C3

CHAPTER THREE

Karen's room.

" my dear, the marriage is a week, are you still not going to change your mind?" Karen's mother asked feeling frustrated.

" I already made myself clear to you, Mama, there's no way I'm marring someone I don't know. Tell that to Papa". Karen said defiant.

" Your papa has already agreed. Immediately after the marriage, all the debts would be paid and our family would be free. Louisiana would have to get married to him that's the only way out" She said sadly.

Karen could feel the blood drain out of her she was beyond stunned.

How could her mother utter such?

" Goodness, she is just seventeen, how could you?. You are supposed to be our mother" Karen said angrily.

" You leave me with no choice, you know I love you all so dearly, but I really have no choice. It's beyond what you think, this people your Papa owe will kill us all. Someone has to make the sacrifice". She said feeling pity for her daughter, but there was no other solution.

Karen watched as her mother eyes filled up with tears, she could see the desperation in them.

" You are giving, your daughter out to a loveless marriage to save your lives. You and Papa are so selfish " Karen said disappointed.

" I'm doing what I think is best for you, you'll eventually grow to love him, your Papa's debt would be cleared, and you'll get to leave in luxury" she sniffled.

"I wouldn't have you do this, but there's no other way"

" This doesn't make sense " Karen said adamantly.

" Decisions like this never does, we just have to do what is right". Her mother said.

But Karen knew this was not right. But yet again what her mother said was right, this was a tough situation, and a decision had to be made. She thought of her two teenage sisters, she didn't want a life devoid of choice for them. She would rather give out her happiness just so they'll be happy.

" I just really hope I'll be the last sacrifice" she said sorrowful.

" Is that a yes, dear?". Her mother asked eagerly.

Tears threatened to drop from her eyes as she just nodded her head to consent.

" Thank you dear". Her mother said kissing karen hands, and then her head in joy.

" I'll leave you alone to prepare then" she said and left.

A few minutes later Eleanora and Louisiana came rushing in.

" Is it true, are you really getting married?" Eleanora, the youngest of the girls asked.

She had watched her grow, now leaving her behind felt like her heart was shattering.

Karen was five years apart from Louisiana who in turn was just a year older than Eleanora. So she had practically watched them grow especially Eleanora who she was six years old at the time she was born. Receiving the news of her mother, pregnant with Eleanora, had been her happiest day.

She remembered clinging to her mother's side just to hear the baby kick, and this had made them bonded right since childhood.

The sisters shared such affinity that it would be hard for them to cope without Karen's presence.

" Don't leave please" Louisiana said sobbing.

She hugged the two girls tightly reassuring them that she would always keep in touch.

.................................................................

Luciano's office.

" You have an early flight to catch, you should leave now" Amanda said picking up the document on the desk.

" I'll leave after I'm done with this, I can't possibly leave this load of work for just you." Luciano said, still sorting out the paperwork on his desk.

" You really need to take a break Luc."

" Yes Amanda, you've said that a thousand time already. You are beginning to sound like a nagging wife."

" Well I guess I can take that title since you don't have one yet, but I'm glad you'll be getting one soon."

" For business purpose Amanda, don't forget. It isn't one based around those spineless emotions of love." Luciano reminded.

Ever since the woman be came aware of his impending marriage, it seemed like she lost her head in the clouds.

" Hmph! I have a strong feeling this would change." She said confidently.

" It won't, so quit deluding yourself"

" Whatever, I can't wait to see her, the media did a poor job of getting her face on the paper. They could only capture her side profile which is little to nothing."

Different pictures of his soon to be wife has been flooding the newspaper of late, but none has succeeded in getting a clear picture of her to publish.

" I feel like she is intentionally hiding herself from the paparazzi. What do you think Luc, have you met her already?, Is she beautiful?" She asked in excitement.

" I really don't know." He answered with a sigh.

" What? You haven't met your soon to be wife yet?"

She almost had her eyes popping out of their sockets in shock.

" As my assistant, you of all people know how busy I've been of late, I don't have the time to play hide and seek. Whereas what's the essence? Won't I eventually meet her? This is a marriage of conditions not one of convenience."

" Atleast you should have made an attempt even the media did." She whined.

" They did to make money, knowing that people like you would be interested in such gossips."

" Of course, I should be. She's going to be your wife, I wonder why she didn't made an attempt herself."

" Well I'm glad, that only means she understands perfectly the kind of marriage we would be having." He said nonchalant.

" Your ice cold attitude would only be a pain." She warned.

" Book my flight ticket Amanda, stop whining."

" The only person I'll happily do that for right now is Marie, so she can witness her older brother's wedding but too bad she can't make it."

Marie had called to give her excuse, she was stuck somewhere in Santa Barbara for a shoot and wouldn't be able to make it.

She regretted it so much, but leaving halfway through the shoot would only mean breach of contract and a bad name for the agency she is signed to.

" Luc, make sure you get back here the night before the wedding, as going late would only mean more trouble. Remember representative from the GIP group may be in attendance and you want to make this as real as possible."

"Depends on how my meeting goes"

" You are already being suspected by the media, I had to shut down all whispers from the media. It's been a busy week down at the PR department. They did a lot of work, covering traces that this was a shotgun marriage even putting out fake scenarios and pictures of your fake meetings. So it would look like you both fell in love, dated for a while and got married. Don't put their efforts to vain."

" That's exactly what they are paid to do." He stated.

" In regards to the company not your personal affairs." She reminded.

" This marriage is for the company, and therefore under their working jurisdiction." He said in an attempt to defend himself.

" Whatever, the paparazzi are after you, be very careful." She advised

" Yes Amanda, now can you book my flight ticket?" He asked, tired of the conversation.

" Right away, if you would excuse me." She replied, leaving the office.