Chapter 1 Forced Marriage

• (Alana)
• I sat in front of the mirror, contemplating what was happening. Tears filled my eyes with no way of escaping. My heart ached agonizingly. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. To stop whatever was going on
• I couldn't do this anymore, the nightmare seemed real, I was scared. Afraid, but I had no choice. This was my fate. I let the ladies doing my makeup and styling my hair do their work. I sat like a zombie, a string doll controlled by others. Waiting for someone to save me. Unfortunately, this was happening
• It was my wedding, the day I was getting married and the six women in the room with me were hired to help me get ready. It was just a week ago that I wrote my final exams. I was studying a bachelor's degree in Visual Arts. I was a few steps from starting my life as an adult and using my skills to become the best fashion designer in the country and make my parents proud
• I even applied for a job at a well-known jewelry company as an assistant to raise money for myself. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down when my parents told me I was getting married
• Here I was, a step away from being tied to a man I didn't know. I didn't even see his face or know what he was like. I wanted to run. But where could I run to when we were at the groom's farm house? He was from a wealthy family, my parents were getting me married to a wealthy man from a prestigious family I didn't meet nor love.
• “How is it? Do you like the shade?” I was startled back to reality when one of the ladies asked me. Tilting my head to look at her. She was showing me some kind of blush, I didn't know. I hated everything, I loved something simple. This was why I didn't wear too much makeup
• “The hair, I have several styles for you… Miss kindly choose the one you want,” another one said, showing me her iPad. I wasn't bothered. All this was fake, I didn't care how I looked because I wasn't marrying for love nor was I marrying the man of my dreams
• “You are beautiful, the wedding dress looks good on you. The groom will be bewitched,” the ladies continued their compliments. I was dead inside, no amount of perfume or makeup could hide the scars caused by my parents
• A few minutes later, the door to the room burst open. I didn't even bother to look up when I heard a familiar sweet melodious female voice say
• “Is she ready? Please hurry up, the ceremony is about to start,” the woman who was excited about the wedding came to check on me. She stood beside me and I could see her reflection in the mirror. Her name was Erin Romero, she was married to the older brother of the man I was going to marry. She was married to the most influential, handsome man in all of Italy. She was a brunette with a beautiful smile with bright blue eyes. I had to say, she was gorgeous with a voluptuous figure. Anyone would doubt she had four kids
• “Smile sweetie, it's your big day…the guests have started arriving… Do you need a drink or anything, just tell me,” she said, reaching for my chin and tilting my head up a little? No matter how nice and friendly she was, I wanted to tell her not to proceed with the wedding
• “N-no thanks, I'm fine,” I stammered the words out, my voice was hoarse due to crying all night.
• “You are beautiful Lana…should I call you Lana since you are joining our family,” she said with a smile and let go of me, I had nothing to say; hence I nodded just as the makeup lady finished up with the final touches
• “Sure,” I replied to her question and she smiled even more
• “Marcela is busy welcoming guests, feel free dear… you'll be fine… I was nervous on my wedding day as well. phew, that fuzzy feeling in your stomach is sickening,” the woman said dramatically, I could tell she was a jovial one and kind of down to earth. For a woman married to such a man, I expected her to be arrogant and cheeky
• Shortly after, the door opened and this time it was my mom who came in. Seeing her, my eyes watered. I couldn't stand it; hence I flung out of the chair, forgetting my hair was getting pinned and rushed to her and hugged her unexpectedly.
• “Sweetheart, you'll be fine,” she muttered and hugged me back. I snuggled to her and sobbed my heart out. Furthermore, I wanted her to take me with her, to stop the wedding and let me arrange my life on my own
• “She's emotional, I'll let you two talk” I heard Mrs. Romero say, but I was too occupied with my mom to mind. The door opened and closed, and it was just my mom and I left
• “Alana, please don't do this,” mom said prying me off her chest, I didn't want to let go, but she held my hand and guided me to the couch away from the dressing mirror
• “Mom, this isn't what I want… please whatever it is, I'll do it…but don't let me marry a man I don't know,” I held her hands and pleaded with her. If she could feel my aching heart, the pain in my eyes. Then she would stop the wedding. Her hesitation sent a different message. She lowered her gaze and gripped my hands tightly. Tatiana Mendoza was a sweet mother. A woman who loved her family more than anything. I couldn't believe she made such a decision without me
• “Baby, I'm sorry… I already explained what's at stake… if you want you can leave but bear in mind… your father and I will…” my mom started saying, but before she could voice out the dreadful words I would rather not hear. I placed my hand over her mouth stopping her from saying it
• “Y-you mean the world to me…you and dad are my life…the source of my happiness… If you are not happy…then I'm...not,” they meant everything to me, despite everything, I knew I had to do this for them. To make them happy,
• “Thank you sweetie…you'll see. Ricardo Romero is a good man, he'll take care of you. The entire family is good to us,” her mom remarked with a smile and cupped her face lightly as if afraid she might ruin my makeup. My eyes lowered to her touch, feeling her warmth for the last time. I nodded and a bit back tears, forgetting my dreams. I had to forget 22 years of being a virgin and waiting for the right man to marry. Forget everything because I was getting married to someone didn't love.
• Mom and I talked for a few minutes when my dad walked in, he was wearing a tuxedo. He seemed happy, but his eyes said something else. Both hugged me and assured me I'd be fine.
• The moment arrived. I was nervous, my palms had turned cold, and I felt liquid dripping down. I nodded when the stepmom to the groom came to ask if everything was okay, her name was Marcela Romero. A classy lady, I failed to believe she had older children. She was still beautiful and well-kept… I also met Erin's husband. Mr. Armando Romero. He was a little scary with a dark, frightening aura from a distance when he was talking to my father. His domineering personality had me questioning how Erin managed him
• But up close, he was a gentleman and nice. I wondered if the man I was getting married to was scary, arrogant or a complete gentleman.