Chapter 18 - Waking Nightmare

When Prisana was a little girl, she used to believe that nightmares were a fiction of one's imagination. She was wrong. Nightmares were real, waking, and have been confronting her for the past twenty four hours.

Perhaps even from the moment she breathed life but not noticeable until this very moment.

Father.

His unloving eyes watched her every move. A politician's gaze that seized the size and weight of their opponent. Yet Prisana was not his opponent, but his daughter. He didn't see that. He saw his future as the next possible candidate of presidency.

Appearances were always important to him.

'Dress well'.

'Act proper and well educated'.

'Smile'.

'Don't bring shame and embarrassment to me'.

Those were his usual words to Prisana when they appeared in the media's lens.

He tapped his finger against a piece of paper. Prisana looked away because she knew what that was.

The dreadful marriage certificate.

To pledge her future to a man she did not love was not the problem. The problem was that she would be pledging her future to the betrayal both Giovanni and Erica created. They created the defiant woman and for that, she had to thank them.

"Sign it," he demanded, voice unfit for a father.

For someone that Aunt Florence claimed to have been worrying over her, he sure was getting straight to the point. That hug was well played as his role of a father but his intentions were obvious from the start.

"We don't need to sign papers. It's proof enough that I am his wife if I live with him, is that not right Gio dear?"

Giovanni did not give anything away. His expression remained deadpan. Prisana was so sure that he would object and agree with father. The contract after all, would forever bound her to him. She didn't want that. No matter what, Prisana had to find a way to delay the signatures.

Delay and curve every ball the two of them planned to throw at her. She needed time, money, and a name for herself. Most of all, she desired all that for freedom. Something a twenty first century woman ought to have in this day and age but it was her own fault. She never went against his wishes and now that she was, it was too late for she was weak and powerless.

"She's right," Giovanni finally spoke, astonishing both.

Prisana narrowed her eyes at him, searching his blue eyes for answers she wouldn't receive. He looked away to father, who was not pleased. A vein nearly popped out of his forehead.

"So you both want to delay the marriage? Fuck's sake. I've been blocking away the media's attention from the disaster you've created for long enough. Any longer and my reputation—Your reputations will be soiled. Prisana, you will sign it. Now. Even if I have to tie you down and have someone write your bloody name, I will. Don't test my patience."

Chills ran down her spine. She didn't doubt him. He would. This meant more to him than the measly feelings of his daughter. This meant losing power and favor among the people. His people.

"But father—" Prisana reasoned, grinding her teeth together from unleashing a tantrum.

"We don't need to delay the marriage," Giovanni interrupted. "A marriage certificate means nothing. Prisana will live with me as my wife. She will fulfill her duties as we both need her to do so. Because, we are in love."

Prisana wanted to laugh. They were in love? She didn't know how much of his words were true but she did love him once long ago.

Giovanni lightly threaded his arm around her shoulders.

"Isn't that right?"