Love in the shadow

Adriana's POV

"WHAT?" I screamed. I couldn't understand why my father would arrange such a thing without my approval first. "I will never marry him, Dad!". I said, filled with anger hoping for him to change his mind.

"I know that you despise that family and mafia as a whole, but I am doing this for your good", my dad replied. I didn't like his tone; he sounded genuinely concerned about me which was rare coming from him.

"I raised you as a single dad, but now that you have grown, I need to be reassured that you are safe and in good hands.

"Good hands?". That word felt wrong to me. They are a mafia family and our worst rivals. How could I ever feel safe in their so-called hands? My tone sounded sarcastic but I didn't care. I didn't want to reason with my dad; it felt futile.

"I am doing this to stop bloodshed among us and keep you safe" he continued, trying to convince me. These explanations weakened me more.

"I have arranged the marriage and you will get married to him. It is final". Before I could say anything, he finalized his words; his tone stern and authoritative. That tone was more like him.

I stormed out of his office, still furious, unable to utter a word.

All I could think about was a way to change my dad's mind. Nothing would ever make me marry into the Castillo family.

As soon as I entered my bedroom, I picked up my phone and dialed Juan's number. He was the only person I could think of who might help change my father's mind.

"Hey, Juan, how quickly can you get back to Mexico?".I asked him, skipping our usual conversation and pleasantries.

"Is everything alright?".I could feel his sudden worry, so I didn't want to add to it. "Just please get here before 8 a.m. tomorrow" was all I managed to say. I couldn't explain anything over the phone.

His assurance after that meant everything to me but a small part of me still felt uneasy and uncertain about tomorrow.

I lay down on my bed, trying to figure out a way out of my situation when memories began flooding back.

I still remember that day vividly.

I was just eleven years old, barely knowing much about how life or death was. My mum had been in the hospital for a week and my dad didn't want to tell me what was wrong with her. My driver was supposed to take me to see her after school, but I didn't make it in time.

Diego had locked me inside my classroom when the school session ended. By the time a teacher found me and I reached the hospital, my mum had already died.

"She waited a long time for you, dear, but she couldn't wait anymore." That was all I could hear my dad say. I regretted not telling her goodbye or hugging her one last time, and it was all Diego's fault.

Deep down inside, I wished I had never known Diego since childhood. I could never forget that painful memory, and I could never forgive him either. And now, I was being forced to marry him?

I could never let that happen.

"Shoot!" I exclaimed, as I got an urgent call and remembered my schedule.

Diego's POV

"What do you mean he escaped?"I glared at Rodrigo.