These Vengeful Vows

Olef downed his sixth shot of tequila for the night. It burned his throat on the way down but it was nothing compared to the fire in his chest. He felt Ian's judgemental stare beside him but he couldn't bring himself to care. Ian didn't understand. Ian was not the one with a betrothal shoved down his throat since he could remember. Ian was lucky. He was about to take his seventh shot when, “Olef that's enough.” Olef paused. “Say that again.” Silence. “Thought so.” “Drinking isn't going to solve the problem. And your father is going to kill me if he finds you in this state.” “Good riddance.” Olef could feel Ian's scowl without even looking. But he didn't care. Ian probably had better things to do than baby him but he had to stay under the guise of friendship meanwhile Olef was sure it was just another way of his father monitoring him. Let him suffer. Thoughts of his father angered Olef so much he had the urge to punch something. The conversation he had with him that evening was on a loop in his mind. “ I think it's time for you to meet your betrothed.” Olef felt his whole world tilt. “ You're already twenty eight. I've let you do what you want but it's time to settle. She'll be coming and you'll court her for six months. Then you'll marry her.” Olef had known of this betrothed since he was seventeen but honestly he didn't really pay any mind to it. But now, it was real. Too real. “But Father…I'm…I'm still grieving.” His father's entire composure changed. Eyes flashed, body rigid, jaw clenched. “You've had two years. That's more than enough.” Rage washed over him. “What's that supposed to mean? You don't expect me to just forget…” “Enough! That's enough.” His father said, slamming his hand on the table. “I'll hear no more of this. She'll be here tomorrow and you'll make yourself presentable. That will be all. Out.” And just like that his fate was sealed.Olef walked out of his father's office and wandered around the mansion not knowing what to do with himself. As heir to Titan airways, his father had never failed to remind him of Sacrifice and Loyalty and what not. He had to marry someone he didn't know and certainly didn't love all the while trying to fill the hole in his heart. Typical Tuesday. The next morning, Olef woke up with a hangover of course but he had to get ready. Today was the big day and as much as he didn't want to do this, he had no choice. He got dressed quickly, nothing too fancy. Just some black pants, white tee and a jacket. He stared at himself in the mirror. He looked very much the part. A knock on the door and then Ian enters dressed up as well. Ian comes up behind him. Their eyes meet in the mirror. “It's time.” Olef says nothing. “Look, I know you don't want to do this but it's for the best…” “Is that what my father told you to tell me? Spare me the bullshit Ian.” “ No, it's what I want to tell you. Must you make everything about your father? You're my friend Olef and I care about you. Your father actually told me to tell you to be downstairs in two minutes.” Olef resisted the urge to roll his eyes and left. He met his father down stairs already waiting for him. He sat on one of the couches, two body guards behind him, sipping a glass of wine. His father looked up , noticing him and smiled so genuinely that for a moment Olef thought he was happy to see him. Mordecai Lockwood didn't smile often . “Father.” He said. “You look handsome. She'll love you.” Olef clenched his jaw, his stomach queasy. He needed a drink. The butler, Martin, came in. “They're here sir.” “Bring them in.” Olef could feel Ian behind him and even though he would never admit it, it was a comforting presence. On the outside he looked cold and different but on the inside he was definitely panicking. A dark haired man and a blonde girl in a yellow sundress.walked through the front doors. The two men hugged and exchanged pleasantries. The blonde stood awkwardly to the side. He hated blondes. Great. “Sapphire.” His father said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “You look dazzling. Olef come over here.” Olef sighed inwardly and walked over. His lips parted slightly of their own accord. She was…calling her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen felt like an insult. Her strawberry blonde hair fell in waves, framing her heart shaped face. Her face was perfect and her eyes…her eyes were the most translucent shade of blue he had ever seen. Her gaze was so soft. Olef had to intentionally level his heart rate. He could vaguely hear his father introducing them. “Hi.”she said softly. Fuck. Was it right for Olef to be thinking of all other sounds that voice could make? He scowled. This wasn't the plan. “Olef.” His father said. Olef could hear the anger in his voice. “Hey.” He said curtly. “Show her to her room. Ian help Martin with her things.” Olef gestured for her to follow him and up the stairs they went. She smelled good. Like…spice. She walked up to his side. “I'm happy to finally meet you.” Olef turned, met her gaze and she gave him a smile. His heart near stopped. That made him scowl again. He wasn't supposed to find her attractive. The plan was to pretend she didn't exist forever. “I'm sorry did I…” “That's enough. There's no need to pretend. This union is strictly business oriented. Appearances in public, heirs and that's it. I don't want your ass kissing.” He felt more than saw her deflate because he couldn't be bothered to look. Okay fine. If he did he might have been distracted by her face and felt bad. They reached her room. For some reason his father thought it was a good idea to place it in the same hallway as his. The room was beautifully furnished. He could see his father spared no expense. Everything was in shades of pink and purple. An attack on the senses truly. “If there's anything you need my room is just down the hallway.” With that he left not waiting for a reply thinking about how this was going to be the worst six months of his life.