Addicted To The Arranged Bride

***

~~ZARA~~

***

I stood outside the bursar's office for a few seconds, trying to calm my breathing before knocking.

"Come in," she said.

I walked in slowly. "Good morning, Ma."

She gave me that tired look teachers always have when they're about to lecture someone. "I'm going to be direct with you."

"Your tuition fees haven't been paid. Finals are in less than two weeks, and your account shows zero payments for this entire semester."

My hands gripped the edge of the chair, and I bit my lip. "Yeah, sorry. We're... dealing with some stuff right now. We'll pay soon."

She sighed and rubbed her temples. "Zara, you're one of our best students. Your grades are excellent. Your professors speak highly of you. But the school has rules."

"If payment isn't received by the end of this week, you won't be allowed to take your final exams."

What could I possibly say? The truth? That we lost everything? That my dad died in an accident, due to the frustration of his bankrupt company?

Only the Wrights knew. And Mom wanted to keep it that way.

I took a deep breath. "I understand."

"Do you?" she asked, looking straight at me. "Because if you don't take those exams, you won't graduate. All your hard work will be wasted."

"Yes, Ma. I understand."

I stood up to leave but paused by the door. "Uh, Ma, can I go home now? I don't feel too good."

She studied my face for a few seconds. "You look drained. Go ahead, but rest, okay?"

"Thanks, Ma," I said and stepped out.

The second I closed the door, I was startled to see two people standing right outside.

"What the hell!" I hissed, almost jumping back. "You two are supposed to be in class right now!"

Dahlia's eyes widened. "Girl, what is wrong?"

Adrian crossed his arms. "Are you okay? You look off."

I rolled my eyes. "Can y'all not stand here like hall monitors? The bursar might walk out any second."

"Why are you skipping class?" Dahlia asked, lowering her voice.

"Yeah, and what's going on with your mom?" Adrian added.

They both started talking at once, and my head started spinning.

"Stop! One at a time," I said.

They went silent, watching me like they weren't leaving without answers.

I sighed. "Nothing. It's nothing. Just go back to class before you get in trouble."

I tried to walk past, but Dahlia grabbed my arm. "Zara, stop. You've been acting weird since yesterday.

You took the bus this morning-you never take the bus. Now you're coming out of the bursar's office. Talk to us."

"I'm fine, Dahlia. Seriously."

"You're not fine," Adrian said, stepping closer. "I know you. Something's wrong."

I clenched my jaw. "You really want to know? Fine. I'm getting married."

Dahlia blinked. "You're what?"

"To whom?" Adrian asked quickly.

"Dante!" I snapped.

Adrian's eyes widened. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Zara, what are you talking about?" Dahlia asked. "You hate Dante. You've always hated him. And you're in love with-" She stopped mid-sentence, glancing at Adrian.

I rubbed my face, frustrated. "Because I don't have a choice. My family is broke. Completely broke. We owe the bank millions. Your family agreed to help, but only if I get married to your elder brother."

Adrian shook his head. "That's insane. There has to be another way."

"There isn't!" I replied. "You think we didn't try? You think my mom didn't exhaust every option before agreeing to this? I can't even pay my tuition, Adrian. I just got told I might not be able to take my finals. We're that broke."

I turned to walk off already teary-eyed.

"Zara, wait-" Adrian reached for me.

But I pulled away. "Don't. Just don't."

Then I ran. Down the hallway, through the doors, past the security gate. I heard them calling my name, but I didn't stop.

By the time I reached the bus stop, I was done holding it in. I sat on the bench and let the tears fall.

It felt so unfair. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew-I had no choice.

When the bus finally came, I wiped my face and got on.

I sat in the back, staring out the window as the city passed by.

While on the bus I thought about the whole situation. Before I finally concluded to go ahead with the only solution left.

I felt hurt that Adrian didn't say he loved me. Even after I told him everything, he didn't say it.

And that said enough.

Maybe Mom was right. If he really cared, he would've done something a long time ago. But he didn't.

So maybe this marriage was always meant to happen. Maybe I needed to stop waiting for someone who was never going to choose me.

At least this way, I could save my dad's company. Keep his name alive. That mattered more than anything right now.

When I got home, Mom wasn't there. I went straight to my room and fell onto my bed in my uniform.

*****

I woke up and it was already past three. My head hurt, but I forced myself up, headed to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then went to Mom's room.

"Mom?" I pushed the door open.

She was sitting on her bed, crying quietly.

"Mom..." I walked in. She quickly wiped her face, but I'd already seen her eyes.

I sat beside her and wrapped my arms around her.

"Stop crying," I said. "We'll get through this."

She shook her head. "Your dad and I got you into this mess. I'm so sorry, dear."

"Don't," I said, hugging her tighter. "We'll fix it. Together."

We both cried for a while. When she calmed down, I took a deep breath.

"Get dressed," I said. "We're going to the Wrights' mansion. I'm doing it. I'll marry Dante."

Her eyes widened. "Zara, you don't have to-"

"I do," I said. "It's the only way to save Dad's company."

She looked at me for a long second, then nodded. "You're so much stronger than I was."

"I learnt from you."

******

We took a cab to the Wright estate.

When we arrived, I saw Dante's black car speeding through the gate like he was in a Fast and Furious movie.

"Does he always drive like that?" Mom asked.

"Apparently," I muttered.

We walked through the gate on foot, following behind his car.

That's when I saw Adrian standing near the front steps, still in his school uniform. His arms were crossed, and he looked angry.

Really angry.

Before I could call out to him, Adrian rushed toward Dante's car the second he stepped out. He grabbed Dante by the front of his shirt and shoved him backwards.

"Adrian!" I yelled, running over.

Adrian shouted, "Why her? Why do you want to marry Zara when you know how I feel about her?"

"Wait, what?" I asked in surprise.

Both their heads turned toward me.

Adrian walked up fast and grabbed my hands.

"I love you, Zara," he said, straight up. "Please don't marry my brother."

I froze.

My brain went blank.

After everything-now he says it?

I looked at him, then at Dante, who was just standing there, calm but with an unreadable look in his face.

Mom walked up behind me, but she didn't utter a word.

For a moment, no one said a thing.

Adrian still held my hands, waiting for me to say something back.

This was the moment I had been waiting for all my life for Adrian to say these words to me. But right now it's too late, and everything happening was too much for me to process.

I still loved him-I couldn't lie about that-but why now? Why wait until I'm forced into a marriage with someone else?

And honestly, what's the difference? Adrian and Dante are both Wrights. Why can't I just marry Adrian instead?

"Adrian, enough."

We all turned toward the person who spoke.