PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
DISCLAIMER: I am not fluent in English. GRAMMATICAL ERRORS AHEAD. [Apologies In Advance]
ZACHARY POV
The day has come to meet and know the woman I will marry. Samarra Miel O’ Harra. I don’t know anything about her other than her name. Only my brother Zeke and my parents are acquainted with her. Mom told me many things about her, but I didn’t listen because I wasn’t interested.
They have long planned for the wedding at the Old Palace Chester in Chester, England. You assumed they were the ones to get married, choose the church and reception location, and select the Godparents. We were never even asked what we wanted. When they decided, I gasped because I remembered what Dad had said earlier.
“If you don’t marry Sam, you won’t get an inheritance. Our parenting is over. We agreed not to pick up Sam at the airport earlier. But now, I’m not letting you miss the dinner I prepared. Don’t start me with your stubbornness, Zachary!”
Our dinner was around seven o’clock, but I was ready at six. Topped with a blue navy-blue polo shirt and black slacks, not bothering to fix me because I would convince Samarra to cancel the wedding, and I was still exhausted from my vacation in Amanpulo.
When I arrived at the Buenavista hotel, I went straight to the roof deck where Dad was preparing our dinner because I knew Samarra was staying in Brother Zeke’s penthouse.
“Good evening, Sir, this way,” said the waiter, who led me to our table.
I looked around, noticing the various flowers circling our chairs. With so many flowers, you’d think a proposal would occur. Some employees are on hand to assist us. My father prepared this dinner, and Ms. Lyn’s manager was also present.
I checked my watch about fifteen minutes before seven and still couldn’t see Samarra, so I sat and waited.
But when seven o’clock rolled around, she was still not there. So, I decided to play games on my phone instead of waiting impatiently.
Just a few moments… became fifteen… twenty… thirty… I was irritated when I realized it was only five minutes before eight o’clock.
I drank a lot of water, but she still wasn’t there. The air took my breath away. I’m staring at my phone impatiently; every minute seems equivalent to an hour.
Oh my God! I hated her; it was like she was intentionally being late.
I inhaled and tried to calm down before I chose to stand up and leave.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.”
I hadn’t had time to turn around, so she stepped in front of me. When I looked at myself, I couldn’t help but be stunned. Is this Samarra?
Samarra asked, “Are you, Mr. Zachary Cadden Buenavista?” She adjusts her dress while bending over.
I sifted through her. I’m unable to speak. In front of me, she’s effortless. There is no makeup on her face, which is good because she’s more beautiful. Her eyes were swollen from a long sleep, but her brown skin was smooth. Her hair was still damp and waist-length. I can even smell the scent of the fragrant soap she uses.
I swear I heard her clear her throat to get my attention. I fixed my gaze on her. Her brows met while staring at me, and her face was blank, as if unpaintable. I swallowed and forced a nervous smile.
“Hello, my name is Zachary Cadden. But you can call me Zach.”
She smiled, revealing dimples on her cheeks.
“I’m Samarra Miel.”
“Fuck! Zach, she’s like an angel, and the softness of her palm.”
“Ahmm … Forgive my manners. Have a sit.” I walked over to her and helped her sit down.
“Nice to meet you, Zach. I apologize for being late; perhaps I was overtired. So, I didn’t hear my alarm. Did you wait long?” Samarra asked, a slight smile on her face.
“It’s fine; I didn’t have to wait long,” I explained.
“Your face, Zachary. You’ve been annoyed before, haven’t you? And I thought you weren’t going to flaunt your elegance? What are you doing now?” I mock myself.
“Let’s order; I’m already hungry,” Samarra said.
I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at her. I called up the waiter so we could place our order, and he immediately approached us. The waiter quickly took our orders. While we waited for food, I could see her frowning as she pressed her cell phone.
I fixed my gaze on her. As if drawn from her long hair to her brow. Her long eyelashes complemented her gray eyes. The pointed nose. The small lip is naturally red.
I swallowed, staring at her lips as if she were inviting me to kiss her. When our food arrived, I shook my head and looked at Samarra, but she didn’t say anything. So, I chose not to speak either; the two of us were quiet at our table, and no one wanted to talk to us first.
I drank juice first after we finished eating. I was thinking about what I should say to Samarra. How am I trying to convince this that we should not pursue our parents’ agreement?
I gaze at Samarra, who is still busy pressing the keypad on her cellphone. I was curious as to what she was doing?
Zachary, mind your own business.
I sighed, unsure what to say, but she needed to know that I opposed the wedding held with us.
“I don’t want to get married; I don’t want to marry you,” I did my best to say those words to her. I don’t want to come here. But Daddy pursued me and left me with no choice.
As the mischievous smile drew on her lips, we exchanged severe glances.
“Same… don’t worry,” she said, winking at me before returning her gaze to the cell phone.
“Hey, you!” I said to get her attention.
She looked at me, tracing her beautiful face, impatient as she lowered the cell phone she was holding on our table.
“If you don’t want to marry me, tell your parents, and we’re free from this agreement and can marry whoever we want,” I persuaded her.
I saw her smirking.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Zachary,” she apologized, her slightly sad voice.
“I don’t want to marry you. You heard it right, but?” She chuckled before continuing. “I respect my parents’ decision. So, I can’t do anything about that marriage.”
I massaged my brow. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? Crush? Lovers? Childhood sweetheart?” I inquired.
When I asked her questions, she appeared bewildered and grimaced.
“Nothing,” she said, bored as she took up the cell phone on the table.
I stood up to her answer. “Do you know if we’re going to get married? It’s hard to separate. What if you have feelings for someone else? We’re going to have a hard time together. Let me tell you something: I have a girlfriend, she is more beautiful than you, and I love her. So, you should take a step back while there’s still time because you’re the woman.” I couldn’t help but be irritated because she didn’t seem to get it, no matter my explanation. Argh!”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
She didn’t show any reaction. She didn’t seem to be interested in what I had to say. I’m nearing the end of my patience. She doesn’t seem to care if she marries someone else or not. The only thing that matters here is that she obeys her parents.
“OK,” she said, still not looking.
Fuck, she tests my patience.
I rubbed my brow and narrowed my eyes at her. “Do you hear what I’m saying, Ms. Samarra? Are you aware of this lifetime commitment?” I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
She suddenly looked around and glared at me. “Look, Mr. Buenavista. Will you please shut up! And mind your own business Mr. Buenavista. If you don’t want to marry me, say to your parents. Complain to them and look at me? Do you think I’ll hit you? If it weren’t for my parents, I might not be in front of you, Mr. Buenavista? And, one more thing!” she’s whispering and pointing at my chest, which gives me a strange feeling. She blushes with anger, but she still looks stunning.
“Don’t you ever dare compare me to your girlfriend, huh! I’m a human, not a dog,” she said sarcastically.
She got up from her seat and started to walk away. I was blown into the air with great annoyance and sat down again. I took a deep breath to calm myself; I no longer knew if it was for what she said or because I felt weird. I don’t seem to get anything out of this woman, but even I know she’s angry. She still manages to keep me from shouting around people.
“Come on, Zachary, think about how you’ll escape from that wedding.”
My brow furrowed. I was startled and turned to look in front of me. Samarra’s broad smile was visible as if she had won the lottery.
“What?” I can’t help but feel bored.
When I questioned her, her smile widened even more? She took the water-filled glass. The coldness of the water she poured astounded me.
“Fuck…! What’s your problem?” I was irritated with Samarra.
She gave a lovely smile. “If you don’t want to get married, don’t show up,” Samarra said as she drew closer to me.
“I love you until the end, Mr. Buenavista; good luck, my future husband; do everything you can to convince your parents.”
She winked at me and gently adjusted my collar before walking away. I sat down again as I watched a figure walk away from me, wave, and walk out.
“Does she want me not to show up at our wedding so I can look bad in front of our family? Tsk! Wrong move Ms. O’ Harra. You’ll regret what you did. You shouldn’t be fighting me.”