MRS RÓDRÍGUÉZ - EPISODE 2

Hours Later.

Silence.
Long silence and tension enveloped the air which both mother and daughter breathe in.

She faced her mother- with so much thought in her mind. A bit confused, bittered and betrayed.

She gets it all clear now. The reasons she never got to keep male friends, never allowed to keep a lover for herself – knowing she was a center of attraction in the community she lives.

“But why?” -Was the only thing that came from her lips. After all these years? Not even the slightest clue to know what was happening.

“Why what Audrielle?” Mrs Damiéné tried to reach her daughter.

But she moved away from her.
“Do not touch me mother. I want you to tell me what I don’t know. Tell me why I was never told about a day like this? A day I will be asked to marry a Ródrígúéz. You heard everything lady Castel said.

“What Happened few hours at the palace? Everything I need to know. Why was I never told about it?”

She rasped. Filled with a minced feeling such big secret was kept from her.

At the dinning, Lady Castel announced a Royal engagement that’ll happen between the two. The prince and her. Causing the prince to angrily barged out of the table.

She felt no different either. Her mother has some explanations to give.

“I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything”
She exhaled sharply. And then continued.

“Your father was in great debt to the king before he died.
You were just five, and very sick. Sick with an ailment no healer could cure- Then, you were our only child. Our only hope.

“Your father and I went as far to get a healer in other cities. Till we found a solution. But there was no money. We sold Alot of properties. We tore our yearly savings. But it wasn’t enough for what the healer demanded- your case of sickness was a rare one.

“We knew it was time to cry out for help. We had basically nothing left. Nothing to sell. The king was our only option.

Your father stroke a deal with the king and queen, your hand in marriage to their son if the money isn’t refunded.

The king and queen welcomed the idea. Your father was his friend, so they gave him what he needed. The deal was good too to them seeing how bright and Beautiful you were. Your blue eyes telling so much of your innocence.

‘ A beautiful Scottish bride for their Scottish prince’- they said

Your father and I toiled for years. We doubled our efforts just for your sake. So you’ll be fine and won’t be tied to any marriage arrangements made by circumstance.

The debt was much. Your father couldn’t repay before he died. Death was unfair. Your fate was sealed.”

Mrs Damiéné paused, sniffled in her sobs.

“I’m sorry my child. I never meant to keep such from you. Your father had the intention to pay back what he borrowed and free you from such arrangement.

“You know if I have my way, I’ll help you out of this. But our present condition isn’t worth telling the efforts. I have three mouths to feed everyday”

Audrielle huddled herself on the ground. Her two hands hovered around her knee.

“No one mentioned this to me. ” She cried. Silently.

“I’m sorry I had no clue to any of this. You and Dad took such risk to save my life.. I never knew”
She cried out. Feeling guilty for making her parents go through this years ago.

Mrs Damiéné reached out to her daughter on the floor.

“We love you. Your dad loved you so much” she wiped her daughter’s teary face.

Audrielle nodded slightly. She knows. She know they love her so much for taking such a risk. No one takes risk with the Ródrígúéz. Considering how powerful they are considered to be. – The Royals.

Is she supposed to be any Happy that she’s betrothed to a prince?

Many girls would. But what is a union without affection.?

She saw the way the prince reacted towards the announcement. He was bittered.

They were friends before, but Alot has changed now. So much has changed. He no longer has the sweet Calm face that made her want to be around him before.

Even his eyes on her made her felt alone and somehow she knows, he’s not taking this likely with anyone.

***************************************

Anthonio has never been this devastated his entire life.

Walking out on his parents and his supposed visitors after the announcement made by his mother.

Since when did they make this arrangement? Since he was away??? Why was he never informed until now??

“Anthonio..”..
Lady Castel voice startled him.

“Mother!” He fumed. The tone on his voice could express the anger he felt in him.

“I’m sorry you’re getting to know about this today and this way. We thought it was best way to open up to you.”

“What best way mother? Introducing me to someone I don’t know as my bride to be…

“Uh.. huh.. uh Anthonio..” she cut her son off. ” You know her. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten so easily? You’ve only been away for twelve years. That isn’t enough to rusticate your memory. You and that young lady had a beautiful friendship before you left for studies. ”

“Twelve years changed Alot mother. It changed Alot of things. And most especially, it changed me. She changed too. She was barely eight, and I? No more or less a teenager.

“Please don’t force me into this. I’ll not be a part of it.”

“Don’t drag matters any further young boy. The marriage will hold. She’s tested and trusted. She’s beautiful, smart and her ways, Graceful.

I myself, paid a keen interest in her while they lived with us. She’ll make a good queen and mother to your heir.”
Lady Castel explained briefly her point.

This isn’t a choice for Anthonio, they’ve really chosen a Scottish bride for him. In this land, the choice of wife is made by the king and queen. It’s looks like they just made a choice for him.

“Is it really heir you want? Mother? I was gonna introduce a lady to you and Dad next week. She will give you an heir…” He said. Frustratedly.

“Oh. It’s just more than having a heir son. And before the next week. You’ll be a married man”

“What? ” He almost choked at his mother’s words.
“That Soon?”

“Yes. Every marriage rites commences this week. By tomorrow evening you’ll take your bride to be for a walk. To get go know yourselves better and refresh some Blissful memories between you two. I’ll send for her and you’ll treat her like a gentleman you are…

“I swear mother. If this marriage go against my wish. I won’t guarantee the happiness of that lady. I have a woman already. I’ll make any intruder regret every single day she spends with me”
He clenched his jaw, as he dead-panned.

“You will do no such. And you won’t speak of another woman in my presence. . Preparations starts tomorrow. I’ll have the Royal messenger send cards around the world. Inviting prestigeous guest to your Union.
Oh, it will be the talk of town. You two look sweet together.”
She smiled sweetly at her son with ease. Raising a side of her ball gown which floated freely on the floor.

“I’ll leave you now to your thoughts” she said, walking out of his room.

Anthonio picked the flower vase on his reading table and smashed it hard to the wall.

If only he knew the meeting was about some blind wedding arrangements, he wouldn’t have stayed back.

He ran his fingers through his hair as he crashed hopelessly on his bed.

**************************************

“Ouch!” She flinched her foot away from the lady’s hand who was giving her a foot massage, the disgusted look on her face showed how displeased she was with the attendant’s work on her leg.

“Sorry Miss” she apologized.

“You better be sorry. And face your work B’tch. I got to pay high for this treat ”
She gave an eye roll. As the attendant shrinked back to her work.

“People like you should be sacked from this work. You have no sense of humor!” She ranted agitated. Indecently popping her gum so loud, disturbing the peace of others there.

Anyone that tried looking her way, she’d give them a *what the heck are you staring at* look- before returning her gaze to her phone.

Not Like she cared if she was disturbing the peace and quiet.- it’s never her problem.

Alexa Wells, daughter of Mathew Wells. a wealthy English- American lady who takes herself so high amongst others.

She’s rich. So f’ck whatever you think about her. She cares less since it doesn’t remove a strand from her hair.

She scrolled her phone with a hard frown- she’s in a bad mood today.

Her boyfriend was ignoring her calls. Was he doing this on purpose?
She countlessly asked herself, trying his number the seventh time. Still, same answer. ‘ No reply’

She bit hard on her fingers. She had never really supported his going back to his home. She suspected something like this would happen.

Where he’d get to ignore her calls with the context of being busy.

Was he just too busy to pick up his d’mn phone or he was doing it on purpose?

To Alex, He was born to be busy. After all, he has a whole nation to rule one day.

Suprised?
Yes, she’s dating a prince. She’s never tired to brag about it. They’ve been together for a long time now and she can go pretty crazy about it.

She’s dating the prince of Scotland. The future heir to the throne. She’s in a relationship with prince Anthonio Rodriguez. And the thought of becoming a queen and ruling side by side with Anthonio makes her go crazy in smokes.