THE TURN OF EVENTS

"Would someone care to explain what is going on here?" My father's icy tone resonates while Gracia takes a step away from her daughter, revealing Nelly's withered visage as humiliation is smeared all over her.



Just as I had anticipated. She is quivering while dodging everyone's gaze. She is probably wishing for the ground she is standing on to open up and swallow her whole so she can escape from this embarrassment. And here I thought she was pleased with what she had done. Why is she now a trembling mess? wasn't she all hard-balled and bitchy on me for this same act? What happened to her now?

"Nelly! I'm waiting!" My father repeats while glaring homicidally at the terrified blonde. I am so enjoying this.


Gathering the little courage left in her, she opens her trembling lips as she does us the honor of describing her repulsive behavior.

"Sorry, Dad. Things just spiraled out of control," she labors for words.


I was about to smirk at the disgustingly squirming bitch, but the last part of her small explanation made me almost choke on my smirk. I suddenly feel a tight knot in my belly. What on hell does she mean by things just got out of control? What things? What was in control? I squeeze my eyes at her in an attempt to understand what she said.

"This was NOT, part of the agreement, Nelly!" Mr Riccarford's stern voice rings once more, almost paralyzing me on my spot.

I cruise my eyes around them - the three souls before me. Everyone is avoiding his face, but I muster up the guts to dart my eyes in his direction. I don't care about his frightening facial expression right now, which is dreadful enough to frighten even the devil himself, but what kind of agreement is he referring to?

Agreement? Even the sound of this term alone makes my blood boil. It rings with a dreadful sound. The only agreement I know about is the one he has with the Riccafortes which I am fighting. And that did not include Nelly at all. So what is this new agreement that he is talking about?

"Pa..."

"I don't want to ruin this day more than you already have, Nelly," he beats me just as I am about to demand an explanation, cutting me off. 'I will let this go for now, but tonight after the party, you better have a better justification, or else..."

"Richard, come on!" Gracia screeches under her breath, glaring at my father while I watch them in utter shock. 'My daughter did you a huge favor. Can you for once give her some credit?" This witch makes an effort to protect her daughter. I'm not surprised though.

A favor, she said? So, they all were in this together?

Wait, don't tell me that my father did this just so he could separate me and Leo so that I could agree to the betrothal? And knowing him, I know he would do anything to see the success of this betrothal. I just didn't think that he could indeed succumb to such cheap, desperate measures.

OMG! This is not happening for God's sake!

Then again, the truth is howling right before me, staring at me.

Now I get it! However ridiculous it sounds, it now perfectly rings a bell. Loud and clear! Everything makes sense now. That was why this whore was not even ashamed at all. This is why she was not scared about my father knowing about this. What a play!

"Stop defending her, Gracia. She messed up!" Father roars.

"But Richard, the outcome is exactly what you wanted, right? Cut my daughter slack, will you!" Gracia is bent on fighting for her shameless daughter.

"I don't recollect any part that said she was to sleep with Leo, much less on my daughter's own bed and that, is unforgivable! She only needed to seduce him and cause a breakup, not to disrespect my daughter in this manner!"

And the truth finally comes out!

Great! Just great!

"What does it matter, huh?" Gracia squeals again.

At this point, I am so suffocated by their yellings and all that I have discovered. I cover my ears to prevent them from blocking due to the yelling and barking.

For a moment, all I can see is their mouths screaming furiously, firing at each other. A she-devil by the name of Gracia who won't give up in her defense of her shameless daughter, and a devil by the name of my father who is so enraged. He looks like he is about to kill someone. It seems as though we are in a live soap opera while the nannies, drivers, and security personnels are the audience. This is just too much!

"STOP!" I yell while lowering my hands from my ears. They all stop their yapping and gawk at me as they exorcise their demons. Gosh! Never before has the tranquility of this castle been so disturbed. Never!

"We are done here. I need a good explanation for this tonight, Nelly, and be ready for the consequences!" Father states with an autocratic tone that no one would dare defy or question. He then turns to me. "Let's go, my dear," he says before turning to leave.

"No, Papa! I demand an explanation. What did you do this time?" I query, refusing to move a muscle. He just can't expect me to put this stinging betrayal behind me just like that.

"There is nothing for you to know, Ellie. We have a meeting with the board in a few and we are behind time. We have a very busy, and important day ahead. Let's get moving and stop wasting time," he and turns on his tracks once again, walking away, but today, I am not letting him get away. He always had his way with everything, but not this one. Not today.

"Until you tell me what this agreement was all about, Papa, I'm not moving an inch from here," I state. He makes a calm turn, but his veiled ire is clearly apparent in his demeanor. Wait. Isn't it me that is supposed to be upset in this situation? It is he who betrayed me for hell's sake! To hell with his annoyance. "So, you are to blame for this treachery, pa?" I query.