(Emily's point of View)

"Excuse me!" Shock was evident in my voice as I paced in front of my sorry excuses of parents. Now, it's not as though I hated them all the time. Nor was I ever a wild child in my teens, and they reward me with this.

"It's not that difficult to understand, Emily." My Mother's exhaustion was prominent, her voice exasperated and coming out as a sigh. 

"You expect me," I paused putting my thumbs to my chest, "to marry some random man that you," I take a deep breath to again, I had to keep calm. I pointed towards my mother, "have picked out for me."

My mother went to stand however she swayed and dramatically fell back down onto the couch. My father put his arms protectively around her before turning his eyes towards me.

"This is final." He didn't leave room for argument, his voice did not waver. His eyes dared me to challenge him, and I felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

"Father-" I tried one more time, but the look he gave me shut me up. I lowered my head knowing there was no way to talk him out of this.

I didn't understand why I had to be in an arranged marriage out of all their children. My older brother had never even had a meaningful relationship yet. He's three years older than me yet they don't ever push him towards marriage.

Granted I suppose that's my own own fault though, my brother isn't the heir to my father's business. I am. He wanted to pursue his dreams of being a well-known photographer, and he now owns a company named 'Ladies Man.'

My younger sister is seventeen and is going through her sassy phase. A phase which has existed for twelve years. If you can't tell there's quite a bit of bad blood between the two of us.

I retreated back to my room, slamming the door with a huff. Such infuriating people, my brother is the only sane one in this family. Having the decency of leaving the family business before our father could sick his talons into him.

In my head I knew that no twenty-four year old would act this way, I was acting like some rebellious teenager. However, most aren't thrown into an arranged marriage either, especially not in New York City... Right?

A let out a muffled sob into my pillow, I hated this feeling of helplessness. I hadn't felt like this in such a long time, and my memory of that day is hazy.

I heard a small whimpering coming from the side of my bed, a small smile made it's way onto my lips. I looked over to see my little corgi, Auburn, shaking it's whole body as it whimpered to be let on my bed. I scooped her up into my arms wanting to snuggle with her.

She, however, had other plans for our so called cuddle session. She wiggles and shimmies out of my arms, making her way up to the pillow my head was resting on. She sat down right on my head curling up around it, using my hair as a blanket. Her tail thumps against me almost as if someone is patting me on the shoulder.

I wish I understood why my parents thought this would be such a grand idea. I always did what they asked, when they wanted me to take the family business I said I would. When they told me what to major in, I did it.

This is different then them telling me that I should date a certain person, it's them saying this is who your going to love. That's not how love works, and that's not the kind of love I want. This is my life, mine not their's.

With that revelation I jumped off my bed, sending Auburn rolling down from the pillow. She growled a bit at me, unhappy that her nap was disturbed. I glanced at the clock, it was seven at night. That was fine, I knew someone who was always out this time of night.

I wasn't going to stay home all night wallowing away. I was going to put a stop to this, somehow. I flipped out my phone, dialing a number I knew all to well. It rang a couple of times before her voice came on the other side of the phone.

"Emmie!" She shouted, "Is that you?" Already drunk, but nonetheless what was I to expect. I heard voices in the background, music blaring and glasses clinking.

"Sierra Mist, where are you?" I heard her chuckling from the nickname, I had know Sierra since the sixth grade. She has always been my only female friend.

"Oooooooo." She let out a long whistle sound, "Are you finally gonna come party with me?" She laughed almost as if she believed that would never happen.

"Yes." I heard a scream, she started talking to rapidly for me to be able to understand. Saying something along the lines of 'Oh my gosh my baby girl is all grown up.'

She took a deep breathe, as much as the alcohol will allow before speaking once more, "I'm at Richie's." I nodded to myself before going to my window. Slightly thanking the house for having my room on the ground floor. Not only that but everyone else's room was upstairs.

I opened the window and jumped threw, I didn't really care for the mulch that crowded around my shoes nor the mud. I also knew if Sierra saw me coming to a party with jeans and tennis shoes than she would lecture me. However, better that then staying in my house for another moment.

I couldn't risk using my car, if my parents heard the engine then they would know I left. To their knowledge I was locked up in my room crying, not that they cared. I began to walk down the streets of our neighborhood, everyone was inside for the night.

My plan? Was to get to the nearest bus stop and catch a ride to Richie's. I guess there was something else in the cards though for tonight. I blaring sound came from in front of me, my head jerked up frightened beyond belief.

His head popped out of the car window, his blonde hair that I was slightly jealous of was the first thing I saw. His bright blue eyes sparkled with delight and amusement, my brother.

"Need a ride?" It's almost as if he knew all the crappy things that had happened today. Or his God told him to come and get me, either way I was thankful.

"Please." I replied in an exasperated tone, walking over to his red Ferrari named baby and hoping into the passengers seat.

"Where to Sis?" He was always smiling, sometimes I wondered if that's because he was a Christian. I used to be, but somewhere along the way I became skeptical. Especially after tonight, especially after what happened to mom.

"Riche's my dear brother." I smirked at him saying it with a medieval accent. We both broke into laughter before he responded, "Sierra rope you into another one?"

"Not today." He looked at me with shocked eyes, "Well then we better go before you change your mind!" He began to go through the city, towards Riche's.

We skidded to a stop, my stomach lurching at the building. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Don't look like you wanna barf." In all honesty that idea seemed like a better one than entering that building. The though of being around all those animals was unnerving putting it lightly.

A hand came onto my shoulder, I glanced over at him watching a small smile appear on his face., "It'll be ok, I'm right here for you."

He began to get out quickly, he was eager. However, I wanted to believe that he wanted to see Sierra and not all the other chicks in the bar. Sierra is a year older than me, even though she was in my class.

While Sierra was like a sister to me, I'd happily give her to my brother. I always bought something was going on between the two of them even though they assured me they weren't.

Knowing him it won't be very long. Mostly because he loves to party like Sierra. For a while I thought they would be a cute couple. But they never really showed much interest in each other.

Both of them are older than me. Sierra is 25 while my brother is 27. I wish Sierra was my sister, even though she practically is.

We slipped into the bar without the others in the line noticing we had V.I.P Badge. It always caused too much drama. The club was packed with strangers, all grinding up against each other like wild animals. His was exactly why I hated clubs, it's like everyone turns into a beast.

I lost Mich in the crowd, everyone dancing and acting wild. I made my way to the only landmark of the club, the bar. Sierra Mist or Mich would have to come by here at some point.

At first I wasn't planning on drinking anything, but then thirty minutes passed. The bartender shot me a flirty glance and she passed me a small shot. I downed the shot, liking the hiss against my throat especially with how bad I already felt.

Another thirty minutes had passed and I completely gave up trying to find my brother and bestie. I ended up downing two more shots, along with a fruity Pina Colada.

It had been about an hour now, and I was completely drunk. I attempted to stand, not really knowing if I was succeeding or not. I stumbled out the door, bumping into some guys and gals along the way.

Eventually I made it outside, and my entire reasoning was... If I can't find my brother my brother will find me walking home.

So I began my walk, smiling silly at different cars driving by and flashing signs. I came to a crossroads, was I suppose to go through this alley?

"Looks like youre a little lost..."

I turn to see some guy looking at me, the look on his face was pure desire. He looked like he was about to have dinner, but that dinner was me. I began to run away from rapidly, but I tripped over a nearby trashcan. I felt myself falling, or at least I was probably falling... I wasn't running anymore at least. I closed my eyes tight ready for my untimely demise.

But the ground never came, instead two arms wrapped around me protectively. My eyes snapped open startling me at what I saw.

- - -

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity."

- Nelson Mandela

Hello Everyone and welcome to my first Romance Novel, although I would probably call it more a Romantic Drama, either way welcome. I hope that you enjoy this story of a Woman who most learn how to fight for her chance of love. Love all of you my readers and have a wonderful journey.