When love strikes

Anna“The last person on the list of our top 5 best students is …?” Professor John drawled, creating the expected suspense amongst the students. I looked around and saw the smart students that haven’t been called fold their fists in silent prayer. And some juniors eagerly waiting as they stared at the professor like he was going to disappear. Calling the top 5 students is one of the most awaited parts of the convocation ceremony at West Coast University. Every student wished they were on the list. The top 5 students are given awards of outstanding excellence and the juniors would cheer them as they walked to the podium. Being on the top 5 list was the goal and motivation of every student during the final exam season.I never really cared about being on the list, not that I didn’t take my studies seriously but being on that list wasn’t thrilling to me, I’ve always pictured my mom sitting across the hall and waving at me while I wave my certificate to her but that was never going to hap

AnnaI was boiling in anger as I stared at the man in front of me, My very own father who was ready to sell me off or should I say sold me off to marriage for the sake of the same company he wrecked with his reckless gambling habit. He was seating so calmly sipping a cup of coffee, with no remorse, guilt, or even sympathy for me because of what he’s done.I walked around the cough he was seated and stood right in front of him.“Dad, I have a boyfriend and you know it. So hh…how did you … why did you go ahead to sign me off to a man I didn’t even know.” He just focuses on his coffee without giving me an answer.“Listen, Dad, I don’t care about whatever deal it is you signed’ am not gonna marry anybody aside from Henry”He stood up immediately after I mentioned Henry.“I told you to stop seeing that boy,” he said pointing his finger at me“I won’t stop Dad” I stated “Henry is my boyfriend and I love him” I can feel his anger building up and somehow I felt like annoying him the more.“

DAVIS“Man this is damn serious,” Dylan said for the nth time since I told him I will be engaged to an unknown woman by tomorrow. We are currently at a club owned by Dave, our friend, the three of us have been friends since college, Dave decided to open the club after college while I of course took over my family’s company or should I say made a puppet to do whatever my mother wanted. Dylan on the other hand has a job as the head of the marketing department in my company.“What’s the color of your suit,” Dave asked making both Dylan and I look at him surprised.“What?” he asked as he looked between Dylan and me.” common guys we need to go shopping so we can grace the engagement as the Tripple D… we can’t let our fans down you know,” he said, and finish with an annoying wink.“Really Dave, all you can think of right now is going to the goddamn engagement in matching outfit?” I said with a frown on my face.Dylan smacked his head from behind “You dummy”“Common guys, it’s not as if so

“Whoosh! Babe, I can’t believe you’re getting married already” Josie exclaimed “It’s engagement Josie” I corrected her for the up tent time since we started dressing for this crazy party.“Aye aye, captain. But an engagement is an announcement of marriage” she said “ Josie, why do I feel like you’re excited about this?” I asked raising my eyebrows at her “Of course I am, you are getting married, I’ve always dreamt of being your bridesmaid and walking with you in your wedding dress” she cheered with a wide smile leaving my jaws dropped “Josie, did you forget that all of this is just an arrangement for me to pay for my father’s reckless ways?” I asked the happy cheery in front of me“Of course not, Anna, but look at this the brighter way, your husband-to-be might turn out to be a really handsome dude,” she said dreamily making me laugh“Which handsome dude will want a bought wife? He’s probably some huggo at 40” I said dismissively “ oh no! I don’t wanna imagine that for you” We bo

9AnnaThe grand ballroom buzzed with celebration, but my heart echoed a different tune. Feeling stifled, I slipped away, finding refuge by a moonlit fountain. Tears flowed freely, a silent release for the turmoil within."I can't handle this," I murmured into the night, my voice strained with emotion. "Marriage now? I can't. There's so much still to achieve the company. I had hopes, you know? Hopes they'd get it, that they'd wait until at least a while before the wedding."I heard footsteps come from behind me, I quickly wiped my tears away. Josie appeared, She settled beside me."Hey Anna, you don't look so good" she said. I was trying so hard to hold my tears. "I don't feel good Jo. Like not at all. I feel… ugh I don't even know the word""Annabel, it's fine," Josie reassured softly. "You don't have to go through with it if it's not what you want. Your dreams matter."Yet, my heart still throbbed. "Josie, he thinks I'm... he sees me as a whore. How can I marry someone who thinks