Love Is Not A Fiction

Chapter 5

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I straightened up in my chair, squared my shoulders. Dad sat in the next one, between me and Cole. Questions swarmed and multiplied in my head, but I was silent. It's the men's turn to talk.

My father started talking about the business, about how precarious the position of the market is now, and what role the incident related to me played in this. Decided to openly tell everything. Either he insures himself in order to gain a big profit, or he warns Mr. Erton with whom he wants to connect his life. I sat quietly, absorbing every word. Something I didn't even know. For example, fresh news about Eddie's family and about himself.

She glanced at Cole secretly. He didn't look like my ex-fiance at all. He was of a strong build, but looked very young. Even the facial features were more feminine, and many girls liked it. An enviable groom with a significant inheritance and good looks. The man sitting opposite was completely different.

Well built, calm and focused. Strict, confident look. It seemed that he was not bothered by the injuries that were so conspicuous to those around him. His endurance was admirable.

“I can help buy your share from the Forst family. Or invest in a new business, if you already have ideas, Mr. Martin. You decide. The hype, rumors, gossip and newspaper publications will disappear. You will be able to fully restore your financial situation and even increase your funds in the first two months,” Mr. Erton said calmly.

Great prospects. Exactly what my family needs right now. I didn't see my dad's face, he turned to Cole. But if my opinion is taken into account, I already knew that I would respond to such an unexpectedly generous offer.

The men continued to discuss the details, possible prospects. I, as if spellbound, now watched the bright flame in the fireplace, noticing for myself the details of the conversation. The body seemed to be shackled by expectation and inevitability. I hardly moved, only once looked at Cole, and our eyes met for a moment. And almost immediately I turned back to the fire, feeling confusion, embarrassment and something else that stabbed right in the heart.

I still could hardly believe that soon I would have to say goodbye to my family and go to a complete stranger. I've known Eddie all my life, and I've seen Mr Erton for the first time in my life. And I got very angry. They say there is always a choice. Yes it is. But the price of choice may be too high, and I did not want my family to experience difficulties. Someone who, but the sisters did not deserve such a share.

“I have to leave today,” Cole suddenly said, and I realized that I was deep in thought and had lost the thread of the conversation. My man will take care of business. He will come to you tomorrow, and together you will develop an effective strategy so that all areas will be profitable as soon as possible.

Very nice. Well, dad, agree, why are you delaying? One could only dream of this. Get rid of the uncomfortable daughter, things will go uphill. So why are you silent?

Mr Erton. You describe bright, and, frankly, very pleasant opportunities, but…” Father’s voice trembled and I turned to him, surprised. Why do you need Amy? She is my daughter and I wish her only happiness. If you're up to something bad, we'd better stop talking right now. We need help, but not at this price.

There was a pause. A lump formed in his throat, and his eyes twitched treacherously. Here's how...

“I promise I won't hurt your daughter. Yes, I have reasons why she became the chosen one. But that doesn't mean anything bad.

- We need to think. How much time can you provide?

Cole looked at me, at my father. I flinched as a log cracked in the fireplace. The men did not move.

“I'm leaving here the day after tomorrow. And I probably won't be back. It would be ideal if everything is decided by this time. My man will prepare all the papers for marriage and all that remains is to sign. I will wait for your decision.

The massive door opened and Amisa appeared in the dining room. The girl carried a tray with tea, boiling water and mugs. She moved quickly and quietly. She nodded to me, her father, and when she turned to Mr. Erton, her eyes widened. The tray almost fell out of her hands, but she immediately grabbed it tighter. I quickly walked over to her, put a large round cup of hot water on the table. She lit a flattened candle under it to keep the water warm. She put a kettle next to her. The girl was staring at Cole. Her whole appearance—squinted eyes, pursed lips, tense back—reflected contempt and poorly concealed anger. I was very surprised by this change. We talked with the girl in the morning, and she seemed very friendly to me.

I handed the cup and cutlery to my father and poured out the tea. He was so occupied with his own thoughts that he did not notice the hitch. But our guest saw everything. Moreover, he did not even move under the angry gaze. He looked directly, but did not show any emotions.

When the tray was empty, I touched Amisa's hand. She twitched, and I was glad that the boiling water was already on the table, otherwise everyone would have been scalded.

"Amisa, are you all right?" I whispered, placing my hand on the girl's back.

She looked at me, blushed and lowered her head.

— I'm sorry, ma'am. Sorry! she murmured. - I can go?

- Yes, sure. And invite Katya,” I replied, watching her.

Amisa nodded, looked at Cole again, muttered something harsh under her breath, and literally ran out of the dining room. What a strange change. What is it with her?

“I beg your pardon, she was with us recently,” I stood up for the maid.

Col only nodded in response, taking the cup thoughtfully from my hands.¬

“I don’t know what came over her,” my father said sternly. So he noticed something. - I'll talk to her later. ¬¬¬Cole, explain. I take it you're planning to leave here with my daughter and not come back? But where will you live? Can we visit her?

I returned to the chair. What a strange meeting. The omissions, Cole's request, the reaction of the maid and the words about the move... I knew perfectly well when I came down here that everything was serious. That my fate and the future of my family will be decided here. But realizing this was not easy for me. It penetrated my head in jerks, rolled in waves of fear, pricked with sparks of hope for the best. Emotions let me down, maddened endurance fought against invisible rocks. What if I never see my family again? I will not return home even for a couple of days to relieve sadness and quench my thirst for a meeting? And if Mr. Erton decides to do something bad, who will help me? Nobody. I will be given into his hands and I must come to terms with this. Like many girls and women before me. Like many after. There is no place for love in such matters. Just a calculation.

I took a deep breath and carefully sipped the hot tea, focusing on the candle flame.

- Do not worry. Yes, it will take some time to get used to the new place. There is a slightly different climate. Warmer than here and the air is less humid. All year round summer. Perhaps we can stay here for a couple more days. And then, by spring, we can visit you if Amy wishes, I heard Cole's voice.

I hoped that where we were going, it would be good. And if Mr. Erton decides to treat me badly, I will run away from him and live alone. Somewhere. And there I will forget about Eddie, and about the man whose name is even disgusting to remember.

Perhaps I resigned myself too soon. Don't know. Now I'm worried about the maid's behavior. We need to find her and talk to her. Either her prophetic dreams, or her reaction to Mr. Erton. Something is wrong here. Even Katya is delayed. I'm sure the kitchen staff will be severely reprimanded by the owner of the house.

Finally, Katya entered with a tray on which baskets of fragrant pastries, jam, butter and honey were piled up. She put them on the table, gave a short nod, glanced briefly at her guest, and left. No emotions, restrained, calm.

The tea in my hands is already cold. Father and Cole talked business, occasionally pouring hot tea.

“Amy, you can go,” Dad suddenly said.

I silently set the cup down on the table. And really, let them decide their affairs without me. They have something to discuss.

“Good-bye, Mr. Erton,” I said goodbye when Cole got up too.

“Remember our conversation, Mrs. Martin,” he said softly, looking into my eyes.

I nodded and Cole kissed my hand again. After the hot drink, the touch of his lips on the cool skin felt scalding. I took a deep breath and quickly left the dining room. Once in the corridor and making sure that no one was around, she leaned her head against the cold stonework of the wall. My heart was beating loudly.