I was not expecting to dine with the Ramirez family tonight.

I had every intention to have dinner with Dad to talk. I wanted to know about Mom's unreasonable behavior. I also planned to discuss the charity event the company will be hosting in just two weeks. I already had the venue sorted out; invitations are ready to be printed out. The only thing missing was the approval of Dad's friends, who I had asked to have something to be auctioned.

As I walked deeper inside the private part of the restaurant, I almost stopped. Almost. Dad was not sitting at the table I reserved for us. Instead, he sat beside Jack Ramirez who was sharing the table with his whole family. My eyes were drawn to Mara's tensed shoulders. Dad was wearing his usual coat and tie. His eyes met mine and he raised his hand to wave me over to their table. He gave me an apologetic smile as I was near him.

Of course.

He won't turn down his lifelong friend's request.

"Mr. Ramirez," I said, formally and extended my hand to him.

He laughed and shook my hands. He patted me on the shoulder. "My boy! I've told you a thousand times not to call me that. It makes me sound old."

"You are old Dad," Alec replied sarcastically. He stood up and greeted me with a handshake too.

Mr. Ramirez glared at his son. "I like Dustyn as my son more. Rodrigo, would you mind having Alec as your son?"

Dad smiled and laughed at his words. "I do like my son, Jack."

Jack's shoulders sagged as if he did consider the trade. "Take a seat, Dustyn."

And I did.

The only vacant chair was to the left of Mara. I saw her shoulders become even tenser than it is. I can tell my presence surprised her. I'm surprised and happy to see her though. More than she can ever know.

"Shortcake," I murmured in greeting to the beautiful blonde-haired woman beside me. As I expected, she bluntly refused to reply to me. I looked over at Alec to find him already looking at me. I watched, deflated, as he slowly shook his head.

Mara was as angry as the night she found out.

Who wouldn't be?

The server came and we all placed our orders. Dad ordered his favorite bottle of wine and Amelia almost got away with ordering a whiskey.

Mara has settled for two slices of pepperoni pizza, Alec ordered fettuccine for himself and I got myself a serving of lasagna. Amelia settled for some salad while our Dads got steak for both of them.

"Dustyn, have you told Mara?" Jack asked as we waited for the food to arrive.

"Told me what?" I can hear the suspicion in her voice.

She didn't know her dad knew. My poor shortcake is about to experience another rush of betrayal through her system.

"She found out, Jack. Mom slipped." I answered but my eyes stayed on Mara's hands on her lap. They were curled up into fists in a matter of seconds, shaking from anger.

"Good. We can start planning the engagement party." He answered completely oblivious to the anger radiating from Mara. "Can we have it next week? What do you think Alec?"

"Maybe we should let Mara get used to the idea first," Alec said carefully. I can tell he was sucking up to Mara, making it up to her by going against their father. Although I knew for a fact this was his idea, I just hope Jack listens to Alec on this one.

"This has you written all over it Alec. If Mara has to do it, she better do it now. It's inevitable." Jack said his voice was hard and commanding. Consciously, my hand traveled to shortcake's. I held her hand tightly and was surprised to find her relaxing a little on her seat.

"Dad," Alec said in a warning. His voice rose.

"I can't believe this," Mara said in a low voice. Her gray eyes glaring daggers on the table in between us and the parents. "Do I get any say on this?"

Alec turned to her sister worriedly. He placed a hand on Mara's shoulder which she shook away while she slipped her hand away from mine. "If you would agree to what has been planned, then yes. If not, stay quiet and let us do everything." Jack said in a commanding voice. It was clear that he didn't want to hear anything else aside from Mara agreeing to what has been signed.

"Are you serious right now? This is my life, Dad."

"And I am trying to give the life you deserve! I would never agree unless I know you would eventually be happy, sweetie." Jack sighed and looked at his only daughter pleadingly. "Your mom and I were part of an arranged marriage, Mara. It was the best thing to ever happen to us."

Mara's eyes widened in realization and she slumped back on her chair. Her eyes were no longer angry but defeated. She sighed in irritation. "Whatever. The contract has been signed anyway."

I can tell we all exhaled at her words. It was a relief that she would no longer be against everything. At least not in any way that we could think of.

I smiled down at her and whispered to her ear. "We'll be okay, shortcake."

"Good. Jack is already stressed enough. He doesn't need you adding in on it." Amelia said, malice coating her every word. Our heads turned to her. I glared at the older woman because of her words. She seems more of a teenager than an adult woman because of her words.

"Yeah? How was that girl's night out again?" Mara asked, her lips pulling up into a smirk as Amelia visibly pales. I could tell that it wasn't an actual night out with her lady friends just by her reaction.

"Yes, honey, how was your girl's night out?" Jack asked, clueless of the implication under Mara's question.

I sat back on my chair, enjoying the show unfolding before me. It seems like Mara has some dirt on her stepmother just like Alec. This one, however, might just cost Amelia every luxury she is enjoying as the wife of Jack Ramirez. After all, there are precautions and consequences of marrying a multi-billionaire businessman.

Amelia seemed at a loss for words. So instead, she grabbed the flute of champagne and drank the contents in one full swing. "It was umm... great." She answered, looking anywhere but at Jack. She sweats a little before Jack nods his head and turns to me.

"Well, Dustyn, where do you plan on having the honeymoon?"

Needless to say, the dinner was filled with an awful lot of discussions about the wedding and honeymoon which I answered mostly.

Mara, who sat beside me, was quiet and brooding. Her whole body was tense and she barely ate her food, nor did she order dessert. I felt her relax a little when Jack offered to end the night on the good note that we should all meet again, this time for a proper discussion of wedding plans with a wedding planner.

Amelia, on the other hand, stayed quiet and invisible throughout the rest of the dinner. I wonder what Mara saw and why Amelia looked scared.

I walked with Mara and Alec to their car. I waved my Dad goodbye and promised to have our conversation in my office the next day. Mara walked ahead of Alec and me.

"Will she be okay?" I asked Alec worriedly as I watched Mara walk with her head down.

Alec sighed rather loudly and looked at me. "I hope so, Dust. She's just scared, I guess."

"Of what? Me?"

Alec chuckled. "No, you idiot. There are just some things Mara has yet to tell you, man."

Confused, I looked at Mara who had reached their car and was being assisted inside by their driver. "She tells me everything," I said with confidence. Even when I was too far to be reached, Mara always made sure to call or message me about some big news that was happening in her life. Even when I wouldn't call or text, she would.

Alec looked at his sister for a while before answering me. "No. I don't think she does."

My head was swimming in confusion. Shortcake has never kept anything from me. Not something so big, she would be scared of. Is Alec messing with me?

We reached the car at the same time. I nodded to their driver as he opened the door for Alec on the other side of the car. I stood outside Mara's window and peeked at her. Her head was turned to the window and her eyes were on mine as soon as we were eye level. I gave her a small smile and she did nothing but continue staring at me.

"I'll see you soon, shortcake," I said loud enough to reach her ears. I saw her nod her head gently. That made me smile. Maybe Mara wasn't as angry as we thought she was.

between my company and Ramirez Technologies took the business world by storm. Most were shocked to hear such a partnership, but most of them aren't. Considering the news that has been popping up about my family and theirs, most have expected it.

As such, many companies are now looking to supply our company with the materials we need in manufacturing some of our products. Veronica has been receiving endless calls to schedule meetings with me to pitch in their services. I have told Veronica, however, to slow down the scheduling of meetings. I have to make time for Mara too since I did have a hand in getting us both in this predicament.

"Your Dad is here." Veronica's voice came through the phone as soon as I answered.

"Let him in. And get us coffee."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you."

Dad strode inside the office in his jeans and a polo shirt. He looks out of place in the office with his clothing choice, but even I can't deny they look more comfortable than my suit. "Son."

"Dad. Let's sit here." I said, leading him to the small area of a living room set-up inside the office. Veronica came in with coffee and immediately left, but not before reminding me of the lunch meeting I had with Alec and his team of researchers to settle any problems we might face with Ramirez's high demand. "How's mom?"

"Your Mom still can't get over the fact that you're getting married. More specifically, to Mara." Dad replied with a sigh as he slumped back on his seat.

"You're on my side though, right Dad?" I asked. I knew if Dad had my back, it would only be a matter of time before Mom accepts the idea of marriage.

Dad smiled, his face lighting up on that simple move. "Of course. Mara is a darling and I will be blessed to have her as my daughter."

"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me right now." I told him, grateful that one of my parents was happy with the decisions I have made. No matter how messed up they thought it was to acquire a wife through a contract.

"Anyway, I already talked to some of my friends about this charity ball you are planning."

"And?" I asked, excitement cursed through my veins. If I can get some of Dad's friends to auction a night or even a few days in some of their private properties, it would be a great help. Vero and I have already arranged for some collectible items to be auctioned on the charity ball, and some paintings we sourced out from both of our connections.

"They agreed. It's for a good cause, so they really couldn't say no."

"Thanks, Dad. Everything is set then. I'll inform Vero to start distributing the invitations on Monday." I informed him with a smile on my face.

Mara, my shortcake, is a sucker for charity. She loves attending these kinds of events to help people, children especially. This will make her happy.

"This is for Mara, isn't it?" Dad asked with his eyebrow raised. He does know me well.

"Well... Yes but it's also about helping other people. Blessings have been coming our way; it's a good time to give back."

"If you say so, son. I have to go. Before your mother calls me, you know how irritating she can be over the phone." Dad said, shaking his head at the thought of Mom calling him any second now.

I looked at Dad in confusion but shook my head instead. Mom and Dad have always had a weird way of showing their love for each other. I guess that's what got them together for this long, thirty years to be exact.

when my phone rang. I looked at the name of the caller and was surprised to see Mara's name. It's been a few days since that dinner with her family and my Dad and I, and this is the first time Mara had called me since the dinner with my parents.

Why is she calling me at midnight?

"Shortcake?" I answered the call without another thought. I was scared and nervous about the reason for her call. I do hope nothing bad is happening to her right now.

A loud party song came from her side of the phone. I can hear people yelling encouragement and curses through the background. Then I heard a male's voice over the phone.

"Mara, get the hell down from there!"

My jaw tightened in anger. "Who the fuck are you and why do you have her phone?" I bit out.

"Relax, Franco. It's Apollo. We need help with Mara."

I sat up from the couch and ran to my room, all the while still holding the phone to my ear. "What happened?"

"She's drunk, to say the least. Look, track her phone. I have to go man."

"Apollo, she's about to fucking jump! Help me"

The call ended before I could ask what was happening to Mara.

My heart was beating fast and my hands were shaking in worry as my mind thought of everything Mara would do if I don't get my ass to where she is, fast.

Once I was dressed, I slipped the keys of my car into my pocket. As Apollo said, I tracked Mara's phone using my phone and placed the address on my GPS.

Mara was at a house inside the campus.

Fuck. She's probably at a frat's party.

Double fuck.