Trapped in Cruel Fiancé's Love

"Next week you have to get engaged to Nayla."

Those words came out of David's mouth, Elvan's father, firmly and coldly, as if it couldn't be objected. However, Elvan, sitting in front of the man, immediately scoffed in annoyance.

"Don't joke around, Dad. It's modern times now, I'm free to choose my own partner in the future."

"Nayla's family has agreed. This was the agreement we made seven years ago as a form of cooperation to unite the companies. I don't want to hear any rejection from you," David stared at his only son seriously.

Elvan chuckled bitterly instantly. He truly couldn't believe what his father was saying. The words he least expected came out of his parents' mouths in his twenty-three years as an only child.

"Have you forgotten my rights as a child to choose freely, Dad? Why do you always force things?" Elvan dared to retort.

"Elvan Ganendra!" Laras immediately rebuked with eyes full of emotion, Elvan's mother sitting beside David.

Elvan turned, his gaze surprised; once again, he didn't expect what he was witnessing now. Elvan chuckled blandly as he looked at his mother. The young woman rarely defended him.

"So, Mom also agrees? You're both really selfish, aren't you!"

"Don't you dare oppose, Elvan. Have you forgotten our efforts in raising you all this time? Your father will see you as disobedient if you continue to reject our final request. Your father is not asking for much; you just need to agree to our decision to get engaged to Nayla."

David's expression, flat without a smile, made Elvan sigh deeply. Once again, he had to give in to the selfishness of his parents, which never seemed to end.

"I'll do anything as long as it's not that ridiculous arranged marriage. You know I'm still young and still in college. My future is long ahead; it's not the time for me to be engaged, let alone get married," Elvan clenched his fists with a hardened jaw.

Laras sighed deeply, her gaze implying firmness. "You can still go to college after getting engaged. Then, after you graduate, you will marry Nayla, and you can even continue with a Master's degree. Don't think we haven't planned your future, Elvan. We have arranged everything perfectly."

"Don't worry, we're not doing this because we don't care about you," added David.

Elvan smirked thinly; he had no more hope of refusing. Even if he could, it would mean being a disobedient child, and he didn't want that to happen.

"But why does it have to be Nayla? She's a girl I don't know at all," Elvan protested.

David looked disdainfully at his only son, who had been struggling so hard just to say 'yes'. "Don't protest too much, Van. She's the best choice we've found!"

Elvan expressed his frustration loudly, fed up with his annoying parents. "Fine, once selfish, forever selfish. You and Mom never understand how I feel."

"Elvan, watch your words!" Laras snapped with explosive emotions. David beside her rubbed her hand to help her control herself.

Elvan sighed deeply, then stood up, followed by a thin mutter from his lips. He gazed at his parents alternately with seriousness.

"I know all this time I've just been a burden in Mama and Papa's eyes, but it's okay, I will accept this arranged marriage for you. Whether I can endure it in the future or not, don't blame me if it turns out my heart isn't for her."

"Love cannot be forced, Dad, Mom," Elvan added.

David and Laras fell silent. They no longer spoke as Elvan left the living room and climbed the stairs to his room. David took a long breath, while Laras rubbed her temples, feeling dizzy.

"That child truly doesn't understand gratitude. I'm worried we won't be able to collaborate with Antonio's company." Laras rubbed her throbbing temples.

"Don't worry. We've done our best. I'll make sure he can't escape." A faint smirk appeared on the corner of David's lips.

***

The dark-toned room was where Elvan headed. He closed the door, then slumped onto the bed with a long sigh. "In this modern age, why does arranged marriage still exist?"

The issue escalated when Elvan found out that his fiancée-to-be was Nayla, the college student known for her spoiled behavior on campus. Not only that, according to his classmates, Nayla was a talkative woman.

"What a stroke of bad luck. Out of all the women out there, why does she have to be my fiancée? Damn it." Elvan continued to grumble while covering his face with his arm.

Unfortunately, his frustration was in vain as he couldn't refuse, let alone escape. Otherwise, all the privileges he had received so far would be taken away by his parents.

Before Elvan could close his eyes, he cursed annoyedly upon hearing his mother's voice from outside his room while knocking on the door. Elvan got off the bed to open it lazily.

Laras entered immediately after the door opened. She stared at her son seriously. "Today, you and Nayla have to try on engagement clothes and rings. Mama wants you to be nice to Nayla at this first meeting. Understand?"

"Why all of a sudden? Couldn't it be tomorrow? The event is still far away, Ma," Elvan retorted. He honestly didn't feel like meeting the girl. Truly. Very reluctant.

Laras shook her head vigorously, hating objections. "You know I don't like refusals. Willingly or not, you can't protest. Get ready quickly; you have to pick up Nayla at her house. I'll send you the location via chat. Understand?"

At this point, there was no way for Elvan to say 'no'. The truth was he couldn't object to Mama's orders no matter how. Elvan finally sighed reluctantly.

"Understood."

"Hurry downstairs and get going, you know Nayla doesn't like waiting long," commanded Laras, responded by Elvan's lazy nod.

Laras left the room, and Elvan followed behind, closing the door. Before descending the stairs, he took a deep breath to neutralize his suppressed frustration. He repeatedly restrained himself from uttering curses.

"I hope she'll hate me." Elvan hurried downstairs and walked towards the car garage. He hit the steering wheel and then sighed heavily.

"I will make her regret accepting this arranged marriage." Elvan clenched his fists tightly while holding the steering wheel, then closed his eyes for a moment before stepping on the gas pedal.