Avenge Marriage

CH-6 A Bitter Confrontation

                                                                       Amber

Tonight, the sky was filled with a thousand stars and I wondered when was the last time I saw this many stars in the sky. It was breathtaking but standing here and staring at them also filled me with a sense of loneliness. I always try not to dwell on the fact that I was all alone in this big huge world. Vazquez's were my family for sure but we can't turn a deaf ear to the reality of the situation. The fact that I was a nobody was a tough truth and I realized that it was time I accept that. Accept who I actually was and start to work from there. I sighed deeply, feeling mentally drained. I should be fast asleep by now. It was too late but I can't sleep. If I close my eyes, I am unwantedly reminded of those dark eyes and the firm hands around me.

"Can...can I see your face?"

"Why?"

"You look very familiar, please?"

Does he remember me? Does he knows who I was?

I felt sick as I clambered back to my bed. This was getting way out of hand, way too difficult to keep under control. I wondered how it went with Vera today. Did she manage to get comfortable around him? Shouldn't be difficult for her. They looked good together. They go together. That was how it was supposed to be and I decided to remind myself this each day and every day until she gets married. Tomorrow, Mamá and papá will talk to her about the marriage thing. I don't want to fathom her reaction although it was also possible that she has liked Ivan enough to be agreeing on getting married to him. I don't know how she felt about him but I know tomorrow morning, she will tell me anyway.

I closed my eyes and aimed to go to sleep rather than thinking and longing for someone who could never be mine. Unrequited love was a very very bad idea to begin with, so the faster I get out of this the better. He will be my brother-in-law and that's all. If I say this to myself enough, maybe I would be able to control my feelings or banish them altogether? I had to try. There was no other option. Life was not necessarily fair all the time. 

And that was a truth that we all needed to accept. 

The next morning, I was almost dragged up from bed by Vera who for some reason decided to discuss the events of last night even before brushing her teeth. Her eyes were big and puffy and I can bet that unlike me, she definitely got her beauty sleep. She had already fallen asleep on the way back home and Vincent has to carry her up in his arms because once Vera falls asleep, there was no way she was going to wake up easily. 

"Why did you come back early?" She demanded, pouting at me and I shrugged, rubbing my eyes. 

"My heels and the dress was killing me. I actually threw up when I got back...it was so goddamn tight," I lied. 

Well, partial lie because the dress and the heels really wore me out. I never has much fascination with heels. It was always sneakers and boots for me or those pretty strappy sandals. But the truth was that after what happened with Ivan on the dance floor, I almost lost  hold on myself and blabbered everything out to him and so as to avoid making a complete and utter fool out of myself, I ran away with his mortified and bewildered expression ingrained in my mind. It was not a good idea to run away like that given that at some point I might need to face him again but at that moment, it felt like the right thing to do. And so I ran away, like Cinderella. Except, he was not my Prince Charming and he won't be looking for me. I turned my eyes back to Vera. 

"So? What about you? Did you enjoy?" I inquired, diverting the topic away from me. I don't like any kind of attention on myself. I was more like a mole, preferring to hide away in my hidey hole. 

"Yeah...it was nice. Different," She nodded, looking distracted. "I got more than 5k likes on the pictures I uploaded last night," 

"Congratulations," I grumbled, stretching. "May I know why you are hovering over me at this hour?" 

"Oh! I have a news to share," She said, looking proud and I raised my brow at her. 

"What?" I inquired and she stared at me wide-eyed, a broad grin on her lips. I don't like that look of hers, to be honest. Every time she got a new boyfriend, that was the face she would make while narrating the story to me. Like she has finally managed to catch the biggest fish in the pond. 

"Ivan Navarro has asked me out on a date on Wednesday," She grinned and I stared wide eyed at her. 

"That's...that's amazing," I smiled at her and she fanned herself. 

"I could tell he was smitten from the very beginning," She said, breezily. "Coming to think of it, we spent the whole night together. I danced with him thrice," I stared at her and tried to gauge her feelings. To think that she would fall head over heels for him in the span of one night was stupid. Vera has never fallen in love with anyone ever although she had some pretty bad breakups for sure. But I could sense that she liked Ivan. 

"And how about you?" I asked and she frowned at me. 

"The only guy I was ever smitten with was Tom Cruise," She rolled her eyes at me and I shook my head. I can't believe she was comparing Ivan and Tom Cruise. 

"I mean did you like him?" I clarified and she rolled her lower lips as she gave my question a thought. So it didn't even occur to her. Mamá will not be pleased. She needs to understand that Ivan was a great guy and that they would look great together. Things will get very messy if she doesn't like him. 

"He's hot," She nodded, frowning. "And wealthy. Good dancer for sure...what else?"

"Sweet and funny?" I prompted and she nodded in agreement. 

"Yeah...he was funny for sure and well-mannered," She said and smiled at something. "I must say, he was very good looking...oh and his friend Enrique too," 

"Will you go to the date with him?" I inquired and she nodded in response. 

"Yeah...why not. And you know what...I am going to kiss him," She said this so randomly that I stared at her blankly for a moment. 

What? 

"What?" I inquired, thoroughly surprised. "Kiss him?" 

"Hmm...I don't want to lead him on you know," She answered with a shrug. "I can only date him if he is a good kisser. I hate guys who aren't and I obviously don't date them," 

"So you judge whether you want to date someone or not based on what...kiss?" I clarified and tried to wrap my head around the concept. It didn't make sense to me at all. 

"Mhmm..hmm," She smiled, sitting back. "Sloppy kissers are so annoying. You have to get the goosebumps when someone kisses you," 

"And what about other feelings?" I demanded and she frowned, looking clueless. 

"What other feeling?" She asked. I shrugged, at loss for words. How do I explain this to her? She judges guys based on how they kiss. There were no other words to be said. 

"What about personality and...and character?" I pointed and she laughed, shaking her head. 

"I have never been approached by someone who doesn't have a personality," She replied. "And its not like I am going to get married to them or anything. Its just a relationship why bother so much about the details, don't you think?" 

"And what if you have to get married to one of them?" I asked and Vera made a really nasty face. 

"Don't joke," She admonished. "Do I look like a marriage material to you? Yeah...maybe someday for sure but definitely not before thirty. I have so much left to do...my bucket list to be completed...tour the world...explore different places. The hell I have time for marriage and serious relationships," 

I stared at her blankly, completely at loss for words. This was not good. This was not at all good. And here I hoped that she would actually like Ivan. How come I didn't know this side of her? It was not right. None of this was not right. Ivan, judging from his reaction to Vera last night might already know about the entire arrangement that he was supposed to be getting married to her. And probably that's why he asked her out on date, to help her ease up. And here Vera was depending whether to even date him or not based on how good a kisser he was. My head felt really heavy. 

Oh dear...this was so f****d up! 

"I should go take a shower. You should too. They must be waiting for us at the breakfast table," I muttered and Vera narrowed her eyes at me. 

"Amber? Are you hiding something?" She asked and I stared blankly at her. Now where did this come from? 

"What?" I asked and she grinned at me, nudging me with her elbow. 

"I know you like him...don't you?" She said and I froze. What was she talking about? Did she? No...no..that was not possible. 

"What...what do you mean?" I asked, gulping the bile rising in my throat and she wiggled her eyebrows, enjoying herself. 

"I think you like Enrique...isn't it?" She demanded and I immediately sagged down in relief and then frowned at her. 

What gave her that impression? 

"Oh Jesus..." I rolled my eyes at her. "Just go and wash up please," 

"That's not a no," She chuckled. I scowled at her dashed into my bathroom. She should be worried about herself, not about me at the moment. But she doesn't know anything yet and I hate to hide it from her. It was after all, a matter of her entire life. 

I closed my eyes, as I submerged myself among the bubbles in the tub and rested my head on its ledge. My brain was still processing Vera's words and I felt a weird uneasiness inside me. I didn't want Ivan to get hurt even though I have no idea where that thought came from. I guess it was because I could see last night that he liked Vera very much. I have an innate ability of reading people and I knew that he liked her. Maybe she was just in every way he imagined the woman he wants to spend his life with. He must have some expectations from Vera but how was she supposed to fulfill them if she doesn't know what was going on behind the scene. It was wrong of Mamá and Papá to hide this truth from her. They should have told this to her a long time ago. 

Vera was not a wife material and we all know that. If anything, she couldn't be bounded. And that was the very reason they should have told her everything beforehand so that she could mould herself into that role. Because she wouldn't be just wife of Ivan Navarro, she would be the next queen as well  and even though term king and queen are almost derogatory now she would still be the queen anyway. Was Vera prepared for such a huge responsibility? No. I sighed and hoped that the truth will be revealed to her soon. Although a part of me considered her as the luckiest person on this planet, I also felt bad for her. Too much was thrown at her without any fair warning. Too much was expected of her without asking for her opinion. 

Years and years have passed away since the monarchial rule have ended but these aristocratic families were still living in the same predesignated mind frame even though they pretend to be the people of today. Marriage was still a business, even more so than before and most of the time the children don't have any say. I wondered for how long will this keep going on. Somebody has to put an end to it. 

The atmosphere was grim and serious when I reached the dinning room and after greeting everyone, I took my seat beside Vincent. He was busy fumbling around with his tortilla de patata (potato omellete). I nudged him with my elbow and he turned to me. 

"What's going on?" I demanded and he made a face. 

"They are going to tell Vera now," He whispered and sighed, shaking his head. "This is a disaster," He poured me some coffee and pointed to my mug. 

"Drink up...you'll need it. Its going to be bad day today," He grimaced, before biting into his food. 

Shit! 

I wanted to run away. The first person she will lash out at will be me and I decided that I will deny knowing any of this. Plain and simple. Vera clambered into the room, all smiles and excitement like she is most of the time and I glanced at Vin. He shook his head and stared at his food instead and even though I was famished a few seconds ago, my appetite has deserted me at the moment. Nobody said anything through the entire breakfast and it was just the way it usually was but once it was finished and Vera excused herself to head out to the gym. I braced myself as Mamá stopped her and took deep breath. Please, don't do it here. 

"Before you leave...I need to talk to you," She said firmly. "Please wait for me in my room," 

"Now?" Vera demanded and Mamá nodded. Vera glanced at me and I like a moron looked away. She narrowed her eyes at me but headed towards Mamá's room anyway while we sat there, all tensed. Vera had a bad temper and she was just like Mamá which meant they both had a bad temper. This was going to lead to a full blown fight if anything. 

"I should better leave for work," Vin murmured, making his escape. "Important meetings today," 

"No...no Vin...please," I begged and he mouthed me a sorry before escaping to his room. 

I glanced at Papá and he shrugged at me before leaving too. Grimacing but also curious as hell, I tiptoed towards Mamá's room and silently stood outside the half ajar door, listening. If things get really worse, I will escape too. Visit the NGO, I sometimes help. Its been a week since I went there. And also I needed to head to the library to get some records on the piece I was supposed to play at a charity event on my professors request to be held in New York next to next month. Yes, this was a good idea. 

"What is it?" I heard Vera demand, impatient as ever. There was no sound from Mamá. 

"Last night, I hope you got acquainted with Ivan well?" She asked after a beat and my mouth went dry, Gosh...she was going to get straight to the point, no building the foundation first or anything. Jesus. 

"Why do you ask?" Vera inquired. "What is this about Ivan Navarro? Mamá...what's going on  here?" 

"Listen very carefully to what I am going to say here," Mamá answered, her voice even. "Vera...you are supposed to be getting married to Ivan Navarro. Most probably sometime in the next month," 

Holy hell...I stopped breathing immediately as a long silence stretched in the room. The calm before the storm. 

"What did you say?" Vera whispered. She was pissed. No doubt on that. And can we blame her? This entire arrangement was ridiculous. 

"This has been planned since...since you two were small children," Mamá answered. There was no regret or consolation in her voice. I didn't think she could be so cold to her daughter. But then Vera and she never got along very well. Vera was father's daughter and Vin was mamá's boy. 

"Since our childhood?" Vera shouted. "Are you f*****g kidding me!" I cringed. Shit...no one talks like this to Mamá. 

"Vera!" She retorted. "Language!" 

"The hell with language!" Vera cried out. "Did you ask me before settling this out if I even want to get married to him? I don't know a bloody thing about him and you want me to get married to him next month? Are you insane? Marry? I am just twenty-four for Christ's sake!" 

"This is not about you," Mamá said, her voice rising. "This is about our family. And where would you find a guy who is better than Ivan? He is good looking...he is kind and Navarro's are the wealthiest family in the entire country. You will be the next lady of the Navarro empire. Vera Vazquez Castro...you should be grateful to me if anything," 

"Money my foot!" Vera shouted and I can sense she was crying. "Is that all you care about? Money?" 

"The world is nothing without money," Mamá replied, her voice cold and hard. "You won't understand that because you were born with a silver spoon. You have had every luxury at your disposal. Where do you think all your designer dresses and shoes come from, huh?" I cringed at her words. There was no way I could imagine how Vera was feeling. I have never seen her talk to anybody like this. 

"And what about me? What about my choices and my happiness?" Vera whispered. "Does that mean nothing? What about the life I want to live?" 

"I have let you live the life you want to live for the past twenty-four years," Mamá replied. "Wearing bikinis and posing on beaches and clubs with alcohol is not the kind of image a princess by birth should portray. You have dated a hundred guys, did what you want to do for so long. We have never interfered,"  I expected Vera to say something but nothing came from her. She probably was too shocked. And I felt really really bad for her. 

"But now...its time to grow up," Mamá  continued. "And own up your responsibility as a princess. Do your duties towards your family. This marriage is going to happen at any cost. So its better that you accept this and try to understand Ivan and the Navarro family. Helena Navarro has ran the family for so many years and after Ivan's father died. Now it will be your turn to stand beside him and embrace the responsibilities that will be passed onto you. If you stop being stubborn and accept this decision with your heart...you will see that this was the best decision anybody could have made for you," 

"You...you all...all of you," Vera whispered. "You all are disgusting people," 

"Reality is far from that," Mamá replied. "You will see that for yourself one day. And you will thank me for that. One who is born with money...can never live without it. Money is an addiction sweetheart. Rebelling against me might seem like the right thing to do now but soon you will see what I was talking about," 

"Jesus," Vera hissed and I heard shoes stomping towards the door. It was too late for me to run so I stood there and stared at her blankly, feeling my face flaming up. Her eyes were red and tears streamed down her eyes as she stared at me. She didn't look sad though. She looked outraged. 

"You betrayed me too," She whispered and before I can protest, she walked past me almost running towards her room. I stood there feeling like crap. I really let her down too. The last thing she might have wanted. Mamá came out of her room, her face impassive as we stared at each other. 

Now what was I supposed to do? 

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A/N: Hello my dear readers! How are you all? I hope everyone is good and safe. Please take care of yourselves! Here's the next update. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I also made a little modification in chapter 1 so you can check that out if you like! Thank you so much for your love and support :)