1 Chapter one

Last week, I was just kicked out of my college. The one I've been working so hard for, now it's all just a waste.

A few days ago, I had just learned that my best friend, Daphne planned the whole scheme just to get me kicked out. No one believed that I didn't do it.

And just a few hours ago, my boyfriend dumped me.

I needed to find a job quick, or else I would lose my apartment. And I would have nowhere to go since my parents already despise me for getting kicked out. As I was walking down the busy streets of New York City, which I'm telling you. Some of the prices here are crazy expensive. Me as a former college student could never afford anything.

I was about to open the door to a cafe called, "Little Beans," which they were hiring when I got a phone call. My phone kept buzzing in my pocket, so I took it out and searched for the ID caller.

"Mom?" I answer it, she rarely ever called me.

"I need you to come home, it's an emergency," she says sounding panicked. What was happening? Mom never called me unless it was an emergency. "Alright, I'm coming," I reply back to her before shoving my phone into my pocket to take the next train to upstate New York which was where my parents lived. It was quite far, since I was in Manhattan and it was a long commute. But nonetheless, it was an emergency so I needed to get home quick.

I paid for my fare which was sadly pretty expensive, putting a deep hole into my debit card. I wasn't just taking the train to another borough. It was upstate so of course it would be expensive.

Back in my college life, my parents would pay for everything I needed like my apartment rent, my tuition. But after being kicked out, they stopped paying because I was not being responsible. So that's why I barely had any savings in my bank account because I never needed to work.

I guess this was a lesson.

The train came a few minutes later as I was the first one to step into the train. I took a seat in the corner and began rethinking my whole life situation. I can't believe my best friend betrayed me. She was the one who set everything up and I was just the naive little girl. Who always thought I had a perfect life up until now.

And my boyfriend—ex boyfriend surprisingly believed her too! We dated for almost two years and put our trust in with each other but I guess that was just a whole big lie.

I wanted to forget about them. But I couldn't. I couldn't get rid of what's become my life now. I was going to be a poor drop out college student who wanted to exceed in her dreams by becoming a doctor. I'm sure no college would even want to except me anymore after my this has been set onto my record. Hell, not even a college community would!

I was about to search up some jobs that were available until I received a message.

From mom:

Where are you? It's been 30 minutes, why aren't you here yet? I knew you would be such a disappointment, I cannot believe me and your father put out this much trust in you. You better get here soon or else we are cutting your savings. Although you barely even have any.

Reading over that message again and again, I grew super embarrassed. I don't know why but I just did. Soon, that embarrassment grew into frustration. My parents didn't even trust me. What kind of daughter am I? And it was cruel for her to even say this to me. Yes, I know I am a disappointment but they didn't need to be this harsh.

I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. Definitely not in front of all these people here on the train.

A while later, I finally got off the train and walked out of the station. I started my walk home which was only ten minutes, not too far.

Scanning the neighborhood I was surrounded with, I realized it wasn't too different. I'm twenty now and the last time I've been here was two years ago, when I was eighteen.

As soon as I realize, I'm stepping on my front porch already. Deep breaths Eliza. You got this. I took out the key that was buried deep in my bag and unlocked the front door.

"Mom? Dad?" I yell but not too loud, I didn't want another scolding from them. Suddenly, mom appeared from the living room.

"Eliza, hurry up and get to the living room," she ushers me to walk quickly. I gave her a weird and confused look. What is going on?

I furrowed my brows together and walk into the living room when I was met with a man probably in his sixties sitting on our couch. What the heck?

"Uh—mom, dad, what is this?" I question them but trying not to be annoying. I glanced over at the man again sitting in our living room. He was dressed in a expensive looking suit. With a gold watch on his wrist.

"You must be Eliza, I suppose?" The random man speaks up and stands up.

I nod silently, almost fearing to talk.

"Please come sit," he smiles down at me and gestures over to another chair. I sit down quietly.

"You must be wondering why you are here right?" He lifts one of his brows at me.

I finally manage to find my voice again, "Yes."

"Your parents have made a proposal. You marry my son, Alexander Mostelli. And in return, you will be granted with fame and fortune," he looks at me and speaks. Almost like he was trying to get a reaction out of my.

I was shocked to speak. They made a deal that involved me marrying someone? This was crazy. Wasn't marriage supposed to be about love and all that?

I look at my parents and they give me blank expressions. I shake my head disapprovingly, "Your kidding right?" But the man just looks at me, not talking. "This has got to be a joke!" I speak up again.

"Mom? Your serious?" I look over at my parents again and scoff.

"Your already failing educational wise, there's no point to your future anymore," she just shrugs. No fucking way. She did not just say that.

"What? What do you mean failing? I was set up. This is your problem for not trusting me enough to think I was the one who actually did this—like I wanted this life," I scoff at my parents. My vision was getting blurry because of the tears that wanted to escape so badly.

But another voice—that wasn't my parents, speak, "I know your upset Eliza. But this deal has already been set," he looks at my parents to confirm and they nod their heads.

I wanted to scream so badly.

"Fine, whatever." Was the last thing I said before I stormed up to my room that I used to use back in my high school years.