I push aside the saggy white and yellow mixture of scrambled eggs in my plate, separating it from the scrumptious pancakes and bacon.
Looking around, I wonder who made the breakfast. I only see three spoilt men and a girl seated around the table with me and not one of them looks like they know their way around the kitchen.
But whenever I look at Michael and my chest burns with rage. He made me feel powerless yesterday. I can't believe Forbes called him an honourable business man.
I take a deep breath and glance at the girl next to him, she politely smiles at me. I purse my lips and focus on my food.
Her pixie cut makes her younger than she lets on, and with her slender body and porcelain skin, I contemplate whether she's a cousin or sister.
I sigh. I don't have to marry him, do I?
Marry Randall, or. . . Or what?
I hope it doesn't come to that, is what Michael said to me when I asked him what would happen if I refused to marry his son.
I can barely get the words out of my head, let alone the idea.
It all just makes me angry and confused and disgusted.
I do my best to hold back the bile rising in my throat and think of Madilyn who's been waiting for my call.
My stomach churns and I'm plagued by the scenarios running through my mind.
"Excuse me," I suddenly say. The sound of cutlery hitting against plates comes to a stop when I stand up. "Thank you guys for your. . . hospitality but I have to go now."
And even though my heart pounds against my chest in alarm and fear of what Michael will say or do, I defiantly exit the house. I have overstayed my welcome.
Outside, I stand on the porch, marveling at the wide landscape of green grass and colorful flowers narrowing the path to the gate.
I panic a little when the door opens and closes behind me.
With my arms crossed, I manage to wave my phone at the person.
"Don't worry, I called myself an Uber."
Turning, I am caught off guard by Randall confidently standing behind me with his dark coiffed hair and a clean white shirt paired with navy slacks.
His hands are on his waist and his eyes are narrowed. I smile, but he's not looking at me.
"Oh you mean the lady at the gate?" He asks and barely gives me time to answer. "She's gone."
"What do you mean she's gone?"
When he does actually look at me, I'm ready to hit him with a right hook.
"Don't worry, I'll take you home." He smiles like a coniving fox.
Immediately after a jet black metallic Porsche is parked in front of us and the driver comes out and hands Randall the keys.
You have got to be kidding me, I groan, tilting my head back.
"Kira, it's the least I can do fo-"
"For being an asshole." I cut him off.
He looks at me and clenches his jaw, "I'm trying-"
"To apologize?"
"Is that what you think I'm doing?" He narrows his eyes at me, frowning. Then he wears a frightening smile. "Get in the car sweetheart."
Sweetheart, is that where we are now? I roll my eyes, he must be high.
In a matter of seconds, I feel the skin on my back burn at his touch as he leads me to the car.
I move his hand off me and get into the car.
Before I know it, we're on the road and for the first time today I feel slightly at ease.
Randall doesn't say anything for a long time as he drives; one hand gripping the steering wheel and the other on his chin.
He's so focused I wonder what he's thinking about, but then again, I don't care. I'd so much rather run away and be done with this family, but I can't.
I can't do that to my baby.
"You'll be a great mother."
My breath hitches and I find Randall looking at the hand on my stomach.
I roll my eyes and relax in my seat."What makes you say that?"
"Many women would've jumped into negotiation considering she's carrying a Michaelson." He laughs. He blankly looks into my eyes. "Then again not all women sleep around with their sister's fiance."
Son of a b-tch.
My heart drops into my stomach and heave, fisting my hand. I bite my lip and narrow my eyes at the asshole. I feel the anger I have for Michael burn in my chest.
"You better shut your ass up. You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Right." He says, nodding. "What if I promise you two percent shares of Michaelson Gold Oil Industry?"
"What?" I stare at Randall's profile dumbfounded and annoyed by his abrupt mood change.
"Marry me." He says. "You won't have to lift a damn finger for the rest of your life."
Is he planning on making me a housewife? I haven't even said yes.
It's a hardpass for me. I purse my lips, nod and stare out the window only to realise that I'm almost home.
I feel content and at peace as we pass each and every building, getting closer to my safe haven.
When Randall parks the car in front of my building apartment, I don't hesitate to get out. I have had enough of him for one day.
But before I can get the other leg out, he holds my hand, and I frown at his touch.
"Let go, Randall."
His jaw clenches and he exhales shifting his gaze.
"Just think about it," he says then sighs. "If you don't agree, Michael will make your life hell on earth. You can't trust him."
With that Randall lets go of my hand. My tongue weighs heavy in my mouth and I blink as he drives off into the distance. What the hell did I get myself into?
"You sneaky little bitch."
"Maddie!" I breathe out, with a hand on my chest as she flicks the light on. "What the hell?"
"I'm not the one sneaking into the house." She shrugs.
"I'm not sneaking anywhere." I tell her. My body aches and right now there is nothing I want more than to be alone.
A foam bath would go a long way too. s**t, I was supposed to buy that yesterday.
I groan and march to my room with Maddie hot on my tail. f**k my life.
"Randall Michaelson," she says as I fall face first on the bed. Her voice is accusing but something else is amiss. "I can't believe you. My brother in law."
I pull the pillows on my bed and snuggle one while I lay my head on the other.
My heart skips a beat when Maddie let's out a dramatic gasps. I close my eyes and wish I had noise cancelling headphones.
"Oh my God!" She shrieks. "That's why you've been acting so weird!"
"Madilyn not now." For Christ sake it's Sunday.
I feel my bed sink then she briefly rubs my back.
"Please talk to me."
"Maddie." I groan, pressing my face against the pillow.
"They are bad people Kira," she whispers. I feel her hot breath on my face. "They don't care about us."
I frown and when I open my eyes, there she is, all up in my face, practically hogging my pillow.
She plays with strands of my hair and I can't even get angry at her right now.
"I know." I say. "I should be telling you that."
She laughs, sitting up. "Well, I got engaged first."
"I got pregnant first." I laugh, but my smile breaks and my eyes sting a little. I shouldn't have said that.
"I can't believe I'm going to be a mom."
"Okay, no." I nod, laughing. I stand up from the bed. "An aunt. I'm the one who's pregnant."
"We could get married on the same day." Maddie suggests. "I can be your maid of honour."
Walking out of my bedroom, I laugh as Maddie follows me to the kitchen listing every single thing she wants.
Doves.
Swans
Or peacocks, she says.
"Maddie, how about we focus on now." I tell her with a shrug. "I'm not even sure I want to marry Randall."
She sits on a stool, her brown eyes big and bright as she plans her wedding. I can't help but smile.
"That's a lie." She says. "You don't want to bring a baby into a broken home."
I missed this, talking to my sister without guilt eating me up. Maddie twist and turns, following my every movement around the kitchen, and it remind me of our days back home.
I sigh. She's not wrong though.
But what's the worst that could come from a broken home?
Maddie and I grew up just fine -ish.
I smile thinking of Randall's offer. Shares in their company doesn't sound so bad.
Afterall, the only way out . . . is in.
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Steady, are you ready?
It's been too long, I don't even have a valid excuse for not updating. My deepest apologies for the mistakes in this chapter and for how long it is, I couldn't help it.
BUT I hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to follow and comment...
Thank you for reading!