The Promise
898 Words
The days settled into a routine.
Liora worked at the Ashford Heritage Foundation during the day.
Evenings were spent at Ashford Manor.
Sometimes she and Caelan had dinner together.
Sometimes he worked late in the library.
Sometimes they barely exchanged more than a few words before saying goodnight.
It wasn't what she'd imagined marriage would be.
Oddly enough...
She didn't dislike it.
---
One Friday afternoon, Mara stopped by Liora's office.
"Mrs. Ashford?"
Liora looked up from a set of restoration drawings.
"I have a request from Mr. Ashford."
"Oh?"
"He'd like to know if you're free tomorrow."
Liora blinked.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Is this work?"
Mara's lips curved ever so slightly.
"I wasn't told."
---
The next morning...
Liora came downstairs expecting another meeting.
Instead, she found Caelan waiting by the front door.
No briefcase.
No laptop.
Just a dark navy coat and a pair of driving gloves.
She raised an eyebrow.
"You look suspiciously relaxed."
"So I've been told."
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
She folded her arms.
"I don't like surprises."
"I've noticed."
"But..."
He opened the front door for her.
"...I think you'll like this one."
---
Nearly an hour later...
The car stopped beside a quiet lake surrounded by towering pine trees.
There were no tourists.
No photographers.
Just the sound of wind moving through the trees.
Liora looked around.
"It's beautiful."
"I come here when I need to think."
She turned toward him.
"You've never brought anyone here before, have you?"
A quiet smile crossed his face.
"No."
They walked slowly along the water's edge.
Neither of them seemed in a hurry to speak.
Eventually, Liora broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You usually do."
She laughed.
"Why did you really choose me?"
He looked out across the lake.
"I've been thinking about that question."
"You needed time?"
"I wanted the right words."
She waited patiently.
"When I first learned about your work..."
He picked up a small stone and skipped it across the water.
"...I expected to meet someone ambitious."
"You did."
"I did."
"But I also met someone kind."
She looked at him quietly.
"I read every report."
"You've said that."
"They all praised your skill."
He smiled faintly.
"But the people who worked with you praised something else."
"What?"
"You."
She frowned.
"They said you remembered every worker's name."
"They said you stayed late to help clean after projects."
"They said you listened more than you spoke."
He looked at her.
"In my experience..."
"...kindness is much rarer than talent."
Liora felt her cheeks grow warm.
"No one's ever described me like that before."
"They should."
She looked away, embarrassed.
"You're making this difficult."
"I apologize."
"No..."
A smile escaped her.
"I don't think you do."
For the first time...
He laughed without restraint.
The sound surprised even him.
---
As they continued walking, they reached a small wooden dock.
A tiny boathouse stood nearby.
Caelan unlocked the door.
Inside was an old rowboat.
"You row?"
"I enjoy it."
"You have a hidden talent."
"I have several."
She smiled.
"I'll believe that when I see them."
They spent the next hour drifting quietly across the lake.
Talking.
Not about work.
Not about contracts.
Not about the marriage.
They talked about childhood dreams.
Favorite books.
Music.
Places they wanted to visit.
For the first time...
Liora forgot she was speaking to one of the wealthiest men in the country.
She was simply spending time with someone whose company she genuinely enjoyed.
---
As the afternoon wore on, clouds began gathering again.
"We should head back."
She looked up.
"Rain?"
"I think so."
They had almost reached the car when the first drops began to fall.
Liora laughed.
"You always seem to predict the weather."
"I've had a lot of practice."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"Don't tell me you're secretly a meteorologist."
"I assure you..."
A smile appeared.
"...I'm not."
---
That evening...
Back at Ashford Manor, they sat in the library with cups of tea.
Neither of them opened a book.
The silence felt comfortable now.
Liora finally spoke.
"I don't regret marrying you."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Caelan looked at her.
She quickly added,
"I know we barely know each other."
"And this arrangement is... unusual."
"But..."
She smiled softly.
"I'm glad it was you."
He was silent for several seconds.
Then he placed his teacup down.
"Liora."
"Yes?"
"I made you one promise."
She nodded.
"You did."
"I'd like to make another."
She waited.
"No matter what happens..."
His voice was quiet.
"...I will never knowingly put you in harm's way."
She frowned slightly.
"That's an oddly specific promise."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I prefer specific promises."
She reached across the table.
Not thinking.
Just acting.
Her fingers rested lightly over his hand.
"Then I'll make you one."
He looked down at their hands.
"I'll listen."
"I won't stop trying to understand you."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them moved.
Then Caelan turned his hand over...
Gently intertwining his fingers with hers.
Not because the contract required it.
Not because anyone was watching.
Simply because...
He wanted to.
Outside...
Rain began falling softly against the windows.
Inside...
For the first time since their wedding...
Ashford Manor no longer felt like a house occupied by two strangers.
It felt like the beginning of a home.
- Writer
