Episode 9

NARRATOR

After his conversation with Angela, he stayed with her throughout the night, making love and assuring her that nothing would change, that everything would remain the same, that neither person nor situation would cause his love for her to wane.

ALEJANDRO NARRATES

Last night was the cursed dinner at my "fiancee's" house. I can't fathom what's going through my grandfather's head, forcing me to marry that horror. She's the polar opposite of every woman I've been with; I don't like her in the slightest. The little that I saw of her inspired not one impure thought in me; she can't hold a candle to my beautiful ANGELA.

Angela is truly a magnificent woman – stunning with a beautiful body, golden hair, blue eyes, her skin silky smooth bearing the scent of her usual perfume – nothing like the woman who will bear the title of my wife in name only, for the only woman I envision as my wife is my beautiful girlfriend.

As for that Kiara, she appears to me as nothing but a gold digger, plus she's overweight with those terrible glasses, that skirt, that shirt, as if stuck in a throwback era. But that social climber will get nothing from me; she won't touch a cent of my wealth. If she wants money, she'd better work for it because I'm not handing it over.

NARRATOR

KIARA is in her room, reflecting on everything that happened the previous day. She couldn't believe how her life had flipped from being lonely and boring to suddenly having to marry, especially to a man who seems to possess no affection for anyone other than his "girlfriend." How could she cope with a man showing not a shred of compassion, considering her a materialistic schemer capable of suggesting marriage out of the blue? She wonders why he would think she wanted marriage when she didn't even know he existed, let alone how he came to such a conclusion. But one thing she's certain of – she won't be bullied by him.

The one upside of this marriage is the freedom to leave without asking permission or giving explanations, which is more than could be said for her life in that mansion, where she felt like a prisoner. She wasn't allowed out, unlike her sisters who came and went as they pleased without reproach. But she had a curfew. Her betrothed may be handsome – that she admitted – but equally arrogant and rude.

She wouldn't tolerate any mistreatment. If he ever thought to force her into something against her will, she wouldn't stand for it. Kiara had a goal, a secret ambition for which she had sacrificed a lot, and now that she was free from her parents' cage, she could make it a reality. But she needed to be discreet so her future husband wouldn't suspect anything.

Tired from her thoughts, Kiara fell asleep. The next morning, she woke up, took care of her daily needs, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.

KIARA: Good morning, she said, seeing her family having breakfast without any concern for her absence, which had become the norm – they seldom waited for her.

GERARDO (father): Good morning, he said sternly. Kiara, you need to go buy your wedding dress since the wedding is now this weekend, he announced, leaving everyone astonished.

BEATRIZ (mother): I'm sorry, but I doubt any dress will fit you, she said mockingly. With all that fat, I'm not sure anything will fit, ha ha ha.

ELIZABETH: Mother's right, poor Alejandro. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes; how dreadful to be marrying you, little sister, she said with a sneer. Wishing you a joyful wedding night, she taunted.

LUCIANA: Well, I'm bored, and I have better things to do than to celebrate an unwanted marriage. I feel so sorry for Alejandro, ha ha, goodbye, everyone, she exclaimed before vanishing after pecking her parents on the cheek.

GERARDO (father): Kiara, you should hurry. The chauffeur will take you to buy your dress. Find one that's beautiful and makes me proud to be your father, he commanded sternly.

BEATRIZ (mother): Dear, aren't you asking for too much? The dress might be nice, but she's the problem.

GERARDO (father): At least try to get something somewhat fitting, understood?

KIARA: Yes, Father, I'll be going in a few minutes, Kiara responded, bearing the taunts from her sisters and mother and following her father's directive.

GERARDO (father): Alright, now finish your breakfast.

NARRATOR

ELIZABETH and her mother teased her throughout the meal. Kiara finished eating and headed to the mall. She entered a store and bought her gown. It was a long-sleeved, ankle-length dress with pleats that even she found hideous, but she wouldn't let on her true feelings.

She purchased some flat, closed-toe shoes and her signature vanilla-scented perfume. After spending quite some time at the mall, all she wanted to do was head home and rest, tired from the extensive walking. She couldn't understand her sisters' enjoyment of shopping; she'd rather focus on other endeavors than waste money frivolously.

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