☆On One Condition
1143 Words
At dinner, the table was quiet. Only the sound of forks and spoons against plates filled the room.
The four sisters, Rachael, Anderson, Ellen, and Charisma ate in silence.
Anderson, the third-born, pushed her dish away. “Are we really doing this? Poverty? Again?”
No one answered. Their father stared at his untouched food.
Anderson had blonde hair with pink highlights. She was a content creator focused on a Barbie lifestyle.
“How am I supposed to maintain my aesthetic when I can’t afford decent lighting for t****k?” she fanned herself. “My brand is expensive, Dad.”
Ellen rolled her eyes. “Everything is short-lived. That’s why I had a backup plan.”
Ellen was the second-born, with sleek black hair and clear blue eyes. The most elegant woman known to mankind.
Online, at least.
Ellen set down her fork with deliberate precision, then extended her hand.
A diamond caught the light.
“Theodore proposed,” she said, watching their father’s face. “We’re moving to Scotland. A castle, actually.”
Charisma looked at Ellen. “You really thought ten steps ahead of everyone.”
Ellen giggled. “Since you’re the youngest, you can come and live with me.”
“No need.” Charisma picked up a napkin and cleaned her lips. “I will marry Camilo and save your sorry little butts.”
She looked at her father, her eyes narrowing. “On one condition, though.”
Rachael’s lips parted, then she smiled.
“The company should be in my name.”
Her father’s jaw dropped, but she continued.
“Those are my terms. I’ll stay with Camilo until Britney is found, then we’ll swap places. Lumino.ink should be mine by then.”
No one moved or spoke.
Ellen’s fork stopped midway to her mouth. Anderson’s dramatic fan froze in her hand. Their father looked like he was still processing.
“We should get ready to leave for Mexico in two days. The wedding will be colorful.”
Ellen closed her mouth and dabbed her lips with a napkin. “That’s Charisma for you. She’s not saving us, it’s simply an investment for her.” She smiled. “Theodore and I look forward to buying shares in the future. After all, it’s important to have a backup plan.”
Anderson pouted. “Is that your way of victimizing yourself, you witch?”
Charisma slowly folded her napkin and set it beside her untouched dessert.
“You think you can just keep the company to yourself?” Anderson glared back.
“Go film a makeup tutorial and leave business to me.” Charisma walked away.
***
Hence, the countdown to the wedding began.
DAY ONE
Charisma sat across from two old Mexican women in a sunlit living room. They studied her with approval.
“Britney, you are even more beautiful in person,” one of them said warmly.
Charisma’s stomach twisted. She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
“Camilo will be so happy,” the other said. “We want two strong boys.”
Charisma’s jaw clenched. She took a sip of water to keep herself from saying something she’d regret.
DAY TWO
Rachael drilled her on Britney’s facts like it was life or death.
“If they ask about your favorite color?”
“Pink,” Charisma answered, hating how fake it sounded coming from her mouth.
“Favorite food?”
“Chocolate mousse.” She paused. “Does this really matter? They’ve only seen pictures.”
“Camilo might ask. You have to be ready!” Rachael clenched her fists.
***
The night before leaving for Mexico, Charisma practiced her vows, the vows Britney should have been practicing.
Rachael let herself in with a huge box.
“Brit’s wedding dress was sent in,” she said, setting it on Charisma’s bed and opening it.
“Wow, it’s so pretty!” Rachael pulled it out. “Try it on.”
A strapless ivory ball gown, with pearl beads lining the bodice. White roses and gold lining the skirt.
Charisma looked at it, unimpressed. “The fabric is expensive, and the tailoring is good, but it’s too much.”
“Please try it on!” Rachael’s eyes lit up as she handed it over.
Charisma dragged herself into her closet and shut the door.
After what felt like hours, she stepped out in the dress. Given her slender frame, it looked loose on her.
“I told you she was fa—thicker than me.” Charisma turned, staring at the back.
“Charisma, you look fine.”
Charisma caught Rachael snapping pictures. She glared. “Delete those.”
Rachael slid her phone into her pocket. “Right after I show Alexander.”
Alexander Blunt, a wealthy tycoon and also Rachael’s oxygen. They met at an auction and had been inseparable ever since.
“When do you plan to marry him?” Charisma slipped out of the dress, remaining in a lace nightgown. “More importantly, when will you tell Dad you’re pregnant?”
Rachael’s eyes widened. “Wait… how did you know?”
“You get sick in the morning.” Charisma reached for her phone. “You haven’t complained about your period cramps for two months.”
“Wow, you’re really observant.” Rachael folded her arms. “Too observant, considering you didn’t notice Dad gambling away eight billion dollars.”
Charisma ignored her and spoke into her phone. “Come to my room.” She hung up.
“Was that François? Should I leave?” Rachael grinned.
“No, it was my tailor, William. I need him to adjust the dress.” Charisma knelt down and gathered it.
“William… you mean that p*****t who measures the chest area five times?” Rachael raised an eyebrow.
“He’s not a p*****t,” Charisma said, standing straight. “He’s a perfectionist.”
At that moment, the door swung open.
William stood there in a light robe, open at the chest and a bottle of tequila in hand.
“You look wonderful tonight, Ms. Charisma.” He grinned and started to unbutton his robe.
Charisma’s lips parted, more irritated than surprised, but Rachael stepped in front of him.
“Not happening.” She shoved the dress into his arms. “Adjust it.”
William blinked. “Is this why you called? I thought this was a different kind of fitting…”
Charisma pressed her palm to her forehead. “It’s needed tomorrow. And never come near me dressed like that again.”
“But, Ms., I need your measurements.” William stepped forward.
“Use the measurements you already have.” Charisma turned and looked away.
Rachael pushed William out and locked the door. Then she turned to Charisma with an I-told-you-so look.
“Fine!” Charisma rolled her eyes. “He is a pervert.”
- Writer
