Once upon an arranged marriage

Camila Russell.

The maids carefully applied a light brown powder to Camila's face, their skilled hands transforming her features with a sophisticated makeup look. She gazed at herself in the grand, full-length mirror before her, her mind racing with curiosity about the mysterious occasion that had prompted such a lavish makeover. Her reflection stared back, its features perfectly symmetrical, her hazel eyes showing a glimmer of apprehension.

Her parents had gone to great lengths, even dispatching experienced maids to the modest back house where she typically resided. It had always puzzled her why the maids were permitted to live in the sun-kissed main building, while she was relegated to the shadowy back house. It was a stark reflection of her parents' favoritism toward her elder sister, Olivia.

Now, seemingly out of the blue, her stern parents had extended an invitation for her to visit the main building. They had gone so far as to assign their most experienced maids to adorn her. These unusual circumstances left Camila with a deep sense of foreboding, making her suspect that something momentous was in the offing, something that directly concerned her. What could it be?

"Stand up, let's get you dressed," Sonia, the assistant head maid, ordered sternly. Sonia's loyalty had always been with Camila's elder sister, Olivia, and no one else. But the sudden change in atmosphere toward Camila had left her perplexed. She had never been a favorite of the staff, and Sonia's irritation at her presence was clear.

Camila obeyed Sonia's command and allowed herself to be adorned in a stunning red flare gown. The V-necked, floral gown was adorned with white diamond-encrusted stones that sparkled with opulence. The fabric felt luxurious against her skin, a far cry from the plain cotton dresses she usually wore. Camila couldn't help but gasp at the sheer cost of the dress, let alone the fact that she was wearing it. It was the kind of attire she had only seen in fashion magazines, and never dreamed of wearing.

With expensive silver shoes, a necklace that sparkled like the night sky, and a red bow adorning her long brown hair, Camila was transformed into a vision of elegance. She felt like a princess from a fairytale, a stark contrast to her usual attire of baggy, oversized clothing that allowed her to blend into the background. She had always been more comfortable avoiding attention, but today was different.

As she arrived at the main building, Camila's apprehension only grew. Her mother was the first to spot her and welcomed her with a wide, somewhat strained smile, ushering her toward their distinguished guests. Camila, bewildered by the entire situation, offered a tentative smile in return. She felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter.

"Meet my second daughter, Camila, the one we've been talking about," her father, Mr. Edward, introduced, his voice tinged with an air of formality. Camila's eyes met those of their guests. One of them smiled warmly, looking surprisingly youthful for his age, while the other, who appeared cold, remained engrossed in his phone, seemingly indifferent to Camila's presence. The contrast between their reactions was striking.

The older man had a friendly demeanor, and his eyes twinkled with a youthful enthusiasm that defied his age. Camila couldn't help but notice the mischievous dimple that appeared when he smiled. He looked remarkably handsome for a man in his late fifties. His presence exuded charm and charisma, a stark contrast to her father's stern disposition.

Seated beside the older man was a younger version, equally striking. Camila hadn't seen his entire face, but she couldn't help but recognize his undeniable beauty. His long, silky brown hair alone could make for a luxurious winter coat. His posture exuded confidence, bordering on arrogance, as he crossed his muscular legs and focused on his phone screen with an air of detachment. It was clear that he was a man who was used to getting what he wanted.

Camila pondered what her parents could possibly have in mind. Why had they chosen her for this peculiar meeting? Her father's stern look reminded her to greet the guests, so she complied, offering a timid, "Good day, sirs." Her voice quivered with a mix of nervousness and curiosity.

The older man's smile broadened, revealing a set of perfect teeth. He extended his hand, which Camila hesitantly shook. He had a firm grip that conveyed both strength and warmth. The younger man, Leonardo Vincento, on the other hand, looked at her with a mix of surprise and disdain. Camila had no idea that her parents had arranged for her to be married to a man twice her age. Her voice quivered as she inquired, "W-wife?"

Camila's father explained that they had signed a marriage contract with the Diamond Group of Companies and that the wedding was set for the upcoming Saturday. The news left Camila in shock. She couldn't believe her parents had orchestrated a marriage without her knowledge or consent. It was a betrayal of trust that stung deeply. "its okay to see me and treat me like trash,I've lived with that knowledge for years. Even if you hate my presence so much, why do you want to marry me off to some guy I didn't know existed until this moment?''

Leonardo's reaction only added to her dismay. He expressed his displeasure, making it known that he hadn't anticipated marrying someone so much younger. Camila felt exposed and vulnerable under his intense scrutiny. His emerald eyes, like rare gemstones, bore into her soul, and she flinched under the weight of his gaze.

Camila couldn't fathom marrying at such a young age, and her parents' lack of consideration was profoundly troubling. She felt betrayed and wondered why they hated her so much, her emotions in turmoil.

"I can't believe you're going to make me marry someone like her," Leonardo muttered to his father, his voice dripping with contempt. "She's nothing more than a child. Just look at her, she looks like she'll break any moment from now. And for God's sake she looks naive"

With Leonardo storming out in anger, the atmosphere grew tense. Olivia, too, was distressed by the unexpected turn of events. Camila's father's rage was evident when he confronted his youngest daughter.

"Why do you and Mom hate me so much?" Camila cried out, her tears flowing freely now. She had reached a breaking point. "You've locked me away in the back house for years, and now you're forcing me into marriage without my consent!"

Mr. Edward's harsh response only fueled Camila's frustration. He reminded her of their basic responsibilities as parents, but she couldn't help but wonder why they had chosen her for this marriage, and not Olivia. 'For someone who does not make a dime, you have a lot of complaints. You should be grateful for this golden opportunity but here you are saying irrelevant things. I do not care about your opinion; you do not even have a choice because you will be marrying that man sooner than you think. It is time for you to pay me back for keeping you alive all these years. So you better get your self prepared to be his wife.one last thing "You should be lucky we didn't pair you up with a poor @sshole that can fit your taste so perfectly!"

Camila fled the mansion, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't understand her parents' motives, but one thing was clear: they had betrayed her once again. The reality of her impending marriage to a man she barely knew weighed heavily on her young shoulders. Her father's indifference to her feelings and her lack of agency in this life-changing decision gnawed at her heart.

Camila wandered through the sprawling gardens surrounding the mansion, her heart heavy with the weight of her parents' decision. She found a secluded bench beneath an ancient oak tree and sat down, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed her.

Her father's words echoed in her mind. "You should be lucky we didn't pair you up with a poor @sshole that can fit your taste so perfectly!" The bitterness in his voice, the utter disregard for her feelings, stung like a fresh wound. Camila had always tried to please her parents, but their callousness had pushed her to a breaking point.

She gazed up at the old oak tree, its branches reaching out like ancient sentinels. The tree had witnessed generations of her family's triumphs and tribulations, but it offered no solace or answers.

The idea of marrying a man like Leonardo, someone who clearly had no respect for her, terrified her. She wished she could confide in Olivia, her older sister, but Olivia's own bitterness and jealousy made that impossible. Olivia had always been the favored daughter, the one who could do no wrong in their parents' eyes.

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows, Camila wiped away her tears and steeled herself for what lay ahead. She needed to find a way to navigate this unexpected twist in her life. Her parents had made their decision, but Camila was determined not to be a pawn in their game.

Camila's thoughts turned to the mysterious contract with the Diamond Group of Companies. She needed to learn more about this arrangement and understand why her family had chosen this path for her. With newfound determination, she stood up and made her way back to the main building.

Inside, the opulence of her surroundings seemed even more suffocating. Camila found her mother in the sitting room, sipping tea with their guests. Mrs. Delmour, Olivia's mother, noticed Camila's presence and gave her a warm smile. But Camila could see the unease in her eyes, a reflection of the tension that had gripped the room.

Camila approached her mother and cleared her throat, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I would like to know more about this marriage arrangement, Mother. Can you please explain it to me?"

Her mother sighed, clearly torn between her loyalty to her husband and her desire to comfort her daughter. "Camila, it's a complex situation. Your father and Mr. Lucas believe that this marriage is in our family's best interests."

Camila's eyes welled up with tears once more. "But, Mother, I don't even know Leonardo. And he... he doesn't seem to want this marriage either. Why would you do this to me?"

Mrs. Delmour reached out and gently touched Camila's cheek. "I know this is difficult, sweetheart. Your father believes it's the right decision, but I promise we will try to make the best of this situation. you'll get to know Leonardo, and perhaps he will come to see the wonderful person you are."

Camila nodded, a mix of resignation and determination in her eyes. She had always been the quiet, introverted one in the family, overshadowed by her vivacious sister. But she had her own strengths and dreams, and she wasn't going to let this unexpected marriage crush them.

As the day waned, Camila retreated to her room, a place of solace and reflection. She knew the challenges that lay ahead were daunting, but she was determined to face them with resilience.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the room. Camila looked out the window, the first stars of the evening twinkling in the darkening sky. She couldn't help but wonder what her future held, and whether she could find her own path within the confines of this arranged marriage.

The journey ahead was uncertain, but Camila was determined to carve out her own destiny and not be defined solely by her parents' decisions.

With newfound resolve, she whispered to herself, "If they want to get rid of me so much that they are willing to marry me off to some man then I'd comply, it's better to live with a man who im not related to and can obviously not stand my prescence than live with my own parents who clearly hate me."