章 3: Chapter 3

"Goddamn it!"

She could hear Mr. Preston's loud voice from the hallway. He sounded very pissed. So far, she only heard his voice as he ranted on the other side of the room.

But who could have angered the gentle-hearted man? Mr. Preston, or Daddy Frankie as she usually called him, was the kindest man she had ever met.

"You have no choice in this matter."

Daddy Frankie was her father's bestfriend and business partner. When her family tragically died in a car crash, leaving her as the only survivor, he took her in.

He treated her like a daughter, welcoming her into his family with open arms. He even spoiled her. He would have given her more if she had not adamantly refused.

"You are doing this whether you like it or not." His older, gruff voice once again echoed through the walls as she strode closer.

She could not help but stop by the private study and eavesdrop by the door. She did not plan to, but it was on the way to the kitchen.

"You are going to marry her."

Besides, she could not deny her curiosity once she heard the words marry her. Who was the older man referring to?

"No, I am not marrying her." The other man vehemently opposed the idea.

Damn! That's Lucas!

She had become familiar with everyone in the Preston family since she lived in their mansion for three years. They had been her only family.

"He is getting married." She mumbled while getting her ears closer to the door, more curious than ever. But then again, she wondered if she heard it wrong.

No! Dumbass!

He said he was not marrying her, whoever that was. Besides, that was impossible.

Lucas was not the marrying type.

She was not particularly close to the older Preston brother. She believed he never even noticed her. Most of the time, he had ignored her existence.

On the other hand, his younger brother, Tristan, had grown fond of her. They had become very close, just like brother and sister.

"Why not?" Daddy Frankie asked. Although his voice had toned down, it still sounded slightly stern. "She is a great girl who came from a good family."

"Besides, she is practically family. Marrying her would finally legalize her as a Preston. It would also fulfill my promise to her father."

It appeared like Daddy Frankie truly liked this woman for his son, or he would not force it on him. Now, she could not help but wonder who the woman was.

She thought the woman would probably come from a wealthy and influential family. She knew the rich only married among their social circles.

"She is immature, a spoiled brat, and unsuitable to be my wife." The older son of the Preston family adamantly pointed out.

Suddenly, she wondered if they were discussing her as it crossed her mind. But that would be ridiculous. Why would Daddy Frankie marry her to his heir?

It was not as if she could offer anything to their family. She had nothing but the few things her parents left behind, which was not much.

Don't be silly, Andy!

Besides, she was not what Lucas had described.

She was neither immature nor spoiled.

But she was indeed unsuitable to be his wife.

Nonetheless, she must be delusional even to consider she could fit into this family. She was a meager charity case that Daddy Frankie took pity on because of his friendship with her father.

"Don't be ridiculous." She whispered to herself, realizing that she had heard enough.

No one would want her. She had already resigned to that fact.

Quickly, she moved away from the door before someone caught her snooping. The last thing she wanted was to be in any trouble today.

But she would like to talk to Lucas later as she thought about her trust fund. It was not much, but she could use it to move out and finally get her place.

No, I am not marrying her.

But his words stuck in her mind as she walked toward the kitchen. At least, that was not her. It would suck if he would reject marrying her. She had enough rejection to last her a lifetime.

However, it was not as if she was interested in marrying him. She loved Jeremy, even if he was a bastard. On the other hand, she did not feel anything toward her indifferent, fake older brother.

"I would be better off marrying a stranger," she thought, considering her choices between Jeremy and Lucas.

She shoved the idea away, thinking it was insignificant. Immediately, she sat on the kitchen counter and faced Mrs. Perkins, the head housekeeper and cook of the family.

"What would you like for breakfast? You were out late last night. Did you enjoy your birthday, my dear?" Mrs. Perkins asked, sweet as ever.

Just like Daddy Frankie, Mrs. Perkins had welcomed her with open arms since she moved into the mansion, treating her like she was part of the family.

"It was incredible." But, of course, she was only saying that so Mrs. Perkins would stop worrying about her. "I had the time of my life."

She grabbed the cup of hot coffee the good-hearted lady put before her. She believed she badly needed it to purge the headache that had persisted since she woke up.

However, she was not yet ready to share her broken heart with her. She still had to see Jeremy so they could talk and end things with them.

"Really! Now?" The bubbly woman seemed to tease her as she prepared a ham and egg sandwich the way she liked. "That's great." But she believed the older woman was still skeptical.

She could not blame Mrs. Perkins if she did not believe her. The older lady knew what she had gone through, witnessing how she had broken down and cried on her birthdays.

Not anymore.

She had already promised that this year would be different. Heartbroken, miserable or not, she would smile and be glad to be alive.

She was starting the day with a new leaf, a clean slate. "By the way, I got accepted into my new job." She excitedly shared with the older woman.

"You see. This year would be different. I can feel it." Mrs. Perkins smiled at her encouragingly.

Of course, she wanted to believe her.

She was almost through with her sandwich when someone walked through the kitchen, catching her attention.

"Can we talk, Andy?" He asked as he stopped by the doorway. "In my office once you finish your food." He pointed to the remaining sandwich in her hand.

"Sure." She hastily replied, remembering she also had something to ask of him. "I'm done anyway." She shoved the last bite into her lips, munching on it with a full mouth.

It was very unladylike, but she did not care. She was excited about the prospect of moving out soon. For the first time, she thought nothing could dampen her spirit.

After drinking the last drop of her coffee, she followed him to his private office, wondering if Daddy Frankie was still inside.

"Sorry, I hope I did not make you wait long." She said as she knocked and entered the spacious room.

She rarely went inside this room except for a few times. But she always loved looking at the decorations. It spoke volumes of this family as she gazed at the pictures on the wall and their achievements.

It was times like this when she missed her family more, remembering how happy they had been before she lost them.

"Come in and close the door. We have a few things to discuss." He said, but he did not bother to turn around and looked at her. Instead, he continued gazing outside the window.

She strode to the room, watching his back, wondering what he wished to tell her. Usually, he had barely bothered to look at her, much more say a few words to her.

"Yeah! I also have something to say to you. But you go ahead, Lucas." She suggested, thinking what he had to say must be important.

"No, you go ahead, Andy." He offered, finally facing her. She had to admit he was undeniably handsome, just like Tristan and Jeremy.

Like her ex, the Preston brothers were also friends of her deceased brother, William. They had always been close to her brother.

But unlike Jeremy and Tristan, Lucas had always been aloof, avoiding her like she was a nuisance. She guessed he always saw her as the annoying young sister.

But she could not wait to tell him that soon enough, he would not have to be responsible for her again. He would not have to see much of her.

"I want my trust fund." She said excitedly.

"I want you to marry me." He said reluctantly.

"What?" They simultaneously asked, both dumbfounded.