Chapter 4 Engagement

• Upon hearing my father's announcement, I cannot contain myself and inadvertently let out a scream, jumping to my feet. My parents look at me with anger. I sit back down, staring at Dad in horror. How can they do this to me? They are well aware of Luis's abusive nature; it is hardly a secret. Every so often, there is a scandal about it in all the magazines and newspapers across the country.
• Luis's father observes me in silence, a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips as if pleased with the unfolding events. As my mother speaks, he shifts his gaze from me to her, sharing a look of understanding.
• "Dear Isabella, ha ha ha... Why so surprised?" She chides gently. "You knew this day would come; you are of age now."
• Her voice attempts sweetness, but I can tell she is restraining the urge to scold me.
• "Your marriage to Luis has been in discussion for a long time. You've been smitten with him since childhood. Do you not recall how he always followed you? We had agreed that once you came of age, you would be joined in matrimony."
• My mother continues speaking, much to my astonishment, as she fabricates lies with unabashed boldness before me.
• "Also, just now, when your father inquired whether you were amenable to this arrangement, you assented with such joy. Why this reaction now? Is it from elation? Did you doubt Luis would agree? Well, he has!"
• "But I…" I attempt to interject, to claim that I hadn't heard their question amidst everyone's scrutinising stares. I find myself unable to articulate any further protest.
• "Congratulations, my darling, your romantic dream is about to be realised! We all know how much you've missed him. Ever since she returned from school, she's been incessantly inquiring about him," my mother fabricates with a smile plastered on her face, as though she relishes my torment.
• "Just earlier, before they arrived, her father asked if Luis was the love of her life, and she affirmed it twice," she continues.
• I turn to look at Dad. Was that what he had asked me so earnestly twice, to which I had unwittingly replied in the affirmative?
• "Sorry, she's just very shy," my mother concludes, attempting to smooth over my apparent reticence.
• Mum continues speaking cheerfully, and I resign myself to my fate. That's the consequence of not paying attention to the questions asked, Isabella.
• "Congratulations, Bella, you are going to be very happy with the love of your life. Not all of us are so fortunate, dear."
• They all offer their congratulations. I am dumbfounded, looking around at them, unable to fathom their words. My gaze falls on Luis, who wears an angelic smile while graciously accepting everyone's good wishes. He occasionally takes my hand and kisses it. Then, without further preamble, he kneels before me and reveals, with a cynical grin, an engagement ring.
• "Bella, you've been a source of fascination for me ever since we were children, and you still are," he declares. "As I promised when you confessed your love for me, I've waited for you all these years. Because I, too, have loved you all my life, and I plan to continue doing so for all our remaining years. Thank you for accepting me as the man who will forever make you happy."
• And without further ado, amidst everyone's applause, he slips the ring onto my finger. He never asked if I accepted it; he presumed consent.
• I was at a loss for words, paralysed. I knew I couldn't object; it had always been this way. I looked at my elated parents and resigned myself to my fate. Sinking into the chair, my hand remained in Luis's grasp, who relentlessly declared his love and kissed it, causing me immense discomfort and revulsion.
• I don't recall all that followed; I felt like a commodity to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, regardless of who they were or how they treated me. After another hour of torment, during which I learned that my engagement would save my father's company, we finally departed. Luis bade farewell with a kiss on my hand, which I withdrew as swiftly as I could.
• How could they do this to me?
• All the way home, I was tempted to ask my father why they were subjecting me to this. I refrained, hearing my mother excitedly chatter about the wedding plans, and merely sighed.
• My father glances at me in the rear-view mirror every now and then, but he doesn't say anything. When I get home, I dash downstairs and lock myself in my room. I don't want to see or speak to anyone; I cry inconsolably. I could ask my grandparents for help, but with the relationship with Dad already strained, I'd better resign myself.
• This must be Mum's doing; she's always despised me. That's why Dad asked me so earnestly, and I, foolishly, said yes without understanding what he was asking.
• Why is his company on the brink of bankruptcy? Why doesn't he seek assistance from my grandfather instead of Luis's father? Why does he have to sacrifice me?
• And if I tell him no, that I'm not in love with Luis, will he cancel the engagement? No, surely he won't; he must have conspired with Mum on this. How wretched to have parents like them! I fell asleep amidst tears.
• The alarm clock rings, wrenching me from a deep sleep. I recall the previous night. How fervently I wish it were a nightmare! Luis is insufferable.
• I have an exam today, so I must get dressed quickly. I glance at the engagement ring on my finger and sigh; I'm trapped, with no escape in sight. It's hard to believe this is really happening.
• I resign myself once more and make a decision. I'll do it; I'll help Dad out of this predicament, but only for three years. After that, I'll divorce that arrogant man and live my life.
• Dad said that he would give me my inheritance as his father did for him, in three years to be precise. Well then, I will endure that time to be free and thus I will not owe them anything; I will have fulfilled my duty as a daughter. After that, I'll go and live my life as I see fit.
• I look at myself in the mirror. I am tall, my frame slender yet well-proportioned, with a narrow waist that makes my hips seem wider than they are. My breasts are somewhat prominent, which is why I opt for loose-fitting blouses. I always keep my hair tied back in a ponytail; it's dark brown and falls to my waist – Mum won't let me cut it. My eyes are a dark green, standing out against my long black eyelashes and pale skin.
• Granddad tells me I'm beautiful, although I don't believe it. I don't feel beautiful; on the contrary, I find myself unattractive, which is why I conceal my figure with baggy clothes and hide my eyes behind glasses. It irritates me immensely when people ask if I'm wearing false eyelashes.
• I run downstairs, eat my breakfast, and get into my car, a gift from my grandfather—a late-model red Ferrari. Despite my protests about its ostentation, which clashes with my shy personality, he turned a deaf ear, forcing me to accept it.
• Thus, I always try to park as far from the Institute as I can. I rush to arrive on time. I don't have any friends; I always sit alone at the back table, and that's how my days pass—between the classrooms, the library, and my home.
• The night of the engagement party arrived sooner than expected. I was terrified to see Luis smiling at everyone, displaying great affection for me which I knew he did not feel. The thought of what he might do to me once we were married made me tremble.
• No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help but sigh constantly; I couldn't muster a happy smile. Quite the contrary, it felt as though I was being led to the slaughterhouse. After the meal, Luis took me aside and said,
• "Look, Bella, change that pained expression. I don't like you. I'm doing this so my father won't disinherit me."
• Hearing this, my spirits lifted slightly, and I focused on the potential for a mutually beneficial arrangement. 'Perhaps this marriage could even work to my advantage,' I thought.
• "What do you mean?" I asked him.
• "Did you really think I was in love with you?" he said cynically. "No, Bella, I'll never fall in love with someone like you. So take it easy; we'll both win. You'll have your freedom, and I'll have my inheritance. We'll be married for three years, each playing our part. We must pretend to be in love. Now, you have to pretend that you like me, that we've been in love since we were children. If we do it right, we'll be free all the sooner."
• "Sounds good to me; I don't like you either. We're getting divorced in three years, and that's it," I responded, my voice tinged with relief, feeling as though a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I believed that God existed and had come to save me.
• "Yes, but I want to make one thing clear to you. Right now, you can't have any sort of relationship," he stated seriously as he gazed out the window.
• "That suits me fine. And you?" I asked.
• "Me? What about me? I'm a man, and I'll sleep with whomever I want!" he retorted, clearly annoyed.
• "I don't have any problem with that," I immediately shot back. "You just have to be discreet, so our parents don't get suspicious. Another thing—you won't touch me! You can have all the women you want, but with me, you won't have any sort of sexual relationship."
• "Why not? I could teach you many things," he taunted.
• Luis approached insinuatingly, his fingers brushing my cheek. I slapped his hand away. "No, that's my only condition! If you don't accept, I won't accept your terms either. I'll tell my grandparents to cancel this wedding. And you know very well the power that my grandfather wields!"
• I spoke with earnest gravity, wanting him to understand that even though my father was 'selling' me, I had a defender.
• "He doesn't care that my parents want to marry me off. If I tell him I don't want to, he'll whisk me away from here in a heartbeat, right under everyone's noses. Don't forget, I am of legal age; I am not obliged to obey anyone. I comply only to prevent my father from being shamed. Do you understand? I don't need to marry to inherit from anyone; I am the sole heir to my grandparents' estate, and even if my father disinherits me, they will not!"
• "Fine, I don't fancy you as a woman anyway! You're not my type. You don't have to threaten me with your grandfather! So don't worry. And I don’t take kindly to threats, Bella; you should learn what your future husband is like," he said, his look sinister—a look that, for some reason, did not intimidate me.
• "Luis, we had better get along, like two good friends, until this is all over," I replied. "I'll help you lead your wild life and maintain appearances. As long as you treat me with respect, we won't have a problem. But the day you fail to do so, that's it—the deal is off. Is that clear?"
• I was still unsure where this courage to confront him stemmed from. Perhaps it was the animosity I'd harboured towards him since childhood or the desperation of being coerced into marriage. Nonetheless, I couldn't squander the chance to lay down the law for this marriage.