Chapter 2 Shocking Announcement

• Viana
• I never wanted to go to the stupid post-coronation party of that stupid guy, just to be clear.
• Why did our parents have to become friends? Couldn't they just be enemies? Though they didn't, my acrimony for Vayden could never subside. Rather, it kept increasing day by day.
• But my mom had threatened to demolish my restaurant if I didn't attend the party, so I really had no choice.
• I had been complaining about it to my teddy bear, Bloom, until my mom told me to get ready. Bloom was the only non-living thing that seemed alive with all listening it had been doing to all my complaints and chatters. Bloom was perfect; it never cut me off during my babbling.
• So, here I was, entering the Bevine mansion for the second time today.
• I was attending the party of the person who was holding my bodyguard hostage. This is insanely crazy!
• As soon as I entered the party, my eyes, unfortunately, met his blue ones. Despite having the most beautiful eyes that I have always admired, he held the most arrogance and annoyance to bother me. It was a shame. His handsome features—which I appreciated every time—all go to waste after all the things he does.
• He started to approach me, a smirk twisting his lips. With every step he took towards me, my heartbeat quickened, but it was not because of unusual feelings. It was due to the fear of what stunt he might pull next.
• The song 'Thinking Out Loud' started playing in the background.
• Vayden extended a hand, trying to be polite, he asked, "Wanna dance, L.L?"
• I hesitated for a brief moment.
• What's going on in this handsome man's shrewd brain? I wanted to find out.
• "The song just started. Give me your hand if you don't want to dance on the next song. I bet my gun, it would be something you hate," he continued after eyeing me up and down. "I wouldn't mind the next song, but I think you would."
• Without a second thought, I placed my hand in his.
• We both were obsessed with our guns. Betting on a gun meant the person was sure of being correct. If either of us bet on it, we wouldn't be lying.
• Vayden snaked an arm around my waist. I placed my hands on his shoulders.
• We both were dancing, looking deeply into each other's eyes. I tried to scan for some emotions. He looked so calm, so peaceful.
• He twirled me around and my head landed on his chest. I could hear Vayden's heartbeat. It was fast, like mine. He took a deep breath and whispered in my ear, "I will release Sandreo if you make pastries for me by yourself. You know, I love that red velvet pastry you make every new year."
• My breath hitched.
• I loved cooking, especially pastries. Every new year, I sent a box of different flavored pastries to the Bevine mansion for my friends, including Allison, Everley, Revina, and Rio. Also, for Ruby and Vexon.
• Not for Vayden though, absolutely, not. If he ever received one of those pastries, I would have surely poisoned them.
• "So, will you make it?" he asked.
• I replied curtly, "No."
• "Okay, then. Say bye-bye to Sandreo."
• We had stopped dancing. Vayden took his phone out of his pocket, but I snatched it away, realizing what he wanted to do.
• "No, Vayden."
• "Then agree to it. I only asked for your handmade red velvet pastries. Not your kidneys." He added, "I have my men everywhere. I can just make a command, then the last thing you'll ever say is to your bodyguard is, 'Rest in peace, Sandreo'. "
• I rolled my eyes as I handed him back his phone. "Just a box," I said sternly.
• He smiled brightly as he agreed, "Deal."
• "Vayden? Oh my god! You look edible. Can I eat you instead of the main dish?" I heard the most annoying voice ever; the high-pitched familiar voice of Sophie Cands. She was the only blonde after Vayden. She thought she could flirt with him because she was one of the executives of the Gladiolus. She was also the daughter of Mane Cands, who was the right hand man to Vexon Bevine.
• "Since when did you start differentiating between edible and inedible, Sophie?" Vayden retorted.
• "Since I saw you," she replied. "So, tell me. Can I eat you? We can go upstairs if you agree."
• I took that as my cue to leave. If I stayed here one more minute, I would really blow up her head with a gunshot.
• I was about to leave, but Vayden held my hand, much to my dismay.
• I frowned.
• He replied to Sophie, "No. You cannot. Please enjoy the party." Then he walked away, pulling me with him.
• "What am I? Your faithful dog?" I questioned, getting annoyed.
• "If you say so," he responded, pulling me towards his chest. "You can also be an obedient little girl, you know. I don't mind." He cupped my cheeks.
• I shot a fake smile and stomped my heel into his foot. I smirked, hearing him hiss in pain. "Of my gang? I don't mind." My smile widened, feeling proud of my answer.
• Vayden glared at me. Before he could say another word, he was interrupted by a voice.
• "I would request Vayden and Viana to come here, in the center please," we both heard Vexon's voice, through the speaker near us.
• Avoiding each other, we walked together towards the center of the ballroom.
• Mom, Dad, Ruby, and Vexon—everyone—was standing there. They smiled at us.
• "Finally! I was scared that you both disappeared to kill each other," Ruby said, feigning an act by placing a hand on her chest.
• "Or maybe they went to resolve their arguments," said Mom.
• "I wish," I heard Dad mumble under his breath.
• Vexon said, "Anyways, I think we should make the announcement. I am turning the mic on again."
• I nodded.
• I was eager to know the announcement. What is the special announcement? Will it ruin Vayden's life?
• I would love to hear something like that.
• "Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, tonight is the post-coronation party for my son, our Gladiolus King, Vayden Bevine." Vexon continued, "The Gladiolus and the Blemish have shared a great bond for the past twenty-six years and we hope it will stay that way for years to come. On this occasion, the Bevines and the Nivekles have decided to merge our two gangs. Thus, we are announcing the marriage of Vayden Bevine and Viana Nivekle. The wedding papers will be signed at midnight."
• As Vexon ended his speech, I stood dumbstruck. I was wondering if I heard him correctly.
• Did he just announce my marriage with Vayden? But why?
• This was not possible. I couldn't agree with this.
• I wanted to marry someone I love, not someone I couldn't even tolerate. Why didn't anyone ask me? Didn't I have the right to give my opinion on it?
• I glanced at Vayden. Did he know about it?
• I still couldn't digest the fact that I was being forced to marry him. I would be married to him forever, starting from now on.
• Does that mean, I will be Viana Bevine?
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