A Compromise Before Christmas

Chapter 14

Following their successful meeting, a week had passed since Acacia and Nikolaos had last seen each other. The rest of the arrangements were made over the phone, and through them, Acacia was informed that they would be traveling to Oia.

Though she felt rushed, Acacia knew that it was all part of Nikolaos' plan, and since she promised to follow his lead, she had no other choice but to. The preparations had already been made; all that was left was their departure.

In her room, Acacia folded her clothes and packed them into a small suitcase on her bed. She didn't know how long she'd be working with Nikolaos, but her hope was for a quick conclusion to avoid being apart from her family for too long.

As she thought about her family, Acacia wondered how her mother and sister would react to the sudden news of her being engaged. She had put off telling them because she was worried about how they would see her for accepting such a job offer.

Acacia confided in her younger sister about everything, for Violet had become distrustful and anxious because of the harmful lies their father had told them. So, filling her in on every major event in her life put her mind at ease.

While Acacia was in the middle of deeply contemplating how to tell her sister the news, her phone rang. Violet calling at that exact moment felt like a sign. Whether it was a good or bad sign, she was about to find out.

"Hello?"

"Acacia! Guess what?"

Violet's cheerful tone gave Acacia relief. It had been a while since she had heard her so happy.

"I don't know, but I'm guessing it's good news."

"And you're right. A couple wants to have their wedding at our lodge."

Acacia froze for a second. A wedding, being their first conversation when she still hadn't told Violet about her fake engagement, felt like a sick joke from the universe.

"Really?" she faked an enthusiastic response. "That's so exciting."

"I know, right? I didn't expect it."

"How did it happen?"

"I was just working at the reception one day, and a couple came up to me and asked if we hosted weddings. We've never done one before, but I told them we could start specifically for them. They were so happy."

"They weren't bothered that we have no experience in hosting weddings?"

"Nope, besides, all we're doing is renting out our lodge for their wedding. All the planning will be their issue."

"I see. Well, that's a relief. At least you won't have to do much work."

"Not exactly. I still have to make sure that the lodge looks presentable. I also have to keep Sofia and her brothers away, which is going to be difficult because they've been coming around often."

Acacia sighed. She was tired of hearing the same problems from the same people.

"We need to lock them in the basement. That's the only way we'll ever be free from them."

"Don't give me ideas. Anyway, if I can keep the wedding a secret, I can also keep the profits a secret. They don't need to know a single thing.

"Speaking of, how good is the profit?"

"If I manage it right, I think I'll be able to clear one of the smaller debts and fix the water problem."

"There's a water problem? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Mom said I shouldn't, and I agreed. You're already doing too much; let us handle the lodge, okay?"

Though Acacia was grateful for her family looking out for her, she still did not like the fact that more problems were arising in her absence.

"I'll let this slide, but only this time. In the future, if there are any more issues with the lodge, please tell me."

"I just hope that in that future we'll have the money to solve said issues."

"I do, too."

Acacia's call with Violet gave her the chance to spill the beans, but her nerves were holding her back. If she couldn't tell her then, it would be a mess if she found out later, and through the tabloids instead of her.

"Violet?"

"Yeah?"

"I have something to tell you."

"What? You know I don't like it when you have this tone?"

"I know, it's just... this is a serious matter, so I need you to pay attention, okay?"

"Okay"

Acacia took several deep breaths to prepare herself for the conversation.

"I'm travelling to Oia for business."

"Oia?! What kind of business do you have there?"

"It's a very important one, and I'm sure it's going to solve all our problems. Well, maybe not all, but a good portion of them."

"Okay. So, what's the serious matter?"

The moment of truth was upon her. Acacia could physically feel her heart drumming against her chest.

"The business I'm doing is a bit messy, but I promise it'll all be worth it."

Violet did not respond, which made Acacia's heart beat even faster.

"Violet? Talk to me, please."

"Acacia, if you're into something illegal-"

"It's not illegal, I swear."

"Then what do you mean by 'messy'?"

"It's... It's just not morally right, but it's okay."

"Acacia!"

"I need you to trust me, Violet. I promise I'll explain everything to you soon, but right now, when you hear some things, I just need you to trust me."

Acacia's vagueness wasn't helping her case, but there was nothing else she could do because she had ultimately failed to tell her sister the truth.

"I don't like this one bit," Violet spoke, "but I'm going to trust you because you're my sister."

"Thanks, Violet."

"But you have to promise that you aren't in any trouble."

"I'm not in trouble; I'm fine."

"If you say so."

Acacia felt disheartened by how her call with her sister had ended, especially since it had started on a wonderful note. She only hoped that she could explain herself when the time came to tell her the truth.

***

Almost immediately after her call with Violet had ended, Nikolaos called Acacia to inform her that a car was on its way to pick her up.

The vehicle drove her to the airport, where a private jet was waiting for her. Getting picked up by a chauffeur was already a luxury that she had never experienced before. Flying in a private jet was a dream she'd never dared to imagine.

The inside of the aircraft left Acacia in awe. Its black leather seats were even better than the sofas in her house. Nikolaos, who sat by a window, fit in seamlessly. In fact, the fancy suit he had on matched the interior of the private jet.

"Good morning, did you enjoy your ride here?" Nikolaos greeted energetically.

"It was great, thanks."

Acacia took a seat across from him and looked out the window.

"So, this is what it feels like to have an entire plane to yourself."

"Do you like it? It's courtesy of my grandmother."

"It's lovely, but... I feel a little out of place."

"It's just an over-glorified plane. Think of it as just another mode of transportation."

"Easy for you to say."

As the plane prepared for takeoff, Acacia continued to look out the window. An unsettling emptiness in her chest lingered after her conversation with Violet.

"We've barely even lifted off the ground, and you're already sad," Nikolaos' comment dragged her attention away from the window and to him.

"I'm not sad, I'm stressed." She corrected.

"What about this time?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

Nikolaos scoffed.

"There you go again."

"What?"

"Why are you so stingy with your problems? I promise you no one is going to steal them from you."

Acacia couldn't help but giggle at Nikolaos' silly question.

"Good. Now, won't you tell me what's got you so down? We have almost an hour on this jet; it would be a shame if we spent it in silence."

As annoying as his persistence was, Acacia still wasn't immune to it. It was like his superpower, being able to lower her walls.

"I'm just thinking about my sister."

"Did something happen to her?"

"No, I'm just worried about how she's going to look at me when she finds out what I'm doing."

"You didn't tell her?"

"I couldn't. Violet is a very anxious girl; if I had told her, she would have been a mess."

Nikolaos tapped his finger on the table.

Are you afraid she might be disappointed in you?

Acacia looked intently at Nikolaos.

"Yeah, I guess so."

Acacia had a painful realization. Just because she was doing it for her family did not mean they wouldn't still be disappointed when they found out.