CHAPTER 3

Livy finally woke up to the familiar scent of her room, the warmth of it suddenly smoothed her aching nerves.

Wait, how did she get to her room? Was this even her room?

Was that all a dream? If it was, then she would be very relieved to have woken up from that nightmare, but she knew deep down it wasn't a dream.

Still a bit weak, she opened her eyes and could see the doctor writing down something on his notepad.

She looked around just to be certain it was her room, when she saw her mother's cold eyes staring her down.

Last thing she remembered was, she suddenly felt weak at work in her office and decided to close her eyes for a bit.

Could it be that she had fainted back then? Why, why did she faint?

The memories came rushing back like a sharp slap making her flinch.

She had seen the Winfrey's at Luthel Industries, and she knew the reason why they had come.

That and coupled with the fact that she had not eaten anything since the day before must have been the reason she fainted.

"Good, you're awake. How do you feel? Are you hurting anywhere?" doctor Collins asked, concerned.

Dr Collins has been the Luthel family doctor ever since Livy was still little, so she felt comfortable around him a bit.

"I feel fine, just my head...it feels sore, and my stomach hurts a little," she replied.

"How long have you been feeling the ache in your head?", Collins asked.

"For the past 2 days now, I... " before she could finish her response Judy interrupted,

"She must have been stressing herself so much at the office combined with the wedding preparations. I shouldn't have let her take on so much work, but I hope she is alright?"

Livy was completely frozen as the sound of the word 'marriage' rang in her ears.

So it was decided then? She was going to get married to Markian. She couldn't help the tears that began to roll down her cheek.

Her eyes were still glued to her mother who showed no sympathy or pity whatsoever.

Judy's face was as blank as ever with maybe a slight disapproval, not to the fixed marriage, but to the fact that Livy was now crying.

She always hated it when her daughters shade unnecessary tears around her, thinking it would solve anything.

She believes that anyone who cries at the slightest things are weak and lazy, thinking that they can get things done if they shade a few tears. Pathetic.

"She will be fine, she just need to start eating properly because she is losing weight, and I will give her some prescriptions she needs to take, it will help with the headache and the pain in her stomach for the time being. Well, congratulations Miss Luthel on your wedding. Don't worry, you will be just fine if you take the prescribed medications as instructed," Collins said pleasantly, but Livy was lost in thought and might as well be drowning in her own tears.

"Of course doctor, she will and I'll make sure of that, thank you." Judy walked the doctor to the door, and handed him over to the steward as she returned to the bed where Livy laid.

She was very upset for few reasons, but kept a straight face still as she straightened the blanket covering Livy.

" Take a day off and take care of yourself, I said. Falling sick or fainting at the office doesn't tell well on our personality, but does she listen? No! I'm responsible for putting food on the tables of over 2000 employees, but I can't even feed my own daughter. Ha, what an irony," Judy spoke mostly to herself but was not careful with her word well aware that Livy was still crying.

"Who...se wedding preparations were you referring to, mother?" Livy asked with a heavy heart.

"Yours of course, the Winfrey's have accepted the married proposal, so in a week's time you will be getting married to their son, the CEO of Castlehill, Markian Winfrey. Now, do you understand why you can't be so negligent with your health? Imagine the embarrassment I had to face today when they asked for you, but you were found unconscious in your office."

Judy rehearsed all that happened at the office after Livy had gone unconscious.

When she was done scolding her and putting everything in order, she was about to leave the room -hoping for no objection from her sad daughter- when Livy spoke,

"Should I just die? Or maybe i should've died instead of Sophy, then I won't have to be compelled into a life of torture all in the name of marriage. It would've been better if I was the one who died instead, because i'ld rather die than conceit to the idea of a loveless marriage. Maybe then you would finally listen and understand me." Livy spoke with all seriousness and boldness she could muster, but for her personality it was very easy to call her bluff, and Judy knew this very well.

"That would be the easiest solution for everyone don't you think? Well then, go on. You would just be another one of my burdens lifted..",

"Mother?!!!"

"What? Do you think you can threaten me with killing yourself, was that what all this drama of starvation and going unconscious have been about for these past few days? If you think that tears and going about hungry would help you get what you want, then you really are a weakling and not worthy to call me 'mother'." Judy stated firmly, and at this point Livy was dead silent.

'What exactly is going through her mother's mind right now? Was she really serious about getting her married to the same man that had been married her late daughter just a year and 9months ago?

When did she become so cold and unfeeling, only thinking about profit and fame.'

She tried to move her lips to say something but there were no words.

"So you better put yourself together and show me that you are your father's daughter and a proud Luthel. Your fears would follow you around all your life, unless you stop hiding and face them, you will always have to run away at the sight of them. We have decided for the court marriage to be in the next one week, so put your emotions aside and think with your head, unless all your father worked for and your sister's effort would all be for nothing. And it would all be on you." With that Judy left the room leaving Livy with mixed emotions.

Had she done something wrong in her previous life? So why was her destiny leading her along a thorny path?

The last thing she wanted to do was cause problems for her mother and Luthel Ind. but she also can't betray her sister like this.

WINFREY'S MANSION

It's been 3 days since the Winfrey's accepted the marriage proposal between their son and Luthel Industries' heiress, Olivia.

Today is the engagement party and only family members were invited, which was approximately a total number of 10 persons from both families.

Markian is in his room thinking about the turn of event surrounding his life at the moment.

Mrs. Judy Luthel have promised to leave Castlehill if he doesn't agree to this joke of a marriage.

He was staring intensely at a picture of Sophia frame to one side of the brilliantly painted wall of his room.

He had a glass of wine in his hand, and as he took each sip, he relived a happy memories of him and his late wife.

It was October the previous year and Sophy had practically nabbed him from the office and took him on a trip to Italy, Venice.

She had bugged him for months to go on a vacation there, but he had always made up an excuse about work, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and took him there anyway.

He was quite upset with her because he didn't even have his laptop with him, and was unable to do any work, but they ended up having the best time in Venice.

She had gotten him a native bracelet with an eagle engraved at the crust of the bracelet.

He never takes it off his wrist not even after her death. But what does any of that matter now? he asked himself as he looked at the bracelet on his wrist. In 3 days time, he would be making the same vows he had made with Sophy to her twin sister.

He raised his glass of wine at the Sophy's frame picture and spoke with glimmering brown eyes, "I was going to take you round the world, take you places you had dreamed of as a little girl, and when we grow old, we would spend the rest of our lives alone in our little island, just the two of us. I had all this plans just for you, hmm...I was so stupid to think that you would stay with me till the very end," he spoke disheartened.

"I'll be getting engaged to your twin sister today, hope it makes you happy? Leaving me forever without a goodbye is not a very good idea now is it? We'll have to live under the same roof, I'll have to share the same room and even the same bed with her, I hope that makes you happy? Everyday....every single moment without you would be a nightmare, hope that makes you very happy?" he questioned the picture accusingly as if wanting a reply.

He took a sip from his glass again when a knock on the door got his attention.

Without looking at who was at the door, the servant spoke in a firm voice, "Sir, the bride and her family have arrived."

With a wave, he dismissed the servant and set his glass down on the expensive wooden drawer below Sophy's portrait.

It was time for business and that is how he sees this entire madness of a marriage, only as business.

He straightened his long-sleeved shirt with his hand, slipped on his suit and headed downstairs to join the gathering and do the needful.

Livy looked like she was going to throw up anytime soon, her skin was pale and her hands were cold and shaky like they were freezing.

She tried to convince herself to look Markian in the face, but nothing was strong enough to convince her.

He was looking dashing and had his strict personality up to 101% this evening, making him even more handsome and ridiculously attractive.

If she can't handle standing by his side for few minutes, how on earth was she going to be able to live with this man under the same roof for the rest of her life.

She was ready to mingle or talk to people and exchange meaningless pleasantries, she was ready to do anything except stand close to this man that gave her chills and butterflies at the same time.

The giving of ring was the hardest part. She didn't realize how long she took to give him her hand when he asked for it-so he could slip the ring on- until he yanked it from her side where they seemed to have been frozen solid.

She felt her heart skip several beats the moment he held her hand to slip the ring on.

Her legs was about to give up on her, but she begged them for few more seconds.

He didn't ask her anything, she didn't reply either, they both knew none of that was important, only their parents' wishes must be fulfilled for the betterment of their companies tonight.

After the whole ritual was complete, Markian disappeared and was no where to be found.

Livy was relieved he was nowhere in site, but she was now forced to speak and make pleasantries with people she didn't know but recognized from her sister's wedding. They were now to be her new family afterall.

Accompanying her was her mother Judy, her only Uncle and his wife from her mother's side and an aunt from her father's side.

She didn't have a big extended family and she was grateful for that because it meant less people to talk to, greet or send cards to during celebrations and occasions.

She had no friends so she wasn't expecting any one around her age to be here, except one lady in her late twenties.

The lady looked nice and jovial when they both exchanged pleasantries. She introduced herself as Heather Tion Winfrey, Markian's cousin who lives in Shanghai.

She was not married though she was very beautiful with the right curves at all the right places. She was good looking and genuine, but Livy just wanted to be alone and recollect her thoughts, so she wasn't very attentive nor was she pleasant to the lady.

She was finally left alone so she sneaked up into a quiet dark room to ease herself from the stress and tension.

"This is a nightmare. They all seem nice but who knows what they would be saying behind my back. 'she must have killed her sister to marry her husband', or 'how shameless can she be, why is she agreeing to marry her late sister's husband?' I can't handle anymore or this madness, I feel like throwing up. How did I get here? What exactly I'm I doing here?" she spoke and asked herself, confident she was alone in the room.

"To ease yourself, obviously. You seem to be very stressed, but this is not a good place for that you know. I could show you a perfect place to go to and scream at the world if you want," a voice spoke from behind a hard wooden surface, scaring 2 years out of Livy's life.

"Goodness! whhh...wh.. Who is therrrree?" she asked almost scared to death.

Turning the lamp on the table on, the bright light shined exposing the face belonging to the voice she just heard.

He was a good looking handsome young man, probably in his middle 20s. He had the Winfrey's seductive chiselled face almost like that of Markian's, but his were clean shaved.

He looked familiar, but she was already too scared to recall where she must have seen him before. Oh God, he heard everything she just said. This was all too frightening and embarrassing at same time.

"I'm Daniel, Daniel Tion Winfrey. I'm your fiance's cousin...from his father's side. We've met before, don't you remember? At your sister's wedding 2 years ago, I asked you for a dance but you turned me down, rudely if I may add. Now here we are again," he spoke teasingly.

Oh no, she do remember now. She was so emotional that evening at the post wedding party, after yelling at Markian and telling him not to come close to her ever again, she had left Markian furiously and must have vented her anger on Daniel when he came up to her and asked for a dance.

Now, what would he do with what he just heard? She wondered. Would he use it to his advantage and try to blackmail her or would he just tell his mother, who would tell the rest of their family? Or worse, tell her mom.

It's official, her life would become a nightmare of rumors and back talks before she even becomes a Winfrey.

"I do remember you and I sincerely apologize for my outburst that night. I was not in the right frame of mind at the post wedding party so I vented my anger on you. But please, do not let another soul hear about what I just said here," Livy pleaded with him sincerely.

"Relax, I didn't hear anything of importance to me, but if you'ld like to come with me, there is a place I can take you to so you can scream to your heart content. Bottled up feelings never amounts to anything positive, so you should let it all out", Daniel spoke smoothly and convincingly.

She was ready to go anywhere with him, he was right. She had to scream out her feelings unless she might just have another outburst, but this time might be in front of everyone and might cause trouble for the Winfreys.

"Where is this place?", she asked politely.

"that rooftop, it's the perfect location for relieving stress. Come with me!" he replied pointing at the city.

When he noticed she wouldn't refuse, without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand. Pulling her out of the room he lead her straight to the stirs leading to the backdoor of the Winfrey's mansion.

He put her securedly in his Mclaren senna, and they were on the high way faster than she could recollect her senses.

This was dangerous, she doesn't know this man and just because he said he was Markian's cousin doesn't mean he couldn't be a kidnapper or an assassin or even a serial killer.

She knew all this, but she was not scared. Somehow, she had manage to convince her worried heart that this escape was what she needed at this moment.

He drove into a parking lot belonging to a very familiar building, they were at Castlehill.

He led her out and took her hand once again sending warmth and excitement through her whole body.

They both took the elevator to the top floor and got out, in few seconds with him guiding her safely, they were at the rooftop of Castlehill.

Livy could see the entire city from up there, and as she looked to the farther side of the city, Luthel Industries' skyscraper was glistering with majestic and brilliant contour.

This view was breathtaking, and with everything happening so fast, she closed her eyes to take it all in.

Few seconds later, Daniel squeezed her hand slightly bringing her back to reality, "Well? isn't there something you would like to say to the universe?" he asked her with a smile.

She carefully and slowly slipped her hand from he's and stepped forward close to the edge. She was terrified of heights, so she didn't dare move closer to the edge.

With open arms and no regard whatsoever, she yelled, "I don't want to take my sister's place! I wish mom, you would listen to me just this once and put an end this madness! I don't want to get Married to my sister's husband is that too hard for you to understand?! I just...i just want a place of my own where I would be happy! A love to call my own, a family to look forward to and a relationship that would last a lifetime, something that would be mine and only mine, is that so had to comprehend?! Why is it so hard to get the little things I want while others get it so easily?! ...sobs I'm so exhausted, I feel like I might...like I might...just be alone for the rest of my life," she spoke with a broken voice as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Breaking down she fell to the ground crying and sobbing.

Daniel let her cry for a while then he held her close and tried to console her.

He took her back down to the parking lot, entering the car, they both drove off.

It was a very long and silent drive back home. The only time they spoke was when he asked where she would like to go, if he should take her home or somewhere else?

She said she would like to go home but she would appreciate it if he could just drive round the city for a while longer, and he agreed.

She got home around 1am and found her mom both furious and worried, asking where she had been.

She told her mom she needed fresh air so she went for a drive round the city.

It was already too late so yelling at her would be a waste.

No harm was done, and that was all that mattered to Judy, so she told her to go get some rest. With that she left the room.

It was no longer a gloomy night, Livy had said all she wanted to, all thanks to Daniel. But what was his reason? Why did he help her tonight after she had been so rude to him in the past?

They weren't even friends, but she had followed that man to Castlehill, screamed her lungs out to the universe, cried her eyes out at the rooftop and had a long ride through the city with him all in one night.

She didn't even thank him after he had brought her home, she had such poor manners. But she intends to pay Daniel back for all his help tonight.

Even though she wasn't sure if she was going to get any sleep tonight, she did. And for the first time in almost a week, she had a dreamless sleep and was thankful for that.