If Love Was Forced

C h a p t e r 3: Happy Birthday Soon To Be Husband

"Ugh!"

I groaned as I looked at the clock to see it was 4 PM. I and my dad had to go to my so-called future husband's birthday today. The burst of color revealed Gretchen just as I was about to stand up, and I fell back in my chair, startled.

"What happened?" I asked as she quickly walked up to me. "Your dad told me you should get ready because you guys are going to Mr. Alejandro Huxley's birthday, AKA your soon-to-be husband," she said as I sighed.

"Can you knock next time?" I asked as she nodded. "Anyway, Cam, you have to get ready now," she squeals excitedly. "You're going to meet your future husband!" she shouted happily as I just stared at her with a serious face.

"That's my cue to go, bye!" She said and walked out of the room. I walked over to my closet and searched through my drawer of dresses. I grabbed a dark red wrap dress that had just the right length. This will be perfect.

I didn't want to shower, so I guess I'll just wash my face and freshen up. After that, I walked over to the bathroom and washed my face, and brushed my teeth. After that, I went to my vanity and did my makeup, which was just simple.

I wore the dress and matched the whole outfit with a cute black purse and black heels that made the red dress sparkle and appeal. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. I looked wonderful. I hope Alejandro is nice.

I walked out of the room and saw my dad waiting in the living room. I walked downstairs and walked over to him. "Hi, dad," I say, as he just nods. "Come on, let's get going," he said coldly, as I sighed, and both of us walked outside.

One of my dad's men walked us to the car. My dad's man opened the car door for me and I smiled at him, but my dad shot him a glare. He quickly looked away, and I sat inside the car. "I want you to be nice and respectful and happy, okay?"

He says, as I nod. I had no choice and my dad took care of me when I was little. He was much nicer when mom was here, but he changed when mom died. As the driver started driving, my anxiety was slowly reaching the roof. I was so nervous. What if they didn't like me? What if I messed up and I'd disappointed dad?

I played with my fingers as the driver finally stopped driving, which means we were here. I walked out and took a deep breath and opened my eyes to face the big mansion that was humongous. The butler walked up to us and the driver gave him the keys so he could park the car.

We walked inside and the maids guided us outside to the garden. As we stepped outside, the sweet smell of flowers entered my nostrils. I looked around to see many successful people chatting and talking to each other. I and my dad approached Pietro and Maria.

"Franco, Camila dear, I'm glad you both came," Pietro said as I gave him a hug and Maria too. "Of course, I promised," my dad says, as they both chuckle. "Where's Alejandro?" My dad asked as Maria was talking to me about the wedding planning.

"He's almost here; he just arrived in New York," Pietro says. We all kept talking and I felt a weird presence on my back, so I turned around to see a good-looking man walking toward us. Omg, was this him?

His eyes focused on mine as I looked at him. He was wearing a suit that adored his broad shoulders and muscular arms. Clean shaved jaw, perfect jawline. blue eyes that were filled with distance, mischief, and coldness. His height was about 6'4.

"There he is." I hear Pietro say, as all of them turn around. "Ciao, Madre, Padre." He says and hugs his parents. "Alejandro, remember your Uncle Franco?" Pietro asked as he looked at my dad and hugged him. "Si you were the one who gave me a toy car on my birthday when I was 4," he says, as my dad chuckles.

"You've grown, Alejandro." My dad lets me out. Maria said, "Meet Camila, your fiance," as we shook hands and hugged her. "Hi," I say, and he gives me a nod. "Come on, let's all go to our table. Dinner is starting. " Pietro said as all of us and the guests went to their tables.

The waiters served the food and poured wine into everyone's glasses. When the waiter came to me, I told him I didn't like to drink alcohol, and he gladly comprehended me and gave me some water instead. "Thank you," I whispered to the waiter as I smiled at him.

As we were eating, I could feel Alejandro glancing at me. He was sitting beside me, and it was quite apprehensive when someone is staring at you while you want to eat peacefully. I seized all of my confidence and when I felt him gazing at me again, I looked at him. He quickly looked away.

I wonder why he's like that. As we were eating, Pietro, Alejandro, and my dad just kept discussing business and old times, as Maria kept chatting to me about what she planned for the wedding. She was nice and caring.

After dinner, it was time to cut the cake. The chef placed it on the table as Alejandro walked up to it. They lit up the candle and all of us said "happy birthday." After we were done singing, he blew the candle out and the guests and we erupted in cheers.

Pietro stood up and clicked his fork on his wine glass to get everyone's attention. "Why don't we all greet my son Alejandro with a happy birthday," Pietro says. "Happy birthday Alejandro!!" everyone said.

When it was time to cut the cake, all of us got a slice, and Alejandro went back to the table. We all ate while I listened to their conversation. "You don't speak that much, Camila," Alejandro said, as I gave him a smile in reply.

"Camila, what do you think about my son Alejandro?" Pietro asked curiously, my dad looked at me, and I smiled happily and spoke. "He's great," I explain as Pietro smiles. "How about you, Alejandro?" Pietro asked him.

"She's great, I like her already," he grins. I just proceeded to eat my slice of cake. Okay, I have to confess, I have had a sweet tooth ever since, and this cake is freaking desirable. "Dear, why don't you show up here tomorrow for the wedding dress fitting," Maria announced, as I nodded.

Maria was pretty organized, but I guess she was just excited since her son Alejandro is going to get married.

After the whole gathering was done, the guests left, and now it was time to say goodbye to them. "Bye, mother," I said as I hugged her. "Goodbye dear," she said as we broke apart. "Goodbye Mr. Huxley," I said and hugged him. "Your a beautiful and kind girl Camila, goodbye dear," he says and pats my back. Great, now it was time for my dear future husband. 

I said "Goodbye," not looking into his eyes. I almost walked away but he grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into a hug. I was startled. He let me go and I sat inside the car with my father.

I wish this day would just end already and me marrying Alejandro is just a dream. When we arrived, I quickly stepped out of the car and went inside the house, I went straight to my room.

I took my shoes off and threw my bag on the floor as I threw myself on the bed. The only thing I wanted to do right was sleep. I had enough surprises this week.

I wish this was a bad dream that I would soon wake out of. I kept pinching myself tonight to know if this was real and it is. This is the real world and it's cruel and unfair.