well look what we have here, the horrible mistake my family has to deal with," she sneered at me.I was filled with rage, and tried my best to keep calm. "Liz, I really don't have the time to argue with you. You've already ruined my life, what more do you want?" I shot back.I could see the anger and frustration in her eyes, but she brushed it off and muttered something before storming off.I took a deep breath and headed downstairs to the living area, where I saw mom and dad waiting for us.Liz walked behind me, still throwing insults my way. "Look who's decided to grace us with her presence. I hope you're ready to spend the rest of your life being the wife of creep, Amina," she said laughing, her words cutting deep.I tried to brush it off and hide the pain and hurt I felt. I knew I couldn't let my dad see me breaking down. I had to be strong for him and my baby.I am wearing a emerald green gown that hugged my curves in all the right places. The dress exudes confidence and elegance. The fabric was soft and flowed effortlessly as I walked, and the intricate beading added just the right amount of sparkle. I paired the dress with simple diamond studs and a matching bracelet, letting the dress speak for itself. My mother chose a more conservative outfit. She wore a classic black pencil skirt and a white blouse with a modest neckline. Elizabeth, on the other hand, wore a tight-fitting red dress that left little to the imagination, with a plunging neckline and a short hemline. Her outfit was daring and provocative, but I knew that was her intention. As for my father, he wore a tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. He looked sharp and professional, as always. Together, we made our way outside to our black limousine. ”Good evening mr and Mrs Locke, miss Amina, miss Elizabeth” mark our driver greeted us. I nod at him as I ente
I entered and sat nervously in the lavish sitting room of the De'Luca estate, my parents flanking on either side with Elizabeth sitting beside mom. My heart fluttered anxiously as the conversation danced around the impending marriage. The room filled with an air of formality, as if every word spoken had the weight of the world attached to it.Dad spoke with a solemn tone "Mr. and Mrs. De'Luca, we are honored to have this opportunity to discuss the union of our families."He paused for a moment, clearing his throat. "After extensive discussions, we have decided to proceed with the plans for the marriage between Amina and your son, Damien."A brief silence follows, as the De'Luca's absorbed the news. Old madam De'Luca, nodded slowly. "We appreciate your trust in our family, Mr. William. This alliance will indeed serve both of our interests well. The date of the marriage will be two months from now, I hope it is well with you.”My dad looked at me. I know he is asking if I’m alright with
I stepped out of the comforting embrace of the coffee shop and hailed an Uber to take me back home. The cool evening air offered a slight respite from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed my every thought throughout the day. As the Uber made its way through the busy streets, I couldn't help but revisit the encounter with the stranger who had temporarily eased my burdens.Thoughts of our laughter and deep conversations echoed in my mind, casting a smile on my face. Leaving a bittersweet longing for the connection we had shared. It was a stark contrast to the heaviness I often felt within the confines of my home, where the impending arranged marriage and the betrayal of josh lingered like unwelcome shadows.Upon arriving home, my father was waiting anxiously in the living room. Worry lined his face, etched deeply in his furrowed brow. His eyes widened in relief as he saw me, and he rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight embrace."I was so worried when you didn't show up at home
It’s been a month since I met mr stranger, I know its weird for me to still be calling him that but we haven’t told each other our names it keeps whatever we are doing more interesting. Two months had passed in a whirlwind of emotions and changes since I found out about my pregnancy, I have taken some time off from work and it was time for another check-up at the doctor's office. The anticipation fluttered in my stomach as I entered the waiting area, looking around nervously. My belly had barely started to show, but I already felt a deep connection to the life growing within me. As I took a seat, I carefully avoided eye contact with anyone, desperately hoping to go unnoticed. But fate had other plans for me that day. In a strange twist of destiny, Elizabeth walked through the doors, her presence instantly filling the room with tension. I tried to hide, slumping down in my seat, wrapping my arms protectively around my barely there bump. Elizabeth had always held contempt for me, her o
In the midst of the swirling emotions and newfound understanding, Mr. Stranger broke the silence, his voice laced with gentleness and a hint of nervousness. "You know," he began, his gaze locked on mine, "I believe it's been long enough that we can trust each other with our true identities." My heart skipped a beat, a mix of curiosity and apprehension bubbling inside me. I nodded, urging him to continue. Taking a deep breath, he spoke, his voice heavy with significance. "My name is Damien De'Luca." My eyes widened as his name washed over me, recognition and disbelief intertwining into a flurry of emotions. Damien De'Luca a name forever bound to my own through an unanticipated twist of fate. Time seemed suspended as I struggled to reconcile the information before me. Damien De'Luca, my fiancé the man I had entered into an arranged union with, yet neither of us had known the truth of our identities until now. My mind raced, piecing together the fragments of our shared history. Dami
As the shock of Damien's revelation settled, an astonishing transformation took place within the room. My father, his eyes twinkling with joy, stepped forward with a heartfelt smile. He wrapped me in a warm embrace, his pride for me overflowing. "My dear daughter,” he beamed, "I'm so happy for you. Welcome, Mr. De'Luca, to our home. I'm David Locke Amina’s father.” Damien accepted my father's warm welcome graciously, extending his hand in courtesy. Their exchange was marked by a mutual respect and understanding, intertwining their lives in this newfound connection. However, amidst the warmth and acceptance, a cloud of skepticism loomed in the form of Elizabeth. She erupted in a fit of anger and disbelief, loudly protesting against the idea that Damien could be the renowned and sought after Damien De'Luca. Her words spilled forth, driven by doubt and resentment, challenging the authenticity of our connection. "You're lying! This can't be Damien De'Luca," Elizabeth exclaimed, her voi
The morning sun poured through the windows, casting a soft glow in the bathroom as steam curled in tendrils from the hot shower. As I stepped out, enveloped in a towel, I was startled to find Elizabeth standing there, her eyes burning with accusation. "You stole him from me!" she erupted in anger, her voice laced with bitterness. I tried to ignore her, wrapping the towel tightly around me as I moved to the sink. But her relentless words echoed in the room, her anger blazing like a wildfire. Finally, I gathered the courage to address the truth that lingered between us. "Elizabeth, you’re one to talk, you slept with Josh and now pregnant for him, you have a child on the way. , " damien is the man you willingly gave up because you thought you were too good for him, you thought he was an old man." I said rasing my voice losing my calm. Her face twisted in fury, her voice spiraling with raw emotion. "Josh and the pregnancy... it's all a lie!" she screamed, the admission ripping from her
As consciousness slowly returned, I found myself lying comfortably on a plush couch in Damien's office. The soft afternoon light peered through the window, casting a warm glow upon the room. Damien, unaware of my awakening, sat at his desk, fully engrossed in his work. I couldn't help but admire him, his handsome features accentuated by the gentle light. His chiseled jawline and piercing eyes evoked a sense of strength and confidence that left me breathless. Compared to the familiar face of Josh, Damien seemed to radiate an undeniable magnetism, an allure that went far beyond physical appearance. As our eyes briefly met, a small smile played on Damien's lips. He rose from his seat and approached me, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice resonating with genuine care. A surge of gratitude washed over me as I sat up, inching closer to him. "I'm fine," I replied softly, my voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and relief. "Just needed a moment of rest." Damie