Chapter 8: Be my wife, Soraya

"Dear, let’s go back to our home," Evelina said, pulling out of Soraya’s embrace. "We have been waiting for this moment for ages."

"Hm," Soraya nodded and started packing what she could as she decided to leave with her family.

It was her chance to be happy and live a life full of warmth that she never had.

"I need to pack my things."

"I’ll send servants later," Angelo intervened.

"Yeah. The servants will do all the packing," Evelina stated. As they walked out, Soraya finally got to see the Porsche, which she had ignored earlier. It was a dream to ride in such a car.

Angelo opened the door for her to which Soraya thanked him. She settled in the backseat with her mother while her father and brother sat in the front.

Throughout the entire ride, Evelina told her everything related to their family and the time she was born. Her two years of life, which she spent with them. When the car finally pulled up to the Dalias mansion, her breath caught in her chest.

It was massive, surrounded by lush green gardens and bright flowers, with large windows letting in the warm evening light. The whole place looked peaceful, full of a comfort she had never known. Soraya stepped out of the car and stood there, staring at the grand house in complete shock.

Evelina smiled warmly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Welcome home, Soraya."

Soraya looked up at the beautiful building, her heart racing. She was still in total disbelief that a place like this would be her home.

"Come on, everyone is waiting for you," Evelina hooked her hand with Soraya.

’Everyone?’ Soraya thought as they entered the house through a huge door.

"Welcome home, Young Miss!"

The moment she entered, several loud voices greeted her in unison, startling her.

Two rows of house staff were standing with their heads down, while leaving a way for them in the middle.

"Wh... What is all this?" Soraya couldn’t help but mutter to herself.

Seeing the scene in front of her reminded her of when she had been at Santino’s mansion.

’Are all rich people always like this?’ She thought, but also felt overwhelmed by such a warm welcome.

"Sora, they will help you with your work," Antonio pronounced as he patted her head lightly.

"Tha... Thank you," her face flushed, feeling her father’s hand.

"Alright, everyone," Evelina clapped. "Scatter; I’ll give a home tour to my daughter myself."

She then looked at Soraya. "Baby, Mom will show you your room."

Evelina took her to the first floor and opened a room next to hers.

But what shocked Soraya most was that it looked more like a kid’s nursery than a grown-up’s room.

"This is where you used to live until you got kidnapped," Evelina said as he walked inside, letting her hand go. "Me and your Dad put a lot of thought into making this for you."

Soraya could tell that. It was princess-themed and had all kinds of toys and dolls that she could only dream of growing up.

She had everything but still had nothing.

"We wanted to do the same this time around, but..." Evelina’s lips trembled. "But we didn’t know your preferences and thought you might like to decorate your own room."

"So... this is not my room?" Soraya asked, feeling a bit disappointed.

"Of course, it is!" Evelina wiped the corner of her eyes. "You can come visit here every day to feel our love, but how can you live in such a small room?"

Soraya was speechless!

The room was as big as her apartment’s entire kitchen, dining, hall, and the balcony... yet it was small for her!

"Let me show you the room where you’ll live." She took Soraya’s hand once again, but hearing voices from the sitting area downstairs, she decided to stop by.

"Hello, Mrs. Dalias, " Santino’s familiar voice echoed through the hall, making Soraya freeze in her place.

’What the hell is he doing here? Don’t tell me he is here for marriage nonsense,’ she thought, but quickly dismissed it.

"Santino, we brought our daughter back thanks to you," Evelina said and descended the stairs quickly while Soraya followed her mother.

"Soraya, I’ve sent a team of servants to your house to bring your things here," Angelo said as he entered the grand drawing hall when he spotted Santino.

"Oh, Santino, how come you are here today?" Angelo asked in confusion. "Didn’t I tell you that we’ll meet in a few days?"

"You did!" Santino replied as he turned his gaze toward Soraya who was on the verge of losing her mind.

"But I came here to discuss something very important," he held her gaze and added. "And your sister knows what I’m talking about."

’Fuck! I wasn’t wrong!’ She thought as she gritted her teeth. ’He is here to talk about marriage.’

"Did you not hear what I said in the morning?" Soraya said in a firm tone. "I had already declined your marriage offer, so why are you here?"

"Ma... Marriage!?" Evelina gasped as she covered her mouth.

"What is she talking about, Santino? What marriage?" Angelo asked as he furrowed his brows in confusion and shock.

"Isn’t it only right for Soraya to marry me?" Santino countered with a question in return. "We are family friends, and not to mention, I have fallen in love with Miss Soraya the moment my eyes fell on her."

Silence stretched in the room as no one could form a single word against Santino’s fanatic facts.

"So what if you have fallen for me?" Soraya glared at him, trying her urges to tear his face down. "I don’t even know you."

"You’ve got a point, but you did ask me to marry you last night. Don’t forget about the paper you gave me," Santino said and looked as if he was thinking something. "Besides, I don’t take no as an answer. I want you to be my wife, Soraya Dalias."