His Arranged Bride

Sophia Carter's socks squeaked against the kitchen floor as she moved to the beat of the music blasting from her old stereo,she was celebrating her victory for finally nailing the routine she's been practicing all week,her reflection in the oven door flashed with a grin before she lunged into an long pirouette...only for the back of her heel to hit the edge of the counter.

"Ugh! What a Graceful fail .." she muttered, catching herself with a hand on the sink.

"Totally national championship material."from behind her came the voice accompanied with a slow clap,she turned to find her sister, Lisa, leaning against the doorway with a mug in her hand and that smirk Sophia had seen too many times.

"Do you want me to order you a wheelchair? You're going to need it when you break something," Lisa teased even more.

"Nor funny," Sophia shot back, walking towards the stereo to turn it down. "And, for the record, this is the start of greatness,just wait the Nationals will be my big break."

"Or you'll end up on one of those 'Fail Compilation' videos online, Imagine it: 'Wannabe dancer goes viral for falling into a judge's lap.'"Lisa said in a mocking voice

Sophia grabbed a kitchen towel and threw it at Lisa, who laughed and dodged, spilling a little coffee on the floor in the process.

"Great, now the kitchen smells caffeine," Sophia muttered, wiping the spill....she stopped for a while and her smile faded...Yes,the National dance competition is coming and it's going to be a big breakthrough for her if she wins,the money-price would change everything,she will finally be able to clear her mother's hospital bills, maybe even pay off Lisa's student loan,her dad wouldn't have to work so hard anymore driving around those intimidating Blackwoods around but where will she find the money to register for the competition?

"You're overthinking again," Lisa said, breaking Sophia's thoughts,"Your face does this weird thing when you do,Like a cartoon villain plotting a world domination."

"I'm serious, Lisa,finding the money for the competition really hard...i just hope I won't fail this time around"Sophia sighed

"You won't.....You've worked too hard," Lisa said softly. "But you know what?Nationals or not, you would make it someday"

Sophia opened her mouth to respond when a sharp knock echoed through the house, cutting her off,both sisters froze, their eyes moving toward the front door.

"Did you order pizza?" Lisa whispered.

"At Eight thirty? No," Sophia replied, frowning

Lisa took a step toward the door but stopped, holding up her mug like a weapon. "I'm not saying it's a serial killer, but just know that I've always love you even tho we fight an ..."

"Ughhh...I don't think serial killers knock, Lisa." Sophia's whispered,rolling her eyes and peeked out the small window beside the door,she saw man in a suit stood on the porch, adjusting his tie,what was he doing there? He doesn't look any inch of someone who belongs to their world.

"Who is it?" Lisa hissed from behind her, peeping over Sophia's shoulder.

Sophia opened the door halfway, gripping the handle tightly. "Hello,how can I help you?"

The man's eyes shifted from Sophia to Lisa before settling back on her "Is Mr Carter at home?"

"Yes," Sophia said slowly, suddenly aware of how messy her oversized sweater and sweatpants were compared to his tailored suit.

"I'm here on behalf of Mr. Charles Blackwood,May I come in?"The man said smoothly

"Come in sir" Sophia pushed the door open wider with no hesitation,while Lisa went upstairs to get their Father,The blackwood Family is one of the greatest in New Marlia city,they are stinking Rich and successful,their father had been working with them fir several years but what could make the Blackwood send a delegate to their house,Sophia thought,the man entered, his polished shoes was clicking against the floor ,his eyes explored the modest living room and you can easily his faint smile was coated with pity as his gaze swept over the old furniture and worn carpet.

"Ah,Good evening Mr Alfred"Mr Carter bowed to greet the man who bowed to reciprocate the respect.

"Good evening Mr Carter" He returned the greeting, reaching into his briefcase,he produced an Envelope with the name of the Blackwood family written boldly on it.

"Sir Blackwood ordered me to give you this and you are asked to meet him concerning it in three days,I shall take my leave"

The moment the door closed,the attention of the three Carters shifted to the envelope which was Sitting on the coffee table, Her dad paced the room, muttering under his breath,his heart beating hard,wondering whether the envelope contained anything that may take his job away from him while Lisa tapped the mug against her knee in rapid rhythm.

"Well?,Sack letters don't come in designed envelopes and a delivery man,open it" Lisa blurted

"Maybe it's nothing," Sophia said weakly, staring at the gold crest though she knew it wasn't nothing.

Their dad stopped pacing. "It's from Charles Blackwood. That's never 'nothing.'"He said

Sophia swallowed walking towards the envelope, her fingers were trembling as she tore the seal and pulled out the thick, cream-colored paper. The words at the top made her blood turn to ice ★Proposal for Betrothal Agreement★

"What the actual-" Lisa snatched the letter out of Sophia's hands, her eyes widening as they moved over the text. "Wait.....Wait....oh my God.,This says marriage....Marriage?! Sophia is getting married?!" Lisa exclaimed with her mouth agape

Sophia blinked, her mind spinning,"It's a mistake," she murmured. "It has to be."

Andrew's face turned pale, his hands clutching the back of the couch, "there's no mistake, He... Charles Blackwood mentioned something about this last week."

"What?" Sophia and Lisa said in unison.

"He approached me," Andrew said, his voice heavy with guilt. "He said it was for the good of both families. Compensation... an arrangement to secure the future. I didn't know he was serious."

"Compensation?" Sophia whispered, the word like poison on her tongue. "Dad, did you agree to this?"

Andrew's silence was answer enough.

Lisa let out a bark of laughter, half-hysterical. "Sophia, this is insane. They want you to marry some rich CEO or... whoever in just one month? No way,Absolutely not."

Sophia shook her head, the weight of the paper in her hand suddenly unbearable. Her dreams of Nationals, her quiet life, her control over her own future it all seemed to crumble like ash.

"I won't do it," she said finally, her voice trembling but firm. "I don't care what they're offering."

Her father sat down heavily, burying his face in his hands. "Sophia, think of what this could mean for our family. For you,For your mother,For Lisa. This is more like a golden opportunity that comes once in a lifetime."

Sophia's chest tightened. She would do anything to save her family from their financial struggles,But marrying a stranger?

"Really? I can't believe you Dad" she stood abruptly, the letter falling from her hands. "I need air."

"Sophia-" Andrew started, but she was already out the door, the cool night air stinging her face. She leaned against the porch railing, her breaths coming fast and uneven.

She's almost at the brink of achieving her long time goal......Will she ignore them now and get married to the crazy spoilt billionaire brat that goes about sleeping with all the girls in the town?

Behind her, Lisa's voice drifted through the open window. "What are we going to do?"

Sophia, staring out into the darkness, had no answer.