Chapter 1 Elle Mendoza

“Elle, you need to marry him. “I can't believe I could hear those words from my mother's mouth. Why do I have to marry him?

“What do you mean? “I asked as my lips trembled.

“You need to marry Harris Gordion, Elle. “Mom clarified.

I couldn't stop my tears from flowing.

“Why? Why do I have to marry him? ” I will ask

“You are old enough to get married, Elle. “Mom said and averted her eyes.

"Right age? Yes, I am old enough to get married. But I don't plan to get married yet, mom! “I said and clenched my fist, I know that's not the only reason mommy wants me to marry Harris Gordion.

“Trust me, mom. What is the reason why you and dad thought of me marrying Harris, ”I said calmly.

“Harris's parents and I were able to talk, Elle. ” Mom's said.

“What did you talk about? " I will ask.

“Since, her parents and I are partners, we have planned to marry you two. We also need their help to grow our company, Elle. ” I can't believe the kind of conversation they had with Uncle Arnold.

“Do you know what you're saying, mom? We all know that Harris have a girlfriend. Why would you marry me there if he doesn't love me! ” I said angrily.

“ Everything is planned for your wedding. For sure Harris knows this now, ”mom said.

“What !? Do you think he will agree? Harris already has a girlfriend and you want me to marry him! ” I said

“Even though I love him, I will not be able to live in a relationship. I am not that kind of woman, ”I said.

“This is for the company. Even if Harris doesn't agree, your marriage will continue, ”mom said.

“Do you think I will agree? Why is it so easy for you to decide? ” I asked, I wanted to shout atjj mom but I couldn't. Yes, I have liked Harris for a long time. Since Cindy introduced me to Harris. But, I know vaguely I like him because his girlfriend is a famous model all over the world. As I was a simple woman, she was shy and unlikely to like me. However, their relationship is only secret because of the media around him. We are the only ones close to them who know apart from the close friend of my parents his parents I know what is going on in their lives.

“This is what Harris’ parents want to be, Elle. For, we can pay our debts to them, ”said mama.

“Be a replacement? Will you use me to pay off debts? I'm not something that can just be given away, mom! ” I said with tears in my eyes, I closed my eyes tightly.

“Elle, give us your dad. You have to marry him, you know we can't afford to pay the huge amount we owe to the Gordion family. Mom's says.

“It's not that easy to agree to what you agreed on, mom. I'm the one who's harassing here. With so many choices, why is it like this? I avoided him so that I would not be hurt, ”I said.

“I beg you, Elle. You just have to marry him and when you are married even if you do what you want to do in life. The important thing is that you get married and you are known as his wife all over the world, ”said mama. I laughed because of what he said.

"It's like you also made it out that I'm going to marry him because it's for their money," I said in disbelief. I would have spoken more when mama approached me and slapped me. My face is tilted.

“It's true, isn't it? I'm going to marry him because of our debts to them, why doesn't Uncle Arnold just marry Harris to their son's girlfriend? They are lovers, ”I said.

“Are we just repeating ourselves, Elle. Your uncle Arnold doesn't like Harris' girlfriend. And you will be the reason they keep Harris away from that model, ”mom said. Why don't they like Serah? There is nothing to blame Harris's girlfriend for because she already has it all. Good life, famous all over the world and most of all his girlfriend Harris Gordion.

“No matter what you do, I will not allow you to marry Harris! I will not break up the relationship, ”I insisted. Mom's  was about to slap me again when I spoke.

“Slapped  me again, mom. It's as if you've already made it out that the only thing you're after the Gordions is their money, ”I said. They were surprised by what I said, I had no intention of saying the wrong words but, I had no choice.

“You are indebted, Elle! How dare you talk to me like that? If only Annie could marry Harris, I wouldn't beg you, ”Mom's  scolded me.

“Why not just Annie? I will talk to Uncle Arnold, ”I said.

“Even if you talk to your uncle Arnold, Elle. They won't change their minds so if you don't want to and if you want to, you can marry him, ” mom said.

“I need space, mom. “I said and turned to go to my room. I want to be able to think mentally. Only now are we like this and because of our debts to Uncle Arnold I have to marry him. My aunt and uncle were kind, I knew that if I asked them to pay our debts to them in another way, maybe they would agree and no wedding would take place.

“Elle! We're not done talking yet! “Mom shouted, but I ignored her and continued walking up the stairs. I don’t want to talk to them first, I can’t think straight when I face them. I need to talk to Uncle Arnold, Serah is kind to me and I can’t afford to break his trust.

When I entered my room, I locked it and then I went to my bed and sat down. What do I do if uncle doesn't agree? For sure Harris and Serah will be angry with me. I knew he would be hurt when he found out what my parents and Harris ’parents had talked about. I haven't seen Harris get angry yet so I don't know what he can do when Uncle Arnold tells me about their agreement with my parent's.