Hearts Under Contract

The late summer sun gave New York City a golden hue, stretching out shadows between giant skyscrapers. Jane Smith strode down the bustling streets of Manhattan as though her mind was as crammed with stuff as the sidewalks that bustled about her. Clanging street vendors and humming traffic blended into some symphony of city life. Jane held onto her leather briefcase tight but took little notice of the clamour since her mind was preoccupied with the coming meeting at her modest office in the Financial District. And yet, the skyscrapers loomed overhead in such glass-faced fronts, reflecting the radiant sun and limitless sky. They seemed a world away from Jane's apartment, a small, cozy unit deep in the heart of a brownstone. Her daily routine sent aftershocks of predictability throughout the rest of her life: early rising, coffee from the corner shop, off to the office—to her junior financial analyst job. Comforting in its predictability, stifling in its monotony. Jane grew up in the city, and now the city is both her sanctuary and her prison. Her apartment was a small, one-bedroom unit on the fourth floor of a brownstone on the Upper West Side. It was tiny, but it was hers. There were volumes of books she had gathered over the years, plants tenderly looked after, and the scent of fresh coffee hanging in the air. The air in the high-rise office building was cooler, the noise muffled. Jane worked in one small and cluttered space, as opposed to these shiny corporate offices. She sighed enough to see her breath vapor against the back of her hand. It was nearly time for that 3 PM meeting with a potential client, which would be little more than a boring chore that periodically worked her wonder. Finacial reports checked off, client files labelled: she worked hard. She got out of the room to put her table in order and prepare her notes when a message buzzed on her phone. It was her older sister, Josephine. She hardly messaged unless something very important came up. The message stated, "Mom and Dad want to talk to us tonight. Urgent. Please come home." She frowned with increasing anxiety. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, her parents, had a dangerous tendency to school their faces into calm, so calling a family meeting practically out of the blue had Jane worried something was going awry. "Something feels off." The message was simple, but it had the weight of cement in Jane's stomach. They rarely asked for the kind of urgency she felt, and she was beginning to think something had gone wrong. The day stretched on, and Jane's thoughts clung to the upcoming conversation set to occur that night. She gazed through her office window into the city down below, her thoughts dwelling on her siblings. There was Josephine, her elder sister, who was a married woman with a kid of her own. Then, there was Joseph, a college student brimming with so much at the mouth like most college students do- he was next after Jane. And lastly, there was James, the baby of the family, a mere high school student, whose future was not so clear yet carried vast potentials. Josephine had always been responsible. She had fallen into marriage right after college and domesticity. Her husband, David, worked in finance and was a good man. Her daughter, Lily, was bright and curious. Josephine's life looked perfect from the outside, but Jane knew it came with its own set of challenges. Joseph was the dreamer of the family and had been full of ideas and aspirations throughout his life. He was currently an architecture major at NYU. James was still in high school, confused about where he was going in life—but with an emerging love for technology and creativity. When it was finally 5:00, she picked her stuff up and took the subway to her family's humble apartment on the Upper West Side. By the time she emerged from the subway, the sun had already gone below the horizon, leaving the city bathed in twilight. When Jane entered the apartment, she was swept by the aromatic welcome of her mother's cooking: roast chicken and freshly baked bread. Her father, Mr. Smith, was already at the dinner table, as well as her siblings—Josephine, Joseph, James—all with visibly inquiring eyes of curiosity and concern. The apartment was simple but homey. An overstuffed couch ruled the living room, as did an old wooden coffee table with its better days behind. Family photographs: holidays, graduations, casual get-togethers adorned the walls. The smell of roasted vegetables and fresh bread wafted through the air, creating an almost surreal juxtaposition to the tension in the room. Jane was trying to smother more and more anxiety, so she ran headlong into trivial talk. The chat did not ring quite true; every statement and question seemed laced with the unsaid and the heavy burden of the evening ahead. Her father, Mr. Smith, a man with average height and a soft nature, cleared his throat and put down the fork to indicate that from now on, the real talking was to commence. His grey hair was neatly combed; his glasses had lowered to the middle of his nose. Behind those warm eyes, there was a hint of seriousness in them now. His nature, which was so easygoing on other days, sent shivers down her spine. "Jane," Mr. Smith started, steady but his voice modulated with some amount of nervousness, "your mother has and I a sensitivity to discuss—concerning your future." Jane's heart did a little hop, skip. "What's going on?" Her mother, Mrs. Smith—tiny in stature, with a broad smile and a pair of friendly eyes—inhales deeply. "We've been thinking about your future, and how possibly it may be in your best interests if you. explore a new opportunity." Jane's head was beginning to spin in circles. "How?" Both parents could not answer before Josephine, hitherto silent, opened her mouth, measuring each word to equal her ponderings. "We have been in contact with a very influential family, darling. They are well—respected and of great esteem in wealth. They have suggested marriage for you." "Marriage? You've got to be kidding." blurted Jane. Her father nodded gravely. "Well, it would be an arranged marriage, but then again, with the benefits, it would be a marriage that would do you wonders. The family is of great standing and you would avail many opportunities." Jane's brain was running so fast as she asked, "And who might that be?" Her mom gave her a folder. "His name is Mount—Mount Ravenscroft. He's a billionaire entrepreneur, so—" Jane gasped. "Mount Ravenscroft? The Mount Ravenscroft?" That's right," said Mr. Smith. "It's a good opportunity for you, Jane. This would be a big match, big responsibility." Jane looked at the folder, her mind so suffocated. Marrying a billionaire was an overwhelming thought, a mind-boggling decision. Life with luxury against her dreams and independence did not seem that convincing. She had thought of her future to be hers and not through some kind of deal. It was cut short by her mother. "We know this has been a lot to take in. We want what is best for you. Just think of this as a chance to secure your future. Jane looked around at the hopeful expressions on her family's faces and felt a spark of frustration. She wanted to carve a life for herself not tangled in the obligations of a life left wealthy by an arranged marriage. But she saw it in her parents and siblings: from her father, the determination that had steered the family with firm resolve; from her mother, the compassion that knitted in a warm blanket, close with love and comfort. Josephine placed her other hand over Jane's. "I know it's a bit sudden, but just mull it over; you really have time to think big on this one." James had been quiet; he finally spoke. "I think it's amazing, Jane—an opportunity. But I understand if you need time. Emotions swirled in Jane, and she nodded. The weight of family expectations shone brightly on her. She wanted to be supportive but was torn between her personal dreams and the potential benefits of this arrangement in marriage. Finally, the silence was broken by the sound of her father's voice. "We just want you to take it into consideration. We don't take this lightly." The evening concluded with an agreement to consider, at the very least, the offer. Jane walked out of the apartment that night with the load of her family's expectations burdening her heavily and her dreams burdening her even more. The city sparkled around her but seemed distant, almost cold, as she coped with the realization that her life could very well turn into something she never even fathomed. As Jane walked through the city streets, she was at a crossroads. The familiar sight of the New York City skyline, its bright lights and dynamic energy, seemed to belittle her confusion. To the faraway sirens, whispering in street voices, she spoke their marked contrast to the turmoil within her. She stopped at a bench that gave her some solace in the quiet. Very little of the serenity of the city at night was helpful to her on the bench, staring across glittering lights on the skyline now. Her hand, with the folder on it, felt heavier than it ever was. Her thoughts turned toward Mount Ravenscroft, an enigmatic billionaire whose world was so different from her own. The folder had a shiny brochure that explained the achievements of Mount Ravenscroft and his family's history. Ravenscroft was a name of power and influence. Mount Ravenscroft was a name that demanded and commanded respect in the business world. He was mentioned whenever philanthropy was the theme and whenever the tech industry was discussed in any field. Jane's mind went into a roller coaster of disbelief as she tried to place the image of the powerful and kind billionaire with the life she had lived and always dreamt of. Her phone buzzed again; it was her best friend, Wan. "Hey, just checking in. Everything ok?" The small, simple message cast a small, comforting smile on Jane's face. He had been a stalwart friend, one who always stuck with her, giving comfort and a listening ear. Jane's text in response was: "I'll explain everything tomorrow. Thank you for calling," and indeed she needed some time to digest everything before sharing it with Wan. Wan had always been her rock when in need of a listening ear and sage advice, especially when Jane found herself in complex or emotional situations. As she gathered her wits and found her way back to her apartment, the city lights lit up the sky like distant stars onto a black canvas. Jane was a confusion of thoughts clustered together: fear, excitement, and confusion. The offer from the family seemed to be a dream, a life of luxury and comfort, but behind a heavy price. Independence was her most cherished possession; to barter that for a marriage arranged by others was almost unbearable. In her apartment, Jane sank back into her shabby armchair, the fabric familiar and gently soothing to the feel as she sat back against it. She set the file down on the coffee table, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to try and still the tempest inside. The small room was snug—shelves covered with books against the wall, a small kitchen area, and a window from which she could view the teeming streets below. Her sanctuary now felt suddenly too small, as if it no longer could contain the horror of her thoughts swirling through her head. She picked up the folder and leafed through its contents again. Those glossy photos of Mount Ravenscroft's sleek, debonair smile and the affluent life he led now disconcerted her to the core. Therein lay the stark contrast to her own modest life. However, leaned more about him, alienation became greater. That world could not have insulated her from being very surreal. The clock ticked away, and the thoughts turned into work. Jane had always been a hardworking, ambitious lady, ever trying for success on her own terms. Her job at the financial firm had never been glamorous, but to her, it really gave a good sense of accomplishment and purpose. To give that up for a life of luxury seemed so much like a betrayal of her ambitions. The following morning, Jane awoke with a heavy heart. Her family's proposal weighed in her mind. She felt the burden-of having a decision that would have her life forever. She sent a text to Wan to meet again. Wan had been a college friend, a Japan-based expatriate who, through grace, had in some way found her own place in the city. Their friendship was Jane's major strength, and she felt she just had to ask Wan for her opinion. They agreed to meet at their favourite café later in the day, a small but peaceful place in the East Village that served a good cup of coffee. Jane arrived very early with the hopes of settling her mind down a bit with such tranquil surroundings. Maneuvering through the chatting clientele and the prevailing smell of brewing coffee, she chose the busiest place open, a small table towards the back. She hoped to bask in a lull of quiet before Wan arrived. As soon as she entered, Wan locked eyes with Jane. She walked over to Jane with her very characteristic smile and energetic presence. "Hey, Jane! You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders." Jane managed a weak smile. "You could say that. I've got a lot on my mind. As the girls dropped onto their seats, Jane described in minute detail what had occurred the night before. Her voice only shaking on rare occasion, Wan listened as Jane recounted her family's idea of HER and how it left her feeling confused, and doubted. Wan sipped from her coffee and eyed Jane solemnly. "That's a big one, Jane. I can understand why you're losing it right now. But you have to realize, it's your life. You got to do what's gonna be the best for you." Jane sighed. "You know, this really is just too good an offer. But it really is not the way I'd envisioned myself going. I've worked so hard to build out this own path of mine, and for it to all apparently come down to throwing it all away is really dispiriting. Wan leaned in, taking hold of Jane's other hand from across the table. "Some of the most difficult decisions require the highest levels of courage. You got to figure out what makes you happy inside. And remember, you're not alone in this. I'll be there for you, no matter what. Jane's relieved wave washed over her. Exactly what she needed: the support from Wan. "Thank you, Wan. I don't know what I'd do without you." Wan smiled. "That's what friends are for. And whatever you decide, I know you'll make the right choice. As their conversation wound down, why, Jane was a lot more centered. She knew she had much to think about, but at least now, matters were fresh as a daisy for her reflection. Exiting the café onto the boulevard, she felt refreshed without a sense of new things to make an effort. The road ahead was certainly a challenge, but she was prepared to meet it. The rest of the day was an activity whirl. Jane would make attempts to concentrate on her work, but her mind kept pulling her back to the proposal. She kept daydreaming of saying 'yes' to the deal and wondered what her life might look like: luxury apartments, high-powered events, and a life of ease. But then she had immediately been dashed into thinking about her dreams and desires for herself, her career that she had fought to build so hard, and self-reliance. Jane returned to her apartment that evening and settled by the folder where she spread the brochure and the attached documents. She read off with the brochure, thought of what life would be with Mount Ravenscroft her thoughts are broken by a sound of a knock on the door it is Wan who is here to give his company and a shoulder for her to lean on. "I figured you've needed a distraction," Wan smiled as she walked in. "Also, be a darling and bring takeout; let's have a little dinner and talk more if you're up for it." A wide smile broke out on Jane's face. "Sounds absolutely perfect." They spent the rest of the time wordy and dining, all of which time Wan said things that made Jane laugh. The time with her friend saw her ease a little from the t*****e of the decision in front of her. Come night time, Jane was feeling that she had landed some distance far. She knew that she still had a long way to go in her decision, but she felt more confident that she could now find a way to tackle the obstacles in the path. Just like that, Wan was gone, and Jane remained alone in her apartment, sitting with her thoughts after this long day. The lights of the city flickering from her window were quite star-like and reflected against her room, giving it a warm glow. Jane felt restored with clarity. She was going to make the best decision for herself, not what was expected of her. The woman picked up her journal, opened it, and started to write down the thoughts and feelings that she had. Her writing put some kind of order in her thoughts, which made her realize deeply hidden innermost desires or fears. She realized that while she wrote, whatever decision she would come to was on account of her own values and dreams.