Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 15 Resign

Chapter 15 Resign

I Finally arrived home and put my plan into action. Paul went home and was going to meet with me first thing in the morning. I texted Collin I was home safe and he immediately replied with a kiss emoji and lots of hearts. I love how cheesy we could be together. 

I got to my condo and didn’t bother unpacking. In fact I had more to pack. I finished packing the necessary and left them at the front door for my security team or Paul to pick up. I finally went to bed and fell to the darkness of sleep. I am ready for battle tomorrow. 

I woke up and took a quick shower and got ready in my black pants suit with my black pointed heels. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and was ready to take on the world. I took my car and left for my office. 

When I entered my floor Paul was there looking fresh and ready for what lies ahead. His confidence put me at ease. I approached my office door and before I went in I turned and asked Paul. “Are we ready?” I said in a serious tone. 

“We are ALL GO. Everything is in place.” He said with a salute and I smiled and nodded. I went and sat behind my desk and there was the folder right on top of my desk with my letter of resignation ready for me to sign. I signed and dated it. Next was another folder with my partial business plan. I was in the process of working out a proposal for my fathers friend’s golf courses that could help. So I am leaving all the work I did in his hands. Paul came in with my morning coffee and took the folder with my letter to go get copies and send them to the proper authorities and one for my attorney. He also gave me a stack of the latest reports. 

“I will be back with the original for you to meet with your father. I already called his secretary for an appointment to speak with you. You got this girl. I have your back.” He said and then hurried away knowing that time is of the essence. I sat there with the new reports and signed off on a few things. I then looked through my office to make sure I don’t have anything important laying around. Paul came in with the folder and I took my business plan folder and finally had what I needed to talk with my father and immediately departed. I was not going to wait another second to stay here when My life had already uprooted to where Collin lives. 

I walked with confidence, I was a woman on a mission. My heart was on the line and I am going to fight. I entered my Father’s floor and went straight to his secretary motioned for me to enter and I did. I walked in and took a seat in front of his desk. He was reading a folder and then put it down. 

“Hey baby girl, How was London? Managed to network enough?” He said. 

“It was great and boring at the same time. I have made some notes to a few things that can help the company. I already made my reports and sent them to the heads of the departments to further investigate.” I said and he nodded in approval. 

“Very good. That is why you are the best, my dear girl. Now are you ready and settled in Dublin. Your mother and I are planning to head up early to help with your betrothal.” He asked and that was my que. 

“I am a father. My new temporary place is set up and ready. But Father, I am afraid that I can no longer go through with the arrangement.” I said and that is when I saw his smile turn into a thin line and his eyes glaring at me. 

“So you're telling me you want to back out. Back out of an arrangement that we have had in place for close to a year.” He said with a huff. I was scared of his reaction. I sat there frozen in fear. Last time he looked like this was the day he told me about the arrangement. But this time he looks a lot worse. “Now Aria, before I lose my temper I would like to know why you are backing out now this late in the game?” 

“I met someone.” I said in a low tone. I felt like I was a child again being scolded. 

“You met someone.” He repeated. Then he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he hunched over his chair and was trying to wipe the tears falling down his cheeks. When he finally calmed he looked straight into my eye and I saw something that struck more fear into me. 

“My dear, you can not back out now. I am sorry, but you are going to break up with him. This arrangement is going through as planned.” He said. That is when I finally came out of my fear shell and my anger arose. He can not demand me to do this. This is my life and happiness on the line. 

“You can not force me to marry someone I do not love!” I said and stood up. I tossed the folders on his desk. “By contract this arrangement was to be accepted by both parties. I do not accept it. In doing so I relinquish my birthright and all ties to the Winters family and trust. You can not make me go through with this. I am an adult and you have no authority over me.” I stated. He read over my letter of resignation and my business plan notes. “As you can see this is the last of my work. Do what you will with them. Goodbye father. I’ll let you know when my wedding is.” I said knowing that the man waiting for me will marry me one day. I turned to exit but four big security men came into the office and blocked my way. I turned and glared at my father. 

“Aria Winters. I do not accept your resignation, I do not accept your withdrawal from this arrangement. You will marry into the O’Donnells and that is final. Now follow these men and wait for me at home. Your mother will be waiting for you and we are going to go straight to the O’Donnells in the morning.” He demanded. I looked at him with tears in my eyes. He was not going to let me go. I never really had freedom. I was only ever a bargaining chip for him. 

“Father...Please don’t do this.” I said. Finally letting a tear fall from my eyes. 

“It is what is best for the family and the company.” He started and I turned away from him. The security guards followed me out and back to my office. I held my head down low as I was shielded from the world by these bulky men. I walked to Paul and he saw the state I was in. I nodded slightly. 

“Paul, I am heading to my parents. These men are escorting me there. Please rearrange my schedule. I am leaving for Dublin with them tomorrow morning.” I said and then walked into my office and grabbed my purse. The guards are watching me like a hawk. They escorted me out of the building into an SUV, and drove to my parents house. I am sure by now Paul has informed everyone and they are ready to rescue me in Dublin. Maybe I could sneak out of my parents early and leave without them. 

We get to my parents house and I am being escorted in. My mother was waiting for me at the entrance. She hugged me and I stiffened and just patted her back. 

“I am sorry that we have to do it this way, but you have to know that it is what’s best. For everyone.” She said and I refused to believe that. 

“Best for me or best for you and the company. I am going into my room.” I stormed up. I slammed the door behind me when I finally got to my old room. I took out my cell phone and called Collin. I was pacing the floor now. 

“Aria, are you alright? Paul warned us. What happened?” Collin said frantically. 

“Father didn’t take my news well at all. Even when I turned in my resignation and final works He dismissed it and had four guards escort me out and back to my parents home.” I said and then broke down crying. “My parents have me trapped here Collin. I am flying with them straight to my betrothed to start the process. I can’t Collin. I can’t lose you.” I said 

“You won’t lose me my dove. I love you and I am going to come and get you.” He said and before I could say anything back My father stormed in and caught me. He looked like he was ready to murder. He came to me and I screamed. 

“Father, Don’t, please.” I said, he snatched the phone out of my hand and slapped me hard across the face causing me to fall on the floor. I cupped my cheek feeling it sting. I also tasted blood in my mouth.

“If this is the boyfriend I hope you said your goodbyes because you will never see her again.” My father said through the phone and hung up. “Aria you are now disconnected from the world and if you try to escape I will have to drug you and drag you to Ireland. Now behave and fix your face.” He said and told his guards to collect all the electronics and take them out. I heard them lock my door behind them. I fell on my bed and cried my heart out. I just became Rapunzel, trapped in my tower hoping that my knight would come rescue me. 

I don’t know how long it had been but my mother came in and said lunch was ready. I did not move or acknowledge her. She eventually left and sometime later I heard my mother come in again. I heard her put a tray down on my nightstand. She sat next to me and rubbed my back. 

“Aria, you missed Lunch and I brought your dinner up. Please eat something sweetheart. This really isn’t as bad as it seems. Your father had some important business to attend to and we are postponing our leave for a couple of days. You are to stay here in the meantime.” She said and I didn’t acknowledge her. I pretended that I was asleep and just ignored her. My friends and Paul would notice me missing after a couple of days. She left and locked the door behind her. I got up and looked at the food and still didn’t have an appetite. I decided to take a shower and finally see what kind of damage my father did to my face. I grabbed my leggings and a long shirt and went to take a shower. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a huge bruise on my cheek and a split lip. Fix my face...right. I can’t fix this unless I put a ridiculous amount of make-up on. No way. I would rather show how cruel my parents are to my in-laws. Maybe they can stop this stupid arrangement themselves. 

The next two days I spent in my room, Crying and sleeping. I didn’t eat or talk to anyone. I closed myself off of the world. Right now I felt like withering away because no matter how hard Collin or my friends try they can not help me. I got up at dusk today and looked out my window. I noticed that today there weren’t any guards at the south exit. For a second I had a glimmer of hope. This might be my only chance to make a run for it.

I opened my room window and climbed down the terrace. I hopped down to the ground and finally made a dash to the south gate exit. I was not going to stop running until I got to a bus or train. I heard shouting right behind me but that just made me run faster. That was until I felt a pinch and sting behind my neck. I went to scratch and grab whatever hit me and it was a dart. A f*****g tranquilizer dart. Seconds later I collapse and let the darkness consume me.