1 The contract

Aurora

"I'm getting married, I'm getting married" The horrifying words ring in my ears. 

Tears roll down my cheek, my whole life came crashing down, I couldn't believe what I heard, my father the man I always looked up provided the one information that could ruin my life.

I expected mother to come to aid but as always she supported her husband, my brother Lucifer couldn't say much, once father makes a decision it's his final, he never changes it. 

My whole life I have been pampered by my parents, they always cater and care for me providing of everything I ever wanted and today they asked a price for all these years of caring and love, a price I knew I can't pay, I would rather die than accept this. 

"Crying is not going to help." I heard my sister say, she locked the door and sat beside me. 

"I can't marry him." I whisper, my voice was filled with sorrows, I got tired of crying minutes ago and now I am filled with anger. 

"It's already decided, you marry him next week." 

"I can't." I whispered again. "I don't want to." 

This morning after breakfast when father called for a meeting, I assumed he wanted to speak about Lucifer taking over the company and not of my marriage with the most notorious man in the city. 

I have heard horrifying stories of that man, how he has committed brutal crimes to be where he is today, though he is the next ceo of a multi billion company I knew better than to jeopardize my future into the hands of a terrible man.

"They are just rumors." 

Nothing about Andrea Rodriguez is a rumor; that man is the devil himself. 

I know she was just trying to convince me, she knew better than me it was more than a rumor, she knew the whole city feared this man, I had no idea what his actual work was but I knew it was nothing legal, with the way he is been feared the rumors has to be true.

"Don't lie to me." I said to her, she took out a tissue and wiped my dried tears from my cheek. 

"What am I going to do Tess?." I asked my older sister.

It was unfair I had to marry when she is next in line for marriage, it was unfair of father to ask me to leave my college life, to leave building my career so I could be some housewife for a man. 

My mind races through different things, what if he is a woman beater, what if the rumors are true he killed his ex girlfriend, I don't want to die, I don't want to live a life where I'm forced to pretend to be happy, where I can't speak unless I'm spoken to. 

"I don't want this Tess, I can't do this." 

"I'm sorry." She says.

The door cracks open to travel Lucifer who stood by the edge of the door. 

"Can I speak to you?." He says and I nod.

Tess and Lucifer are not as close as I am with him, Tess has been a way from home for a long time while I was here with Lucifer, he is the oldest of three children while I was the youngest. 

"Why did father choose me?." I asked Lucifer once Tess leaves. 

"You are the prettiest." Lucifer says, I was unable to comprehend what he meant by that statement. 

"He promised father power and wealth in exchange of marriage with his daughter."

"Why didn't he choose Tess." 

I know I sounded selfish but I needed to know. 

"You are pure, Tess isn't."

Because I'm a virgin. 

Fuck.

"I can't do this, I need you to help me."

"And I will, I will try and find out everything possible about this situation but don't tell Tess anything."

We did trust Tess but we didn't trust her enough not tell father about our plans, believe or not Tess was selfish, we both knew that and we both know she would choose herself over anyone anytime and if she found out I'm trying to get out of this situation she would be damned because she might be forced to take my place.

"Thank you Lu." I give him a weak smile. 

I have no idea if what I'm doing is for the best for I know for sure I didn't want to get married especially to someone like that, I deserve to be loved and respected and not toyed with, I have feelings and father needs to learn to respect that.

Lucifer says I should at least pretend to be okay with the wedding so father can trust me to be on my own, if I cause any trouble father won't hesitate to have guards in front of my room. 

Good thing, I'm studying acting. 

"What did you and Lucifer discuss?." Tess asks. It was like she has been waiting for him to leave the room so she could come and ask me this. 

"Nothing that concerns you Tess." I said through my teeth.

I know it's not her fault father is forcing me to get married but I'm annoyed at myself, I'm annoyed at everyone. 

She didn't say much, she glanced at me and exited the room.

I trust Lucifer more than I trust myself but I needed to also find a way to escape this, I can't help but think what if he is unable to help me. One thing I know is that I'm not going to sign that contract.