Echo

Chapter eight; Threshold

Threshold.

The point of no return.

Staring at those eyes, I wondered if there’s anything I could have done to avoid this, if I had whined like Andrew, would it have been different?

He looked at me like a distant burden, I didn’t like it one bit, maybe this is all a phase and deep down in my lonely heart, I expected someone who at the very least wouldn’t look at me like that, like there’s no hope of ever loving me even in the slightest.

I didn’t like it.

Someone making me feel inferior in what was my usual speciality, it’s hurting my pride.

I looked round the table noticing father, mother, Andrew’s future wife; Sarah, her parents, Zane and his parents.

‘Oh, I apologize on echo’s behalf for being late, it’s not something she does, I’m sure there’s a very good reason for it’ Father said.

Andrew scoffed slightly.

I took the seat beside Andrew which was opposite Zane.

‘My apologies, I had some difficulties with my dress’ I said.

‘Well my dear, you didn’t miss much, we were just talking about the terms of you and Zane’s engagement’ his mother said smiling at me.

I nodded.

They began talking about how we’d get engaged in the coming months and married when I’m 21, any one of us who decides to break the engagement will pay a 100million dollars compensation to the other.

They began talking about business and Sarah’s parents seemed to be looking to form an alliance with the Andersons stop but I zoned out on the remaining conversation that contained the details.

As I sat across from him at the dinner table, I couldn't help but steal glances at his chiseled profile.

He looked to be around 6’4, I couldn’t really tell as he was sat, with tattoos here and there but nothing too much.

His eyes, cold and distant, seemed to bore into the plate in front of him, his gaze avoiding mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

The soft candlelight danced across his features, highlighting the sharp planes of his face, the precise cut of his hair.

He was a masterpiece of elegance, refined and polished, but his beauty was tempered by the frost in his eyes. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he reached for his glass, his fingers brushing against the crystal with a precision that seemed almost... deliberate.

Finally, he looked up at me, staring directly into my eyes as if reading me then averted his eyes looking at me from top to bottom as if he was checking me out then looked back in my eyes expecting me to back down.

I just rolled my eyes looking away. I won’t give him the impression that I’ll cower to him or he’ll be in charge over any kind of relationship we would have.

‘Why don’t we men discuss more in my office, while our wife’s get to know each other and we leave the children to bond’ my father said.

They all agreed and left.

Andrew and Sarah kicked it off as she was eager to please him and he enjoyed all the attention he was getting.

I stared at them as she was feeding him words that he wanted to hear, she wasn’t bad looking.

Her dark hair fell in loose waves down her back, and her brown eyes were fringed with thick lashes. Her features were delicate, but not fragile, with high cheekbones and a small nose. She had a quiet, understated beauty that didn't demand attention, but still drew the eye.

I wonder how long Andrew would bask in her attention before he grew tired of it.

A harsh slam of a cup on the table caught my attention, not too harsh of a slam or anything but enough for me to look in the direction.

I looked at maker of the sound who was no doubt my beloved fiancee.

‘Do you think because you’re some daughter of an influential man, you can just ignore me’ he said

‘No’ I replied.

‘No, that’s it,’ he said.

I looked away from him and down at my plate.

He sighed.

‘We should discuss our arrangements and differences, I suppose’ he said.

‘You’ve not been in the media light much, just few appearances here and there. I’m sure you’ve seen I’m always on the covers of many magazines and billboards from time to time’ he continued.

‘You’re going to be required to come to my games, appear with me on different occasions and go on dates’ he said.

I nodded.

‘I have no intentions of staying loyal in an engagement I’m being obliged to but I expect you to be respectful in this arrangement, I have a reputation out there’ he said looking at me square in the face.

He talks about only me being respectful, he’s saying I dare not have a relationship outside our arrangement.

I do not really care because this is the only relationship I’ll expect to be in. Even this one is happening all because of my heritage.

‘I trust you don’t have any relationship currently’ he started

I just kept looking at him showing him my lack of care in all this.

‘If you’re in, you would have to abandon him. We would have to make it look like we’ve been dating for a while’ he said.

I guess the media lied about him as I expected, he’s just like the other men, he’s ok disrespecting me but I can’t because it’ll hurt his ego.

We ended up sharing each other’s contact and they all left later that afternoon.

What an eventful day.

I wonder what the next few months will portray for me as I just got engaged to my better opposite.

I just hope my peace won’t be disturbed……