It is a spring morning, the sun is radiant, the flowers are in full bloom, and the little birds sing by my window.

However, I can only see a gloomy day, my eyes are filled with tears, and I feel powerless. My father is so ill that I have to sacrifice myself to prevent witnessing his death, and a wedding will be the only solution...

This is me, Isabel Lombardi, a blonde with blue eyes and skin as pale as the clouds, a young girl of only eighteen years old. My heart is pure and my mind still is as well, but I am being forced to marry a man of twenty-eight years old whom I have not yet met. All of this took me by surprise, as my father is the majority shareholder and president of "Global Lombardi Associates." Due to mismanagement by his brother, who was in charge of the company for a few months during my mother's illness before her passing, the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. To save the company, a large amount of money is needed, which we will receive through my marriage. My father's heart is so weak that losing his company would kill him, and that is something I will not allow. He has dedicated his life to this company, and I must sacrifice for him. It will only be two years of marriage, and after that, I will be able to divorce that man.

"Are you sure that by marrying me, you will give me absolute power over the business?"

"That's right, son. I just want you to settle down, and I am ready to retire. But I need you to get married. You must have a family, only then will I allow you to become the new CEO."

"Then it is settled, father. Soon, I will fulfill your wishes and finally take control of everything that is rightfully mine."

I am Santiago D'agostino, twenty-eight years old, and I am the eldest son of the D'agostino family. I am an imposing man, confident in myself, and admittedly a bit of a ladies' man. I have never fallen in love, and I know I never will. Marriage does not appeal to me, nor does the idea of being tied down to one woman. However, I must do it because if I don't, I won't be able to become the new CEO.

I heard that the owner of "Global Lombardí Associates" is facing serious financial problems and could potentially lose his company. That's why I made him the proposal to marry his daughter in exchange for the money he needs to recover.

It was a good idea, as it would kill two birds with one stone. I don't know his daughter, but I don't care. All I need is a marriage of convenience for now. I discussed the conditions for providing him with the money, one of which is that his daughter must be married to me for two years. We would sign an agreement.

The man initially showed some resistance, claiming that she is his only daughter. However, nothing that money can't solve. He has confirmed that his daughter will marry me.

After several weeks of agreement, my father set a date for the wedding. I didn't dare to protest. I know how important it is for him. He lost my mother and was devastated. Such a loss would shatter him.

I'll just pretend that I agree and that this wedding doesn't affect me at all.

On the other hand, I am devastated because I'm in love with my boyfriend, whom I had to break up with without giving him any explanations. He'll find out soon, to be honest, everyone will.

Mr. D'agostino is a very important man, and from what my father told me, the wedding will be broadcasted live on television, which makes me even more uneasy.

......................

Finally, Vicente Lombardí has set a date for the wedding. I was starting to get impatient as I need it to be as soon as possible.

I am an imposing man and I want everything to be done when and how I want it. But in this case, I must yield. I don't want the wedding to be canceled because we haven't signed the contract yet, so I am at their mercy for now.

But after she marries me, only my will shall be done.

Due to my father's whims, everything will be done in grandeur. According to him, this wedding cannot go unnoticed, so I have no choice but to accept his requests.

I still don't like the idea of marriage, and I don't even know what the woman I'm marrying is like. I didn't pay much attention to her as everything will be just for show.

I won't touch her. I made it explicitly clear in the contract. However, she won't be allowed to have any kind of relationship with another man while we're married.

Today is my last day as a bachelor, and I will enjoy it to the fullest. I went to Miguel's apartment, my best friend. He is waiting for me with several women and, of course, a couple of friends. I will celebrate my bachelor party.

Although I know well that I will continue my misdeeds while married, as I won't be without a woman during those two years.

Santiago: How's my bachelor party going, my friend? (smirking)

Miguel: Magnificently, but come in. (gesturing with his hand for him to enter)

A woman pounces on me, hugs me, and kisses me. She is wearing very sexy lingerie. I recognize her almost immediately.

Ximena: I can't believe you're getting married. I still can't believe it. (she says while taking a sip of her drink)

Santiago: That's right, my dear. Someone finally accomplished it. (he says with a smile and mischief in his eyes)

Ximena: Well, then I'll enjoy your last day as a single man. (taking Santiago's hand to make him sit down)

It's Ximena, the woman who almost managed to make me fall in love. Luckily, she went away to study far away, and we lost all contact. Now she's here and wants to get into my bed.

It's my last day as a bachelor, so I'll enjoy it to the fullest.

Santiago: Xime, come here, sit on my lap. (extending his hand for Ximena to sit)

Ximena: Better let's go to the room right away. (winking)

I got up immediately, telling Miguel not to disturb us, and he nodded. No one would bother us for the rest of the night, although the party was still going on.

......................

In a room with the lights turned off, only her sad voice could be heard while she sobbed.

Here I am again, crying in front of a picture of my boyfriend whom I had to leave, and tomorrow I will lose him forever.

My tears kept falling, I couldn't contain them, Thomas' photo got soaked with my tears.

My father opened the door, I quickly hid Thomas' photo under my pillow.

Vicente: What's wrong, my girl? Why are you crying? If you're not sure about getting married, please tell me. I won't force you into anything, my little one. (Patting her back gently)

Isabel: Don't worry, father, I'm not crying about the wedding. I'm crying because I'll have to leave you alone in this huge house. If I get married, maybe my husband will fall in love with me and we'll be happy. (She lied while looking at her slightly anxious father)

Vicente: Alright, little one, rest. Tomorrow will be a long day. I love you. (He kissed her forehead)

Isabel: I will, father. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll get married and we'll save the company, okay? (Taking her father's hands and kissing them)

My father left the room, I lay down and kept crying until I eventually fell asleep.

......................

I woke up and checked my clock. It was eight in the morning. Today, I have to get married and the wedding is at ten, so I don't have much time.

I got up, saw Xime still sleeping, tossed some money at her, got dressed, left the room, and Miguel was waiting for me.

Miguel: How was your night, buddy? That woman looked like a wildcat. Oh, by the way, I have a terrible headache. (He took a painkiller) I don't think I'll be able to make it to your wedding.

Santiago: What are you talking about? In an hour, I'll be waiting for you at my house. (Said in a serious tone, ignoring his main question) See you later, don't be late.

Miguel: Alright, boss. (Putting his hand on his head, unable to bear the pain)

I headed home, and my father was furious. Today, I'm getting married and I wasn't even at home.

I quickly took a shower, got ready, put on my suit, and went straight to the church. There were only twenty minutes left until this farce would begin.

......................

I woke up again, pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Well, more than a dream, it was a nightmare. Although I don't know my future husband, there are many things said about him.

They say he's bitter, arrogant, pretentious, and of course, a womanizer. That's the least of my concerns; I can handle it. What hurts the most is Thomas, who keeps calling me persistently. Thank God he doesn't know yet that I'm getting married.

It became public knowledge that the eldest son of the D'agostino family was getting married, but they didn't know who to. So, for now, I'm at ease.

I quickly got up, took a long shower, and the makeup artist was waiting along with the hairstylist who would do my hair.

Makeup artist: I'll make you look beautiful. You're already very pretty, so it will be easy. (She said while looking at Isabel and applying different products to her face)

Isabel: Thank you very much, miss. (She said without enthusiasm, evident in her expression)

Hairstylist: What would you like me to do with your hair, miss? (She said while styling it)

Isabel: Whatever you decide is fine for me, don't worry. (She said again without enthusiasm)