Chapter Nine: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

Arya’s pov

The first person that came to view immediately we stepped into the dinning section was a young lady seemingly around my age, I caught her reaction when she noticed our ambiguous posture and how she fought hard to keep her composure while twitching her lips upwards into a forced smile that gradually turned to a wide grin revealing all her dentures.

She approached us with a burst of enthusiasm or rather she approached Nicklaus as she completing ignored my existence and tried bridging her way to give Nicklaus a peck that didn’t get a chance to reach his cheeks as he tossed her aside with a swing of his unoccupied arm and headed straight for our seats leaving her forced to flash another half-hearted smile.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, she’s just a poor sister craving her brother’s love, did he really have to push her like that? So heartless. Although I felt their relationship was kinda strange but this was a family dinner after all, if she wasn’t his sister then who was she? No matter the feud they’ve got going on he shouldn’t have treated her like that.

Family is family regardless. I thought as I walked alongside this cold blooded monster.

Of course Nicklaus pulled out my

chair in a display of our never ending love, yikes! The thought alone makes me cringe but I’ll survive.

The heavy ambiance of the dining almost made me loose my appetite but not a moment too soon the chef started the servings while I darted my gaze for a brief examination of the delicacies and instantly I felt a surge of rejuvenation as my stomach bounced back to life, it’s been so long since I’ve had a proper meal so I sure wouldn’t pass on this wonderful opportunity

Oh shit! Where’re my manners? “Good day Mr and Mrs Harrington”. I said grinning sheepishly from ear to ear but all I got was a bare head nod which I felt was a mere attempt to hide their contempt as anyone could see through that shabby reply. I guess they’re still flabbergasted by my presence.

All the fuss about his brother’s charm but he was no where in sight, I’d have to admit I was really looking forward to seeing him in action.

Oh well, better luck next time I thought as I reached for a glass of wine as the conversation between father and son was quite strange, and here I thought my father was the worst. I decided to pay deaf ears and engross myself in the scrumptious delicacies before me but what I heard next caused the water to be sputtered from my mouth leading me into a coughing fit.

“What’re you talking about Nick? We’ve been betrothed since kids”. The lady I believed to be his sister spat with furrowed brows.

That explains why someone’s eyes hasn’t left me the entire time, not even for a second. The intensity of her gaze was indeed alarming as I couldn’t help but wonder why she had that look like she wanted to rip me apart, turns out she’s his arranged bride.

She’s clearly from a wealthy family and her looks says it all, dressed in an elegant bitter green tweed fabric she exudes an aristocratic feel, her facial features are on track to compliment her spoilt upbringing, in a glance I can tell her arrogant nature won her few friends.

Meanwhile Mr gentleman here totally disregarded her aggrieved venting and passed me on a napkin but it didn’t end there, he went as far as padding on the water on my mouth trailing it all the way to my chest.

Now I finally get the big picture, the sole essence of this contract was to sabotage his arranged marriage and not any crazy idea I had going on in my head.

He should’ve at least had the decency to give me an heads up then I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself,

but the more I thought of it the more it makes no sense, using an arranged marriage to destroy an arrange marriage is so cliché I’m sure there’s more going on than meets the eyes, so I thought to play along, that’s why I’m here anyways.

Placing my hands on the hand that was currently padding on the water droplets and bringing it to a halt while I seized the opportunity to slowly and amiably graze on his side view with the back of my fingers tips, “you look so pale sugar”.

Staring straight into his eyes in the most affectionate way possible I stated, after which I averted my gaze to the dishes before us and forked up a portion “here dear, have this”.

I offered and didn’t miss the bulging stares from the rest of the family the moment Nicklaus leaned forward, but I failed to detect the shinning glint in his eyes as I heard him say,

“I prefer this” and the next thing I knew his lips were on mine stealing my second kiss. I batted my eye lids vigorously confused and flabbergasted at the sudden intrusion as I felt my heart skip a beat while fighting the urge to push him because the show must go on.

I couldn’t deny his touch sends signal zaps to my core, it was for a split second but that’s all it took to ignite a fire within me. How can he have so much control over my body? The thought alone was terrifying.

“Nicklaus!” Veronica’s scream was all I needed to get a hold of myself and complete what I started.

“Oh sorry” I stated unapologetically but I wasn’t done yet instead of reaching for a napkin I decided to use my fingers to amiably rub off my lipstick prints from the corners of his lips, not that there was any to be honest.

Fully aware that this screamed of intimacy, then I laid back and dug into my food like I didn’t just wreck havoc in the hearts of many.

“You!” Veronica bellowed helplessly.

“Enough!” Mr. Adam Harrington roared clearing his throat while I sat back to watch the unfolding drama only to become the main character in an instance as he threw me an unexpected question.

“What’s your family name?”

He asked and all eyes immediately rested on me, luckily I’ve been warned by Nicklaus on our way not to answer any question so I decided to stay silent like a cute little puppy waiting to be rescued by it’s master.

“Her family’s name doesn’t matter. You said to get a bride and here she is”. Nicklaus replied in my stead making the contorted expression on Veronica’s face deepen.

“That doesn’t mean you can marry a nobody-” Mr Adam stated between gritted teeth.

“I’ll decide who I marry”. Nicklaus interjected with his usual cold and sharp tone making Mr Adam’s blood rise as he slams his hands on the table “you!” He bellowed almost knocking down the dishes making me jolt at the sudden burst of energy.

Wow! The apple doesn’t really fall far from the tree, this heartlessness definitely runs in the blood. I’m right here and they’re carelessly discussing me like an object.

Mr Adam effortlessly exuded a tyrannical demeanor one that easily instill fear just by his mere presence, now I see where Nicklaus gets his.

His looks tells me he’s probably in his late forties although the strands of white hair tends to say otherwise but I’m positive of my estimate, I thought while watching him fluently rain curses on his son, one would think he wasn’t his real child but the look on Nicklaus’s face told me he was used to it.

“You will do no such thing!” Mr. Adam thundered with a scowl on his face only to hear

“I don’t need your permission. Just like you didn’t need mine to bring in your new wife.” from Nicklaus who now had a diabolical grin on his lips.

The spasmodic frown that appeared on Mr Adam features told me that really hit home and I knew it was my cue to put an end to this.

Darting my eyes in an attempt to cook up an act but I froze letting out a gasps as a response for my shocked reaction of the time.

Oh my days! In the turmoil I had completely forgotten my mom’s surgery, what kind of daughter am I?

I really have to find a way to end this.

About to execute my perfectly concise plan but halted the moment Mrs Harrington whom I believe to be Juliet ran to aid Mr. Adam who was coughing vigorously and clenching his chest like he was gonna have an heart attack,

luckily it was a call to bluff but the way she moved and acted as though she had Nicklaus best interest at heart screamed of maliciousness others wouldn’t notice but having lived with such pretentious characters I can spot one any day.

Her looks were prime and resolute as though she had an hidden agenda but she put up a pitiful front to deceive others. She’s quite the character indeed. She wore a silk flowing black dress with a fur arm hold to give off a dignified aura.

“Party’s over”. I heard Nicklaus say and I couldn’t be more thankful. He took me by the hand and the next thing I knew we were out of there in the blink of an eye.

Taking the cool evening breeze to recollect my thoughts and calm my nerves I observe the changes in Nicklaus demeanor as he receives a phone call but I couldn’t care less I have more pressing things to worry about, I thought as I let my location be known and soon a driver was made ready to take me to the hospital.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, heck! My hands were shaking, I hope my mom’s okay still I couldn’t wrap my head around why I kept thinking about Nicklaus facial expression on the call. It was like he became someone else. Who on earth called him? And what was it about?