Knock! Knock!
Still weary but curious, Raquel cracked open the door. Emma's warm smile greeted her, along with the heavenly scent of strawberry muffins.
"May I come in?" Emma asked. At Raquel's nod, she entered bearing the peace offering. "I thought you could use something comforting."
She had been crying since she left Marvin and Emily. Slowly, she wiped away her tears and opened the door for Emma. However, Raquel didn't meet Emma's gaze but instead slumped on her bed.
Seeing Raquel's brokenness, Emma's maternal instincts swelled. She set aside the muffins and knelt by the bed, gathering Raquel's hands in her own.
"My dear Raquel, I understand that you must feel devastated by this decision," Emma spoke softly. "But we have no other choice, my sweet child."
Raquel stood tall, tears streaming down her cheeks, as she spoke with a sense of conviction in her voice.
"I don't want to marry someone I don't even know," she said, the words spilling out of her mouth like a torrent of emotion.
It was clear that this issue was causing her a great deal of distress, and Emma could feel her heart aching for her beloved niece.
Raquel's voice cracked as she continued, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I just don't understand how my own father could even consider this," she said with a mix of disappointment and disbelief.
Emma's tender touch on Raquel's head stirred something deep within her, like the comforting touch of a mother's caress or a beloved aunt's embrace. Raquel's body relaxed into the warmth of her aunt's arms, feeling the weight of her troubles lifted from her shoulders, if only momentarily.
Emma's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at her niece. She knew that Raquel was dreading her upcoming marriage to a wealthy businessman and a mafia's son, but she also knew that her family's business was on the verge of bankruptcy.
"I wish I could help you, Raquel," Emma whispered. "But I only have $10,000 in the bank."
Emma's words were like a dagger to Raquel's heart. She had hoped that her aunt would be able to help her, but Emma's savings were not enough to cover their debt. Raquel felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair.
Emma's fingers gently tilted Raquel's chin up, her eyes searching hers. "So, is that boy named Jonas your boyfriend?"
Raquel's heart skipped a beat at the question. She had been crushing on Jonas for months, but they hadn't made it official yet. "We're very close," she whispered, "but we haven't officially started dating."
Emma's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Do you love him, Raquel?"
Raquel's breath caught in her throat. She looked into Emma's eyes and saw the same love and longing that she felt in her own heart. "Very much," she said. "I don't want to be separated from him."
Emma's fingers snapped like the crack of a whip, her eyes flashing with determination. "Raquel, keep your relationship with him if you love Jonas. But for now, you have to marry that man. I will prepare a legal agreement so that your marriage is only for business purposes."
Raquel stared at her Aunty, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never seen Emma so serious before.
Raquel's gaze shifted to the floor as she asked her Aunt Emma, "Will that work well, Aunt Emma? Aren't they so cunning? They could tear apart and manipulate our family's life 100%."
"Shh, it's alright Raquel," Emma soothed, rubbing her niece's back gently. "I know this marriage stuff with Pavlovna's family has you stressed. But you know I've got your back - I'll have a talk with your mum and dad and make sure the terms are fair for both sides, nothing you're not comfortable with. Don't cry now, I'm here for you. Dry those eyes, yeah? Let's get some tea and enjoy my special muffins, that always cheers you up. I'll sort this out, you'll see - everything's gonna work out just fine in the end."
Shortly after, someone knocked on Raquel's bedroom door again. Emma sighed and quickly opened the door. It turned out to be Nina, who had come to visit after Raquel sent her a message a few hours ago.
Emma hurried to the door, her boots tapping briskly against the hardwood. With a flick of her wrist, she pulled it open to find Nina standing breathless on the other side.
"Is Raquel alright?" Nina panted, catching her breath. Emma sighed inwardly, hoping word hadn't spread too far of the marriage drama. She glanced back at Raquel, who sat sniffling into a handkerchief, and turned to Nina with a tender smile.
"She'll be fine, just a bit of troubles with her parents is all. Come in and say hello, I'm sure she'd appreciate the company right now."
After Nina entered Raquel's room, she plopped down beside her on the bed with a sigh.
"Hard day?" she asked, peering over at her friend.
Raquel just nodded, staring off into space with a frown.
Just then, Emma popped her head in the door, her blue eyes bright and cheery. "You girls doing okay in here? Don't forget those muffins - I slaved over a hot stove to bake them fresh for ya. I'll bring up a new batch as soon as these ones are gone. Might brighten your moods a little."
"Thank you so much, Aunt Emma," Raquel whispered.
With that, she flashed them a smile and disappeared, closing the door softly behind her. Nina leaned back on her hands and sighed again, gazing around the familiar room decorated with Raquel's posters and photos.
"Wanna talk about it?" she asked gently.
"I'm serious. There's no other choice," Raquel sobbed, clutching Nina's arm in desperation.
Nina's heart broke seeing her dearest friend normally so strong now reduced to tears. She gently squeezed Raquel's trembling shoulder, unable to bear her distress.
"Please tell me what's happened, my friend. Who is forcing your hand?" Nina asked gently. "Is he someone we know? An old man, perhaps?"
"Have you ever heard of a company called Pablo Pavlovna Imports?" Raquel asked Nina hurriedly. "Word on the street is they have connections in some shady circles."
"Um...are you going to be Pablo's wife?" Nina asked cautiously.
"No, but his son," Raquel replied curtly. She felt uneasy about the proposition but didn't want to be rude.
"I see," Nina said slowly, taking in Raquel's expression. "And they presented this arrangement as your only option for assistance?"
Raquel simply nodded, unable to find the words to describe her helplessness. A heavy silence fell between the friends, the reality of her limited choices pressing down. Nina reached out and grasped her hand sympathetically.
"I can't believe it," Nina said, her voice trembling. "Your family has been in business for generations. How could this happen?"
Raquel shook her head.
"I don't know," she said, her voice breaking. "It was like a house of cards. One little thing went wrong, and everything came crashing down."
"How much the loss of your company, Raquel?"
"I don't know why all of this happened. All I know is that the losses we have suffered are tremendous," Raquel hugged herself, her nose turning red with swollen eyes that couldn't be explained anymore.
"Oh my..." Nina let out a long sigh. "So, what about your relationship with Jonas? This could all get messy."
"I-I don't k-know, N-Nina," Raquel stammered through gasping sobs. She dropped her head in her hands, tears streaming between her fingers. "My mind is just s-spinning. I c-can't think straight... I feel like I'm going to break apart."
***
A week had passed, and Marvin finally determined the date of the meeting between Raquel and Pablo Pavlovna's son: today, at a five-star restaurant.
Emma, who was helping Raquel with her hair and makeup, couldn't help but smile sadly as she looked at Raquel's deeply saddened face. Raquel's eyes were like two pools of sorrow, and her lips were pressed together in a thin line.
"Raquel, are you ready for this meeting?" Emma asked.
"I don't know, I'm confused," Raquel sighed softly.
"When you meet them, please smile," Emma gently stroked my shoulder.
"Thank you, Aunt."
The bedroom door opened, and Emily entered.
"Darling, it's time to go. Don't keep our guests waiting any longer."
Raquel's smile was a fleeting glimmer, but it was enough to light up the room. She quickly grabbed her clutch bag, her fingers trembling slightly as she did. With unsteady steps, she followed Emily down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest. Emma joined them, her expression grim. She had promised to be a witness and accompany them as their lawyer for this meeting, and she was determined to see that justice was served.
Raquel's world had flipped upside down, and she couldn't catch her breath. As they drove to the restaurant, she sat in silence, her head bowed and her fingers fidgeting. She was completely out of her element.
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
Upon arrival, three huge guys stood waiting - Pablo Pavlovna and two buff bastards flanking him. Raquel gulped, throat gone sandpaper dry. These dudes didn't mess around, built like boxers itching for a brawl.
"By the way, you have a daughter who resembles an angel," Pablo Pavlovna complimented, causing Raquel's legs to tremble as if they had transformed into jelly.
Raquel found her voice had fled, leaving her unable to give sound to even a solitary syllable in her parlance.
Marvin's eyes beamed with pride as he shook Pablo Pavlovna's hand, a warm smile spreading across his face like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. "Mr. Pablo, your compliments towards our daughter are music to my ears."
Raquel bit her lip to hold back a curse. Pablo Pavlovna's wife, a woman with a hawk-like nose and piercing blue eyes, extended her hand.
"Hey, I'm Jacquelin Pavlovna. Your future mother-in-law, dear," Jacquelin said, her voice like honey dripping from a poisoned apple.
Raquel felt nervous as she glanced between Emma and the intimidating figure of Jacquelin standing before her, smoothing any wrinkles from her skirt with sweaty palms.
Emma nudged Raquel's arm reassuringly, shooting her a smile while reminding her under her breath, "Remember to smile and shake her hand."
Plastering on the brightest grin she could muster, Raquel stretched out a trembling hand to the formidable Jacquelin.
"It's lovely to meet you," she managed, her voice shaking only slightly.
Jacquelin's lips quirked in what may have been the hint of a smile as she grasped Raquel's hand in a firm shake.
"The pleasure is mine," Jacquelin replied, her icy blue eyes giving nothing away as she assessed the young girl before her.
"Pardon me, but have you seen the little man?" Marvin glanced around anxiously, hoping to spot his missing son amongst the crowd.
Jacquelin's eyes lit up as she checked her phone. "He's on his way," she announced with a smile. "He just returned from Dubai last night and overslept a bit, but he promised to join us soon."
Marvin's head bobbed up and down in a quick nod, while Raquel's teeth worried at her lower lip. Her heart pounded in her chest like a hummingbird's wings, and her palms were slick with sweat. She felt like she was going to be sick.
Pablo raised his hand and called over a waitress, who glided over with a smile on her face, like a warm ray of sunshine on a chilly day.
"Let's order some appetizers so that we can enjoy the main course when Gavin arrives," Pablo said.
Twenty-five minutes later, a man approached their table. He was tall and sturdy, but not bulky. His slightly tousled blonde hair swayed like golden wheat in the breeze as he walked with confident strides. His eyes were a deep, piercing blue, like the rarest sapphires.
Raquel's heart skipped a beat as she saw the man approaching the table. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in surprise. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"Well, the groom-to-be has arrived," Jacquelin said, her voice trembling with excitement. She stood up and walked towards him, her eyes fixed on his. He smiled at her, revealing a row of perfect white teeth.
"Darling, let me introduce you," Jacquelin said, her voice soft as velvet. She gestured to the young woman standing before her. "This sweet girl is Raquel, you future wife."
The man's eyes narrowed like the slits of a snake as he examined the young woman standing before him. Her skin was as pale as moonlight, and her eyes were wide and innocent, like those of a newborn lamb.
"Why are you introducing me to an innocent lamb who knows nothing?" he asked, his voice dripping with venom. "I bet she can't even take care of a baby."
Raquel's heart sank like a stone in her chest. She knew that the man was right.
Raquel's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the man across from her. He was a widower, with a child named Damian. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her head spun. She wasn't ready to be a stepmother. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to be a mother.
"Gavin, please," his mother said, her voice soft but firm. "Have a seat."
"Mom, I-"
"Gavin, sit down right now! Do as you're told!" Pablo Pavlovna bellowed, her booming voice causing Raquel to jolt in surprise. In her haste, Raquel knocked over the platter of bruschetta before her, olive tapenade smearing across the white tablecloth.
Her spine prickled like icy raindrops as she met the gaze of the handsome widower.