JENO HELD OUT A PINT OF RICH, CREAMY CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM TO RAQUEL. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he said, "A special chocolate flavor for a sweet girl."
"Thank you so much, Jonas. You consistently comprehend my desires." Raquel's cheeks flushed like a summer rose as Jonas's hand brushed against hers, his eyes sparkling with unspoken promises.
Jonas wasn't a fan of ice cream himself, but he loved watching Raquel eat it. She had the same wide-eyed wonder and messy enthusiasm as a toddler learning to eat for the first time.
To him, Raquel was like an angel without wings. Her eyes were as clear and blue as the sky, and her smile was as warm as the sun. She moved with the grace and lightness of a bird. She always spoke kindly and thoughtfully, even to those who were unkind to her.
"Raquel, you are truly beautiful. I often wonder what qualities your parents must possess to have a daughter as lovely as you."
Raquel's sigh turned into a snort, and her eyes glazed over as Jonas continued to shower her with compliments. She felt like a prisoner in a cheesy romance novel, forced to listen to the hero's over-the-top declarations of love.
"Jonas," she whispered, her voice like a cracked ice floe floating on a frozen sea. "Can you please stop acting like this towards me?"
"Truthfully, I can't stop praising your beauty, Raquel De Angelis," Jonas said with a warm grin.
Raquel's phone rang like a siren, jolting her out of her thoughts. She fumbled with it, her heart pounding in her chest. Finally, she answered the call, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Aunt Emma?"
"Raquel, is your class over?" Emma asked hastily over the phone call. "Raquel answered..."
"Actually, it's been over since earlier. But I'm hanging out with my friend," Raquel said to Emma honestly.
"Your parents are home. It's better for you to come home now because there's something we need to discuss," Emma's voice was a relentless drumbeat in Raquel's ears, urging her to come home.
Raquel's eyes widened like saucers, her heart skipping a beat. It was rare for her mom and dad to return to California without giving her a heads up, and the suddenness of their arrival filled her with a mix of emotions: excitement, surprise, and a hint of anxiety. Did they forget to call her or was there something urgent to discuss?
"Raquel... can you hear me, dear?"
"Well, Aunt Emma, but why didn't they call beforehand?"
"Raquel, there's an important matter that caused that, dear. It's better for you to say goodbye and come home now. Okay."
Raquel sighed as her Aunt's call cut their evening short. She had been laughing with Jonas by the zen pond, finally relaxing after weeks of stress. But her parents were home - the fun was over.
"Well, I'll head home soon."
"Be careful, sweet girl."
Raquel ended the call, her face unreadable. Jonas searched her eyes for a clue, but found only a storm raging within.
Jonas's voice cracked like a rusty hinge as he asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"Well, my parents returned home unexpectedly this morning without notifying me. It seems like they're going to discuss something important, Jonas." Raquel's phone weighed heavily in her hand as she slipped it into her bag. Her sigh echoed like a hollow drumbeat in the empty room.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm sure they just have a special surprise planned for your visit," Jonas's smile widened as he gently tucked a few strands of Raquel's hair behind her ear, revealing her radiant face. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, and her cheeks bloomed with a rosy hue. "It's been such a long time since they've been back home in California, after all. I'm certain they're excited to see you and want to make your reunion extra special."
"But we just got here! I was hoping to try their specialty coffee drinks." Raquel sighed wistfully, her bottom lip protruding in a pout.
"I know, it's a bummer. But next time we'll linger longer, check out the bakery case too. How's that sound?"
Raquel turned to Jonas, biting her lip anxiously. "I know we were supposed to hang out, but would you mind terribly if I headed home a bit early?"
"Of course, no problem at all. Don't fret - take your time with your ice cream, and I'll make sure you get home safe."
Raquel smiled in relief. "Thank you, Jonas, for understanding. You're always so kind."
Raquel nodded her head, her platinum-blonde bobbing like waves in a gentle sea. Jonas had indeed escorted her to Emma's house.
She turned to Jonas, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.
"Thank you for walking me home," she said softly.
Jonas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"It was my pleasure," he replied. "I'm always happy to help my beloved one."
Raquel handed Jonas her helmet with a hopeful smile. "Since we're already here, would you like to pop in and say hi to Dad? I'm sure he'd love to meet you."
Jonas fidgeted, chewing his lip uneasily. "I appreciate the invitation, darling, it's just...meeting parents makes me nervous as a cat. But you can tell your dad I'll be studying extra hard. When I ace my exams and top my class, I'll feel more confident he'll approve of me for his daughter."
"Do I have to wait a little longer?" Raquel asked, eyebrows raised as she smiled up at Jonas expectantly.
Jonas chuckled. "Not much longer. Come on, go inside and meet your parents. They must be really missing their beautiful daughter."
Raquel nodded to Jonas and waved her hand, then darted into Emma's house. As she stepped into the foyer, Emma's hand shot out and grabbed Raquel's arm, like a lightning bolt striking from a clear sky.
"Who's that boy?" Emma asked, her eyebrows raised with curious intrigue
"His name is Jonas," she replied, hoping her tone stayed casual.
Emma leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming.
"And is there something...more between you two?" she pressed, as if sniffing out relationship gossip.
Raquel's cheeks flushed like a ripe tomato at Emma's question.
"Answer me, Raquel," Emma whispered, her tone taking on an edge Raquel hadn't heard before.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" Raquel asked, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. She glanced around the room, As if hoping to locate them for a hasty escape.
Raquel's heart leaped into her throat when she saw Emily's familiar figure approaching. She felt like she had been holding her breath for months, and now she could finally exhale.
Raquel ran towards Emily and wrapped her arms around her tightly. She squeezed her mom close, feeling the warmth of Emily's body and the familiar smell of her perfume.
"Look at you," Emily murmured, stroking Raquel's cheek with a caring smile. "Even more radiant than the last time I saw you."
"I missed you," Raquel said shakily.
Emily's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, and her eyes welled up with tears. She released her embrace and gently stroked Raquel's head, her fingers sinking into the platinum-blonde's soft, dark hair.
"I'm sorry, my sweet child. It was very sudden, my dear. But there's something serious we need to discuss."
"What's happening, Mom?" Raquel asked, her voice laced with anticipation.
Emily gave Emma a pointed look, and Emma immediately slipped out of the room. Emily then guided Raquel to the living room, where Marvin was sitting, his eyes fixed on the door.
"Raquel," Marvin's lips trembled as he caught sight of Raquel and Emily drawing near. "How are you, my dear?"
"I'm doing well, Dad."
Marvin patted the empty sofa next to him, inviting Raquel to sit. Raquel hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Actually, Raquel, we need to discuss something important with you," Marvin sighed and locked eyes with her.
Raquel's eyes darted to Emily, seeking answers. But Emily remained silent, her head bowed low. A shadow of sadness hung over her, like a heavy cloud on a gloomy day.
Raquel's heart sank. She knew Emily was hiding something, but she didn't know what.
Marvin took a deep breath and leaned forward. "Are you ready to hear it, Raquel?"
Raquel nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on his.
Marvin took another deep breath and began to speak
"Our business is not doing well, my dear," he said, his voice as weary as the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Raquel's eyes widened in shock as she heard the news. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt her hands tremble. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Emily's voice was soft and soothing as she reached out and squeezed Raquel's hand.
"Sweetheart," she said, "Please calm down first. Listen to our explanation so that you can understand."
Emma's footsteps echoed softly on the polished hardwood floor as she carried a tray of steaming black Earl Grey tea into the room. She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of Raquel, Emily, and Marvin, and their eyes immediately lit up at the sight of the fragrant brew.
Emma's fingers danced lightly over the fine china cups as she poured the tea, carefully measuring out the perfect amount for each person. The steam rose from the cups, carrying with it the intoxicating aroma of bergamot and citrus.
"Here you go," Emma said, smiling. "Enjoy."
"Thanks, Emma. But let I say something to Raquel first." Marvin smiled.
"Well."
"Our business is in ruins," Marvin said, running a hand through his hair in disbelief. "One erroneous trade wiped out billionswithin seconds. I stare at the books but the figures make no sense - I don't know how did this happen?"
His shoulders slumped under the weight of all the jobs now at stake. The implications were devastating. This was a catastrophe he never could have foreseen.
"Dad..."
"Our stocks have been manipulated by multiple parties who have the intention to deceive us. However, if you can assist me, my dear, we can address this significant issue." Marvin's gaze turned to Raquel, who remained perplexed about Marvin and Emily's primary motive.
"W-what is it, Dad?" Raquel stammered.
As Marvin whispered Pablo Pavlovna's name to Raquel, she could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. The name was like a cold, sharp knife being dragged across her skin, leaving an icy trail behind it.
"You've heard of him, right?" Marvin's words echoed through Raquel's mind, filling her with a sense of dread that she couldn't explain.
Raquel's heart was racing as she listened to Marvin's words. The mere mention of Pablo Pavlovna's name filled her with a sense of foreboding, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her.
"Pablo Pavlovna..." she whispered, repeating the name as if it was a curse word. To her, Pablo Pavlovna's name was synonymous with corruption, deception, and underhanded tactics, and she couldn't imagine why Marvin was bringing up his name now.
"Dad, you know what kind of person Pablo Pavlovna is," Raquel exclaimed, trying to hide the fear and frustration in her voice.
"Please forgive us, my dear, but we are left with no alternative," Marvin lowered his head.
"Dad, don't you know how devious he is?" Raquel sighed.
"We may have found another option," Marvin began cautiously, "But it comes with risks."
Raquel's eyes narrowed. "Go on, dad."
"His firm is willing to offer a low-interest loan. But their representative was vague on repayment terms."
"And what do they want in return for this generosity?"
Marvin paused, choosing his words carefully.
"What are his demands, dad?" Raquel interlaced her fingers, a sense of disappointment creeping in as she grasped the potential peril her father faced. "Do you intend to tarnish our business realm with such unethical transactions?"
"He only asks for one thing. That is... to marry you to his son," Marvin pleaded, falling to his knees in desperation. His eyes welled with tears as he grasped Raquel's hands. "Please, I beg of you. It would save our family from ruin."
Raquel stood up in utter shock, her body trembling like a leaf. Her mind raced at lightning speed but found no words that could escape her open mouth. Images of her future dashed before her eyes - a loveless marriage, a controlling husband, a life in a prison she did not choose. She wanted to scream but no sound came out. After what felt like an eternity, she gasped "I...I cannot."
"How could you want to marry me off to the son of a mafia, Dad?" Raquel whispered angrily, her nostrils flaring in rage. "After everything they've put stake many family, how can you trust them?"
"Raquel, please, lower your voice," Marvin begged, glancing nervously at her. "This is only temporary, I assure you. Just until I can clear our debts."
"Raquel, please understand-" Marvin began, but she cut him off.
"No, I won't be sold off like cattle! This family's problems are yours to fix, not mine. Find another solution."
Emily pulled Raquel's arm. "Please, my dear, I am our only hope."
"I don't love him, Mom, Dad. Don't force me into this," Raquel growled.
"I promise, once we can stabilize our business's economy, you can divorce him," Marvin tried to reassure Raquel as best as he could.
"And I become a widow?" Raquel shook her head slowly.
Raquel flew up the stairs two at a time, her parents' desperate calls fading behind closed doors. Chest heaving, she leaned against the wall, hot tears spilling unbidden as reality crashed over her.
Betrothed against her will, to a man who could end her life in an instant. A gilded cage or early grave - those were her only options. Rage and grief warred within until she let out an anguished scream.