Episode 13

Astrid POV

I stir awake feeling the soft cushion of a couch. My eyes open up to two smooshed faces peering down at me. "What the-" I jump back so quick I hit my head across the couch, "my love are you alright let me see it" I hear Cohens soft voice.

Cohen tries to grab my head but I immediately jump back. " Do not touch me- dont you dare get any closer" I threaten giving him the meanest glare. He stops reaching for me and stares at me intently, meanwhile his crazy sister is smiling at me in the corner.

"Astrid please sit... we will explain what is going on... please relax and breathe" Sloane says speaking softly. I take a deep breath before crossing my arms " ok well start talking... I don't have all day for this crap" I mutter rubbing my head as it was still sore.

"Well your father has arranged for us to be married in a couple of months, he believes that if we marry it will make us look good". Cohen says still staring at me in adoration.

"How is me marrying you going to make us look good that's just absurd"! I screech out loud my father has

really gone insane and he needs serious help! "Well darling since my father runs a business I of course will be taking over but"...

He trails off looking down at the ground. "But what.... spit it out already"! I snap at him feeling quite impatient. "He needs a wife to be able to take over the family business and name and of course him already knowing you since you guys were little the match is perfect" Sloane answers excitedly.

I stare at the two siblings in shock before I burst out laughing. "Ok guys this was an awesome prank... but seriously you are crazy if you think I'm going through with this" I state sobering up. "I'm afraid darling that you do not have a choice in the matter"-

"Excuse me but I actually do and I said I'm not marrying you and that's final" I state not backing down. With one last look I storm out of the room I was in heading to the main office. I could hear Cohen and Sloane calling me to come back but I ignored them, I was going to get to the bottom of this.

Arriving at the council room I bust open through the doors. "I want to speak to my father now" I demand as the school council leaders stare at me in shock..

***

"What do you mean I have to go through with this"!! I stare at my unamused father who had arrived at my request when I told the council I needed to speak with him.

"Astrid you are no longer a little girl... its time to settle down" my father states with a frown. I groan in frustration rubbing my throbbing ears. I have been constantly wearing my hearing aids... I needed a break...

I decide to take them off relishing in the silence. I watch my father's lips as he speaks. "I'm doing this for your own good... you'll never be able to defend yourself... what if people find out about your problem" my father says.

I don't say anything wishing the ground would swallow me up whole in this moment. I never knew my father thought of me as a problem, but then again he wasn't always so...hostile.

"Father I may be a problem to you... but I deserve the right to choose my future and actually fall in love" I say my voice suddenly feeling dry. My father eyes me as I continue.

"I'm sorry father... if I disappointed you but... I refuse to marry someone I do not love" I say genuinely. I know for sure that I am not in love with Cohen but that doesn't mean I don't feel the sparks everytime we touch.