Chapter 1 - I Am Shocked

Madeline's POV

I am running to my aunt's residence since my best friend called me and informed me she saw black cars park outside our home, and she thinks my aunt is in trouble. I am excused from my part-time job as a cashier in one of the twenty-four-hour convenience stores not so far from our place, and I fear what is going on.

My steps faltered when I realized Gina was right. Gentlemen are wearing black suits outside our house, I can't stop my heart from hammering, and I doubt my aunt's deal with them. I realize we had so many debts when my mom got sick; I perceive my aunt loves me, but I can't blame her that her life became hard when we came to her doorstep one night since we don't have a place to stay. From then on, I am forever grateful to her, and if there is only one thing I can do to save her from all the debts she has right now, I will do it in a heartbeat.

"Are you Madeline Brownwood?" Asked one man, and I nodded. And it feels like they have cut my tongue off because of my nervousness.

"We have been waiting for you, and please let us get inside and discuss this matter with you." He said, and I followed him as he got inside our cute living room. I saw my aunt sitting on the sofa, and my eyes widened when I realized my suitcases are on the floor. And before I can ask her what is going on, she stands up and moves closer to me.

"I'm sorry, Maddie, Mr. Divenson already paid all of our debts, and you know my debts filed up when I accepted you and your mother in this house. You should come with them so that we will be all happy, and you will have a better life." My aunt spoke, and I can see the tears that welled up in her eyes, and I became so confused why she is saying sorry to me.

"Ms. Brownwood, your presence is highly needed at the Divenson Mansion since you are going to marry Mr. Hunter Divenson." He spoke calmly, and I stiffened upon hearing what he had said.

"What? I don't even have a boyfriend, and who says I am marrying someone I don't even know." I replied, and my shock made my entire body shake. The family name Divenson rings a bell on my head, and I became so astounded when I realized he was talking about the Divenson who owned one of the largest mining companies in our country.

"You may not know him personally, Ms. Brownwood, but I am telling you if you will see him in person, I can guarantee you will love all about him. I can't believe you don't know him, he has been linked with celebrities before, but none of those issues were true. He is such a private man, but because of his stature and physical appearance, many are fascinated by him, including daughters of the Elite Society." He responded.

"And you are?" I asked him, and he smiled at me warmly.

"Oh, I am sorry, my dear, for I forgot my manners. I should have introduced myself first. I am Calixto Morgan, Hunter's right hand." He said, and he offered me his palm, and I shake hands with him. This thing is too much to process, and I don't know if I have a choice.

"Can I say no to this?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I am afraid you can't, Maddie. Your dad, Frank Brownwood, had an agreement with Mr. Divenson." He declared, and I am frozen on the ground as I heard him mentioned my father's name, and there is no way he has something to do about this since he left us since I was three years old.

"I don't know my father," I said.

"Yes, but he knew about you, and you can ask your aunt who helped her with your mother's medications, you may not know him, but he has done a lot for you, but sad to say he has another family that is why he left you and your mother." He declared, and I can't believe this person knows almost everything about my life.

"Shall we go now? Mr. Divenson is a busy man, he wants you to be at the house before dinner, so you can meet your future in-laws earlier before he arrives for supper." He said, and his men took my suitcases, and I don't know what to say. I felt betrayed by my aunt, but I can't blame her since she has done a lot for us. I am still grateful for all the helped I got from my mother's sister. She hugged me, and I embraced her back, but my tears don't fall, and I wonder why. I used to be a crybaby, but after my mother died, I promise myself I won't cry.

I felt defeated since he already paid off all my aunt's debt, but I will beg Mr. Divenson, I will ask him to allow me to work as a maid in their mansion, and he doesn't need to marry me. I settled myself at the back of the black SUV while Mr. Morgan, seated in the front seat. I get my aunt's phone from my pocket and said goodbye to Gina, but I told her I would meet her one of these days. And I realized I wasn't able to return my aunt's phone. As we drive away from my aunt's place, I fixed my back on the car's backrest, and I am trying my best to come up with a solution to stay aside from this mess.

I couldn't believe my estranged father will do this to me. He had so many shortcomings to me being my dad, and now, he made my life so miserable. How can he arrange a marriage for me? I am not confident if Mr. Calixto Morgan is telling the truth. I have never been in love, and Gina said it was a wonderful feeling that you couldn't express them in words. She mentioned once I will fall in love with someone, I will recognize it. I am too busy helping my aunt to pay the bills and make ends meet to have a love life. I perceive I am not ugly. There are boys from high school, and even now that I am in college, they asked me to come on a date with them, but I always say no.

"Maddie, you don't need to worry about everything. Even if you are going to marry Hunter, he wants you to continue your studies." Calixto declared, and I felt glad at least I still have my options. Maybe I can run from him the moment I am at the university. I work part-time just to pursue my education, so many times my aunt reprimanded me since she wishes me to stop studying, but I beg her that this is what I want with my life.

The minute we arrived at the Divenson mansion, my eyes widened since I haven't realized I am staring at a manor for the first time. I have seen mansions and estates from TV shows, but it felt so different looking at it up close. The massive pillars of the house are telling me this house costs a fortune. It feels like I see a castle. The mansion is enormous and so beautiful. The white color paint of the entire home makes it more elegant. At the point we get inside, Calixto brings me first to my assigned bedroom.

"Maddie, you need to come down to the pavilion after twenty minutes. I will wait for you in the living room. Hunter asked me to introduce you to his family." He said in a fatherly voice, and I can't stop myself from asking him.

"Do you know my father?" I inquired.

"Of course, he has been too closed to me and with Hunter because he was his driver." He declared as he opened the door of my chamber, and I can't believe what I saw. It was bigger than I can imagine, and I suddenly felt like a princess in a movie.

"This is your room for the time being since you will join with Mr. Divenson after the wedding in the master's bedroom. There are dresses in the closet, and please suit yourself. You need to wear a dress from now on." He declared, and I can feel goosebumps in my entire body since I didn't imagine myself being married at nineteen.

Calixto closes the door gently, and I can't stop myself from admiring my room, from the king-sized four-poster bed to the enormous, beautiful bathroom, and the view on the balcony is breathtaking. They cover the sofa in my room with a white sofa cover, and the lilac bed covers make me want to take a nap. I followed Calixto's advice, and as I open the closet, I can't believe the beautiful dresses and shoes that I found, and I wonder who ordered these clothes.

I chose the most straightforward costume, but after I took a shower and get the dress, it fits perfectly on my body, and I felt so lovely looking at my reflection in the vanity mirror. Even the mirror and dresser in this room are expensive. I was terrified at first, but now that I see the Divenson mansion, I fall in love with its splendor.. I don't know if I can get away from here, but I am strong, and I won't let Hunter Divenson ruin my life.