ADORA’S P.O.V

"El-Cana?”

I stared at him in disbelief, my eyes sizing him from head to toe. I couldn’t look away from him. Just like Don, his suit looked expensive. The men around him stood still; there was silence, and their faces were hard, as if they had a problem with me. No one even breathed too loudly. It felt like they were all waiting for his next word.

“We have been waiting for you, Princess.”

Waiting for me? I felt a bit confused. My eyes fell on Dad, who sat all cold and not saying a word at all. His grumpy face fell; he couldn’t look at me.

“What do you mean by waiting for me?”

I felt a bit of confusion; maybe there was a form of mistake, I could feel it inside. Something wasn’t right at all. I could still remember not too long ago how he had grabbed my waist, the way he had spoken to me, so intimate like he could see through me, and just now again, he was acting all cool and not knowing. All mean and cold. I couldn’t help the memory of the previous hours.

How was I supposed to rap the fact of who I’d seen hours ago and who was in front of me now?

“I know that look, Damon's princess looks surprised,” He said softly, almost amused. His eyes turned to look at my father.

I shook my head. “That’s impossible, I saw you. You…. You had a scar.”

“That wasn’t me,” he said.

My pulse jumped. I couldn’t help but think again, could it be that… I had met a twin?

My father was still silent, staring at the floor like this was something he couldn’t stop.

El-Cana stood up slowly. Even his movement changed everything. The men behind him straightened instantly, like soldiers waiting for a signal.

He took one step closer. I could see the straight line from his straightened trousers. His presence filled the space; he was calm, he was powerful, and worst, his movement seemed terrifying.

“You belong to me now, and I have come to take you.” He said quietly with a weird smile tugging his lips.

“This is supposed to be some silly joke, right?” I laughed, then came back to normal as my brows furrowed.

“You're my bride now."

Those words didn’t make sense. My eyes fell now directly at the man who had introduced himself to me as El Cana.

“You’re what?” I whispered, trying to get a reply. But he didn’t repeat himself. He just looked at me with those unreadable eyes.

“Damon!” He called out to my Dad, who sat quietly behind him now. “Would you like to tell your pretty daughter your crime and how you’ve arranged her for your crime? Or would you rather prefer I do you the honours of telling her of how despicable her father is and her fate now as my bride, whether she likes it or not.”

My chest tightened. My face instantly moved to meet my Dad. I could see the tears he fought back to hold, but his face was still down.

“What do you mean, bride?”

The room fell quiet. El motioned towards the direction of where my dad sat, so calm, so quiet.

“Dad,” I said, my voice breaking a little. “Say something.”

But he didn’t move. His hands were still on his knees, his head bowed like he couldn’t look at me.

“Dad!” I said again, louder this time. My body motioned towards him in anger. “Why are you just sitting there? Who are these people?”

He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His breathing came out slow, and that made my heart sink even more.

I turned to the man, to El-Cana. “You,” I said, my fingers pointing at him angrily. “You need to shut up and take your men out of my house. Right now!”

The men around stared at themselves as they shifted slightly, some even smiled, it felt like I was pouring water on stone. Their eyes were cold and like those of a watchdog.

El-Cana didn’t move. His lips curved into an arc, giving a slow and dangerous smile; it was like a man who already knew how this would end.

“In time,” he took two steps closer, his voice sounding softer now, “You won’t speak to me like that.”

My stomach turned. I could see fire in his eyes, thunder in those words, but I kept my eyes on him. If my Dad wasn’t brave enough to confront this lunatic that was in front of me, then I will. I knew I had to be brave.

“I’m only giving you this moment,” he continued, his tone became calm, it was almost polite. “I’m only giving you this moment to know the truth, and to say your final goodbye to your father, as you will not be seeing him after today.”

“What?” I whispered, my voice was shaking. Could no longer hear anything apart from my heartbeat. “What do you mean, goodbye?”

He didn’t answer. He just kept that faint smile, the kind that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Dad,” I said again, bending towards him. I grabbed his arms away from his knee, shaking them gently. “Please, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”

He looked up finally, and I looked at my father again. His face was pale, drawn tight like every breath was heavy. His jaw trembled slightly, and I could see him trying hard to keep it still. His eyes, which always made me feel safe, were now filled with something I’d never seen before. I didn’t need anyone to interpret what I was seeing. I didn’t need anyone to explain the fear and guilt I saw in his eyes. But somehow, I needed to hear it, I needed to confirm what I had heard. I trusted my father enough not to be given to a total stranger, and worst, a man who looked like he owned the world.

“Please,” I said softly, “Just tell me.”

‘His gaze dropped to the floor, and I saw the tear finally fall, one small tear rolling down his cheek before he quickly wiped it away.

“Forgive me, Adora. You…. You’re to marry El-Cana.”

The room went silent. My knees almost gave out as I looked from my father’s shaking hands to El-Cana’s calm and waiting eyes.