Bound to him since birth

1. The Contract

Sofie's POV-

"Your favourite cake, Victoria Sponge!" My dad says as he places the cake on the circular wooden table in our living room. I can't understand why my dad is being so loving. I mean he does love me but today he is just being overly lovely, I mean who prepares dinner all of a sudden? Firstly, my dad sent me to my best friend's house early in the morning. And it did seem to me that he was doing it purposefully but now I know that I was right. All this while when I was out, he was planning to decorate the living room. And I must say he did a good job but the question is, why did he do all this?

"Dad, will you please tell me why you're doing all this? I mean first, you decorated the living room, prepared my favourite food, and just now you fed me my favourite flavour of ice cream and now you are here with my favourite cake. What is the reason behind all this?" I ask, now persistent to know the answer.

"Oh my sweet baby, c'mon don't talk and eat. Look it's your favourite cake! Now c'mon open your mouth aaa..." My dad says bringing a piece of cake near my mouth.

"Dad, I have already eaten more than enough. Now, if I eat more I'll get sick. Moreover, you have to first tell me why you are doing all this?" I exclaim.

Dad heaves a sigh, "Promise me you won't be mad." 

"What is it? Please say it, dad." I ask him feeling nervous as to what he has got stored in to tell me.

"Youaregettingmarried," He says in one go, but anyway I get it.

"What! Why! And why don't I know that you have started looking for a boy for me?" I exclaim totally shocked. My father is looking for a boy for me and I don't even know about it.

"Actually, umm... your marriage has already been fixed." What the actual heck?! He already fixed my marriage when I haven't even planned about it at all. I mean I do want to settle down, have a loving and caring husband with a lot of babies with him, and seriously I can't wait for that. But I want it after I'm successful as an author because I want him to be proud of me. 

"Why am I getting to know about this now? And with whom did you fix my marriage?" I ask.

"Um... you know your mom died as soon as she gave birth to you. And she knew about it beforehand as doctors had already informed us but still she went on with it and made me promise that if ever a situation arises where I... have to choose between your mother and you, I'll... I'll choose you. And so, before your birth, she requested a contract, according to which you'll have to marry the son of our best friends. She wanted to secure your future and she knew that you won't ever get the in-laws better than our own best friends." He says a little emotional while reminiscing the painful memories. 

He then chuckles and continues, "You know me, your mother Glorina, and our best friends Carolina and George who are now husband and wife, we met in our university. You already know them, I made you talk to them and we used to live there nearby but after your mother died, we moved from America to here, in London because I couldn't stay there with all the memories of your mother. Carolina and I were best friends back then and didn't know George and Glorina. When we met in university I fell in love with George's best friend and your mother, Glorina and George fell in love with my best friend Carolina, and well, we four became inseparable until I decided to move here, but as you know we have still been in contact with each other. Your mother decided that when you'll turn 22, you'll be married to their son. And I didn't know if you really wanted it and also I know you first want to be successful as an author, but two days before I got a call from George and he asked me about the contract. They have always been happy knowing you'll be their daughter-in-law and he has always waited for this day and so when I didn't make a move to talk about this on your birthday a few months ago or also after it, he himself brought up the topic two days ago and I couldn't say no because I know it's right for you. Your mother loved you Soff and everyone can tell this easily once they know how she secured her daughter's future even before she was born. She secured your future before she died. She fulfilled her responsibility before she died. She made the contract and both of our families signed it with acceptance." My dad explains everything to me and by the end of his explanation, both of our eyes get filled with unshed tears.     

I knew about their story, how they both fell in love and how their best friends fell in love with each other. I also know Uncle George and aunt Carolina. I've talked to them on phone, and they always talked to me as if their own daughter and now I know the reason, all along they knew that one day I was going to be their daughter-in-law. They run a really successful business, worldwide. Their elder son had taken over the company a few years ago and made it reach even new heights, and their younger son is no different. Both of their sons lived away, first because of education and then... they just started living away from them. What I know is that their younger son does come to meet them frequently but their elder son... I don't know much about him, he is always busy with work. No wonder their business is on a totally different level. I guess he is just like my dad, after my mom died my dad seems to engage himself in work, but my dad does find time for me and both of their companies have some projects signed together too. Well both the companies are well known.

I find my dad looking at me with his eyes soft when I lift my head. I love my dad, and I know he loves me too, more than anything. He knew about the contract but didn't bring it up just because he knew my plans. I want a family, and I'm very eager about it too, I always tease my father about how he'll live without me and that I'll take him with me. But first I want to be successful to make my father and my husband proud. But seeing the situation now, I guess I'll have to marry first. I mean I'll be in good hands, I've heard so much about my could-be in-laws from my father, what fun and pranks they pulled in their college life and I know them myself too, I've talked to them via video calling. And I must say, all four of them were really mischievous in their college days, they did a lot of fun.

"Dad, I'm ready for the marriage, but don't hurry it, I still need to wrap my mind around this new piece of information," I say.

My father opens his mouth but nothing comes out and so he hugs me and I know that he is just too overwhelmed to say anything. "Thank you for understanding Soff, you know they'll keep you as their own daughter, and don't worry, I'm sure your husband is gonna treat you with a lot of love and care. After all, you are so kind that nobody can keep themselves from loving you." My father says with happy tears in his eyes and I smile at him when my eyes suddenly dart to my favourite cake.

"So now, let's celebrate this news by having cake!" I smile and he chuckles at that. 

We both eat the cake and keep the leftover in the fridge because of course after eating so much I couldn't finish it and nor my father. I wish him good night and he hugs me one more time before I make my way towards my room.

Today has been really... I don't know, I guess the future will tell whether the decision I made this night is gonna pay me well or the complete opposite. But I know it's gonna be good with uncle George and aunt Carolina present there. With that, I go for a shower and then change in my night suit ready to sleep.   

Let's see what future has stored in for me.