Dark Hearts

Chapter Six

Melia's pov

The cup of tea falls from my hand and crashes to the marble floor. “What?”

The woman in front of me looks down at the mess, her gaze blank. I woke up this morning, looking forward to my talk with Bastian. I had no idea what he could possibly want to talk about.

Feelings of excitement and fear warred for dominance in my chest. But, imagine my surprise when the housekeeper had summoned me to a large living room and it wasn’t Bastian waiting there.

A beautiful older woman sat on one of the couches. Her straight hair was glossy and barely showed her age. Her features were smooth and elegant. She looked refined and sleek. She was dressed in a suit much like Bastian’s but more feminine and by the looks of it, just as expensive. She’d introduced herself and things went downhill from there.

Candice Monroe of The Monroe companies stood before me and she was Bastian Monroe’s mother. Bastian was the heir and only son of the chairwoman. The shock of her words had caused the teacup from my hands. I almost swallowed my tongue.

I’d slept with Bastian Monroe. The Bastian Monroe.

The Monroe is one of the largest companies in Manhattan with different organizations under it. They are involved in different sections of life: infrastructure, technological inventions, real estate, fashion and much more. Bastian is CEO of Monroe Tech and he is set to become the next chairman in a few months.

”I understand that the situation you’re in is quite… dire.” She continued like she didn’t just give me the shock of my life.

She pulled a file from her designer bag. “From what I am told, you were attacked in your home. And from the looks of it, it wasn’t the first time. You have a target on your back.” She said, giving me a look of appraisal and slight disgust.

“I know that you have no place to go. You are in danger and as it stands, you have nowhere to go.” A look of resignation passed over her features before she placed the file on the table. “Marry my son and he- No, we can give you the protection you need.”

The temperature in the room dropped and everything froze. I felt my eyes widen with shock and my lips fall open. Surprised at her words, my heart beat faster.

“H… How did you- I don’t understand.” I stammered. My voice, a whisper.

“I have people and I have resources. I wanted to know who my son had brought home for the first time in a long time.”

Her words rang in my head like an echo.

I know I had it rough but marriage as a solution? The thought and the proposition was completely outrageous.

“Why?” I didn’t have to elaborate what I meant, she understood.

“The reason for this is none of your concern, Miss Rixe.” Bastian’s mother looked like she wanted to say more but held back.

“What if I don’t want this?” I argued in a small voice.

Her expression hardened and anger flickered in her gaze. “You cannot possibly go back to your old life, can you? Your mother sold you out to a man for her next fix. The man who attacked is still out there. Think about what will happen to you if you try to go back home.” She sneered, her features tight.

She had me at a weak point and she knew it. “I’m sure you don’t want to go back. In the grand scheme of things, you don’t have much of a choice.” She stated, looking me up and down.

This is one of the moments in my life where I feel completely alone and unloved. I’ve had a difficult life. Candice Monroe had no right to speak to me in this manner and the fact that I couldn’t even stand up for myself was pathetic and heartbreaking. It was just like she’d said – in the grand scheme of things, I was broken and I didn’t have a choice.

Tears welled up in my eyes, the recent events in my life playing behind my eyes like a film.

“W… what of Bastian? Does he know about this?” My voice shook, I could barely get the words out.

Mrs. Monroe looked away. “Yes, he does.” That was all the explanation she offered but betrayal still sliced through me like a knife. He’d known his mother was going to ambush me and he didn’t even warn me. I felt trapped. The circumstances were beyond my control.

All this felt like a bad dream. The idea of marrying Bastian was daunting but the alternative – facing Johnny and Beatrix – was far worse. I’d have to choose the lesser of the two evils.

Feeling utterly defeated, I nod slowly. “Okay. Can I think about it?”

Her face softened slightly but her voice held the coldness. “I’m sure you’ve already made your decision but of course.”

She reached forward and tapped the file twice before standing to make her way out of the room.

I didn’t realize she’d stopped at the door until she spoke. “You are a smart, beautiful girl. I’m sorry that you’re going through all this at such a young age. Choose wisely. One option gives you a better life, the other throws you into a life where you always have to watch your back.” She smiled softly at me. Her features had melted into that of a loving mother and my heart longed for that.

“I’m sorry that I used your situation against you. I wish we’d met under different circumstances. I’m just doing what is necessary.” She straightened her already fine suit.

And with those words, she left the room. Helplessness settled around me like a fog and only then did I let the sobs loose.

******

The grand, oppressive silence of Bastian's family estate closes in as I wrap the blanket tighter around me, staring at the delicate and detailed design of the smooth rug beneath my feet.

The conversation with Candice plays on a loop in my mind. Her words, a relentless echo.

Choose wisely

You cannot possibly go back to your old life, can you?

Of course I don't want to go back. The alternative though was slightly frightening.

Marriage to Bastian.

The thought made me scoff a little. Our night of passion was meant to be a one night thing but marriage… That was a whole different ball game.

The fading bruises on my skin and the memory of the dark hoodie guy taunted me, reminding me of what is at stake if I refuse to go through with this.

My eyes caught on the envelope on the drawer and my feet carried me towards it. I open the envelope and pull out the document.

A knock sounds at the door startling me. My heart lurched but I couldn't muster the strength to answer. The door opened anyway and Bastian stepped in, presence domineering, his eyes hard and determined.

“Melia.” He said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. “We need to talk.”

I swallowed, my throat dry but I said nothing.

He opened his mouth but snapped it shut and walked to the love seat by the corner, staring hard at me. My silence must be disturbing but who knew.

I couldn't look at him. His intense gaze burned into my face, making me uncomfortable.

“I could've left you there yesterday.” He says.

“What?” I said, finally meeting my eyes.

His jaw clenched. “I could've left you in that alleyway, but I didn't.”

I could only stare at him.

“You have a target on your back. That much is obvious.”

“Don't I get a say in this?” I spluttered, my voice choked. “I mean, it is my life.”

“Okay. So what are your other options?” Bastian says, leaning forward.

I pressed my lips together.

He stood beside me, his presence looming as he placed a beautiful fountain pen next to the document.

“The contract outlines the terms of our marriage.” He says, his voice devoid of emotion. “It outlines the terms of our marriage.”

I looked up at him, my eyes wide. “Terms?”

“Yes.” He said, his tone unyielding. “This marriage is nothing more than a business arrangement. It will be beneficial to both of us. You get protection, shelter and I get the wife my family expects of me.”

He made me sound like a charity case.

I picked up the pen, my hand trembling. “What if I don't sign?”

He stared intently at me for a moment before he bent towards my ear. “Sign the contract, Brownie.” He whispered.

“You know you want to.”

A chill ran down my spine and not from the cold as I pressed the pen to the paper, my signature sealing my fate.

A sense of finality washed over me as the ink dried. There's no going back now.

A small satisfied smile touched Bastian's lips, though it was gone as quickly as it came. Without another word, he turned and left the room. I sat back in the chair, the weight of the contract heavy in my lap.

And as I stared at the door he had just walked through, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of life I'd just signed up for.