Second Chances

Chapter 1

Can You Deliver a Good News?

"But Dad! I don't want to be married yet! For God's sake, I'm only 21 years old and I just still in college!" I am acting like a kid having some tantrums but I don't care if they are trying to change my life.

Right now, I am begging my Mom and Dad while we are having dinner and I barely touched my food ever since they told me the news of me getting married to some complete stranger.

"But you are gonna graduate this month, right? So that means it is totally fine. Besides your soon-to-be husband also just got home from Russia." Mom spoke, excitement in her eyes and voice.

"From Russia? Why?" I asked, curiously.

"Oh, he's a Russian chef." She stated "His name is Stephan Draco. Does it ring a bell to you?"

My eyebrows frowned as I thought of the name.

Stephan Draco

Oh I remember, I've seen him before in a magazine. He's one of the hottest male alive and one of the richest to be in fact. At only 16, he already had his own restaurant and at 19, he was married to this supermodel, Christina and then just a few months later, his wife died in an accident but she was not alone when that happened, she was with his brother. Rumors says that they have been cheating behind Stephan's back but don't judge immediately.

There are only three sides in a story. Stephan's side, Christina's side and the truth.

But still, I don't want to be married!

Number one, I am too young to get married.

Number two, getting married is not in my list of priority at the moment because I want to enjoy my singlehood alone without any men in my life.

Number three, I don't want to be a rebound.

Number four, He is not the husband material type of men.

And lastly, number five, we don't love each other and nothing is gonna happen since he is he is not my type and I'm sure that I am not his type, either.

"But this marriage has always been in our tradition. You will marry the guy that was destined for you." Mom said, drinking her glass of mine.

"Whoa, destiny? That guy is a hundred percent not my destiny because you two and his parents are forcing us to be together even if it is not good" I grimaced.

"Your Dad and I were also fixed marriage but look at us, we made it work and we love each other and so are you and your brother." She placed a hand on top of mine that was above the table. "Trust us on this"

"God, I can't believe that this happening to me." I whispered to the air and just looked down on my plat and think about it if this has any good outcomes.

Then I was gonna talk again when suddenly both of their phone rang causing them to alert quickly and answered them. This is actually what me and my family needs. Family bonding.

My Dad already stood up and left us while talking business on his phone as he head to his office. Then Mom stood next as she seems to be enjoying her conversation in the other line. "I will go on ahead, sweetie. Finish your meal" she told me before completely leaving me in the dining room.

Silence quickly enveloped in the large room of this dining area, all the thing that was left was me, and the four maids behind me who were standing like statues and will only move when I asked them to.

I wasn't in the mood to eat so I just stand up and head to my room immediately and look myself up. I tried to call my friend Jasmine but she was not answering it. That girl is probably partying again or maybe out with some guy.

I quickly opened my laptop and started searching about Stephan Draco. And many articles are in there about him. His restaurant The Blue Lantern is really worldwide known since there are many branches of that restaurant in different countries and it was only him who owned it. Jeez, that is too much for a 24 year old. His life is nearly perfect.

He had so many pictures and most of them are business shots, some photography shots of his cooking, he's in some bar, some are shots of him taken by paparazzi while he was having dinner with random people and some of them are just simple shots of him cooking. And take note, not a single photo had him smiling. That is so weird.

Oh wait, I saw one.

He was in a VIP section of a club, he was with his friends and he was smiling a bit. And I had to admit, he is really a handsome man. So tall, lean, handsome and hot. The most gorgeous and attractive man that I have seen in my entire life.

I need to get a lot of information about him if he is getting married to me.

Wait no wedding is gonna happen. I will not marry Stephan and that's final. I closed my laptop after reading some news about him and everything are just amazing. He is really talented and that is for sure. He's a husband material.

But then I just thought, will he like me? I am not yet sure if he agreed in this whole arranged marriage thing. I'm sure he doesn't like that because he still love his dead wife. And it looks like that he still has not moved on from her death.

But we really are arranged marriage to each other, he would be probably know this by now. And we might be able to meet up soon. Well, I hope everything will turn out just fine.

THE NEXT MORNING, I came down from room to get some breakfast to see my Mom still talking over the phone while she was sitting in the living room and flipping some channels on the TV. She did not noticed me coming at all.

My dad and mom just got home from a business trip in Hawaii and now they arrived here at home and they are still working. I walked to the dining area to see what our meal is. While I was taking a loaf of bread on the table, someone barged in.

"Good morning." His older brother, Aiden came in and head to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and drank a milk in its actual box.

"Gross! Pour it in a glass if you want to drink. God, your saliva is everywhere in that box." I wrinkled my nose on disgust as grab the box from him and threw it in the garbage can and grab a new box of milk from the shelf and place it inside the fridge. "Where have you been last night?"

"Oh party." He simply replied. "How about you?"

"Discussing about my wedding"

"Wait, you already agreed?" He frowned his eyebrows.

"Like I could refuse it." I rolled my eyes. "You know, you're so lucky you weren't chosen in this" I mumbled.

"That is because I'm cool, baby!' He said giving me his signature teasing grin then when he saw me glare at him, he quickly became serious.

"Well, unlike you, I cant be trusted that easily because my behavior is worse than yours" he added with a small and weak smile. "So just take it in a good way"

I inhaled deeply and just remained silent. No matter what happened, this forced marriage will continue whether we like it or not. It is tradition and it's their deal for the business.

There is no way I can refuse. For this family I have to do it even if it will ruin my life forever.

I was having breakfast with my annoying brother when Dad came in wearing his usual attire. He had an early meeting today that's why he did not eat breakfast and just drunk his coffee "Aiden, change into something appropriate and go to my office later, I need your help in some files" he said then kissed me on the forehead before leaving out.

Mom walked in just in time and she just finished her conversation. "Ariana, your fiancé is excited to meet you so he arranged a dinner with you tonight"

I gawked "What?"

"Yep. It's just a date, sweetie. No harm will be done. You don't have to worry about anything." She assured me.

"Yeah right. It's him that I'm worried about." I mumbled, letting out a sigh and gather all of my long brown hair on one side "What time is this date?"

"Tonight at 7" she replied. "Stephan is a good man, Ariana. Believe me."

"How can you say that? You haven't met him yet" I spat at her, with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh I have met him six years ago" she replied, in a matter of factly tone. "Oh and I also have to go now, I still have a meeting with your future mother in law. See you two later" she stood up and left me and Aiden alone again.

We both looked at each other "Our family is weird" I uttered which is actually true.

It is really weird because I still live with my parents at the age of 21 but our mansion is too big for just the four of us. And to think that I just arrived from Paris a few weeks ago because I took college there and had culinary arts.

So I still haven't found an apartment or condo to live now that I am here.

Aiden doesn't live here but suddenly I will be surprised that he is sleeping here in the mansion then will leave the next day. He does that often.

Okay, then I have to think of what will I wear tonight for my date. First impression are the best so I have to think of it properly.

Hm, what should I wear?

As much as I don't want him to like me, I still have to look gorgeous for him to see that I am beautiful and proud. But wait...

What if I dress something that will make him hate me? Something that will make him think that I am not the perfect girl for him. With that, our wedding can be canceled!

That's it! You are so smart, Ariana. He will never ask you to marry if you look inappropriate and so will his parents will hate me and call off the wedding!

God, an evil smile had formed in my lips. This is so fantastic.

Now, I'm excited for the dinner. Haha! Evil laugh.

LATER that night, I am in my room while checking myself in front of a mirror. I think this is fine and so not me. I had too much make up on and the clothes are totally not my type of dresses.

It's a bra black top and black skirt, black pumps and my diamond necklace that has my name on it. I have full makeup and my hair is thrown back causing me to look edgy and sexy. I look like a bad girl now. Damn, my parents will be so angry when they saw me like this. Not a proper lady, mom would say.

Okay, I am good to go.

I picked up my purse and head downstairs, told the driver to get ready and I need to leave before Mom and Dad sees me looking like this. To be honest, this is the sexiest dress I have in my wardrobe and this is the first time I wore this.

Oh, my butt looks sexy in this fitting skirt. I should really wear things like this often.

My heart is beating so fast when I got inside the car. I feel nervous and I really want this to end so bad. If I just have the guts to say no to my parents, I should have be living free now buy they are still controlling me and I can't get out. God, I feel so weak.

God, please stop this plan of marriage. I still want to enjoy my life and not be tied down in a life commitment to someone who doesn't even like me!

Can my life get any better?

The whole car ride was like the longest ride I had and my heart was beating too fast inside my chest when we reached the restaurant where me and Stephan are gonna dine together. Sweet.

I thought its the Blue Lantern but I'm surprised that the restaurant where we stopped is a French restaurant and I believe the that Stephan doesn't own this.

Okay, time to shine. Show him that their parents plan is the worst of all.

To be continued