A/N: I only own the OC

Vera has grown up thinking that her life would be taking over the family farm, finding her true love, and living out her life like the fairy tale her parents had... but life had other plans for her. She had no idea that a decision her father had made years ago would affect her whole life before she even had a chance to make any decisions for herself.

(This is completely AU)

I was sitting in the barn with my favorite horse Sebastian. I had missed him while I had been living in the city for college. I was glad to be home. I couldn't wait to get started on working in the winery. My dream had been to take over the farm and now it was closer to becoming a reality. I was finishing up when I glanced in the mirror at myself... wow, I looked like a mess. I had ridden in the mist that was lightly falling outside so now my brown hair was sticking out from my hat. My ponytail was starting to show my natural waves, and my glasses were speckled with rain drops. I chuckled at my own reflection. I had been so put together while at college, and now it felt good to not have to be anywhere at a certain time. I didn't have to look professional for internships, classes, or study groups. I was happy to be out of the city.

"Vera, can you come in here?" my mom called for me as I walked out of the barn. I waved acknowledgement and walked towards the house. I knew that Mr. Pierce was coming today. He was like family and had helped my family a lot. He was the main reason we had our wine and products in the stores. He had helped our farm grow. We had a large vineyard and orchard that had been in my family since my grandparents. I glanced around before walking in the door. The leaves were turning colors. I had missed this place so much... I was happy to be home.

I walked inside and my mother had a different kind of look on her face. She almost seemed sad. She hugged me before she motioned for me to go into the living room. I walked in and my father hugged me before motioning me to sit down. The whole room felt heavy as I looked across at the man I had seen all my life. He was like family.

"Hello, Vera." he said and I smiled at him.

"Hello, Mr. Pierce." I said with a smile, but something still felt off.

"I understand that you have graduated from NYU?" he asked me and I nodded.

"Yes, sir. I graduated with a business degree and minored in communication." I said and he smiled at me.

"Congratulations. I'm sure your parents are proud." he said and I nodded as I looked at my father. He gave me a smile, but it seemed sad like my mothers had earlier. i wanted to know what's going on.

"Do you know why I have come to visit today?" he asked me and I shook my head no. I was beginning to feel like maybe there was an inside joke that no one let me in on.

"To check products?" I asked him and he chuckled.

"You could say that. I have come to get what was promised to me years ago. I had to wait for it to mature. You see your father had to make a deal with me a long time ago to keep this farm afloat, but what he didn't know was that I wouldn't forget this debt. I just had to wait until I figured out what I wanted for it, and now I have come to collect. You understand that, right? When someone owes you something you eventually collect?" he said and I nodded, but didn't really understand.

"I think so..." I said really unsure of how I should answer and becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his conversation. I had never felt bad vibes from Mr. Pierce, but now... I didn't want to be in the same room with him. I glanced at my mother who looked as if she was trying not to cry, and my father who wouldn't meet my gaze.

"Are you taking the farm?" I finally asked him and he chuckled.

"Vera, you are a smart girl. You see years ago your father was being pushed out of this farm by another company. He fought, but he was weak... so he asked me for help. He knew that it would be a steep price, and I told him one day I would collect. I would either come for the farm, or his child. He agreed, and of course he didn't tell your mother, because he was hoping I would be taken out my a rival mob before I could. You see, Vera, I am coming today to collect that which I was promised." he said and my eyes were wide. He was going to take our farm? I had grown up here, this was my home, and I couldn't believe there wasn't something we could do to keep it.

"There must be away that we can keep the farm." I finally said and my mother let out a sob.

"My dear, Vera, I'm not here for the farm. I was planning on taking the farm, but you are so much more valuable. I also know that your father was avoiding this day because he knew this day was coming. He would have to admit that he had fucked up, and tell your mother that her only daughter had been given to me." he said and my eyes were wide at this point. I thought he had to be joking. I was a free person... there was no way he could do this. This wasn't legal... was it?

"Me? You think you are going to take me?" I asked him as I felt anger rise in me.

"I don't think I am... I know that I am." he said and I looked over at my father. The man who had raised me, and I trusted... and he had sold me to this monster.

"You can't do it." I said and he laughed at me as my father tried to calm me down.

"My dear, I'm Alexander Pierce, the head of HYDRA... I can do whatever I want." he said and I went blank. I had heard of HYDRA. They ran most of New York City. They were feared by everyone. The ran guns, moved money, and had every high-ranking politician in their pockets. They were always on the news for being charitable and then the next story would be accusing them of the latest mob hit.

"Now, I am tired of being out here, and I have things I need to do in the city. Say goodbye to your mother and father. I will be taking you to you new home, and you can meet your new fiance." he said and I thought I had heard him wrong. He stood up and looked around.

"Fiance?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Yes, that's why I am taking you for his debt. I need someone to marry my son. He's been doing his own thing far too long and I'm tired of waiting on him to figure this out. You will marry him." he said and I felt blind rage.

"Vera, just go with him..." my father was saying and I cut him off with a backhand. I didn't want to hear his shit anymore. I thought he had my best interest, but now I questioned everything.

"You don't get to give me advice anymore." I snapped at him as my mother sank down the wall crying. I stepped over to her and pulled her to her feet. I hugged her as she clung to me. I knew that I should cry, but I just couldn't. I was so numb, angry, and in disbelief at what was going on. Pierce picked up my bag that had been laying by the door and handed it to me. I took it numbly as I looked around. I couldn't believe this was happening to me... this kind of shit only happened in books and movies.

"Come on, now, you will see them at the celebrations and the wedding. We have places to be." Pierce said in such a cold tone. My mother cried harder as Pierce pulled me with him out the doors and to a waiting SUV. He opened the door and I looked back at my whole world... it was all a lie. I got in without a word and he told them where to take us. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as we drove through the gate and I wasn't sure if I was crying because i had just found out my whole world was a lie or because my entire future was an even bigger lie.

Please review! Let me know what you think.