Battle between blood

CHAPTER 1

As I stood there silently waiting outside my father's room I couldn't help but wonder why I'd been summoned by him despite the fact that our relationship wasn't so close, but before I could think further I was called inside by my mother.

Upon entering, my mother urged me to come a little closer and sit next to my father to which I obliged.

"Lyra" Mr Walton called out with his voice barely above a whisper "there's something your mother and I have to tell you"...... "Your mother and I have decided to form a marriage alliance with the Armani family, you'll be getting married to their oldest son Zayn Armani. The date of the engagement has already been set for tomorrow, ensure you're on your best behavior and don't do anything to embarrass our family, do I make myself clear?"

Shock overwhelmed me as I stumbled over my words "I ...i...I don't understand, what do you mean you formed an alliance? I'm getting engaged to Zayn Armani?......how? When was this decided and why didn't you think to seek my opinion first before making a decision!?"

My father looked at me with a face of disgust and disapproval before fixing his gaze on my mother urging her to control my outburst.

Mother tried persuading me into agreeing with father just like she usually does but I wasn't having it, not this time that It actually had to do with my future.

"Mom! Just stop!!! How could you possibly agree to something like this knowing fully well that I'm in love with someone else? And even if I wasn't, I'd never agree to an arranged marriage. I'm not even done with college and you guys are already planning to marry me off to a complete stranger" I cried, my voice laced with visible frustration.

"Lyra, we're doing this all for your own benefit, your father and I just want what's best for you and besides you'll learn to love Zayn as time goes by"

Just as I was about to protest Even more my father began coughing violently

"The company...". He paused and swallowed hard. "was going through some setbacks and we were almost blacklisted but then the Armani family stepped in and saved us..." he coughed. "They invested in the company in exchange for this marriage proposal..."

"To uphold this empire and keep our family name alive, we need Zayn Armani"...... "If only your mother hadn't failed me by giving me a daughter instead of a son, our family wouldn't have been in this situation....... The alliance has already been formed, there's nothing you can do about it. Now get out!....... the mere sight of you causes me great displeasure"

Completely overwhelmed by the great injustice I was subjected to, I stormed off, heading to a nearby hotel to blow off some steam.

After arriving at the hotel I took a moment to process everything that had just happened. An hour went by and I was still unable to fathom my parent's decision. Overwhelmed by grief I decided to call my boyfriend to comfort me.

Not long after, a tall handsome man walked into my room. It was my boyfriend Adrian, who was also my childhood best friend and my pillar of hope.

The moment he entered I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly as I showered him with kisses.

After we locked lips in a passionate kiss, I proceeded to confide in him, telling him everything that had happened prior to his arrival.

"He can't just marry me off like that. I'm not some kind of property that he can use for his selfish needs! I have feelings too and besides I can't imagine myself getting married to anyone but you" I mumbled in a hushed tone as my cheeks flushed red.

Adrian sat up straight, looking me directly in the eyes with a cold expression resting on his face.

"I'm actually here to break up with you. I'm in love with someone else and we'll be getting engaged soon enough, so I can't continue to be associated with an ill-fated girl like yourself and besides it's not like I ever loved you.........So I'd advise that you proceed with the marriage alliance with Armani family because no man in his right mind would want to be married to a good for nothing woman like you and be associated with your shameful family"

He then stormed off leaving me in complete shock.

I remained silent staring blankly at a wall as tears slowly began streaming down my face, my mind was in chaos unable to understand what had just happened,I was almost as though I could hear the sound of my own heart shattering into a million pieces.

After a moment of gathering my thoughts I decided to head back home and rest in the comforting arms of my mother, the only person that truly understands, and cares about me.

"Mom!" I cried out.

Mrs Walton instantly appeared rushing to her daughter's aid.

"What happened dear" mom asked with an expression filled with concern.

I explained everything that happened with Adrian as my mother consoled me.

"Oh my darling, wipe your tears. Just consider it a sign that you both aren't destined to be together" She said as a flash of guilt flickered across her face.

"And besides, the oldest son of the Armani family is a much better match for you. He's a gentleman, someone you can actually rely on in times of trouble unlike Adrian"

I knew my mother was only saying all this just to get me to agree to the marriage alliance. Despite her words the only thing I could focus on was Adrian. I couldn't help but wonder why he said all that to me? Why the sudden change? But I guess I'll never be able to find out as I've already agreed to the marriage proposal. If Adrian could forget everything that we had, including our love and move on then so could I.