“Who?” Tasneem had not heard clearly what Vivian was saying. Having agreed on the hairstyle with the stylist, she went on to discuss Vivian’s makeup for the day with the makeup artist, from foundation to lipstick to eyeshadow, “I think gold eyeshadow would be better, it looks more upscale and suits Vivian’s blue eyes perfectly.”


    Vivian painfully shifted her gaze away; she couldn’t bear her mother’s excitement and neglect, but she couldn’tsh out at her mother either. Her mother was as pitiable as she was.


    Luzia had been silent since entering the room, standing aside and watching Tasneem and the others busy themselves. She lowered her head, ying with her hair, seemingly in no mood to talk to anyone.


    Pity appeared in Vivian’s eyes; she knew Luzia had met with Joseph that morning. That brute Joseph must have done something rough, surely he had frightened Luzia.


    The thought of Luzia having to marry Joseph caused Vivian pain. She was such a good girl, she deserved a better man.


    “Don’t look at me with such eyes, Vivian,” Luzia approached her, tucking away all her sadness and showing only her smile, “I am not a pitiful creature.”


    “Of course, you are the best girl in the world,” Vivian responded immediately, “I didn’t mean to pity you, I was just thinking about what I could do to help you.”


    Luzia shook her head, “I’m fine. But you don’t look fine.” She pinched Vivian’s shoulder, “You look tense.”


    Vivian’s body was stiff, her heartbeat elerated, she was indeed nervous, “You know, this is not the wedding of my dreams. jos has no love for me, yet I have to marry him, strip naked and lie on his bed for him to touch and tear at me.”


    Vivian hugged herself, trembling, “I will give away the most precious and sacred virginity of a girl, but my husband jos will regard this as a trophy of his conquest. He is the powerful Capo, he is the esteemed king, the Capos of Los Angeles have acknowledged his glory, willing to give their daughter’s first time to him. The cold and ruthless political marriage binds us together, and the only one who suffers without any benefit is me. What a terrible reality I have to submit to.”


    “I don’t know how tofort you,” Luzia sighed softly, “A loveless marriage is terrifying, but jos is indeed a very good match. Let go of your prejudice, Vivian, you can get along peacefully, as long as you don’t cling to your love, you two could be good friends.”


    “Family, friends, they are also rtionships with emotions, not necessarily love, right?” Luzia smiled yfully, Tasneem and the stylists had finished their mission and walked to the other side of the sofa, leaving a private space for the two girls.


    “You know, if I want something from Paavo-anything I want, all I have to do is serve him well in bed, satisfy him, and he will grant all my wishes. Once their sexual desires are satisfied, men are very willing to let their women have everything they want. I believe jos is the same, as long as you don’t talk to him about feelings.”Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Vivian looked at her in surprise, really? As long as she satisfied him in bed, satisfied jos, he would agree to all her requests? Including canceling Luzia’s engagement to Joseph?


    If that was true, Vivian thought, then she wasn’t entirely against sleeping with jos, giving up her chastity for his pleasure. As long as jos agreed to cancel Luzia and Joseph’s engagement.


    She couldn’t have a tender husband, a happy marriage, her life was already rotten, but if she could free Luzia from trouble, let Luzia continue to live happily, there was nothing she couldn’t do.


    Including sleeping with jos, serving him, pleasing him.


    “We are almost ready for the final preparations.” Tasneem brought over a white veil, she looked at her girl, the golden eyeshadow, long thick eyshes, and pristine eyes like seawater, the delicate makeup hiding the faint freckles on her face, making her look even more radiant.


    Tasneem stroked her lush golden curls, unable to hold back her tears, “You look so beautiful today.”


    Vivian took a deep breath and stepped forward to give her mother a hug, “Mom.” She wanted to say “I will be happy,” but they both knew, she was about to lose her happiness.


    “Don’t cry, Vivian.” Tasneem controlled herself, pushing away Vivian’s hug and cing the veil on her head, a golden hairpin securing the veil, “Makeup will run, and red eyeswill look bad.”


    Luzia handed her a tissue, praising Vivian’s beauty and sighing, “I am quite certain jos is lucky.”


    Bryson rudely pushed open the door, his arrival changing the room’s rxed and simple atmosphere to one of tension. Vivian could not tell from his indifferent expression whether he was happy or angry.


    The marriage to jos was clearly orchestrated by her father, but he seemed utterly indifferent.


    “Stop dawdling,” Bryson said sternly. He saw Vivian’s red eyes and knew she had been crying. Bryson felt angry about this, “Hold back your tears, Vivian, don’t let your weakness ruin today’s wedding.”


    Vivian turned her face away, giving Bryson no response.


    Bryson looked like he wanted to hit her, but today’s wedding was too important, and Vivian couldn’t show any bruises.


    The wedding car had been waiting downstairs for a long time, and one of jos’s subordinates came up to remind them it was time to leave. Bryson had to give up further conversation with Vivian, urging everyone out.


    The church where the wedding was to take ce was not far from jos’s apartment, only a forty-minute drive. The wedding car slowly stopped, and Vivian nervously fiddled with her fingers until the door on her side was opened.


    It was Bryson.


    Vivian nced left and right; Tasneem and Luzia were no longer there, probably already inside the church, sitting in their designated ces.


    “I trust you are well aware of my expectations for you, Vivian,” Bryson said in a well-tailored suit, his hair meticulously styled, giving him an especially spirited look.


    He stared intently at Vivian, his gaze oppressive, his attitude firm, ensuring Vivian had no thoughts of escaping.


    Vivian felt a rush of panic, or perhaps fear and sadness. What her future held-unfortunate, sad, or dark-none of this mattered to her father as much as his power.


    Vivian held back her tears and responded with equal indifference, “Yes, Father.”


    “Good,” Bryson was pleased with Vivian’spliance, “I trust that tomorrow morning I won’t have to feel ashamed of my daughter for not wanting to spread her legs for her man.”


    Vivian’s tears fell, she couldn’t believe these were her father’s words, her eyes filled with shock as she looked at him.


    “Don’t embarrass me, Vivian.” Bryson extended his arm to her, allowing her hand to rest in the crook of his arm, “I’ve heard about your escapades in Houston, your running away and rebellion seem to me aplete joke, and I don’t want such things to happen again.”