《The Unwanted Marriage》


 Marriage

    As the sun starts to set down and the countless streak of darkness seemed to paint the sky, a woman can be seen driving her car at full speed. Zigzagging through sheer amounts of vehicles obstructing her way without regard for safety.


    The roaring of the police siren behind appeared to not bother her rather it gave more excitement and thrill as she hit the accelerator to speed up. She was grinning ear to ear as she read the odometer indicating she''s at the speed of a hundred miles per hour.


    A sudden phone call ringed beside her and although she was aggravated with the abrupt caller, she picked her phone, never leaving her eyes on the road, and proceeded to swipe the answer button.


    "Beatrice, where are you?" She was greeted by the voice of her furious mom and a feeling of dread and regret washed over her.


    "What now Mom? I''m driving." She steered as she came upon a curve on the road and her grin widened as the distance between her and the police were getting farther.


    "Beatrice? Why can I hear a police siren over there? You goddamn child, what have you done again?" She internally rolled her eyes.


    ''Shouldn''t they be used to this already?


    I''m known for being a delinquent and someone who frequents the jail. Although, my parents would usually bail me out hours later and try to cover up the news. But come on, I''m a walking catastrophe, they should know my antics already'' She thought to herself and returned her focus back to the road.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Beatrice. You need to come home now." Her mother ordered in a demanding tone with a hint of anger. She was trying to sound intimidating in hopes that a miracle would appear from up above and make her daughter listen.


    But of course, they all knew it would take more than that, to make her come home. She was stubborn and difficult to handle, not even her parents nor anyone could keep her at bay.


    "Mom, I''m quite busy now. Just talk to you later" Her tone was apologetic but they knew she never meant it.


    There was a long pause on the other end and Beatrice was about to end the phone call.


    "Bea, we need to talk. Please, come home" Her mother uttered in a gentle yet soothing voice but Beatrice knew something''s up. Her mother never called her with her nickname ''Bea'' until there was something wrong.


    "Mom, what''s wrong?" Her voice was urging to make her mother spill everything but uneasiness began to waft all over her body.


    "I''m sorry Bea... We tried our best but.." She furrowed her brows as she was waiting patiently for her mother to finish. The thumping of her heartbeat seemed to pick its pace and worry was etched across her face.


    "You''re getting married." She instantly stepped on the brakes, lunging her body forward and she felt a numbing pain on her head.


    "What!?" She shouted back at the phone, completely confused and stupefied with what her mother just said.


    "That''s just a joke right?" Beatrice was now in her panic-mode as she tried to process the information that her mother just dumped on her. She knew her mother was never the type to joke around, she was always serious and stoic.


    But deep inside her, she was wishing deliberately that for once, her mother told a joke.


    "It''s not a joke Beatrice. You''re getting married"

 Future Wife

    "Beatrice Chastain. You''re being released today." Bea heard the prison cell door open and although she wanted to get the hell out, she stayed crouched in the corner, still stunned with what''s waiting for her back home.


    Hours just passed and her parents were quick to act. They just bailed her out of prison but instead of relief, dread filled her body.


    "Hey!" The warden clanged his baton on the prison bars trying to turn her attention at him.


    She glanced back up and her tired and seemingly dead eyes greeted the warden.


    "I said you''re being released today. You were bailed and someone''s waiting for you outside" The warden signaled her to get out and she knew someone sent by her parents was waiting to pick her up.


    She heaved a sigh and stood up, reluctantly stepping her foot outside the prison cell.


    "Can''t I just stay the night here?" She smiled at the warden as she withdrew her foot back.


    "Are you nuts kid? Who wants to stay longer here in jail." He gave her an Are-You-Crazy look and her smile immediately dissipated.


    What''s wrong with just asking for a one-night stay in the prison?


    She heaved a sigh as she groggily dragged her feet outside the jail. A driver ushered her to a BMW car and she sat on the passenger seat.


    "Where''s my car?"


    The driver looked at her from the rear-view mirror "I don''t know Ma''am. But your father already took care of it."


    She slumped back in her seat and looked out of the window. She tried to doze off but her mother''s words were like an echo repeating in her brain. It was like there''s a broken radio inside her.


    You''re getting married...You''re getting marrie-


    "Aargh! Married? Who the fuck said I''m going to marry someone I don''t know? They can''t just decide that. They just can''t marry me off that easily." The driver flinched with her sudden outburst but Beatrice cared less.


    She was frustrated with the thought of marriage and getting tied down. She loved freedom and getting into trouble, that marriage is just out of the question.


    The driver looked at her with the same expression the warden had a while ago and she wondered if everyone thinks she''s crazy.


    Minutes passed which felt like an eternity with her constantly thinking about marriage and family and they arrived at her residence.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    The silver gate adorned with intricate carvings opened and they were greeted by a modern Victorian mansion that stood proudly with all its glory and grandeur.


    The mansion was extravagant and boasted elegance but all Beatrice could think about was how it was never a home and how cold it was every time she stepped foot in this place. It took her moments to gain courage and went outside the car. Maids poured out from the mansion and greeted her but she flicked her hand signaling it was pointless and proceeded inside.


    Her mother and father, both dressed as if they were going to attend a lavish party, were seated in the living room. She also noticed that a man was seated parallel from her parents facing his back at her and she cursed herself for not fleeing earlier.


    Her parents noticed her and they both stood up. Smiling widely, her mother went near and took her hand. Her grip was hard and she literally dragged her, to face the man.


    "This is our daughter Beatrice, Bea this is Lucas Landcaster,  and he''s the one you''re going to marry." Beatrice looked at her mother with a bewildered expression. Her face was all scrunched up as she brought her hands up to protest.


    "Wait, wait, why don''t I have any say on this? You can''t just decide my marriage and then dump your decisions at me? I don''t even know this man and you''re saying I''m going to marry him? Hell no! Say what you want but I''m not getting married."


    Her parent''s expression was indescribable and she internally rolled her eyes.


    ''What do they expect? That I''ll easily obey like a dog. That I''ll shut my mouth and blindly follow their will even if it''ll cost me my current lifestyle and freedom. Well sorry to burst their bubble but I''m not that kind of person'' Beatrice thought to herself.


    "Bea it''s just-"


    Her mother was interrupted by a deep alluring voice.


    "Your company is on the brink of bankruptcy and I have offered help in exchange for something and that something is you...Beatrice Chastain" She was stunned with the words of the man who called her something and abruptly turned her head towards the direction of the voice but rather she was astonished.


    The man was gorgeously breathtaking, his silver-grey eyes which apparently seeped through her innermost soul and his sharp features almost sent her on edge. She gulped as she continued to observe him physically and she was at awe.


    The man was absolutely gifted, underneath the dark tuxedo, she could make out thick lean muscles that would make any women drool. He was fit and his stunning face matched perfectly with his body, like a walking masterpiece of God that was brought down to bless the Earth.


    She chased the thoughts away and coughed lightly as she wore a mad expression.


    How dare he? Calling her something and treating her like a thing.


    "That doesn''t mean I''ll just marry you! I can''t be an offering for the sake of our company!" She glanced at her parents but they all looked away, which in turn made her scoff.


    They''re willing to throw their child away for the sake of the company? Well, it''s understandable from the start, all they could think and worry about is the company and money. They just had the opportunity to get rid of their problematic daughter while saving the company, it''s like killing two birds with one stone and all they could do was grab it.


    The man named Lucas stood up and his towering height was intimidating her. He glanced at her way and smirked.


    "Well, that''s all. I''m just here to secure the deal and I guess the deal is settled then."


    Her eyes widened as they just ignored her and the man was getting ready to leave. She grabbed his arm as he was about to step out.


    "I said I won''t be marrying you and you can''t force me." She said in a firm manner.


    "Too bad. You''ve got no other choice... Future wife."

 Heart attack

    Beatrice was paralyzed as she watched the man disappear from her sight, she turned abruptly to face her parents and her machine-gun-like mouth was ready to spat unnecessary words to them. She was beyond furious and she wanted to curse them all, but Beatrice held on to the remaining ounce of respect she has for the ones who gave birth to her.


    She drew in a huge breath as she tried to calm down but her heart thumped aggressively and her mind was all in chaos. She couldn''t calm down the turmoil that was brewing inside her.


    "Mom!, Dad! Why did you just marry me off to a man whom I don''t even know? Worse, you ignored my decision and still sold me to him." The rise in her tone and her anger was uncontrollable but it was understandable, given that her parents just sold her off to Lucas Landcaster. She had no knowledge that by the end of this day, she would be engaged.


    "This is the best for all of us, Beatrice. Our family is going to ruins and I can''t just stand by and watch as everything that I worked hard and sacrificed for, go down the drain." She scoffed at the words of her father. She looked at him with pure disgust and animosity.


    Even with his own daughter on the line, all that he could think about is his company. All that he could think about was himself.


    "So you''re just selling me off for the company? You''re selling my life and freedom for your own goddamn money? That''s bullshit!"


    "Don''t curse here, young lady. If you were more reliable and responsible, this wouldn''t happen. All these years, we have endured your unruly state, you were nothing but a burden and a shame. Now, it''s time to put yourself into good use." She smiled bitterly and tears were forming around her eyes but Beatrice was never the type to show weakness and she would never be weak.


    "I was a burden for you? I brought shame to the family? So now you''re selling me off to be...what? A sex slave, a wife that warms up his bed, a maid that would clean and provide him of his needs! Do you truly think so little of me?" She was frustrated. She knew she was irresponsible and shameless but marriage is just too much for her. Thinking of her life in matrimony was never desirable and she never gave a thought about it.


    "No, Lucas promised to us that he would treat you well and he would not force you into anything" Her mother interfered and Beatrice shook her head with disbelief etched on her face.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Mom I can''t believe you''re siding and believing that man-"


    "That man is Lucas and your future husband, Beatrice. He would also be this family''s benefactor so the least you could do is respect and follow his wishes." Her father firmly declared and she was stupefied.


    So she''ll be like a dog, who''ll just wait for her master''s orders and her parents consented to this. She''ll be a wife that will follow any wishes of that man.


    Beatrice''s thoughts were clouded with negativity. She was sold off for the company and all that she could think about was nasty thoughts. Lucas Landcaster was a man shrouded with secrecy and mystery, so she wouldn''t know what would happen if their marriage does happen.


    Her parent''s decisions were final and no matter how hard she tried to voice out her complaints and refusals, they shut their ears and refused to listen. She spent an hour trying to change their minds but they were like rocks, immovable and firm.


    "No, you can''t force me! All you think about is your company, fame, and money¡­


    "You know, you both were the reasons why I grew up like this. You both were irresponsible parents who never cared and listened to their sole daughter. So for once, I need you to listen to me."


    "Don''t push the blame onto us, Beatrice. You grew up like this on your own accord and you will be married to Lucas Landcaster by next week¡­..or else we''ll disown you."


    She stared at them with disbelief, her arguments were pointless as they shut their mind to the sole thought of marrying her to Lucas. She was not yet ready for commitment, she was just a mere 21 years old and marriage never crossed her mind.


    "Then disown me, I don''t care if I''m not part of this wretched family. I don''t care if you oust me from here. Heck, that,''s what I''ve been wishing for a long time. Not being part of this family-"


    They all stopped in their tracks and everything suddenly halted as her father suddenly collapsed clutching his chest. He was struggling to breathe, striving for air and his face was bright red. The pain was evident on his face. Her father lost consciousness and her mother was shouting, but her surroundings seemed to slow down. Voices were all muffled in her head as she stared at her father who was lying on the floor, unmoving.


    "Call an ambulance!" Her mother shouted and she was brought back from a daze.


    Panic rose up from her, flooding her entire mind and she completely forgot about their intense argument.


    "D...dad!" She quickly went beside him, grabbing her phone to call an ambulance but her fingers trembled as she dialed the number.


    This was the first time for her father to experience a heart attack and she was fearful for the outcome.


    The ambulance arrived after a couple of minutes and paramedics with a stretcher quickly went near to assess the situation and her father''s condition.


    They checked him first then placed him gently on the stretcher and with haste, brought him to the ambulance. Her mother was sobbing as she was also accompanied to the ambulance.


    Beatrice watched as if the events unfolded like a dream, she couldn''t believe what just happened and she just stood there, unmoving and fazed.


    Her father''s hanging on a thread and it was all because of her. Everything that happened was all because of her.


    Guilt and remorse enveloped her as she watched his unconscious father lying on the stretcher being transferred inside the ambulance.


    "Ma''am?...ma''am? Will you accompany us to the hospital?" She turned to one of the paramedics nodded profusely as she went inside the ambulance, staring at the poor state of her father.


    Her mother was sobbing hard and the makeup that caked her face was now all messed up. Beatrice was also pale and haggard. They all appeared as if a giant storm just passed through them.


    "I''m sorry...I''m sorry" All she could utter was sorry.

 Agreeing to the Marriage

    "Your husband is now stable and his vital signs all returned back to normal. Fortunately, it was not that serious and time was on your side. But Ma''am I should warn you that there is a high possibility that this will occur again and next time, it may be fatal."


    "He should never be exposed to situations that will stress him and unwanted emotions, as this could trigger another heart attack, and worse it may lead to cardiac arrest¡­."


    The doctor explained additional information to her mother and Beatrice was just seated in the waiting area. Her face dried up with tears was red and her eyes were puffy and swollen. Her hair was all ruffled and she looked entirely like a mess.


    Beatrice covered her face with her hands, she couldn''t even sense the relief that she should feel, now that the doctors have informed them that her father was now stable.


    The guilt and remorse were eating her up and her chest tightened as she recalled the events a while ago.


    ''What now?'' She thought to herself as she glanced at the nearby area where her mother and the doctor were having a serious conversation.


    A little while after that, they were permitted to enter the hospital room where his father was admitted.


    She reluctantly went inside and looked at the pitiful form of her father. The feeling of guilt resurged from her inner being and her expression was that of a person convicted with a crime.


    "Are you feeling okay, John?" Her mother sniffled as she asked her father and touched his hands. Her father was pale and looked extremely worn out that her mother was worried if he truly was ok.


    Her father nodded, "When am I getting discharged?"


    "The doctor said you''ll be discharged after five days." Her mother replied and he pursed his lips and sighed.


    "I''m sorry Dad. I''m really really sorry" Beatrice sobbed as she looked down to hide her tears.


    Although their relationship was never good, Beatrice never wished for her father to be in danger. She never wished that she would be the reason why her father is now lying at a hospital bed because of a heart attack.


    "If you are really sorry, then marry Lucas" She looked up at her father with a dejected expression.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Beatrice turned silent as she fished for words to say right now as she remembered what the doctor just told her mother.


    He should never be exposed to unwanted or intense emotions.


    "But-"


    Beatrice tried to reason out but her mother suddenly cut her off." Beatrice, Let''s talk outside" her mother appeared to be furious as she looked at her with eyes that scream with anger.


    She went outside the room and her mother followed suit, closing the door so that her father couldn''t hear their conversation.


    She dragged her arms further away from the door.


    "Beatrice! You know the reason why it has all come down to this! His life could be in danger if you try to provoke him any further!"


    She knows, she absolutely knows she was the reason why this was happening in the first place but she couldn''t force herself to marry a man she doesn''t know.


    "Beatrice, I beg you, for the sake of your father and accept, accept the marriage proposal." She shook her head as tears began to flow down from her eyes.


    She was torn between her wanting to keep her freedom and the well-being of her father.


    "Mom¡­.I just can''t. I don''t even know him and who knows what might happen to me if I did marry him" her lips trembled as she tried to speak, her emotions were all mixed up and she was tormented inside.


    "Just for three years, Beatrice. Stay with him just for three years then you could divorce him." She looked up at her mom and the chaos inside her, calmed down little by little.


    Three years? Could she endure everything for three years? Will she be able to get her life back again after three years?


    "He also promised to me and made a contract that he would never force you into anything¡­ I know we failed at parenting and being good parents, but please Beatrice, I''m begging you. Your father treasures the company so much, it would kill him to watch it fall."


    How could they value the company more than me? I know I''ve been rebellious and mischievous but how could they trade me off?


    She sighed with her thoughts.


    ... But still, they''re my parents.


    "I could divorce him?" She asked to make sure what she heard was right.


    "Yes, you could divorce him after three years and we won''t force you into anything ever again. You will be free to do everything you want" she paused and took time to decide.


    "Ok" she agreed gloomily, her heart and mind protested with her answer but there''s nothing she could do right now.


    She felt as if she was tied around the neck and there''s nothing she could do but agree with their decisions.


    Her mother hugged and thanked her but she felt constricted with her decision.


    Was it right to accept?


    She asked herself but she couldn''t do anything now. She got no other options and choices. Beatrice already crossed the bridge and there''s no turning back anymore


    They returned back and informed her father that she already agreed. Her father was pleased with her decision and looked better than before. The doctor came to check on him and advised that he should get more rest.


    Her mother instructed her to go home and get some rest too since she had such a long day and Beatrice never got an ounce of sleep.


    "It''s ok. Just go home. I''ll be the one who''ll take care of your father." Her mother reassured her and she went out of the hospital to hail a cab.


    It was already midnight and she felt too exhausted with all the happenings.


    She was arrested for overspeeding, engaged to a man whom she doesn''t know except for his name, her father got a heart attack and she agreed with the marriage.


    What a nice day for her!


    She looked outside the window as buildings appeared and disappeared in her vision. A handful amount of people can only be seen wandering the streets and there were only a few cars that they encountered.


    Lucas Landcaster, huh?


    She recalled their first meeting earlier and flinched.


    He was quite handsome and striking. He could pass easily as a brief/underwear model.


    She chuckled as she imagined him in a brief.


    But what''s his intention of marrying me?  Why did he offer to marry me in return for helping our family?


    She pondered these questions for a while but couldn''t make out answers. Her mind suddenly drifted to the thought of marriage and her mood turned sour.


    Lucas Landcaster¡­. I''ll make sure you would regret choosing to mess with me. I''ll make sure I''ll get my revenge for ruining my freedom and life, with marriage.

 Wedding Planning

    It has been 3 weeks since Dad got discharged from the hospital and I have been experiencing hell. Literal hell.


    Deprived of sleep: check


    Being dragged around: check


    Mentally and physically tired: check


    Wanting to die (although not literally): double and triple check


    They were planning my wedding with enthusiasm and although Lucas was nowhere to be seen and I''ve never caught a glimpse of him, not even his shadow. My parents were determined to make it one heck of a wedding.


    Lucas made my parents decide but he will be the one shouldering all the costs and it was clearly not a wise decision. He certainly thinks it''s too troublesome to prepare a wedding so why would he go to great lengths to get married to me?


    But seriously how unlucky of him to think my parents have any shame.


    They were able to move the date to next month and they were frantic to make it as perfect as possible.


    I suggested a civil marriage to make it less costly and hassle as possible but they were persistent to make an extravagant wedding that I regretted not begging on my knees.


    Maybe if I did that they would have settled for a simple wedding and I wouldn''t be suffering right now.


    We first planned the guests and since the wedding was so sudden we were only able to invite a few people from both sides. Lucas just sent a document with names on it to invite for the wedding.


    I even suggested inviting passersby since there were so few and they made an effort to plan a wasteful wedding.


    The venue would be in a high-end resort, although I wanted it to be on the streets since being married is trash and I wanted to make traffic and possibly save people from cars.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    We wasted a week visiting some wedding services and suppliers and settled on a costly but fine one. We were able to choose cakes, flowers, decors and other stuff needed for a wedding and it was unbelievable how many preparations were involved in it


    I want the theme to be abstract but they all looked at me as if I''m from another world and decided on a Garden in the Beach theme.


    I think abstract would be more enjoyable and fun to watch.


    They hired a professional wedding planner and they all had a conversation, my parents omitted me since I''m practically thinking of my marriage as a joke.


    Well, they''re not wrong.


    And although I love food and sweets, I felt distressed as we were taste-testing and choosing the cake. Who would be happy to choose their cake for their wedding? I know I would.


    I got dragged then to a bridal shop where I exhausted my energy trying on different wedding dresses and accessories.


    And I may say, it was not in the slightest bit enjoyable. The dresses were sometimes itchy, suffocating, annoying and I just want to rip them off and demand my casual clothes.


    I felt like a compressed sardine in a can and it felt too wrong wearing a wedding gown.


    We bought flat shoes (although an argument broke out when they insisted I wear heels. How dare they?), accessories, some hairpieces and settled with a simple but elegant wedding gown. I was fine with it since it was not that strangling and annoying to wear but still, it wasn''t comfortable.


    How I wish women were allowed to wear pajamas for a wedding because I would gladly wear mine.


    I''ve been wanting and planning to have my grandest escape since everything was stressing me out but then they dropped a huge bomb on me.


    They informed me they''ve got huge debts to pay and Lucas Landcaster was their only hope to escape imprisonment. Since I''m already twenty and already of legal age, I would also be brought to jail because they put one of their debts under my name.


    How kind of them?


    I usually wonder how I was gifted ( note the sarcasm) with lovely and hateful parents that I''m actually thinking if I''m cursed to be unlucky or what.


    There was only a week left before my actual marriage and a part of me was hoping that it wouldn''t happen ever and I could plan a way to stop it.


    I was imagining endless possibilities to escape marriage life even including staging an accident and having amnesia but I know it wasn''t possible. There''s no way I could leave my parents and be a runaway fugitive.


    I sighed as I felt a headache was starting to occur and I tried to chase out all my thoughts since I''m pretty sure it''s the main culprit of the throbbing in my head.


    I''m currently in my room gazing at the ceiling with a somber expression trying to withstand the pain in my head.


    I was treating my marriage as a joke hoping it would turn to one, but deep inside I''m broken and wrecked.


    I wanted to run away because I''m afraid. I wanted to quickly ditch the wedding and lock myself up in a room not wanting to get out. I wanted to escape from the thought of being married.


    But it was all futile since our situation was a huge slap in my face.


    What my mother said was right..I''ve got no choice.


    What I need to look forward to right now is divorce. What I need to do now is to close my eyes and endure everything for divorce.


    But Lucas might be a jerk and an awful being ( well, he''s already a creep for wanting to marry me out of the blue so I think there''s a likelihood that there''s something wrong with his brain.)


    and there''s a possibility he wouldn''t agree with the divorce so I planned to make his life a living hell. I mean who wouldn''t want to give me up if I''m a walking catastrophe and problems want to stick around me.


    My goal is to endure and be terrible as possible to achieve an absolute glorious divorce.


    "Yeah, it''s all for divorce." she was talking and laughing by herself but she couldn''t care less.


    She would hang on to this hope and light, out of this darkness called marriage and she would do everything to attain her goal.


    It''s better to think positively than wallow in sadness, loathing, and anger. It''s better to think about how you could torment the man who''s trying to mess with your life and happiness.


    Lucas Landcaster


    I hope you''re ready because I won''t back down that easily. I''m not someone you can tame nor a goody two shoes so expect that it won''t be simple forcing me to marriage.