Betrayed Feelings

‎The quiet in the Elmont estate study wasn’t peace. It was pressure. ‎Aria Elmont, interim CEO of her late father’s corporate holdings, sat upright in the chair that once belonged to her father-- Devan Elmont. The same chair where he made the kinds of promises that echoed after his death. Her long blonde hair grazed her shoulders, as straight as her expression that scorned promises. Especially, the one in front of her right now. A promise that had led her to this point in her life. ‎Across from her sat Mr. Emmanuel Delacroix, an aged man of dark gray hair and an astute build. Mr. Delacroix was her father’s longtime friend and the man she now had to negotiate with, alongside their estate lawyer, Mr. Harrow, who was well-groomed for the occasional meeting. ‎But this meeting wasn’t about business. It was about legacy, burden, and a contract signed long before she had any say in the matter. ‎Her father had left a will before his death. And in the will, he left a binding clause that one of his daughters must marry the son of his oldest friend, Mr. Delacroix, for the inheritance assets to be released in full. ‎It was a promise between fathers, signed years ago in ink and trust. And now, it has become her prison. ‎Being the elder sister, Aria chose to carry this burden on her own. She couldn't let her lovely younger sister, be forced into a marriage she never wanted. She would never allow that. ‎So Aria had made a choice. ‎Since the clause said any of them could, then she would carry the weight of their father’s wish. Even though it wasn't something she wanted. ‎This was what it meant to be the elder one, and the heiress. A responsibility that comes with endless sacrifices. ‎Something she never wanted Mira to go through. ‎"Let's begin. We're here to discuss today the fulfillment of the contractual obligations between the Elmont family and the Delacroix's" Mr. Harrow began, tugging at the collar of his suit, his plump yet maturely-bearded face donned a serious expression that contrasted his usual mildness. ‎Aria’s sharp and angular face remained unreadable as the lawyer said, not unlike a pretty princess at poker. She remained silent as she swept her gaze at the people present in the room calmly. But inside, her mind was reeling. Her life was a mess right now, after the series of events in the last few days. ‎She was still haunted by her younger sister’s voice days ago: ‎“He's threatening to ruin me, I don’t even know if he has anything, but… what if he does? What if he leaks the things he has on me? Please… help me!” ‎Mira, her sister, was only nineteen and still in university. Still soft, still dreamy. Aria couldn't stand by and watch her fall victim to a blackmail. ‎She had contacted her old friend Detective Daniel Reiss; an entanglement she'd never forget. Daniel being as loyal as he is had done her a favor. He'd tracked the blackmailer, traced the crypto wallet, and followed the signals. ‎They'd managed to apprehend the guy, and it turned out it was all just a bluff. Apparently, it was just another University boy looking for fast money from a rich girl through empty threats of a blackmail. ‎He was to be charged to court, but that decision had barely been made when Mr. Delacroix showed up with news along with Mr. Harrow. ‎Kain, his son, who was the intended groom she was to marry in other to fulfill the clause of the will, had gotten into trouble. There were threats of blackmail, allegations, and a possible court charge. ‎It was him! Kain was Mira's blackmailer! ‎He was the one she was supposed to marry...? ‎Aria's experienced dark brown eyes flickered out of her daze, feeling disgusted at the mere thought of being with Kain. She looked towards Mr. Delacroix, looking nothing like her father's humble and passionate friend anymore as he seemed like a pest she couldn't get rid of these days. ‎His son was the sole reason this meeting was happening now, as otherwise, Aria wouldn't have called for this meeting. ‎If it wasn't for the fact that she couldn't let him, Aria believed Kain should rot in jail. However, that would put their inheritance at a risk. ‎The contract couldn't be fulfilled if the groom-to-be was sitting in prison! ‎Fearing that she and Mira might lose the assets if the contract wasn't fulfilled, Aria had the case swept under the rug and decided to get the arranged marriage issue done over with before this reckless bastard would ruin their lives. ‎“I offered to pay,” Aria said now, her sultry yet authoritative voice measured. “I wanted out of the contract. As I said, I'm willing to hand a financial settlement.” ‎Mr. Harrow, the lawyer, gave a polite shrug. “It was reviewed, and eventually declined.” He nodded towards Mr. Delacroix. ‎Mr. Delacroix leaned forward, tone warm but firm. “Aria, you have to understand. This wasn’t just a contract to your father, It was a bond between our families which was meant to be joined. I promised him, and I gave him my word. It would be disrespectful to not respect the wishes of the deceased." ‎“Your son blackmailed my sister,” Aria said coldly. “ And you still think this is the best way to honor a legacy?” ‎How was she supposed to get married to the person who blackmailed her sister? How was she to face Mira afterwards? ‎Mr. Delacroix faltered. “ And I thank you for intervening. Look, he isn't someone like that. I don't know what got into him, maybe he and Mira had a little scuffle perhaps?” ‎“So it was just misogyny. That makes it better?” Aria scoffed, her fury rising. ‎Just then, through the door to the study that was left wide open for this very same purpose, the main entrance door opened and a tall attractive young man with an arrogant and cocky demeanor, strolled in like he owned the room. ‎His dark eyes scanned the room as lazily as his shoulder length hair that was dyed jet black, looking from his father to the lawyer, until his gaze landed on Aria. ‎Mr. Delacroix stood. “ Kain, you’re late.” ‎ ‎It was Kain! ‎Aria had never met him before but she hated his guts already. ‎Kain offered a crooked smirk as he sat beside his father. “Didn’t realize this was a date.” ‎Mr. Delacroix frowned at him. “Kain, this is not the place to mess around." He then turned to face Aria. "This is Aria Elmont. Your… fiancée. Aria, Kain." He introduced. ‎Kain raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? She's the one who got me out of that mess? Sheesh, a darling and more. Thanks!” He chuckled. ‎Aria crossed her arms. “ I heard of what you did but being a 'darling' I didn't quite get to the details. Can you tell me love, I wanna know?” She looked him dead in the eyes as she asked, clearly playing a part in his stupid joke. ‎He paused and then tilted his head. “ Can vaguely remember. I blackmailed some hot girl who got on my nerves. She had cameras flashing around her 24/7 and acted like the world owed her. I hope you won't hate me for it dearie?" He said, smirking as if he meant every bit of what he said. ‎“That was Mira. My sister.” Aria replied coldly. ‎The smirk dropped from Kain’s face. Mr. Harrow almost sighed and Mr. Delacroix hid his face in embarrassment. ‎“She cried to me, thinking her life was over,” Aria continued. “But you're here feeling all swell about it. I saved your ass, Kain. I buried that story. I talked to my investigator, and made sure he kept you out of prison. And now I’m supposed to marry you?” ‎Kain glanced at his father, then at the contract sitting between them on the mahogany glass top table. ‎“This… wasn’t what I expected.” He groaned. ‎Mr. Delacroix stood, his voice suddenly choked with emotion. “But Aria, it’s what your father and I wanted. This is about more than just you two. It’s about the future of our families. Its just five years in the clause, I have nothing to gain in this other than keeping a dear friend's promise. If you don't want to be together after then, so be it. I'm not a fool to not recognize this situation isn't the best to be I , but a promise has to be kept. Please, understand." ‎Aria turned to the window, biting back the fury in her throat. She didn’t want a marriage. She didn’t want this man roaming free, not to speak of anywhere near her or Mira. She didn’t want to fulfill a fantasy of two men who thought they could control the future from their graves just because they're old friends. ‎ ‎But she wanted Mira free. ‎She wanted the assets secure. ‎She wanted peace. Amidst her contemplation, ‎Mr. Harrow, the lawyer, cleared his throat and said. “ It's true, Miss Aria. Since Mr Delacroix isn't willing to rescind. The terms remain the same. A five-year duration. After which, either party may file for divorce, and the assets passes to the family as intended. I advice you take this contract and have it fulfilled before time is no longer on your sides. You're both still quite young now, and can compromise on this. It could just be a farce, a fake marriage with each person living their lives without having to bother one another." ‎Aria’s jaw tensed, at Mr. Harrow's words. It made sense, but she just hated the idea. She hated the thought of getting married to her sister's blackmailer. Who in the world wouldn't? ‎Kain was first to speak, across from her. ‎ “Five years with you, and then I'll be free huh? I guess it's a price to pay.” He clearly didn't want it either, but he seemed to have come to a decision. ‎Aria didn’t look at Kain. She was wondering the same. ‎She was past the point of negotiating now, she had to fulfill the contract. But then, could she carry this burden? ‎Can she even last the whole span of five years with this cocky bastard who'd tried to blackmail her sister without the guilt eating at her every other day? ‎How was she to face Mira after this? ‎But even now, seated across from the man who’d nearly ruined her sister’s life, Aria refused to look away from the power she still had. ‎Suddenly, she made her choice. Her voice, cool and composed, broke the short silence in the room. “Let’s just get it over with. This is only a fake marriage, so play your part and I'll play mine." She told Kain. ‎Kain's full lips broadened into a smile, “Try to keep up,” ‎He reached for the pen on the table in between them. "Let’s get it over with.” ‎Aria picked up her own. She didn't say a thing. ‎Mr. Delacroix chuckled, as if what had just happened was a charming jest. “Five years is more than enough time for love to bloom. And if it doesn’t, well, at least our families will remain bound in name.” ‎' Bound in name? More like caged in paper!' ‎After signing the marriage contract, Aria rose from her seat, head held high. “I’ll do my part. But I’m not here for family bonds or nostalgia, Mr. Delacroix. I’m here to secure what’s rightfully mine and protect what’s left of my bloodline.” ‎This wasn’t romance. ‎This was war. ‎And she wouldn't lose!