Gina Collen couldn't control her emotions after hearing what Felix reported to her.
Was she sold? Why? For what reason?
Her mood was ruined at that moment, with her heart filled with blazing rage. She recalled trusting her dad so much from the depths of her heart, having no reason to doubt her instincts. He never thought much about taking advantage of her naivety before luring a young girl into a deceitful relationship. It was funny how he kept this dangerous truth from her, thinking she would never find out.
She did!
Was this why he mentioned an increase in wealth?! Could this explain why her mum went nuts? It wasn't due to her bipolar, but due to her dad's devilish actions.
Guilt shook her hard. She'd over thought the situation, as days went by, causing her terrible case of insomnia.
After she'd signed the documents and made herself the wife of an irresponsible jerk, his parents refused they stay in the same room, which she'd forever appreciate. If only it lasted longer than she thought. As if their brain went through some kind of reset 7 years later, their decision changed following an excuse about her being ' of age'.
How was 16 year old of age?! What the hell did they mean by that statement?
Sometimes, she wished going to a nearest police station and reporting her case would solve all the problems she faced. But how was that even going to the helpful? The Richard's controlled the police. They were influential, filled with wealth. They had all the wealth one would ever dream of. She wasn't suprised at this since they had a mighty empire they claimed to be a generational pot of gold.
"I do not want this marriage anymore!" She gathered the courage to tell them on the weekend, as the couple discussed the latest plan concerning a high-class wedding ceremony.
"Excuse me?" Aurora hadn't taken that well at all. She did glance over at her husband, before turning to her, seeking more explanation. "What do you mean by that?"
Aurora was her mother-in-law's. Beautiful, classy and tall, just as her father had described her to her mum on time.
"This marriage suffocates me! I do not want it! " she protested, placing both hands on her waist sternly. "You both aren't even ashamed to lure a child into the arms of a hopeless man. My lips will not be sealed! "
Aurora fumed. Her lips yeaned to spill out insults at the teen but as she'd attempted to speak, her husband's soft tap stopped her .
"Leave this to me"
With reluctance, she kept her words to herself, glaring at Gina.
"Gina, you signed a deal....", he reminded her.
"That deal isn't valid because it was imposed on a 9-year-old. How the hell do you expect me to watch this with my arms folded? "
" Your parents agreed to this ..."
"I do not care about my damn parents. All I want is my freedom back".
There was silence from the couple. Gina sensed their helplessness from where she stood, tempting her to smirk, insensitive towards their reaction. She closed the distance between them, being her assertive self.
"The reputation of this home will be tarnished in court if you don't do the needful"
" That is? " Drake's dad had the nerve to ask.
"Free me from this prison"
Her brave speech stirred up a dry laugh from the old man. He did clap sarcastically, causing the sound to echo across the large living room. His wife shook her head, feigning pity for her.
"You are digging your own grave"
A threat was one thing Gina knew she'd never received from anyone until then. Not only had she never received one, no one dared to bully her that way. Her feet went cold as she had a second thought about who they really were and what they were capable of.
"Our company needs a female lead and you're our only hope. Aurora couldn't get a girl… "
"Why me?! Why does it have to be me?! Couldn't you all have found someone else? Your mindsets are rotten! " She insulted.
"I knew Mr Xavier was the worst choice for our empire heir" Aurora nagged, rising from where she'd sat.
" Calm down… " her husband predicted the forthcoming heated argument.
"Shut it You spineless dog!" She snapped at him in rage. "My mouth doesn't stay sealed the way yours does. I recall suggesting then that we try an orphanage. You refused! We paid this young girl's wretched family a huge amount of money for her, thinking she would rise as our heiress. Is she going to just ruin our plans because of a mere entanglement?"
"This is more than just your family's business. I am not stupid. If I am to take over your family's company at the age of 22, it would only be a deal. I will be working for Drake, wouldn't I? Am I going to get paid?"
" Everything goes to Drake. You get nothing from it" Mrs Aurora explained with a cold stare. "It isn't your business to get a gain from. You shouldn't think twice before concluding we will let you take over our family's businss"
"What the heck is the essence then? You want me to be your small boy's gold mine" she'd slapped both hands on the waist.
"You've signed this agreement, Gina. Since it's a family tradition a female takes over the family business, we had to get one. Your efforts will pay off as long as you're Drake's lawfully wedded wife and he loves you a lot. I am sure he will let you use his cash if he wishes to."
"Don't tell me you're talking about the selfish dufus who sleeps around? That one, naked Drake Richard who has no brain" Her left hand sprang up towards her bedroom door.
"You see no shame speaking of your husband that way, do you?" Aurora sneered.
"I will lose my self-respect if I tap him on the back. He doesn't deserve my sugar-coated truths"
Aurora's words got ripped off her lips at this point. Gina gave them both an infuriated stare, getting fed up with the discussion. Both brothers weren't home, which explained why the conversation hadn't lasted longer. Drake wouldn't have been able to keep his words to himself if he'd witnessed her rude behavior to his parents. His love for them was beyond what she'd expected from a moralless kid. Despite his reckless and carefree personality, his parents were his top priority. This might have explained why he'd accepted the marriage without thinking twice and said nothing against it till then. He'd pretended as if he wasn't married, trying all his best to avoid the title of a husband. She wouldn't blame me for that. He was 18 for crying out loud! He had to leave his life. He had to find true happiness and explore the world without thinking of responsibility. At that moment, he knew she was his responsibility and couldn't neglect her for too long, no matter how much he tried. No matter how much Gina tried to feel bad for him, she couldn't help but conclude she faced pains too and had to put herself first.
"I will get out of this marriage no matter what! No one keeps me confined in a home I do not wish to stay in"
Exploring the family garden, trying to clear her mind from all the negative vibes she'd gotten from the discussion, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She'd picked it up.
"Hello" Her biggest mistake was to have neglected the caller's id.
"Gina… " she heard a forbidden voice. Her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth dropped open, unable to process what was going on. Without thinking much, she'd instantly hung up the call in panic, feeling her heart almost pounding out her chest.
This was one voice she never expected to hear.