Chapter 3

"Seems you've made your choice"

"Choice?"

Gabriella tilted her head over to Jace's direction. He was affectionate, held my hand, and was a complete gentleman, but that's as far as it went. I looked back at my mother and tried to understand what she meant.

"What do you mean by 'choice'?"

"Well, Kaitlyn has been looking for a wife for one of her sons, just like you've been looking for a husband"

"I'm not-"

She raised her hand and cut me off "The Cartel's have a proposal."

I looked puzzled. Was that why I was here?

"What kind of proposal?" I asked, listening very carefully."

Gabriella looked away for a short while then her gaze finally met mine. "A few weeks ago, I made a deal with the Cartels, having to do with you. I agreed to have you get married to one of her sons"

"What?!"

"It was for your own good. You won't be given your share of the money if you don't get married before you're twenty seven" she said defensively.

"You said we'd talk about that...together. I don't need you to find a husband for me. I can do that perfectly well"

"And I don't doubt that. With a face like yours, who wouldn't want to you by their side? But your situation can't be based on love. It's all about the money"

"Life isn't just based on money!" I let my voice rise "It's always about the money with you. When will you understand that I don't need you to fix my

Life?"

"Your life doesn't need fixing. But it does need some help. Dimple, you're still young and you're so beautiful. The marriage doesn't have to be based on love. It could be an arrangement. The both of you could settle things as you please for as long as you want. But for the sake of everything you wouldn't like to lose, if Theodore Cartel, or his wife, asks if you would like to marry their son, say yes. Promise me you'll say yes"

I stared at Gabriella like she was crazy. I couldn't understand her. First, she kicked me off to another country, and now to another man's house. It was like I was being disowned. I caught her gaze. She than Gabriella would have hoped for. And having my grandmother die was hard for her, but she quickly recovered when she realized how much money I got from her will. Of course, it would end up in my name, but she was still my mother. It was obvious that even though she was born rich, she'd still end up asking me for favours to buy her a car, a house, or more likely on her turn, more money.

"And Aunt June knew about this?" she nodded "Who exactly did the both of you expect me to get married to?"

"We decided to leave it up to you. You're a-"

"Cut the act. Who do you want me to choose?"

She looked down and shut her eyes for a few seconds. Then she took a deep breath and stared at me, immediately getting back her strong-welded personality. "Ryan, of course. He's the eldest. He's mature, and definitely the most handsome of all his brothers. He's the most successful. Which better catch than he?"

Even though she didn't say it, I could understand what she meant; which better catch than the man obviously getting the greatest part of their parents will?

"But you're asking why?" she leaned closer "Will you pick him for me? Would you do that for me, darling?"

I looked away and nodded.

"That's just perfect-"

"Hold on. Don't get so excited" I placed my hand in front of her "I have my conditions."

"Of course?"

"One, you don't ask for a dime from me. That money was left to me by grandma. And I know she'll want us to follow every last one of her wishes. I don't want you trying to make that money yours"

She turned away from me for a few seconds, like she was thinking, then a few minutes later she turned to me and got up, nodding her head, "I can live with that" then she began walking away.

Confused, I stopped her "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to let the Cartels know you've chosen."

"I'm not done listing conditions, mum"

"We can talk about that later" she said, lazily.

"There're more important things at hand" She walked on then stopped again.

"I want to talk to Ryan!"

With a slight pause, she nodded and continued walking. But this time, she didn't look back.