Arranged Alliance

You Were the Problem

Third Person

David walked out of the restaurant, running his hand through his face. Lucy and Sana had gone home. He leaned back in his car and almost slapped himself. How could he? How could he raise a hand to her? Why isn't his hand cut before it happens? He ran his hand through his hair and slammed the car with his hand.

"Now are you going to slam things?" David wiped his red eyes and looked behind. There she was in a white palazzo and green silk top; her hair was curled and came to her shoulders. She looked beautiful, but not to David. For him she was a bully, for him she was a villain, for him she was a character in his story that can never see him happy. At that moment, David wanted to do only one thing, only grasp the woman's collar and strangle her until she begged her to be alive, but he wouldn't listen to her begging.

"Don't act like you don't know anything," David said. His bloody eyes glared at her. "If you both hadn't come lives in our lives this would never have happened." He said, throwing his arms around her. She scoffed, looking away, "You won't admit it, but it's all you." He pointed towards her. "You were the problem." He breathed heavily; Elizabeth also glared at him. "In the past, present and whatever is waiting in future, it's all you." He pointed towards her, breathing heavily, "You."

He hated her.

She hated him more.

And that's how their war began. He just glared at her and she just looked at him, smirking. There was some distant voice saying 'mom'. Both of their eyes locked, then David went to his car and Elizabeth went to her car.

He went left.

She went right.

He was crying.

She was laughing.

He was disappointed.

She was happy.

And that's how they were different from each other. Just like David is different from Sana and James is different from Elizabeth.

They can never be the same. Never.

Nora Duke

I was sitting on my seat, my right hand in clothes that came from Nicholas' pocket. We were sitting around the table in the usual sweat, only James was sitting beside me. I was just staring at the glass; James ordered it. By means the last one was shattered. I sighed and dropped my head back, staring at the ceiling. My left hand dangling from the other side. Seth was typing on his phone, as his click, click rang in my ear. Nicholas was staring at my hand; James was staring at the painting.

"Should I be on my way home?" I asked. I don't know who I asked. From myself or them. Seth gave me a curious glance, then at Nicholas and James. I looked at him and pointed at him, "When did that happen?" I asked. He was offended by that.

"What do you mean when I was happening?" I ignored him and looked at James, raising my eyebrows. James smiled, I tilted my head toward him, "Why are you laughing?" He ruffled my hair.

"Why didn't you contact me?" He asked. I looked away.

"I didn't know your number," I mumbled.

"What about Nicholas?" I gave Nicholas a glance and he met my eyes. I made eye contact. He did too.

"I don't know," I said, and honestly, I don't know. I don't know why I didn't call him. Maybe it was because he was a stranger, maybe I didn't know him, maybe Sana got to know my plan, maybe I didn't plan. Maybe or maybe I don't want to. "I should be going." I

he announced, standing up.

"Are you sure?" James asked, standing up with me, "Nico can drop you." He suggested. I smiled and shook my head.

"No need. I have my driver." I said and headed to the door. "Goodnight," I said, waving my back at them.

"You too and take care." James said. "If anything happens, call me." I didn't answer him because he knew pretty dam well if anything happened, I wouldn't do it.

________________________________

I was home but I didn't get out of the car. I didn't want to, but I had to. My whole life there was nothing that I wanted, there was always what I had to do. What is better for my family reputation, for my reputation? I had my head leaning on the car seat. I sent the driver because I didn't know when I would be in. It was almost past midnight. I sighed and opened the door, climbed out of the car and went into the house that was never my Home.

The lights were off so I went straight to my room. My room lights were on. I felt weird but the door was still open. There he was sitting on my bed with my favorite drink. I leaned on my door, staring at him. He was looking out of the balcony, looking at the moon. I know what he is going through is rough. But it was his choice to choose Sana over me and mom. It was always his. No matter what excuse or explanation he gave me, it was all his fault. I exhaled loudly and went in.

"Dad." I greeted him, throwing my purse on the sofa and getting out of my jacket. He looked at me and I saw what he was going through. His eyes were wet and red from crying and his face was drenched in tears. His body looked wasted, he looked devasted. He wiped his eyes but I didn't get close to him. He had to regret it when he slapped me in front of James, Elizabeth, Seth and Nicholas. "What are you doing here?" I asked coldly, climbing out of my heels.

"I am sorry." The first words came from his mouth. I stopped midway while taking off my heels. I turned towards him and I never saw a child want to see in his parents' eyes. Vulnerable. "I am sorry dear. I am sorry for everything." He got on his knees and I was standing there frozen. "For all the nights you were fearing your demons and I was out all night. For all the days when you need me most. For all those years, I left you alone. For the times when I hit you. For the seconds when you feel that you have no one. I am sorry for all that, Nora." He said, crying, and when the salty wet taste got into my mouth, I realized that I was also tearing, not crying. I wiped away and wiped my eyes and grabbed him by the shoulder. He was drunk.

"Dad, you have to get to sleep. Get up now." I made him get up and left him in his room. I laid him on the bed and tucked him under the blanket. Getting into my room, I shut the door and locked it. Leaning back, I put a hand on my mouth and cried silently, crouching down. I leaned my head on the door and didn't make a noise. Pulling myself together, I went to the bathroom and stripped off my clothes and went in the cold shower.

I went out of the shower in the night gown that came to mid-thigh and sleeve less. There were scars on my legs along the backs of my knees. There were also scars on my arm from whipping. On my chest, arms, stomach, legs -only back of knee- there were cuts, scars, marks of knives, whipping and slaps.

I lay on the bed, tucking myself into a comforter and remembering what James said, that one day it would come true. That one day I will not be here to bear these beatings, both emotionally and physically. From this I went into a deep slumber.