"Athena, you should do some skin care or consult a doctor, to remove these acne scars on your face."

"Mom, you know, i hate putting ointment on my face, and as for skin care, even if i care about it, it just doesn't care about me. "

Mom looked at me and smiled.

"Aren't girls  your age usually crazy about skincare? At least, please put on make up and dress up on your wedding day, for my sake. I'm sure you would be the prettiest."

That was my last conversation with my mom. She died soon after in a car accident while returning from grocery shopping. My dad passed away, when i was 7 and my money thirsty aunt and uncle along with my grandmother stole whatever we had and left us in a pathetic state. My mom worked hard to provide me with a shelter. She worked multiple jobs in order to complete my schooling. 

When i was 16, she left me all alone, in this world with nothing but memories, just like father did. Before my dad's death, we were a happy family. But after he left us, grandmother snatched our house through despicable means just for selling our house to aunt, who loves money more than anything. My uncle, Jacob, wasn't born into a prestigious family. He changed his name after marrying  my aunt Laila, becoming Jacob Everhart. With the help of my grandmother, Jacob took over my dad's company business without our knowledge. Our family knew nothing about their true intentions and always helped them when my dad was alive. However, they soon kicked us out of our own house, leaving us with nothing.

My mom's biggest wish was for me to get a job and lead a happy married life. There was one more thing she wanted me to do and that was to get our home back. That house was the fruit of my father's blood, sweat and tears. Mom had always wanted to live there until her hair turned complete grey. But i couldn't let that happen. I worked different jobs for 6  years and finally am ready to buy our home, from grandmother.

There was an old woman sitting on her bed. Her sharp eyes scanned every corner of me. It was none other than my grandmother. She opened her mouth.

"If you are here to buy your house,  i will give it to you for free on one condition."

I knew i can't argue with her, because she wouldn't sell the house to me if i don't agree to whatever her condition was. So, i thought i should at least listen to her.

"What is it? ...I will think about it, once i hear your condition."

"You don't have to be on guard, it's nothing but a marriage proposal from a man similar to your age and from a prestigious family at that too. You two would definitely make a good match."

She chuckled.

"What if i don't like it?"

"You have no say in this...i had already made arrangements for your wedding."

"What? without even telling me?"

I knew she was despicable, but still...to sell her own grand daughter to someone in the name of marriage without her knowledge was something that i couldn't even imagine. Does she hate me that much? But why? No... She had never loved me to begin with, what she had shown in front of me, when i was a kid was all an act.

"You have to agree, if not i will use the fake documents that i had prepared ,to make sure you end up in prison."

Even though our conversation continued, it was one-sided. Well, that's for sure. Now i can only hope, the day, when i marry that man would never come. I felt dizzy for a long time even after i returned to my room. 

The cozy room tried to ease my feelings. But my heart kept beating like it would come out of my chest, anytime. I wouldn't be like this if it was just a simple arranged marriage, but the name of my husband to be, made me tremble in fear. 'Mikhail Cassius', i whispered that name over and over again, closed my eyes with a big sigh, a single tear streamed down my cheek.