Tangled Hearts

CHAPTER 3

Public Exposure

My face was dark as I got to my feet, leaving, I ignored Dominic completely. He got to his feet too, I bit my lips and ignored him.

“Let me walk you out,” he smiled slightly, unaffected by my bad mood. And why should he be? I thought. I was just some… some pawn! My eyes pricked as tears threatened to escape, I took deep breaths, keeping my tears at bay. I couldn’t let him see me like this.

As Dominic and I left the restaurant, I spotted some people lingering outside, probably some big shots coming in I thought. I wished to appear at home, alone in my room where I could let out my emotions.

I'd glanced away when flashes of light blew up in my face, stunning me. Reporters swarmed around us and the sounds of shutters and clicks filled the air as they snapped away.

“Miss Elara, is there any… what special occasion… Miss Elara… Mr. Dominic, is there something going on between…” The voices of reporters filled my ears as they stormed around me, thankfully the guards helped cordon them off.

Oh no! My heart tightened as I stared at the crowd of reporters, I'd never been mobbed by reporters like this, I’d mostly kept myself out of the public eye. I glanced at Dominic but his expression was bland, he was used to these kinds of scenes.

"Mr. Hale, are the rumors true?” a reporter struggled to push a mic to Dominic’s face. “Are you and Miss Kensington in a relationship?"

My eyes widened at his question, no, no, no, I shook my head. I was about to refute his words but before I could say anything, I felt Dominic’s hand on my lower back. Dominic spoke at that moment, “It's a gradual process of discovering something new. No rush,” Dominic smiled at the reporters. His words made me jolt.

What! “That's not true,” I shook my head trying to refute but my words were drowned in the sea of voices as the reporters fired more questions than us, their excitement was palpable. Dominic’s words were making them think we had something romantic going on between us. My eyes narrowed as the implications of his words to the press sank in.

Dominic guided me through the crowd of reporters into my car which was already waiting by the curb. I kept my expression carefully blank, all the while I was squirming inside, I wished I could shrug off Dominic’s hand that'd remained on my lower back. That would simply make things worse I knew, the press were already convinced we were a couple.

It was late when I got home, the cool night air touched my legs as I walked into the house. My mind filled with thoughts and questions as I tried to process the day's events. I’d failed, I'd wanted to annoy and irk Dominic enough to make him realize I wasn't interested in marrying him.

My plan had backfired badly, I couldn't give in like this, I had to do something and first was by finding out the truth. I'd thought about Dominic’s words on the way home, there was something Harlan wasn't telling me. It made no sense for Dominic to be so set on marrying me, I didn't know him, and the thought of marrying that rude, pompous, arrogant jerk made me grind my teeth.

I found Harlan in his study, he was poring over papers when I walked in. He arched a brow at my sudden entrance, “You've forgotten how to knock?” His calm scolding tone grated on my nerves and I exhaled slowly, trying to calm down.

“Why did you arrange this marriage, Father?” I stood before him. “It's my life you're trying to ruin here,” I blinked my eyes furiously, keeping my tears at bay. “Why does Dominic Hale want to marry me? There's something you're not telling me,” I stared at Harlan as I demanded.

Harlan frowned, finally taking his eye off the paper in his hand, he looked annoyed, “This marriage is not up for discussion Elara, you're going to marry Dominic. That's final!” He snapped, adjusting his glasses.

“Why?” My voice trembled badly, “Why? Why him? Why now?” My voice broke and my vision blurred with tears, I dabbed the tears away with the back of my palm.

“Enough,” Harlan slammed his desk, making me flinch. “How dare you question me, Elara?” His eyes were fixed coldly on me, “This concerns the future of this family.” Harlan wagged a finger at me, “If any actions of yours prove detrimental to this marriage… Hmph!” Harlan’s words hung in the air, his threat was obvious. “You will go through with the marriage, and that's the end of it.”

What! A thin trickle of tears flowed down my face as I stood trembling before him. His words were like sharp daggers as they pierced into me. I lowered my head as I walked out, the harsh reality of my situation falling in on me.

I didn't know how I made it back to my room, my sight was blurry with tears, I curled up into a ball and wept. My head throbbed as a headache crept in on me.

My phone buzzed, catching my attention and I saw Clarice’s name pop up on my screen, I smiled despite myself. Trust Clarice to call when you need her, I answered immediately.

“Elara?” Clarice’s voice was low, “I'm sorry I missed your call, I was up to my neck in this court case. I heard about your engagement, what's going on?” Clarice’s voice was tinged with concern.

My eyes pricked at her voice, the tears already flowing afresh. I poured out everything—I told her about the engagement, Harlan's words and how I'd met Dominic and Clarice listened intently.

“That's bad, Elara,” Clarice sighed. “What do you intend to do?”

My eyes brimmed with tears, “I don't know, Clarice,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can't think of anything.”

The line went silent for a while, and with every passing second my hope dwindled, was I going to be married off to Dominic? A stab of pain shot through me at the thought.

“Elara,” Clarice’s voice came over the line, “I think…” Clarice hesitated. “I think I might have an idea.”

My heart skipped a beat, as a seed of hope sprouted within me. “What do you mean? Tell me,” I spoke, waiting with held breaths.

Clarice sighed, “I don’t know, Elara. It's a bad idea, and I want to tell you before you think about it, there's every chance it could fail and ruin everything, you understand right?”

My breath caught in my throat as Harlan’s words echoed in my mind, “If any actions of yours prove detrimental to this marriage…” I closed my eyes, but what could be worse than losing my freedom, my happiness?

“Tell me,” I whispered, bracing myself for whatever came next. Perhaps I had to take

risks, I would roll the dice this once. The die was cast.