Chapter 2

"Dad, you can not make me get married to that girl”

“Oh so you have a choice now, huh Maverick?,” Mr Gustavo was seated at the table in his study going through some files, Maverick stood in front of him.

“Have you even seen her before?, have you taken a good look at that creature you want to give your son to?” Maverick asked, veins began building on his forehead.

“I do not need to take a good look at anything before I do what I know is best for my son”

“For God sake dad, she's an insult to my status. Why don't you get it?She's not my type…” “Your type?” Mr Gustavo thundered. “Do I need to remind you what happened the last time you chose ‘your type’?, didn't you tell me how she left you and left with a great part of your assets?”

Maverick was quiet

“I thought as much” he remarked trying to cool his temper “Well, I've made sure that won't repeat itself,” he was now flipping through the files again.

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“I have their family under my control, if any of them tries to be smart, they are all going down”.

Maverick could feel the venom in his dad's tone.

***** “Who exactly is that Maverick guy?” she asked no one in particular, as she paced to and fro in her room.

What transpired between them that evening replayed over and over in her head.

He had walked over to her with what felt like disgust in his eyes, making Xena feel dirty all over. His huge figure towered over her staring at her like he was trying to see if there was a brain in her skull.

“If you didn't know, I'm Maverick Gustavo” his authoritative tone taking over the room. “The heir to the properties your father and mine are in partnership for and you, are very privileged to be in MY presence”

Xena's head was blank, his eyes weren't letting her think as they pierced through her soul.

He must have thought she was dumb the way he turned around and left when she didn't say a word.

Xena scoffed back to reality.

“Privileged to be in your presence?You came to my house crying out loud!” “Lousy rich people!” She said, trying not to overthink it.

The next day in the evening, they were having dinner in their family dining room. Her father was home- which was surprising because these days he chose every other thing he did over his family.

“Mom told me grandpa Robert was the one who abandoned the wealth” Xena spoke, trying to break the cold silence.

Her father took his time.

“Yes, so?” he replied, his eyes still on his plate.

“He said the money was dirty”

Her mother shot her a quick uneasy look but she ignored her. She wanted to hear what this man had to say for himself.

“What's your point exactly Xena?” His voice was calm and collected.

“You knew and you still went ahead to partner up for it. Do you even know that man at all?”

Tension was rising. “Did your source tell you what made the wealth dirty?” her dad asked. Xena was silent. “I thought so too. As far as I know, there's no evidence of fraud in what I've signed our family into.

“You are just so unbelievable dad-”

“That's enough Xena,” her mom interrupted sternly. She was beginning to have a headache from all this dragging.

Xena was furious. She dropped her cutlery and stood up to leave.

“Just so you know”, her dad began, “We'll be needed at the official partnership ceremony tomorrow”

“Like you've given me a choice” she turned and began to leave

“A stylist will be sent up to your room, be ready”

Xena stomped up the stairs to her room. How dare they!. She was sure her dad didn't even know that man he had partnered with and so did she until she had done some research yesterday.

She didn't like him as soon as she saw his pictures on the net, especially his son, Maverick.

And her mom who had acted like a dumb mute throughout the whole meal had shut her up the only time she had decided to speak.

She got into her room and slammed the door but the door wasn't designed for slamming as it slowed down on its hinges before closing.

She laid on her bed and buried her face in her pillow, she couldn't cry, she couldn't scream.

She felt like a slave in this house.

*****

Xena sat in front of her dressing mirror as the stylist worked on her hair. She had given this lady nothing more than the dress she had bought but it felt like she was working according to an installed program in her head.

She didn't say a word as she worked and so did Xena. She just sat there looking without protest while her make-up was made. Then she slipped into her dress.

When all was ready, she got down the stairs where her mom was waiting, smiling nervously.

“I'm sorry about yesterday,” her mom whispered as they both walked to a black limousine parked just in front of the building.

Xena didn't reply. She just sat in silence and tried to enjoy the ride to an unknown location. She could see her mom stealing glances at her occasionally from the corner of her eye but she tried to avoid looking at her.

The limo swerved into a compound with a large automatic gate, the car drove for what seemed like half a mile before they got to a building- a mansion. Different colours, sizes and brands of cars parked around it.

They both got down in front of the building as the car drove off to find a parking spot.

Xena entered and spotted her dad with Mr Gustavo in the midst of people laughing at something Mr Gustavo had said.

Her dad seemed to be enjoying every bit of this.

“Wine?” a bartender offered.

She could really use one of those, she thought. She took one from the tray he held in front of her.

She took a sip just when he left and as if it had been programmed, she looked up and saw her dad gesturing to her to come over.

“Now this is my beautiful daughter Xena” her dad said just as she reached where they were, beaming.

Xena didn't know why but she was careful with her expression trying to make a good first impression.

“Well she sure is,” Mr Gustavo remarked. Xena tried so hard not to eye him, her dad was the villain here. Others acknowledged that Mr Gustavo was right.

“It's nice to finally meet you sir,” she nodded, careful not to raise her hand for a hand shake. “I'm sure it is,” he said, with obvious pride in his voice. “Make yourself at home then, be free to ask for anything, if you want” he added trying to lighten the mood back. “I sure will”

She half hurried out of there to an open door which she suspected led to a balcony, her wine still in hand. She needed some air.

She got there and gulped down the whole glass before inhaling.

“Drink one more glass like that and you would throw up” a voice said behind her.