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The wake
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The Bargain A Broken Promise
Rachel Rana parted the amber coloured curtains of her bedroom window and stared outside. The crowd at the city square, just outside the presidential palace, was increasing in size. They looked similar to the crowds that had gathered at this same spot in the past, tired, passionate eyes and hungry looking. But now they were happy, waving olive branches in the air and shooting fireworks. She spun around at the sound of her door opening. She was relieved to see Maxwell."Is it over?" She asked slowly, releasing the curtain she had been clutching in her grasp. "Yes." He responded. And she ran into his arms happily. She hugged him tight, the moment felt surreal. There had been rumors that the war that had raged the country for five years was coming to an end. Even Maxwell, a palace guard high up in the presidential palace had told her as much, but it had been almost too much to hope for."It feels surreal. Now we can leave and really live" she said softly withdrawing from the embrace
The Bargain I cannot stand the sight of her
Racheal waited nervously the whole night and most part of the next morning for her father's return. As the president's daughter she understood politics, and could not share in the joy of her countrymen. This proposed marriage was no beautiful union or an example to emulate as the local and international media was making it out to be. She was sitting out on the balcony when she heard heavy boots approaching from within her room. She stood up in panic when she saw the white uniforms and black hats. Two men reached out and grabbed her arm, while the third man said,"We are here to escort you Miss. Your father ordered you'd be brought up immediately." Racheal recognised him as the chief guard in charge of her father's personal security. "But I am not even properly dressed." She argued weakly as they half dragged her out from the balcony into her room. She had only grey shorts and a black tank top on. The men completely ignored her protests and practically marched her up to her fathe
The Bargain Madam First Lady
Rachel did not wake up until many hours later. She opened her eyes to a doctor bent over her. Her mind traveled back to the conversation with her father and she sprang up, and withdrew in fright. Her head began pounding in protest. "Relax." The doctor cooed. "I am glad you are up. How does your head feel?" Racheal looked at the woman with distrust."I have a terrible headache." She said,"That was expected, the blow to your head was quite..." The woman paused with an uncomfortable smirk. "Bad." She added. "How is your vision?"Racheal slowly removed her gaze from the doctor's face and looked around. "Fine." She announced. The room looked a little hazy but she suspected it was because she had been out for so long. "How long was I unconscious?" She asked. "About six hours." The doctor responded. "You should really not be receiving blows like this. They are very dangerous.""You should tell HER that." Racheal said. She had been maltreated for years. Roselyn would hit her violently
The Bargain The priest is waiting
The following days passed by in a blur for Racheal. The presidential palace was busy with activities. The wedding was to be held here, in attendance of all political dignitaries from both countries. On the morning of her wedding, her face looked flawless as she sat waiting in a thick white lace wedding dress. She noticed her maid scurrying away, and looked up at the door. Her father stood, beaming with pride at her. This was the first time he had ever stepped foot in her room or even suite in the eighteen years they had lived in the presidential palace, first as a vice president and then a president. She wanted to hate him, she resented him a little even, but she could not hate him. As much as she wanted to, as much as she thought she should, she just couldn't. He was father, he was also the only living reminder of the pleasant parts of her childhood. "You look radiant." He said moving close to her. "Stand up so I can see you."Racheal obeyed quietly. "The only thing missing
The Bargain Stay away from her
In the official presidency office sat her father and Spencer Sherrod, her father-in-law. Roslyn was nowhere in sight, and for that Racheal was very grateful. Spencer Sherrod stood up as soon as the couple walked into the huge, lavishly designed office with flags standing before one side of the walls. He walked up to them, and the young couple bowed in greeting. "Welcome to the family." He said, giving Racheal a hug. "Thank you Mr President." She said."No. You can call me Spencer, or father-in-law. You just married Steffan after all." Spencer Sherrod said with a wide smile. Racheal looked at him warily, despite his sunny countenance, she instinctively felt he could not be trusted. This was a man that could be ruthless when he needed to be. Besides, she could not forget the attacks he launched on her country during the war. One could argue that it was a war and that her country fought back. But still, it took a certain kind of person to be willing to go to war in that manner. I
The Bargain A common thief
"No! I don't know where that came from." Racheal said immediately in horror. The guests began to whisper, and soon it became a full hall of murmuring and irritated hiss.Everyone was giving her dirty looks. "What is the meaning of this?" Steffan said, walking towards her. Racheal turned to look up at him. His eyes held a look of confusion. "I don't know where that cufflink came from, I did not take it.""Then how did it get in your purse?" Racheal heard a beautiful feminine voice say from the other side of the table. She turned to look. It was Thalia, she was looking at Racheal with sympathy."I am not a thief." Racheal said, defending herself. Thalia looked horrified. "I would never label you. I just asked a question." She said sweetly, looking like she may soon burst into tears. Steffan's mother Danna Sherrod shifted towards Thalia and rubbed her shoulders, consoling her.The woman had gone over several times during the dinner to check on Thalia and have small chats with her.
The Bargain What a day!
The bracelet sparkled against the light shining down from the ceiling. "It's beautiful." Racheal said in genuine awe. She could not remember the last time anyone had given her something this beautiful. Or any gifts at all."I'm glad you like it." He said. "Hold out your wrist."She did, stretching out her right hand. He placed the bracelet on her wrist and clasped it. It felt cold.She turned it this way and that in the light, admiring the delicate beauty of it."It suits you." He said. Racheal looked up at him. He was looking at her in the same strange way he had since they got in the elevator. And somehow the look made her heart race and skin hot.It was a different look from the one he had given her before the elevator. That kind, patient look that made her want to impress him.This look made her want to… She did not know what this look made her want to do!"It's a wedding gift." He finally said. "In our culture, a man is supposed to give his bride something valuable on their wed
The Bargain Hypocrite
"It's fine, Aunty. We did not take any offence at all." Thalia said, smiling kindly and patting Racheal on the shoulders. "No. She embarrassed us." Danna Sherrod said angrily. "Soon the whole country will learn that the country's First Son is married a common thief.""I did not steal ma'am." Racheal said politely. "Then how did it get in your purse of all places?" Danna Sherrod barked."I don't know." Racheal said honestly. She was beginning to feel trapped. Last night she wondered if someone could steal without their own knowledge. Like Skylar had observed yesterday. She had not even gone near the vice president the whole time. So how could she have stolen his cufflink?And what would she need a cufflink for, especially one that had the family initials on it. She could not sell it to anyone. It had to be someone trying to frame her. She suspected Thalia. As far as she knew, only she had enough motive to frame her, except she had other enemies. She broke into a sweat. Did she ha
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