BEGINNING

"Today should be just another day, but it wouldn't be for Olivia Benny. It was past nine in the morning when her mother, Olga, entered her room, opening the curtains and letting the light from that gray day in."

Olivia: What are you doing?

Olga: It's past time to get up.

Olivia: I'm not up to it, Mom, let me sleep. Today is Saturday.

Olga: No, that's enough! I won't let you ruin your life like this.

Olivia: Just leave me alone, please.

Olga pulls the blanket off her daughter and sits on the bed next to her.

Olga: Look at me, I won't let you ruin your life like this, you need to react.

Olivia: I can't, Mom, I don't have the energy for anything.

Olga: Listen to me, do you think you're the only one who has lost someone? I lost a daughter too, and I won't let the only one I have left end up like this, now get up and react, we're having guests for lunch, be ready!

With that said, Olga gets up and leaves the room, leaving her daughter lost in her thoughts.

"Two months ago..."

It was another weekend and twin sisters Ava and Olivia were arguing. Ava wanted her sister to go with her to a party at her friend's house, but unlike her party girl sister, Olivia was more of a homebody. She was super fun but didn't like places with lots of people and noise.

Ava: Come on Olivia, don't be mean, you never go with me.

Olivia: You know how much I hate those parties, there are only idiots and Barbies.

Ava: Heyyyyy!

Olivia: Idiots, Barbies, and you, of course.

Ava: Ha ha, very funny. Come on, Livi.

Olivia: I'll stay there for an hour, tops.

Ava: Great.

Ava gets all excited and soon the two are ready. Ava drives to the party, the two chatting animatedly. Although they looked alike physically, they were completely different. Ava was the cool one, always popular, standing out for her beauty, and on top of that, she could be very mean!

Olivia was the smart one, she was always part of a small circle of friends, and in addition to her beauty, the young woman had a beautiful smile, her simplicity always caught people's attention, everything about her was very natural. However, both had strong personalities, which sometimes caused problems.

They soon arrived at the party; the place was packed with college students getting wasted. They were greeted and already had drinks in their hands. The night was pleasant until some idiot spilled a drink on Olivia, leaving her completely drenched.

Ava: Dude, get out of here, you imbecile! Are you okay?

Olivia: It's just a drink, Ava, but that was good.

Ava: It was?

Olivia: It'll be my cue to leave.

Ava: No.

Olivia: Yes, it's been over an hour and a half, I've done my part, I'm going back to the apartment. Why don't you come with me?

Ava: No, I'll stay a little longer.

Olivia: Okay, let me know when you get there.

Ava: Yes, Mom.

Livi turned and grimaced at her and then hailed a cab. As soon as she arrived, she went straight to her room. She wanted to get out of those alcohol-smelling clothes. After all, it would be over soon; they were only a month away from graduating.

Their parents had rented an apartment for them in Seattle; they wanted to give them some space. The two were studying civil engineering, as they would soon be taking over the family business. Back in high school, the girls had already taken courses in people management, economics and finance, leadership, marketing, and sales. As soon as they finished one course, they were put into another. The girls could barely breathe, and now it was no different. They were in the final stretch and would soon be back at the Benny mansion, and once again they wouldn't be able to breathe.

It was past three in the morning when Livi woke up to her phone ringing. She looked at the screen; it was her sister. She answered, still sleepy.

Olivia: Hi, Ava, are you still at the party?

But it wasn't Ava who answered on the other end of the line.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't Ava. We found her cell phone on the bridge, and your number was saved as an emergency contact."

Olivia: What are you trying to tell me?

"Her car went off the bridge, we haven't been able to find her yet."

Olivia was speechless for a moment, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe it was just another one of her sister's bad jokes.

Olivia: Look, tell Ava this is no time for games, let me talk to her.

"Miss, please, we wouldn't joke about something like this. You can come to the scene."

Olivia: I'm on my way.

She put on the first clothes she saw and left, taking the first cab she could find.

When she arrived at the scene there were many blue and red lights. Olivia approached and saw her sister's car being pulled out of the water with the help of a winch. Only then did she realize that it was all real. She put her hand over her mouth and ran closer, but was stopped.

"You can't go there, miss."

Olivia: It's my sister's car, AVAAAAAAA, AVAAAAAAA. Where is she?

"I'm sorry, we haven't found her yet."

Olivia put her hands to her head in utter despair.

Olivia: What am I going to tell our parents? I need to call them.

She takes her phone and immediately calls her father, who answers on the third ring.

Alexander: Hi, honey, do you know what time it is?

On the other end of the line, Livi remains silent.

Alexander: Olivia, honey? Olivia?

Olivia: Da-daddy, it's Ava.

Alexander: What about your sister?

The man who was lying on his stomach sat up.

Alexander: Olivia, what about your sister? Where's Ava?

Olivia: She had an accident. They found her car in the river, Dad, please come, I'm scared.

Alexander: I'm on my way right now.

Almost an hour passed. Olivia was sitting in a patrol car practically biting her nails when her father arrived. She immediately got up and ran towards him.

Olivia: Dad, Dad, they haven't found her anywhere.

Alexander: Where was she?

Olivia: We went to a party, I came home because I was tired and someone spilled a drink all over my clothes, I asked her to come with me, Dad, she didn't want to, I should have insisted.

Olga: You should have insisted.

Alexander: Olga, that's enough! It's not her fault. Now, who's in charge here?

Olivia points to the person in charge and her father goes over to them. After what seemed like an eternity, Alexander returns holding Ava's necklace.

Alexander: The only thing they found was her necklace; the search will continue.

Olivia takes her sister's necklace and hugs her father in tears. Olga seemed inconsolable.

After a few hours there was still no sign of Ava. The Benny family was increasingly distraught.

Days passed and the search was called off. Nothing had been found. There was a funeral even without a body. The family wanted to have a place to visit even though there was nothing there.

Olivia was practically forced to go back to school. Now, more than ever, she would have to focus, since she was the only one left.

After that tragic day things only got worse, Livi had to mask all the pain and longing she felt for her sister, it wasn't long before graduation and as soon as she got her diploma she waited for it all to end, packed her things and went back to the Benny mansion, but not by choice as that was something they wouldn't give her.

Back home, she talked to her father, asked him to give her some time, she wasn't ready for any of that, he agreed, knowing that his daughter hadn't even lived through her sister's mourning, they were always together no matter what, even after arguing they would be laughing again soon after, on the twins' eighth birthday they got heart locket necklaces, they always wore them, never ever taken off.

That morning when her mother barged into her room she was already thinking of giving life another chance, that's not how Ava would want to see her.

As soon as Olga left she thought of her sister and automatically raised her hand to her neck, sighed deeply and soon got up and went to the bathroom, looked at herself in the huge mirror and it wasn't her anymore, she raised her head , took a deep breath and decided that she would get out of that limbo she put herself in.

Livi showered and brushed her hair, put on light makeup, put on one of her most elegant dresses, put on her heels and went downstairs.

It was almost noon, her father was in the living room with her mother.

Olivia: Hello

Alexander: Honey, I'm glad you decided to join us

Olivia: Yeah, Mom helped me with that.

Olga: I only want what's best for you

Olivia: I know, after all, who is the guest we're having for lunch?

Alexander swallowed hard and smiled awkwardly at his daughter and at the same instant someone rang the doorbell.

The door opened and soon Artur Villar entered, Olivia already knew him, he was one of her father's partners, but why did he seem nervous when she asked about who was coming.

Alexander: Artuuuuur, long time no see my friend

Artur: Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Alexander: Thank you, now come

He goes on to say

Alexander: This is my wife, you must remember.

Artur: Yes, it's a pleasure to see you again and you must be Olivia

Olivia: That's right, nice to meet you.

The man waves and gives her a smile

Alexander: And where is your wife and children?

Artur: Mary is traveling, you know how she is, Edgar and Felicia are visiting their grandparents in France, and Fred should be here by now, I don't think he would miss lunch with his in-laws

The man smiles and Alexander is a little embarrassed as is Olga, Olivia on the other hand frowns and looks at her parents.

Olivia: In-laws? What is this gentleman talking about?

Alexander takes a deep breath and Artur realizes that she was still unaware of the situation.

Artur: I'm sorry, I thought that...

Alexander: It's not your fault, I should have talked to my daughter already.

Olivia: Talked about what?

Alexander is silent for a while

Olivia: Dad?

Alexander: Let's go to the office, we'll talk there better

Olivia gets up and goes to the office, her father follows soon after with her mother.

As soon as the door closes, Olivia is ready with her questions.

Olivia: What's going on? What was Artur talking about?

The two are silent

Olivia: Come on guys, is someone going to explain to me what's going on?

Olga: You're getting married

Olivia: I'm getting what?

She looks at her father who remains silent.

Olivia: You guys must be kidding me, that's not possible. Now tell me what's going on.

Alexander: Honey, what your mother said is true!

Olivia: How is that?

Alexander: When you were kids, Artur came to me, I pulled his company out of the hole, he lost his father and then the business went down, his father made good deals and he didn't know how to manage, so I saw an opportunity to be a part of the business and always be connected, be it in business or family.

Olivia: What did you do? I still don't understand.

He sighs and paces the office

Alexander: I made a marriage contract, his firstborn with one of my daughters, which would be your sister, but we didn't imagine all that would happen

Olivia: Well, Ava is not here anymore, the contract is no longer valid.

Alexander: It's not quite like that, there are some clauses in the contract.

Olivia: What kind of clause?

Alexander: Ava is gone, but we still have you

She stands up abruptly and crosses her arms

Olivia: I'm not marrying a stranger, let's figure out a way to reverse this.

Alexander: There is no way, if we break the contract we will be left with only 20% of our own company, the Villars got all the rest, in this case 80%

Olivia: What were you thinking when you did this Dad, you didn't think about us and if I had someone, did Ava know about this?

Olga: Yes, she knew about her responsibility to the family.

Olivia: You guys are crazy if you think I'm going to be a part of this.

She turns to leave but her mother grabs her arm

Olga: You will do exactly as you are told, your sister would sacrifice herself for us, take her as an example and do what you were born to do.

Olivia: I'm not going to do this.

Olga: Great, then get ready to sleep on the streets!

Olivia: Are you kicking me out?

Alexander: No honey, I made some investments, well, bad investments I lost a lot of money, now that I'm recovering, your marriage can put our company in the position it should never have left.

Olivia: Dad

Someone knocks on the door interrupting the entire conversation, it was the maid letting them know that the other guest had arrived.

After the maid left, Alexander went to his daughter and gave her a tight hug.

Alexander: I'm sorry, daughter.

Olivia: Do you know what makes me saddest about this whole story? You don't think we're human beings, we also have feelings, Dad. We've never had a choice in absolutely anything, and the only one I could have had, you took from me.

She steps out of her father's arms.

Olivia: I'm going upstairs to compose myself. I'll meet you at the table.

Olga: She'll accept it; she just needs time.

Alexander: Did you hear what she said?

Olga: Don't be dramatic. Ava was willing to do anything, so Olivia has to be too.

They returned to the living room, and Olivia went up to her room. She paced back and forth, muttering to herself. She even went out to the balcony. She couldn't breathe. Parked downstairs was a Ferrari. She took a deep breath; none of this appealed to her.

Olivia: Great, I spent my life running from college preppies just to marry one.

She goes back inside and opens her computer, trying to find something about this family, or rather, about her future husband.

She was stunned to see that there was almost nothing about him on the internet. The guy was practically a ghost. There were many photos of him but none of the information she was looking for.

Someone knocks on her door, making her quickly close her computer.

Olivia: Yes?

- Miss, they are waiting for you.

Olivia: I'm coming.

She looks at herself in the mirror, touches up her makeup, and goes downstairs. As soon as she reaches the table, the men stand up.

Alexander: We were waiting for you. I want to introduce you to Fred Villar. This is my daughter, Olivia.

Fred, who had wanted to look at her, turns, looks at her, and takes her hand, giving her a small kiss.

Fred: It's an honor to finally meet you.

Olivia gives a half-hearted smile. He was actually much more handsome in person, but that wasn't the point now. He pulls out the chair for her and then sits down.

There was a certain tension in the air.

Artur: So, Olivia, I heard you graduated recently.

Olivia: Yes, I have to be prepared for business. My father has always valued our education.

Artur: You won't be bored in this business world.

Olivia: Believe me, after learning about accounting, I'm sure nothing bores me anymore.

Artur smiles, as he also hates numbers, as long as they're not the ones in his bank account.

They talked while Fred observed everything in silence, occasionally glancing at Olivia.

After the meal came dessert, and a short while later, they were in the garden area, sipping liqueur.

Olga: Olivia should take Fred to see our property.

Olivia looks at him and then turns her attention to her mother.

Fred: I would love to.

He says, catching her off guard.

Olivia: As you wish!

They get up and walk through the garden. When they are far enough away, Fred puts his hands in his pockets and faces her.

Olivia: Is something wrong?

Fred: Do you agree with all of this?

Olivia: I had no choice.

Fred: Yeah, and it's all because of your father.

Olivia: Who hasn't made a mistake?

Fred: It wasn't a mistake; it was ambition. My father was in trouble, and your father could have just helped him, but no, he made him sign an unreasonable contract.

Olivia: My father didn't force him at any point. If your father signed, he also has his share of the blame.

Fred is silent, staring at her.

Olivia: Tired of attacking me?

Fred: Listen carefully. We're only getting married because of this contract, but don't expect anything from me at all. Whatever crosses your mind, forget it now.

Olivia: You think I'm happy about all this?

Fred: Try to convince your father to undo this contract then.

Olivia: I already tried, but we'll only be left with 20% of our own company. Your father just has to give up his share, and we'll go our separate ways as if nothing happened.

Fred: If my father breaks the contract, we lose 90% of our company. Do you think your father would give that up?

Olivia looks at him silently, knowing her father well.

Fred: That's what I thought.

He leans closer to her ear and whispers.

Fred: Prepare to live your worst nightmare.

He pulls away.

Fred: Now smile; they're looking at us.

Olivia: Go to hell.

She turns and walks back to the house, passing her father, and quickly goes inside. Fred follows close behind.

Fred: Dad, let's go.

Alexander: What happened?

Fred: Ask your daughter.

Alexander: I'm asking you!

Fred: You should rethink whether you really want to give your only daughter to me.

Artur: Fred, don't do this.

Fred: So, you also think we should pay for your mistakes, for this man's ambition?

Alexander: You don't know what you're saying, boy.

Fred: Listen carefully to what I'm going to say. I'm going to marry your daughter, but she will be the one to pay for your mistake.

Fred leaves the mansion before they can say anything. Artur apologizes and runs after his son.