four

Staring at my own reflection on my vanity mirror, I grimaced. Even with eight hours of sleep last night, I looked ready to drop. My face with professionally done makeup had never looked so lifeless and dull. My cheeks were puffy and my eyes were swollen. Most importantly, my brain was discomposed.

After dozing off by accident last night, I wake up with a laptop still hidden underneath my pillow. I guessed that explained the sensation of resting my head on a log the entire night. I remembered carefully sitting up in my bed and tried not to wake up Amanda. I took out my laptop and got back on the research I left unfinished last night.

My laptop was on sleep mode so it automatically took me back to where I left off but to my surprise, the blog of the girl named Amber had no longer existed. Her site was to quote the g****e people's statement 'shut down' for the reasons only God knew. But I did not have that much time to look into that matter before Amanda woke up.

"Is there something wrong, Miss? You look unhappy." Amanda said, snapping me out of my thought, "Is the hair not to your liking?"

"No, Amanda. I love it." I lied. I meant the way she did my hair was perfectly fine and the hair sure looked amazing. It was me. The face of the hair, that was wrong.

"Then what's the matter, Miss?"

She was not going to let it go, was she?

"I just have a lot in my mind right now but it's nothing important." I sighed.

"I see." She nodded knowingly, "I know it can be overwhelming but I am certain Master Liam is going to have a hard time keeping his eyes and hands off of you tonight, Miss. You look absolutely heavenly."

Her assumption made me want to vomit.

With a sharp exhale, I mumbled, "Right..."

I and Amanda stood in silence for a while but then a soft knock could be heard from the other side of the wall and the door to my bedroom was widened open.

"London, I- Oh my god, sweetheart. You look stunning!"

In my imagination, my eyes rolled at her exclaim so far back that I could literally see the inside of my skull. But in reality, I just smiled thinly. Mama's attention lasted on me for about three seconds before her eyes shifted toward Amanda.

"Could you give us a moment?" She asked and Amanda politely nodded before she took her exit out the door.

What does she want, was the first thought that entered my mind. The second one, however, did not get a chance to follow as mama gather her courage and spoke up.

"Aren't you excited?" Mama mumbled with a small smile.

"Excited what?" I said uninterestingly.

"For the birthday dinner, of course." She grinned, "I see you have been putting a lot of work into this. I just happened to pass by the dining room and the table setting was spot on."

I glanced at her and decided to show my appreciation by flashing her a quick smile back. But that was about it. I did not feel like talking. Especially, not with her.

"You said you wanted to talk yesterday." She heaved a big sigh, finally giving in.

"Yes, I do."

At a glance, I knew she could read my mind. She knew what I was thinking and all the things I had been bottling up inside of me. I wanted to say all that but of course, I did not get a chance to.

"If the thing you said you wanted to talk about is about you and Liam, I am afraid there is nothing I can do, London." She told, "Your papa..."

Whatever that she was about to say ended up rendering her speechless. I was taken aback when I noticed tears welling up in her eyes.

"So, this is all his idea?" I breathed out in disbelief.

"No." Mama shook her head. She straightened her composure as she successfully fought back her tears, "It has to do with a lot of things, dear."

"Like what?" I snapped. I knew the truth was hurting her but she was not the only one who was hurting.

Technically, I was the one dealing with the consequence of whatever Papa had brought upon me. Without any explanation or whatsoever, I was led to this direction and that. Like some kind of a lifeless puppet doll at a play.

"I deserve an explanation, mama." I stood my ground, "You cannot expect me to give up my whole life-"

"You are not giving up your whole life, London." She spoke, "In contrast, you are being given a new life. A better one, perhaps. With a partner to turn to and a house of your own."

"And in exchange for that ravishing life, I ought to be married to a stranger." I sneered.

"Liam is no stranger." She said indifferently, "He is your best friend's brother and not to mention you guys have been around one another since forever."

"And that is another reason why this whole arrangement is so weird to me, mama!" I bellowed.

She really did not see it, did she? Just because I had known Liam for so long and we had been around one another from time to time, it did not mean that I automatically wanted him as my husband. Honestly, I was not even sure if I even wanted him as my boyfriend.

He was what any creatures find intimidating, secretive and so hard to get. No one would want those qualities in their partner despite how charming or affluent.

"I am sure once you move in with Liam, he will have no trouble changing your way of thought." Mama uttered confidently, "Give him a chance, London. Give yourself a chance. As much as I did not want to do this to you, I know in the back of my mind that no man could ever live up to his standard and be worthy of you."

"Mama, you cannot be serious..."

"I am sorry, my love but that is the fact." She stated, "And no matter how hard it is for you to accept him, you must. After all, he is going to be your husband."

____________________

I did not remember the last time I cried on my birthday. But I was most certain those were happy tears. Birthday was supposed to be memorable, exciting, and delightful. Initially, that was how I felt every year once the day roamed around.

Nevertheless, this year everything was all different.

Drowning in an ocean of my own emotions, I did not know how or if whether or not I should feel anything at all. Throughout the entire birthday dinner of mine, I constantly had that feeling of a prisoner having a last meal before the execution of the crime which I did not commit.

Twenty seats spread across the table. Only a few friends and family members were invited. I most definitely preferred my celebration to be within the people in my close circle and thank god, I did so. Otherwise, it must have been embarrassing to cry in front of so many people.

"Happy Birthday to You.

Happy Birthday to You.

Happy Birthday, dear London...

Happy Birthday to you!"

The choir rose and everyone at the table sang along. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes fixating on the three-tier cake as it was being brought out on a wheeler by the waitress.

"Make a wish, London!" Giovanni cheered from her spot and I closed my eyes.

Wake up, that was my wish.

For so many days I stuck in this life-like nightmare, I could not seem to get myself out. Once I opened my eyes, I was thoroughly disappointed.

But what did I expect to happen really? To wake up from my dream and re-lived the past few days without any attachments to anyone? I must be mad.

The second I blew off the candles, the light went back on and everyone clapped loudly. Each of them then took their turns to give me their presents. With twenty guests in total, I received a fair amount of gifts in all different varieties.

As I was unwrapping each and every box of the presents everyone bought, I could feel the hard look burning on my skin. That glance gawked me impatiently, almost like it was urging me to hurry up and get it over with.

"Happy birthday, London." Papa said as he handed me a gold key chain.

I was quite shocked given the state of which we were in. He and I had not spoken a word to each other since the day I learned of my arrangement with Liam. I did not even think he was going to make it to my birthday dinner but there he was, wishing me and all.

"What's this?" I asked, observing the key in my hand,

"It's a key to our beach house in Miami." Papa simply said, "Me and your mother had been meaning to give it to you but we weren't sure if it is going to do you any goods. But now that you finally have someone to share this huge villa with-"

"Thanks, papa." I cut him off awkwardly and cleared my throat, "That's very thoughtful of you."

With everyone staring at us so intensely, I kind of was obliged to say that. I did not want to come out sounding like a spoiled brat and get upset over getting a beach house for a birthday present. Though it was his purpose of giving me that gift that got me so angry, I could not bring myself to say otherwise.

Present after present, I unwrapped. The last gift was from my dearest cousin, Emma and her husband, Jack. It was a matching set of diamond earrings and a necklace. They were beautiful. So beautiful that it made me question myself of how unimpressive I was. My emotion surprisingly remained stable and unchangeable throughout the evening. Nothing seemed or sounded exciting.

And that was when I realized, I was being distracted.

His presence had consumed my soul since the moment he stepped into the room. Lost in his gaze, I was. I constantly was asking myself when was he planning to make his first move. He got to get me back to his home somehow but how exactly, I did not know.

Taking into account that the last time we encountered, I ended up making the stupidest choice I could possibly have done and got myself where I was.

On the verge of bursting into tears in the middle of my own birthday party. Cold sweats formed in both my palms when I allowed our glances to meet once again. It was noticeable that he had been staring at me the whole night but for what reasons exactly, I was yet to find out. His expression stiffened as our eyes locked. I gulped down a lump of fear when he turned the other direction swiftly. My eyes followed him. I observed the way he was sending a direct signal to his guards and they acknowledged it quickly with a nod.

That was it. My deadline had came.

A warm hand gently rested on my side and I flinched.

"Smile, dear. Everyone is looking." Mama whispered while bending down to me as Emma took our picture from her film camera. I forced myself to smile even though I was crying a river inside.

"L-Lolo, you alright?" Through the ringing noise in my ear, I heard Emma ask. I was confused at first but once I blinked my eyes to readjust my focus, I felt a warm sensation burning down my skin.

I was crying. Without even knowing I was.

"Miss."

My heart raced even faster as I looked up to see two men dressed in all black. I recognized both of them as Liam's bodyguards. The ones that stood beside him earlier.

"Miss London, I am afraid it's time to go." One of them spoke to me and his voice alone was dead terrifying. Apart from Liam, he and his friend were probably the second most intimidating human being in the room.

"Oh Travis, leave her alone." Giovanni exclaimed protectively as she stepped in between us and faced the frightening guards of her brother.

"I am very sorry, Miss but Master Liam insists that we have to leave now." The man whom I assume was named Travis then said directly to Giovanni. From what I saw, he did not look at all like he was afraid of her. In fact, he was more afraid of the man who was not currently in the room. His boss, most definitely or shall I say, my future husband.

"It's her birthday for god sake." Giovanni growled angrily at the poor guy.

"I am aware, Miss but Master Liam-"

"Well, tell your Master that it would be nice of him to at least say good bye to all the guests first before he decides to take his leave." Giovanni muttered, "I have not yet seen him spoken to a soul since he arrived. What an arrogant asshole."

"Gi, I don't think-" My attempt to calm down my best friend was like pouring a liquor directly from its bottle to an open flame.

"It's ashamed already having him here with that selfish attitude of his!" She hissed, "I will not have him ordering my best friend around like a pet!"

"Giovanni, please stop!" I grumbled.

A wave of heat rose to my face and I felt like I was on edge of exploding. Everyone was staring at us but no one dared to say a word. Clearly, my intention of not wanting to marry Liam had never been so clear to anyone else but now. I could hear their judgements through the way they were staring at me.

Like, what was wrong with her and how could she be so disrespectful toward him.

"I am sorry. I got a bit carried away and I-"

"It's alright." I said, weakly smiling at my best friend when in fact, it was not her who I was upset with. It was her brother. So I must deal with this in the right way and put my anger out on the right person.

"Listen, if you don't want to leave now, you could always just come with me." Giovanni suggested, "I am going home right after this anyways."

"It's okay, Gi." I said.

At this point, I was too embarrassed to even be standing in that room any longer so it was only right for me to leave right then and there.

"Tell him, I will be right out. I just need to say goodbye to a few people." I said as I turned to Travis.

"Alright, Miss." He nodded, "But bare in mind that Master is waiting for you and for the record, he can be a very impatient man."

"It will not kill him to wait just a minute or two more." I snarled and Travis exchange a weird look with his friend. He shook his head discerningly and a sarcastic smile flickered across his dark lips.

"Oh, Miss." He laughed dryly, "You do not want to set Master off. Trust me."