Chapter 2 Louis and Amaya

Louis's trembling fingers hovered on Amaya's phone contact. He prepared himself for the discussion ahead, the busy lobby of Sebastian Tower fading into the background. He breathed in deeply, then hit the call button and held the phone up to his ear.

The phone rang once, twice, three times. Louis's worry increases, Just as he was ready to give up, Amaya's vibrant happy voice came through at the fourth ring.

"Hey, babe! Miss me already?"

Louis's heart strained at her cheerful voice. With what he was going to say, how could he shatter her entire world? He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "Amaya, we need to talk. Can you meet me at our spot?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Amaya said, worry in her words. "Louis? What's wrong? You sound-"

"Please," Louis interrupted, fed up with her anxiety. "It's urgent."

When Louis turned to look at her, bathed in the gentle glow of the fairy lights they had set up months before, Amaya stood there. Her hair spilt down over her shoulders, and instead of her usual petty look, her eyes shone with worry. She was beautiful, and the thought of losing her made his chest ache.

"What's going on?" Amaya asked, taking a step closer. "You're scaring me."

Louis ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd never been able to shake. The words would not come out of his mouth. "Amaya, my father, he..."

Amaya stretched her hand and grabbed his, her touch at once calming and torturous. "Louis, just spit it out."

Knowing what he was going to do, Louis was unable to deal with her sensitive touch and pulled away. He inhaled deeply and pushed the words out. "I'm going to get married. To someone else, not to you. Victoria Watson".

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating. Amaya's eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out.

"What?" she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we never... I thought eventually, but-"

Louis interrupted her, his voice hollow. "It's not my choice. It's... complicated."

Silence fell between them, thick and oppressive. The distant hum of the city seemed to grow louder, filling the void left by their unspoken words.

"I don't understand," Amaya said, her voice shaking. "Is this a joke?"

Louis shook his head, unable to meet her gaze. "I wish it was. It's an arranged marriage. My father will disown me if I don't go through with it."

Amaya's demeanour shifted as the whole meaning of his words dawned on her. A stronger emotion, a blend of rage and resolve, replaced surprise and confusion. She yelled, "Are you just going to accept it?" "Louis, what about us? How about everything we've constructed?

"I don't have a choice!" Louis lost it, his voice filled with annoyance. He immediately regretted his tone, but the situation was too much for him to handle. "You don't understand what's at stake."

Amaya's eyes darted aggressively. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Then explain it to me!" "Tell me why you're giving up our relationship for a business deal!"

Louis could feel the pain in his own eyes. His heart broke for the suffering he was creating as he looked at her. "Please, Amaya. If there was another way-"

"There's always another way," she said, interrupting him with a blunt but determined voice. "You're just too afraid to find it."

Her words hit Louis, hitting too close to the doubts he had been battling. "That's not fair," he said in protest. "You don't know what my father is capable of.

"Amaya took a step forward, her eyes unwavering and fierce. "And Louis, you have no idea what I'm capable of. I won't let you go without a fight."

Her words sent shocks down Louis's spine. He had never seen the fire in Amaya's eyes before; a determination that both thrilled and terrified him. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that your father has another thing coming if he thinks he can just marry you off to some stranger," Amaya said in a deep, low voice. Louis, I'll figure out how to stop this. with or without your help."

Before Louis could come up with an answer, Amaya turned on her heel and walked for the door. With her hand on the handle, she paused and gave him one more look.

Her voice barely audible "You have a choice to make, Louis, You can either be your father's puppet or the man I fell in love with. Choose wisely."

Amaya slammed the door behind her as she left. He remained still, looking steadily at the spot where Amaya had been. The fairy lights now appeared to torment him, recalling happier but yet distant memories.

He took out his phone and looked at the screen, his hands trembling. The options in front of him didn't seem realistic. Does he need to inform his father of Amaya's underlying threat? Try to explain to Amaya the impossible situation he found himself in? Or was there another way, one he wasn't yet aware of, out of this mess?

With a deep breath, Louis put his phone into his pocket. He wasn't ready to decide just yet. But he thought about Amaya's last words as he made his way to the door. "choose wisely," she had advised. Louis knew, that whatever choice he made would shape not just his future, but the futures of everyone he cared about.

The cool night air that greeted Louis's face as he went outdoors served as a reminder that there is more to life than just his own issues. Without much thinking, he jumped into a cab and gave the driver his address.

Louis silently vowed to himself as the taxi arrived at his flat. It would take whatever it takes to find a way to do it. It was just unimaginable to think about the alternative of losing Amaya and turning into a pawn in his father's plans.