Arranged Marriage: To Hear Your Voice

When Ferdinand woke up from his sleep, he looked around the cold room and found it oddly old. He wanted to laugh at himself. He was indeed old. He look at the photo that he’s been holding all the time when he had fallen asleep on his seat.

”My wife, it’s all my fault. If I didn’t betray you, you would still be here beside me and both of us would be growing old.”

His beautiful wife whom he had protected and doted on. His beautiful wife whom he fought with his life. But in the end, he never did fight for her because he was a coward. A tear fall from his right eye. How could he be so stupid?

Back then, he never knew what really happens and on how he had betrayed her. But he was drunk and a woman came and he had slept with her. Maybe there was something in the drink and maybe he was set up. And maybe he was just so stupid to fall for the woman’s tricks.

He allowed her into his house and married her though the papers were fake. He faked it all. He drown his misery to her in bed after his wife died. He never knew what happened to his wife since Sabrina never talk after that. His princess… whom he wish to hear her voice again. That sweet loving princess of the family was their treasure. But in just two weeks when they got kidnapped and was rescued their precious princess wasn’t the same.

She grew quiet and calmer. They thought she was depressed. Indeed she was depressed and nobody couldmake her talk. After two weeks of isolating herself in her room, everyone thought she would kill herself, but she got out, dressed in her school uniform and went to the school like nothing happens.

Every week the teachers would call him. Informing him about her behavior. Though teachers would speak to her, she never responded rather, she just stared at them. Then one time, she beat up a bully that harassed one of the girls in the school and was sent to the hospital.

Then, after those moments, she almost killed another bully for harassing her by beating him up. Enzo and Ethan had saw it with their own eyes. Their sister become vicious as a monster. Everyone thought that she’s a psychopath.

She got tests and other result through her neuro. Her IQ is above average and even her EQ. But the odd thing was—how could she beat up someone that only a person with lower empathy would do? Soon, Ferdinand didn’t know what to do and just let her have her way.

When she turn 18, she graduated Senior High School and left the house, with a warning look to his new wife. She left all alone and rode a private plane out of the country to choose some school for herself. Enzo and Ethan supported her without consulting him. He never know what happened to her abroad.

Someone knock on his door and he immediately wipe his tears and put the photo back on the desk. He cleared his throat and said. ”Come in.”

The door slowly opens and Marga peek on him.

”What is it?”

”Don’t you really care about mom?” Marga asked with her vulnerable eyes.

”I care about your mother. But she’s not always right. This time, Marga, you have to understand everything around you. Between right and wrong. Your mother was wrong and there are proofs against her. She also try to kill one of my child, and as a father, I won’t let her get away with it.”

”But mom, is innocent.” Marga started tearing.

”Your mother was never an innocent woman. I was never an innocent man. You were never an innocent child. You also had done things beyond my expectations… those things hurt others.” He said calmly. He knew what Marga has been up to. She had drugged a girl and make the girl’s life miserable.

”Dad, are you—are you trying to tell me that I make something bad?” She asked innocently and like she has been hurt.

”I want to speak with you about this. What you did to your friend Sarah in college was a big mistake.” As soon as he had said the name, Marga’s eyes widens.

”Sarah’s future was shattered because of what you did. So to compensate her, I help her finish college without her knowing. I gave her a job so she could feed her baby. After graduation, I gave her a job in the company so she could reach her dreams. Marga, I never raise my triplets like your mother did to you. I doted them but I never want them to do bad things to other people.”

”D-Daddy…” She started trembling in shame.

”Sweetheart, I know what else you did. I never told you because I thought your mother would lecture you or you would make up for your mistakes. But I was wrong. I am disappointed in you.”

He look away and then his eyes caught the photos of his triplets at the age of 15. The photo was taken a week before Sabrina and his wife was taken. They were all happy on that day like there was no tomorrow. But, the happiest day had an end and soon became their nightmare.

He remember then, how he almost lost his mind when they couldn’t locate his wife and his precious princess. He remembered how Ethan became strong for the family and Enzo wouldn’t sleep as he held onto his computer trying to locate them. He remembered how quiet it was in the whole house without their Queen and their Princess.

”I can’t do anything regarding your mother. Since you have graduated, it is better you find a job and live your life.”

”Are you—are you throwing me away?” Marga asked, her heart ached like she has been stabbed many times. Ferdinand’s lonely eyes look at her.

”I am not throwing you away, sweetie. I am just saying that I can’t always be there to satisfy your needs and wants. I am growing old. You have to live your life—your own life. Go get a job, explore around and earn your first money from a hard work. On that way, you will learn how this world works. I will still be here to guide and support you.”

Ferdinand stood and approach her. He patted her head.

”Marga, you aren’t little anymore. You are an adult. This time, you need to learn from your mistakes. I’ll inform Ethan to give you a job in the company. But never expect anything else. HR will screen you that is according to your talent. Make your resume and give it to your brother.”

”Daddy—I don’t want to…” He patted her head.

”Sweetheart, you have to learn on how to stand on your own legs. Now go back to your room and do it.”

Marga couldn’t retaliate. If she does, he might throw her away from the mansion and she doesn’t want that. All of the fame and wealth that she receive will be gone. So she just obeyed her father. She went to her room and make her resume though it was hard for her to make one.

Then, someone flashes on her mind. The person who said that he was her real father. So she called the number and soon, he answered.

”Yes, sweetheart?” his voice sounds fatherly but not sincere as her daddy.

”I couldn’t find anything about EPUA, but since, Enzo and his girlfriend are going out for vacation tomorrow, I’ll sneak in to his room and you’ll find your answer. If you are wrong on your speculations—would you still help my mother?”

”Of course, I will. Once a promise always a promise.” But she didn’t trust him fully.

”How are you going to do it?”

”My dear, don’t you trust your own father?”

”You aren’t my father. If you are my mom’s lover—I don’t care. But you said that I’ll have to find anything about the triplets and EPUA and if I find one—you have to do according to what you said.”

”Okay.” The man from the other side said nonchalantly.

She hang up and make her resume all night.

Catriona who had woken up after getting all tired because of Enzo, had heard something from his secret room. It was a bug from Marga’s room. The conversation on the phone was recorded and she glance at Enzo who is sound asleep. Does Enzo know that Marga’s father isn’t Ferdinand?

She listen to the conversation. Ferdinand, the man she detest most before Janine was making a move to EPUA. She wanted to laugh. He was indeed calculative like their Boss. So, after listening to their conversation, she make a trip to the bathroom, crawl to the bed and smack Enzo’s chest.

”Ow! Could you not be that brutal?” He rubbed his eyes and reach her waist.

”Almighty boss is making a move to EPUA.”

”Sabrina knows about that.”

”He’s making a move through Marga.” Enzo who was sleepy suddenly become energized from what she said.

”Okay,” he sat up. ”Why don’t you bend down?” She frown at his request. ”I’m going to reward you.” He grin. She smack his chest hard. ”Ow!” he scowl and rubbed his bare chest. She did bent down.

”Make it quick.” He grin and kisses her naked back. ”Condom.” She mutter.

”Babe, did you prepare sunblock for tomorrow?”

”Are we gonna talk about sunblock or are you going to put it in?” Enzo chuckled on her demand and kisses her head.

”Just asking.”