Chapter 1

MARA'S POV “I'm sorry Alex, but we are not possible,” I said coldly to the person in front of me.  Alexander Monte is one of the hottest guys on our campus. Girls are willing to the lineup just to date him, but not me. It is not because I don't like him or he is not my type, it's just that, unlike other people, I don't have the freedom to choose the man for me or to fall in love because I only exist for my family's business. Alex is a good guy and a good friend. But I can't lead him on. I don't have a heart to love.  I will just hurt him in the end. I want him to stay with me as my friend, but because of what he did, I need to stay away from him or I will just lead him on. I'm pissed because of what he did, I lose a friend AGAIN. I made it clear to all of them that they can't like me because I can’t like them back. How many times do I have to keep telling to them so that they can understand why THEY CAN'T LIKE ME?!  “Mara why can't I love you?” He said. Sadness is visible in his voice.  My heart hurts, I don't want to hurt this guy. “You know why,” I said almost in a whisper.  “But Mara, I'm freaking rich! If you are telling me that you only exist because of business... then so be it. My family's business is a good asset to your family business. So I don't understand why we can't be together!” He said almost pissed.  I just look at him with no emotion but deep inside I'm hurting. “My family already chose the guy I will marry. And it's not you.”  Alex's forehead furrowed. “Who is he?” He asked almost in a whisper.  “Maru,” I said. I saw his defeated expression. I don't need to explain to myself why he can't win over Maru. Maru's name is enough for him to understand. “Sorry, Alex,” I said before walking away from him.  When I reached home, I went straight to my room and lie down on my bed.  I close my eyes and I just let my tears flow.  How many friends do I have to lose?! Why do they keep on liking me and breaking the rule?!  What I did to Alex was not easy. As I said, Alex is a very good friend of mine. He's one of my closest friends. I want our friendship to last, but it's now impossible to happen. Many girls are willing to do everything for him, why did he have to fall for me?! If only I wasn't arranged with someone, I am very willing to give him a chance. He is a good friend of mine, and he is not hard to love. I was 10 years old when I found out why I was born in this world. The real purpose of my existence. My mom and dad did not marry each other because of love. Their marriage was arranged by my grandparents. Since they were a product of an arranged marriage, there is no love in them. I am not made out of love, but out of obligation and business. Can you imagine how painful it is for me to hear those things from the lips of my parents?! I feel so rejected and unloved. And that same night, I found out that I am already engaged to someone. He is none other than, Andrew Maru Ottave.  What a great choice! Maru's family is the richest in the Philippines, they belong in the top 10 richest people in the world.  At a young age, Maru and I already knew about our engagement. None of us try to question the decision of our parents. Despite knowing the fact that we will soon be married, we never became friends or lovers. No one made an effort to know each other or try to be friends at least. We always see each other at school but we never approach one another, even just to say hi or hello. Our family was quite close which is why we often see each other at some events, but no one made an effort to approach one another. Since I already know that I am bound to be with Maru, I chose not to commit to a relationship or give myself a chance to experience love. I don't want to hurt the one I will love because I know that even if my love is strong for that person, I will not win over my parents. They are that powerful, plus the fact that they arranged for me to be an Ottave, a more powerful family than mine. Unlike mine, Maru chose to follow his heart. From what I heard, Maru has been with his girlfriend, Jana for years now and he seems serious about their relationship. Maru is also known in our school. He was the hottest guy in our school, next to him is Alex. Many girls wanted to date him but only one person was able to succeed, and that is her current girlfriend, Jana. I just shake my head at that thought. What will happen to them when we get married? Or is he planning to disobey his parents and fight for his love? Did he think that he will win over them? I honestly don't care what his plan is. If ever he succeeds then good for him. But for sure my parents will arrange me again to someone if Maru was able to convince his parents to marry the girl he loves (though I doubt that he will succeed.) Nothing much will change in my future. My decision to avoid entering a relationship is still the best option for me. I don't like complications because I knew that I can't do anything about it, same with Maru. The life that we have is not like a drama on television. Because even if we do our best to fight for the one we love, we can never against our parents. They will only make the people we love live in hell. And I don't want that to happen. I rather sacrifice myself than lead the person I love in hell. In the end, we can't do anything but give in to them and accept our defeat. That is the reality of life. There is only one thing I allowed myself to love. And that is the business where I am made for.