Avenge Marriage

CH-1 The One I Was Looking For

                                                                  Ivan 

The church was filled and bustling. Press, media, businessmen, politicians, it was packed as hell. The excitement that I felt was intoxicating me from within. I have waited for so long. I have waited almost my entire life for this day to come. And here she was, standing in front of me, looking breath taking even though I couldn't see her face. 

Why was her veil so thick? I could barely see her face but no worries because we were finally done. I could finally see her and with one kiss, she would forever be mine. 

"Now...you may kiss the bride," Reverend Gonzalez smiled at me. Could he sense how earnest I was? 

Slowly, I reached across and grab the beautiful material of the veil and took a deep breath. I felt weird for some reason. 

It's just nerves, Ivan...

With unnecessary care, I lifted the veil and felt the ground beneath me shift as we both stared at each other. I could barely breath. A loud murmur spread through the crowd like an earthquake but yet I could just stare at her. 

"You!" I cried out as fury hot and red spread through my veins. 

This was the biggest betrayal of my existence...

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2 months ago...

"Give me two more reps, Ivan," Marco said and I stared up at him with the most lethal look that I could manage.

"Are you kidding me, bro?" I hissed, my lungs almost felt like they would burst out of my bloody chest if I even try and do one more push-up.

"Just two more," Marco, my trainer for years now repeated, whirling the towel around his neck like a pom-pom. As if that would energize me.

"I have done two hundred already," I protested. "Two hundred push-ups. Are you trying to kill me?"

"What is two hundred push-ups for the great Ivan de Navarro?" He winked at me and I had a good mind to pull his eyeballs out. I threw the huge punching bag that he was using as a weight on my back on the floor and sat up, panting like crazy.

"I thought you wanted to look hot for the masquerade?" He commented, throwing a bottle of cucumber-infused water towards me. I caught it with an easy flourish and couldn't resist but make a face as I took a sip. It tasted like crap. I don't understand why he pesters me to drink this all the time.

"I am hot," I answered, throwing the bottle away. " And it's not like I am going to go naked there,"

"I am sure everybody will love that," A voice said and I turned to see a handsome tall hunk wearing a big smile strolling casually towards me. I grinned at him as we high-fived and he flopped down beside me.

"If it isn't the devil himself," I commented and he rolled his eyes in return, wiping the sweat away from his perfectly chiseled body. "Are you trying to beat me?"

"He will beat you," Marco answered grimly. "Ashley told me how good Enrique is doing,"

"Ashley is too modest," Enrique smiled his dimple smile, freeing his chin-length tousled hairs that he keeps tied in a ponytail.

Enrique was my best friend. His father and my father were best friends too and we have known each other since we were born. He was my constant even though we fight like crazies. Not literally of course. We were different people with very different dispositions. He was sweet and boy-next-door kind. I was more of a recluse, keeping to myself person. And sometimes overbearing. People maintained their distance from me and it definitely wouldn't help to get on my wrong side. But I was not that heartless as people think of me. I just come across that way and Enrique knows that too well. Enrique and Cecilia...his twin sister and my other very close friend.

"Maybe I should switch to a female trainer as well," I said playfully and Enrique grinned, shaking his head. "It's much more motivating, you know,"

"I know what you are doing here. But el Rey Ivan Navarro...nobody can maintain this Greek God body of yours like me, Marco Costilla," He said and I scowled at him. I hate it when he uses my Nobel title to tease me. Nobody uses that anymore. It was the twenty-first century for Christ's sake.

"Mark my words. And don't listen to him...I am sure he has something going on with that Ashley. She can't seem to stop babbling about him," He finished.

"Nothing is going on between us," Enrique rolled his eyes. "Jeez, Marco you are so touchy,"

"Calm down, Marco...you are always going to be my trainer even when you turn sixty," I said, getting up and patting his back as I gathered my stuff.

"When I will be sixty...you will be fifty-seven. Don't forget that," He rolled his eyes, shooting Enrique a dirty look for no reason.

"And I will still be the same," I answered, clinking my bottle on his head. "See you on, Monday,"

"Enjoy your ancient dance party," Marco called as we started towards the exit and I rolled my eyes.

"It's a masquerade ball," Enrique laughed and I could imagine Marco pulling up his middle finger in response.

The sun was high in the sky as we headed towards the parking and I cringed inwardly. It felt good even though my back was practically killing me. I shouldn't be working out so hard. It's not like I was going to compete for some beauty pageant. I rolled my eyes at the idea.

"Your mother is looking for you," Enrique muttered, climbing beside me on the passenger seat. "Dario called me since you wouldn't pick up your phone," He made an instant face. Neither Dario, my brother, nor he liked each other. I still don't get the reason as to why both Enrique and Cecilia were so averse to him. And I never asked or interfered. It was between them.

"About what...did he tell?" I inquired and he shot me a look.

"About the masquerade, tomorrow and you know what else," He said and I made a face. I knew what he means and that was the last thing I wanted to discuss. But it was not like I had any other option.

"What are you gonna do?" He asked when I didn't reply and I sighed in response.

"What do you think?" I demanded, shooting him a sideways look and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Maybe it won't be that bad," He assured and I couldn't help but snort in response. What would he know? He was a free bird anyways.

"Don't get me started. I need to keep my composure and energy for the confrontation waiting at home," I grimaced and he nodded, effectively shutting down for the rest of the way. I dropped Enrique at his place since he doesn't like to drive for some reason and then grimly headed home.

As I parked into my garage, I found my brother Dario lounging around on my favorite car, a gift from my father on my eighteenth, my Porsche 911, wearing his stupid grin. Dario annoyed me more than often, half of the time to be honest but he was my brother nevertheless so I make do anyhow.

'You are not allowed in here," I said flatly, climbing out. "Go and lounge in your parking. Don't barge into mine. Especially not on that car,"

"I will...if you get me the same model on my birthday," He grinned at me and I made it very clear how irritated I was.

"What did you got me for my birthday last time?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest and his lips pulled into a sneaky grin. Bastard.

"Why? If I am not wrong...a stripper," He guffawed, almost rolling over on the hood until I have to pull him away by the collar.

"Yes...a stripper. Don't you have a little self-respect asking for a car that cost almost a small fortune?" I said sarcastically although I didn't mean it. And he knew that as his grin widened in response.

"You had fun, didn't you?" He laughed. "What was her name? Candy? Katy...tall blonde American,"

"f**k off, will you. I am already exhausted," I answered and he patted my back sympathetically in response.

"Alright...alright. Calm down, Hermano...I will leave you. Just wanted to let you know that Mamá asked you to meet her in the study as soon as you get the message," He said.

"I know...I am on my way," I muttered, walking out of the garage and dragging him with myself before I punched in the security codes, a new one this time. Dario always finds out God knows how.

Gingerly, I headed inside, nodding all the time at the staff working around. They all seemed to give me some kind of weird look that agitated me further. Everybody knew what awaits me and was no doubt making the most of my misery. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.

My mother was waiting in her study just as Dario said. The door was shut so I took a deep breath and took some time to compose myself before knocking on the door. Here we go, the moment I have been dreading.

"Come in," Her strong voice seemed to be echoing through the room as I opened the door and walked inside. She was sitting behind her vintage oakwood table and gave me a brief encouraging smile as I took a seat on the leather couch.

Helena Navarro, look anything but a mother to two grown-up boys. Not two actually, one. She was Dario's real mother but my step-mom whom my father married when my mother eloped with someone years ago. I was six then and if Helena hasn't stepped in and taken care of me, I don't know what I would have done or what would have become of me. I have deep respect and love for her. And not once in my life have I ever refused anything she has asked of me. She shaped me into the person I was and I admired her a lot. Helena was a strong woman, with the power to entrance everything and everyone around me. The perfect empress for the empire that my ancestors have built for us years ago.

"You wanted to talk?" I prompted and she nodded and smiled, ideally playing with her ring, sunlight reflecting off the big stone on it. It was a very rare piece of diamond that my father got for her as a means to say thank you for saving both our lives.

"Sí. I wanted to ask how the arrangements for the masquerade are going on?" She asked, walking over to take a seat in front of me.

"Good. I just checked in on the arrangements on my way home," I replied. "It will be to up your expectations, don't worry,"

"It should be. We have a reputation to keep up to after all," She murmured and I nodded my head in agreement.

Every year, the rich and the influential of the country, a handful of most powerful Nobel families and the likes still in existence that has years ago formed a society of their own which they like to call the Consejo or the Council, gather together for a charity masquerade ball. Their gathering is not restricted to the ball, of course, there is always some party or some event happening but it is kinda the main highlight of the year. Held on the first Sunday of June, which I find very dramatic for some reason, it is an event that every family who is a part of this society s***h council looks forward to. It was a game of powerplay in disguise of an act of extending kindness and help to those who need it.

Every year one family is responsible to come up with a worthy cause and organize the entire thing. The decision is made by the council board, which consists of ten elected members I guess, representing the society as a whole, through a lottery kind of thing. But whatever it was, this year it was our turn. And my mother being the head of the board, was not going to leave any stone unturned to let the others know that the Navarro's were still the most powerful and influential family in the entire country. She was not going to spare any expense when it comes to defining who we were. It also served as a warning that we...we were not to be messed with under any circumstances.

At first, I didn't understand the need to constantly beacon out our power and influence but as I grew older and took over the legacy when my father passed away three years ago, that's when I realized the reason why. The competition to be the best was furious. People showed respect and admiration in your face but they were ready to stab you in the back at the first opportunity they find. It was a fierce world on our own. It looked all fancy and glittery from the outside and it was, to be honest but the fight to sustain your legacy, to be at the top was no feat. And for years and years, we had somehow managed to maintain that. Nobody was close enough to us when it comes to money and power and it definitely gave us an edge.

The Navarro's had an aristocratic lineage in which I have no interest, to be honest. It was not an easy task to remember the names of your ancestors leading up to the fourth or sixth generations ago at the very least. And they were not merely names. They were complete sentences, to be honest. It was crazy. But what I did know was that we were the most powerful family to date. And as the eldest son and the ultimate heir of the Navarro family or Prince of Asturias as they traditionally call, it was my responsibility to uphold the legacy. It was an enormous task, to be honest with hundreds of responsibilities to deal with. And there was this one duty that I have to fulfill at any cost. One that I have been avoiding for quite some time now but I know I can't anymore and that was exactly why Mamá has asked for me today. The dreaded discussion. The dreaded responsibility.

Marriage...

"Don't worry, " I assured her. "I have got it all covered,"

"I do not doubt that," Mom smiled at me. "But you know what I am worried about, isn't it? You know why I have summoned you here today. So why don't we stop beating around the bush and come straight to the point, Ivan?"

"I will marry whoever you want me to," I muttered and didn't even try to hide my disappointment.

I was not very keen on the idea of marriage to start with. Especially not after what happened with my father. He was broken...I was broken when my birth mom eloped. That was the last thing I wanted to happen again. And hence the entire concept of marriage was extremely repealing to me. And what made it worse was the idea of arranged marriage at that.

I just couldn't marry anybody I felt like marrying. It has to be someone from an equally strong lineage as mine. Someone from among all the families in this so-called society. The entire idea left a bitter taste in my mouth.

How was I supposed to marry someone I barely know? What if we were not compatible? What if I don't like her to start with? That doesn't matter of course. What matters is the strong family bond that comes from marrying into a strong influential family, the backup, the reputation...that's what matters the most. And above that was the responsibility to extend the lineage. That was the most important factor here. It made no sense to be so strict, to be honest. But that's how it has been for generations and generations. Who was I to be made an exception?

"I know that," She sat, moving over to sit beside me. "And that's why you need to trust me. I promise...I have found the one you were looking for all these years,"

Huh? I turned my eyes to her and she gave me a knowing smile. How does she knows who was the girl I have been looking for? I never told her. I loved and respected her for sure but we were not close. I was not close to anyone in general anyway, except for Enrique and Cecilia.

"What?" I asked and she stood up and walked over to the big gigantic windows that overlooked the pool, lost in some thought. I had no idea why she was making this so dramatic.

"I know you love her," She murmured, still staring out. "The faceless girl in your paintings. The little girl who saved your life years ago. She is the one who rules your heart, isn't it?"

My eyes widened in surprise. How the hell does she knows that? Did Enrique? No...he wouldn't. This was one of my most private secrets and only he and Cecilia knew that. Nobody else but the three of us. Then how does she?

"Ho...how?"

"How do I know?" She turned to me with a sinister smile. "I have seen all your paintings ever since you were a child. Do you think I won't get why you always paint this one girl with long dark hair? I saw her with my own eyes when she saved your life. I understood that you fell in love with her. I wouldn't say I wasn't astonished given you don't even remember her face. But I think it's admirable," I didn't try to hide my surprise. She got all this from what..my paintings? It was frankly amazing.

"Do you know who she is?" I asked, eagerly and she smiled at me.

"Have you heard the name...Vera Vazquez?" She asked and I frowned. Vera Vazquez...I might have but I was not so sure.

"I might have," I replied. "I am not so sure,"

"Vera Vazquez is the only daughter of the Vazquez family. The adored daughter of Arnold and Vienna Vazquez," She answered. "And the woman that saved your life years ago when you almost drowned in that frozen lake,"

I couldn't quite believe my ears. I remembered who Vera Vazquez was now. I haven't seen her in a long time, to be honest, and I barely remembered her face but I have definitely heard of her. The Vazquez was as strong a family as ours if not less. Equally wealthy and influential as the Ortega's, Enrique's family. And I think I have met Vera's brother Vincent twice. I still can't believe that the girl I was looking for was right here. Right near me all these years and I had no inkling.

"Only daughter? Aren't there two sisters?" I inquired and Mom shook her head.

"One brother one sister, Vincent and Vera," She replied. "The other one...Amber. She is not their bloodline. She is a mere housekeeper's daughter whom they adopted when her parents passed away,"

Oh...well the girl has my sympathy. And I also particularly didn't like the way Mom said, a mere housekeeper's daughter. But that meant the Vazquez were nice people. I have met Arnold and Vienna and they did felt to me like genuinely good people. But just as I said, everything here can be a pretense. Why haven't I seen the girls yet? That was weird.

"Oh..." I muttered. "Well..."

"Vera Vazquez is the girl who saved your life that day," Mom continued as if telling me some kind of fairy-tale. "You might not remember but you guys used to play together as children. Then, Vera, Vincent, and Amber were sent to boarding abroad and so were you. But she was the one who saved you that day,"

"How do you know?" I challenged because I was not sure if I was buying it. I don't know why though. I was not particularly keen on the idea of destiny and fate and all that romantic crap.

"Because I saw it with my own eyes," Mom answered, taking her seat back behind her desk. She was a restless person. "And it was on that day, the deal was made..." There was a weird glint of victory in her dark eyes that didn't make sense to me.

"What deal?" I raised my brow and she smirked. She was too pleased about something. I could tell that.

"Vera and you were promised to each other since that day. You were ten then," She answered and my eyes widened in surprise. We were what? Promised to each other? What century was this?

"Mamá...you do realize that it's the twenty-first century, right?" I said and couldn't bother to keep my sarcasm at bay. "Did you perhaps considered the idea that she might have someone else in her life? Or she might not want this?"

"That's not your concern, Ivan," She answered, flatly. "And I am sure her family would have made her understand the importance of connections at the right age. And why would she not want this? Who would not want you? Who wouldn't want to be married into the Navarro family?"

"But!" I protested but she placed her palm up, halting me.

"This is not your place to worry about all of that stuff," She muttered and even though she was smiling, the firmness of her voice indicated that the topic was off the discussion. "Your job is to get married and extend the family. And I know this sounds like a burden which was exactly why I found the one you have always wanted. Go ahead to your room. The woman of your dreams now has a face,"

"Mamá," I tried again and she shook her head. It was hard to argue with her, to be honest.

"Go ahead...there's a surprise waiting for you in your room," She smiled, opening her laptop and the conversation was over then and there.

Grimacing, I dragged myself upstairs to my room. I had no idea what to make of all this. Was she really the girl I was looking for? The girl with long dark hair? I have always tried to paint her but up until now, she remained faceless. Even in my dreams, which were dominated by her though it has been years now, she didn't have a face. Could Mamá be right then? Will I be finally able to give a face to the woman I loved? The woman for whom I was alive today?

I opened the door and as usual, disposing of half my clothes in the living room, made my way towards the bedroom. My muscles pained weirdly for no reason today. When I opened the door to my bedroom, there was a big canvas covered in a red velvet cloth waiting for me by the bed.

"Go ahead...there's a surprise waiting for you in your room,"

Frowning, I walked over to it and pulled the cloth away. My breath hitched in my throat as a pair of blue eyes stared back at me. For some reason, I couldn't dare to breathe. I could just stare at the painting. She was a goddess. A beauty. Like Aphrodite. My phone was vibrating in my pocket but I didn't want to look away. I couldn't. I was entranced by her. If this was the woman I was looking for, the faceless woman who I loved unconditionally without ever even knowing her, I could swear I will be the luckiest guy on this planet. But the thing was...

Was she really the woman I was looking for? 

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A/N: So readers, here's the prologue and the first chapter! I really really hope that you like it and if you do please support as much as you can because as you know I particularly started working on this one for the Royal Romance Contest which is very very important. I know the first chapter is filled with details and its a bit long but it's necessary to give you an idea of the characters! 

I hope you like the story. Do let me know in the comments because that motives me to write better and also if you like the story...do share, follow and support! 

Thank you so much!