Penelope Marshall looked at herself in the mirror. She wishes she saw a healthy woman with fiery red hair and warm hazel eyes. Instead, she saw a sickly thin girl with dried-out hair and dull eyes. However, she can't help but smile. She shouldn't be smiling, since it was her father's funeral, but she feels free. The abuse is over. She mourned the death of her father the day he died, which was the first day he abused her.
Her father was an important businessman who need to keep the appearance of his family clean. This didn't stop the physical, emotional, and mental abuse. He would call her a bitch no matter what. If she ate in front of him, he would call her fat. If she came home from school late, which was all the time, he would call her a whore. If she cried when he hit her, he would call her a pussy. The insults filled her mind for ten years. The worst was worthless. The physical abuse was strategic and harsh, in places where an average person couldn't view.
The only thing that kept her sane was school. There she joined the drama club after years of dancing and singing at home with her mother. It was the only thing that would make her feel as if her mother still lived with her. Penelope's mother loved the theater, so Penelope fell in love with theater too. She had many good friends as well through the drama club. However, never close enough to invite her over. Never close enough to feel safe tell them about the abuse.
Her father worked all day to return home with the nasty remarks to his daughter. In between, weeklong business trips in foreign countries where he would party. He would come home drunk and with foreign women. The women soon leave after Mr. Marshall dumped them. She found peace in those weeks alone. She found freedom to eat, sing out loud, stay away from home as late as she wanted too. Because, once her father came home, there would be no such thing. She had to be home at four, no later. And there was to be absolutely no noise, whatsoever.
She hoped, for college, she would be able to go far away, preferably New York City, but her father threw away all her applications that went through the mail. Thankfully, she applied for a local college that she turned in by hand. She was accepted and majored in theater. She still lived at home during college, which was still a nightmare.
Finally, at the age of twenty-four, her father died. It was a murder, and the police still don't know who it was; but as an important businessman, he had many enemies.
Penelope Marshall was dressed for her father's funeral. It was a simple short-sleeve black dress, black tights, and black kitten heels. Her hair was tied back in a bun, and she had light make-up on. She knew her acting skills will be tested today. She had to pretend that she was heartbroken rather than her real emotion: relief. Nobody knew that the famous Mr. Marshall abused his only daughter. Actually, one person did know.
This person was the head maid, Alberta, or Ms. Birdie. She has worked in the house since Penelope was born. Ms. Birdie would often find Penelope, or Penny to her, crying in her room after a beating or an extremely rude remark and held her until she stopped. Ms. Birdie would do anything to make her as happy as possible. She would cook Penny all her favorite foods when Mr. Marshall was away, help the girl study, watch her practice for a new role. Ms. Birdie was the closest thing to a mother after Penny's real mother left.
Ms. Birdie popped her head into Penny, "Honey, it's time to go. The car is here."
Penny turned around to face her, "Is it wrong that I feel happy that he is dead?" Real tears lined her eyes. Penny felt guilty about her joy.
The maid scurried to the young woman, "Oh no honey. Don't feel guilty! He was always an evil man. Why do you think your mother left? How do you think I know how to treat bruises? After your mother left, someone had to fill her space. Unfortunately, it was you. I'm so sorry, Penny" She pulled her into a tight hug. When released, Ms. Birdie wiped Penny's tears away and they walked out together.
They entered the car and it drove off to the funeral.
~~~
Penny wished that the funeral was simple, but it wasn't. It was planned by his current personal assistant and latest twenty year old girlfriend, Ruby. Penny knew her from high school. They were never friend since Ruby was three years younger than her.
It was actually a sunny day in the normal cloudy San Francisco, where the Marshall's live. Penny prepared herself by getting the fake tears ready. Stepping out of the car, Penelope saw Ruby full on sobbing and screaming over the closed coffin. She was screaming that she will avenge his death and find his killer.
Penny wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the scene, but she knew it was the wrong emotion at a scene like this.
The priest said kind things about Mr. Marshall, but they were false. Only Penelope and Ms. Birdie knew the truth. If Penelope was speaking about her father, she would go into detail about the pain his words and hands caused her.
When it was time to place the roses on the casket, Penny brought out the fake tears. She wasn't sobbing, but her tears fell fast. She places the rose carefully on the coffin and wished one last time that her father loved her.
Penelope was the last to go at the funeral. She had to socialize with businessmen and women and display her graceful sorrow. After almost everyone was gone, Mr. Marshall's lawyer and an unknown man came up to her.
"Hello Mr. Davis, how can I help you?" Penelope addressed the lawyer but ignored the other man.
"Hello Miss. Marshall, I have some bad news. I know this isn't the best time since you are mourning your father. However, there is a term in his will regarding Mr. Romano. Can we discuss this at your house?" The lawyer introduced the older man as Mr. Romano. Penelope heard the name before from her father.
Mr. Romano was a well-aged man with smile wrinkles and gray hair. He was tall, towering over Penelope's 5'5 height, and tan skin stretched across his frame. In his prime, he must have been a lady-killer. Even now, he was a handsome man; but a gold band on his ring finger showed his status.
The car ride back was quiet, no one spoke a word. Ms. Birdie took the original car back, so the three drove back in the lawyer's car. Luckily, it was a short ride and Penny led the men into the mansion.
She led them into a sitting room on the first floor and Ms. Birdie asked the men if they needed anything. Both replied no.
"So, Mr. Davis and Mr. Romano, what is this bad news?" Penny asked, emotionless; a skill she had developed many years ago.
Mr. Davis sighed before speaking, "Mr. Marshall's business is very popular. In his will, he assigned a successor. That would be the CEO of Romano Industries. However, the only way they can absorb your father's business is through marriage. Mr. Romano's son, Quentin, is the CEO and close to your age. So, you will be marrying him. If you don't marry Quentin Romano, hundreds of people will lose their jobs and you will face a lawsuit from our firm on behalf of Mr. Marshall. I will leave you with a copy of his will. Hopefully, I will see you at the wedding."
The lawyer walked out the door and Mr. Romano stayed behind to speak more to Penelope. At this point, Penelope couldn't help but let anxiety fill her body. She suddenly stood up, where she paced back and forth. Her fingers go to her mouth, as a starts biting down, a nervous tick. She is obviously overcome with her anxiety. Mr. Romano just went and watched the girl. He stood up to try to comfort her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. He feels how tense her muscles were once the hand touched her skin. She quickly turns her head and sees a look a pity on his face. Her face turned back to neutral.
"I'm sorry," Mr. Romano starts. "I didn't want this, and I know you didn't want it as well. I looked you up though. I saw that you are an amateur actor for your local theater. You may not be happy with my son, but you can find happiness in New York. My second oldest son is a manager. He can find you a job."
Penny's heart felt a little lighter. She had little money from jobs in local theaters. She planned on moving to New York City anyways. Now with a connection, she could actually make it big. It was a great opportunity. However, at a cost: she has to marry a stranger.
Penelope never dated a man in her life. Her life was closely controlled by her father, she was lucky she even got to leave the house for school and work. She would often kiss men in plays and musicals, but that is the most intimate she has ever been.
"I do not want a wedding. I don't want to be in front of people when it is fake," Penelope finally choked out.
"Of course! Whatever you want. You are part of the family now," Mr. Romano said gently. "I know this is hard to say...but I know what your father did. I know that he abused you."
Penelope's eyes widened and she started to get up and walk away. Mr. Romano, wanting to finish his statement, grabbed her wrist. This is when Penny's anxiety got worse. She was hoping to forget it...forget it all. Instead of a handsome man, she saw her disgusting father. She struggled to free herself. She saw the man's mouth moved but all she heard were her father's insults. She knew that the man wasn't her father, but she couldn't stop her mind from going to dark places.
Mr. Romano tried to calm the panicking girl, but the only way for her to become calm is to let go of her hand. He let go and she ran to the almost ready to leave. She looked all around, ready to attack if need-be. Mr. Romano carefully approached the girl, seeing that she is not quite herself.
He continued to speak, "We were close friends in when I was in graduate school, and he was still in college. He met your mother, and I was already with my wife. One day, I caught him hitting her and calling her the worst names. I confronted him. He attacked and threatened me. I went to the police for domestic abuse, but he covered it well. He must of threaten your mother as well. I had to get away from him. I was afraid for the safety of my family and myself. Your father was a truly evil man. I'm sorry."
She looked up at him through panicked eyes. She was able to spit out, harshly, "If you knew about me, why didn't you save me?" Penny got up and hurried back to her room.
Mr. Romano stayed behind, knowing that running after her would be pointless. The truth was he never knew she existed until the lawyer contacted him about her father's will, after his death. He was happy to see the young woman but guessed that Mr. Marshal treated Penelope like his wife. In a way, Mr. Romano was also happy to take the girl away. She would be good for his player of a son, Quentin.
A middle aged woman knocked on the door and popped her head in. He recognized her from before and caught her name as Ms. Birdie. "Can I get you anything sir?"
"Do you mind if I staying here? Penelope has to move back to New York with me, so I prefer to stay and get to know her."
Ms. Birdie was surprised; she thought the man was very kind and wondered how he could have been friends with a terrible man. The maid agreed and led him to a guest room. In his room, Mr. Romano called his son Quentin about the news.
~~~
Across the country, famous playboy millionaire, Quentin Romano, was trying to hook up with a random girl at the club. He was so close from asking her to go home with him, but a sudden phone call from his father ruined the mood.
Quentin groaned and walked outside to the freezing New York air. He could see his breath when he answered the phone, rudely, "What, dad? Tonight, is like, my only night free."
"Well," his father, Dante Romano, started. "Soon, you will have another day free from work. You are getting married, next week."
Quentin couldn't help but laugh out loud. His stomach hurt and he couldn't stop. "That's really funny dad! Why would you say something like that?" Quentin was able to say after his laughter stopped.
"Son, I'm serious. You are twenty-seven, you need to grow up. I know it's not traditional in the slightest, but it's important. I will send you everything about her. She is a sweet girl, and you will meet her in a few days. If you don't marry her, we might lose everything," Dante hung up on his son.
Quentin wanted to scream at everything and punch at anything. He felt like his whole life is ruined. Marriage wasn't just something you did to save a business. There has to be another way. He jumped in his car and drove off.
Once he was past city limits and in a more rural area, he pressed on the gas hard. His expensive sports car reached almost triple the original thirty miles per hour. Driving this fast made him ecstatic. It made him feel wild and free. He wasn't able to drive like a mad man in the city, but out wherever he was, he could be a daredevil.
He drove like this for a half an hour until red and blue light accompanying a siren disturbed his fun. Quentin slows down and pulls over to the side. He lets out a sigh of frustration and rest his head on the steering wheel.
A knock on the window indicated that the officer was ready to speak. The minute the window was open, the officer spoke, "Look at this bastard! Speeding... shall I call your father?"
Quentin rolled his eyes and looked at the officer, who happened to be his eldest brother, Benjamin Romano. Out of all the Romano children, these two look the most similar. Ben and Quentin both have chestnut hair, green eyes, and tall stature. The brother style their hair differently. Ben has a clean shaven face and a tight haircut, close to a buzzcut. Quentin, or Quinn to his family, has a thin beard (a five o'clock shadow) and long hair that is always pushed back.
Quentin didn't say anything and just got out of the car. He knew his brother would want him to perform a sobriety test for fun. Quentin had one beer over an hour ago; he was far from drunk. Ben knew that his brother likes to drive fast when he is stressed out.
"What is wrong this time?" Ben asked his frazzled brother.
"Dad," Quinn didn't know how to continue. "He is marrying me off to this random girl. For no reason except that it's important to the business. Fucking arranged marriage. Who does this anymore?" It was obvious that he was pissed. Ben had no clue what to do. He couldn't believe his father could do something like this to his family.
Ben skipped embarrassing his brother with a test and just shoved him into the back of his cop car, claiming that he was unfit to drive. He knew his brother would go to terrible places (random fights and alcohol) now that he is furious. So, Ben drove Quinn back to the station and locked him in a cell, despite his brother's fighting.
Other than Ben, Quentin had five other siblings. Benjamin was the oldest at thirty-two years old. He has been married since the age of twenty-five to Sofia, a fiery Greek woman. They both have two children: one a three year old girl and a six month old baby boy. The next set of siblings are twin men: Daniel and Dylan, age thirty. They are also identical, almost impossible to tell apart. They both have dark blonde hair, almost brown, and the trademark Romano green eye they got from their father. Daniel was the manager Dante mentioned to Penelope. Dylan was the opposite of his twin in attitude. He always has a permanent scowl. He travels the world, but his family is unsure why and where he goes. Aubrey is the first girl of the family. At the age of twenty-eight, she has become a popular psychologist. She is also married to Logan Hill, a wealthy lawyer. She has dark brown hair and blue eyes, like her mother. Quentin is the fifth child of Dante and Amelia Romano, and the only one interested in the family business. Addison Romano is the baby of the family at the age of twenty-five. She has the light blonde hair of her father and the blue eyes of her mother. She is also significantly shorter than the rest of her giant family. She is a fashion designer is outrageous style. She is not a mainstream woman and prefers for her designs to be outside of the box.
Benjamin, holding onto Quinn's phone, looked at the text from his father. He read about this mystery girl. He saw a beautiful young woman with deep red hair, light freckles that cover her nose and cheeks, and the richest hazel eyes. She was truly stunning, expect for her expression. Her eyes in the picture held no life. It looked as if her soul was killed years ago.
With the picture was a file of her personal information and a legal document. The personal information file showed how much her father made, where she lived, her education, and past jobs. He was surprised at the amount of shows she performed in. He would have looked to look her up when he got home and also show his wife. Upon opening the legal document, he discovered the truth behind the arranged marriage. This young woman's father's will. If she doesn't comply, the firm would sue her. The will also reveal that her father didn't leave her a fraction of his wealth. She had absolutely nothing. The Marshall wealth was left to her current girlfriend, Ruby.
By the time Ben was done reading, his brother was asleep; most likely dreaming of a life without an arranged marriage.