The Arrangement

Chapter 3

“Where are you headed?”, the chauffeur asked me as we drove down the quiet streets of New York.

I turned my head attempting to catch a glimpse of the man that sat behind us. But the thick tinted glass that separated us blocked my view.

“To be fairly honest, l don’t know. Just drop me off at the nearest motel you can find”, I replied meekly. I was still skeptical of the old man driving the limo and the mysterious man that sat in the back.

The chauffeur gave me an apprehensive look but didn’t say anything else. Soon after, he dropped me off a small run down motel that was near the outskirts of the city.

“Here you go miss. Remember to stay safe”, the old man said as he opened the door for me.

“Thank you so much”, l said as l climbed out of the magnificent car. Feeling a bit stupid for having doubted his sincerity.

The chauffeur simply nodded his head before he got back in his car and drove off. I watched as the limousine drove away. Relieved l hadn’t ended up being abducted and curious about the man that had sat behind the limo.

“Why? Is it really important l have a lot going on here Chris. I can’t be making unplanned visits back home.” I said, to my father across the phone. As l entered one of the rooms I had booked for the night using the little cash l had on me.

“It will only be for a while, we have something important to discuss with you. Besides the semester is over so what else could have you tied up?”. Chris interjected from across the phone.

“I have a life too you know”, l snapped. All the pent up anger from my breakup with Dylan now suddenly resurfacing.

“I need to get a job to pay for my rent as well as next semester’s tuition. And l also need to apply for an internship”, I explained more softly. I was still hurt by Dylan’s words and actions. But that was no reason for me to blow up on my father.

“Since when did money become an issue Leigh? A week ago you were talking about being able to pay your own tuition. What happened?”, Chris asked. His voice laced with concern.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now”, I replied bitterly.

I had been working for Dylan’s father at his retail store. But after tonight, l doubted l still had a job. Not to mention l didn’t want anything to do with Dylan anymore.

“Okay l understand, but this won’t take long. Just drop by the house tomorrow and we can discuss things. I know you want to ask what it is that can’t be discussed on the phone but it’s really important and it concerns your late grandfather.”

I let out a loud sigh before l reluctantly agreed. I had never heard Chris mention anything concerning my late grandfather before. So it must have been important.

Not to mention, It had been a long day and l didn’t want to argue any further with my father. Not with the relentless feeling of being betrayed that constantly tugged at the back of my mind.

I switched off the diming light from the cheap motel room. Curling myself onto the lice ridden bed. As l slowly drifted off into a deep restless slumber.

It was late afternoon when l arrived in Malibu the following day. Malibu was my hometown. I had grew up there with my family and sisters before l moved to New York to study to become a Juris Doctor.

I hailed a taxi to drive me directly to my house. And a wave of nostalgia suddenly hit me as l drove down the streets of Malibu.

Finally l reached my house. And images of the traumatic event that took place in that house fourteen years ago flashed through my eyes like a sadistic movie.

My hand shook as l grabbed the wooden door knob. I used my other hand to steady it as l pushed the front door open. Suddenly a wave of inexplicable sadness washed over me like a rushing tide.

Flashing images of crimson red blood and my mothers lifeless body consumed my mind and l suddenly felt nauseous.

“Leigh’s home!” a high pitched voice called from the entrance of the dining room.

It was my little sister Harper. I gave her a weak smile as she ran forward to embrace me. Shortly after her twin Quinn emerged from the kitchen door and gave me a wide smile.

“Look who’s finally decided to show up”, Quinn said. Folding her arms across her chest.

“Yes, now where is Chris. He called me here to discuss something important, did he not?”, I replied hastily, getting straight to the point.

I unconsciously handed Harper my purse. Before I left New York, I’d found a cheap and small apartment to temporarily store my stuff in before l could find a permanent solution.

“Welcome home Leigh”, I turned towards the sound of Chris’s voice.

“Hey Chris”, I said nonchalantly.

“I’ve been well thank you, when are you going to start calling me dad again. It’s been fourteen years now since you last called me that. You haven’t forgiven me yet have you?”, he said, his tired eyes lowering themselves from my penetrating gaze.

“Can we not go there right now. You called me here to discuss something important, yes?”, I said impatiently.

I could hear Qinn quietly close the front door from behind me.

“Please take a seat”, Harper offered. “Promise me you’ll be cordial throughout this entire process”, she said, an indescribable look in her eyes.

I followed her advice and sat down on the couch. I watched as Chris nodded his head at the twins and they both left the room.

“There is no sugar coating this so I’ll get straight to the point. I received a call last night from Richard Gray. He is the previous CEO of Gray Corps, a famous company in New York. Have you ever heard about it?”, Chris asked.

“Yes. That multi millionaire company that manufactures and sells cars?”, I asked.

I didn’t know much about Gray Corps. But l had heard rumors about that company. The current CEO of that company was rumored to be a cold and ruthless businessman who took shit from no one. And was as rich as he was powerful.

“Yes”, Chris replied. “Apparently Richard and your late grandfather Pedro made an agreement before your grandfather passed away. He agreed to sell his ancestral lands to Richard for his car manufacturing company. In return, Richard’s first son would have to marry your grandfather’s first granddaughter once she’d reached her twenty-forth birthday.”

I listened to Chris as he explained. Not sure where l fit in, in his entire story.

“Ok, but what doe’s that have to do with me?”, I asked, not attempting to hide the exasperation in my voice.

Chris gave me an apprehensive look before he spoke. “Leigh, you’re the first granddaughter.”

Suddenly it all clicked and the wheels in my head started spinning.

“What!”, I exclaimed, jumping up from my seat.

“I’m sorry Leigh but it has already been arranged. It’s a contract marriage, it’s already been decided”, Chris explained.

From the corner of my eyes I could see, Quinn and Harper entering the room. My heart was racing and my head was starting to spin. Just a few hours ago I had suffered the worst betrayal from the love of my life. Now l was here being told I had to marry a man I’d never even met.

“You’re kidding right?” I laughed, staring directly at Chris.

Chris remained silent, his evasive eyes lowering their tired gaze. He couldn’t look me in the eye. Not with the news he’d just disclosed to me.

“No”, I breathed , “Bloody hell no!” I screamed. An intense and inexplicable amount of rage brewing deep within the confines of my chest and slowly beginning to coax its way through my veins.

“You can’t get me married to some fucking guy l’ve never met. I won’t do it. You can’t make me!” I yelled.

I could feel my blood boiling, as my head began to feel lighter. Both my ears wheezing like someone was blowing hot air into them.

Chris just gave me an apologetic and defeated look.

“I’m so sorry Leigh, but it’s been decided. Your late grandfather made the decision. It’s completely out off my hands.” He said.

I felt so angry it made my insides burn. I wanted to say something, l wanted to retaliate, l wanted to scream and say that it wasn’t fair, but l couldn’t. I felt completely helpless and out of sync with my body. Before l knew it l was running out the front door.

“Leigh! Wait!” I could hear Chris and the rest of my family call.

But l wasn’t going to wait, not now. Not when my entire world was crumbling to pieces.

I ran outside, a gust of wind hitting my tear stained face, tears l hadn’t realized had been falling. The harsh wind blowing against me, blew a generous amount of my cherry brown hair into my face, completely covering my view from what lay ahead.

l stopped to clear my hair from my face as l couldn’t see where l was going.

“Leigh watch out!” l heard a familiar voice scream. I cleared my face just in time to see my little sister Quinn screaming and running towards me.

“Leigh no!” she screamed.

A loud honking noise invaded my ears, I turned . And before l knew it, l was face to face with a speeding car.

I couldn’t move,

I couldn’t scream.

Right there, l saw my life come to an end. What a futile life it had been. At least I’d join my mother.

“Watch out!”, a voice called out to me.

And before l knew it, a strong pair of arms pulled me away from the road and gripped me into a tight embrace.

Heart pounding in my chest, I heard the loud whoosh of the racing car as it sped past me. Only a few inches from where l now stood.

“Are you hurt?”

I slowly raised my head to the sound of a man’s voice. Instantly, my nostril’s were attacked by a familiar husky rosewood and minty scent.

“Leigh!”

“Is she okay!”

“Someone call the ambulance!”

“She’s just in shock”, I heard the man say.

I looked up and his eyes collided with mine.

I gasped,

His eyes.