Anya’s POV

                  Anya’s pov 

My hands clammed in shock as the import of my father’s words hit me. A feeling of dread settled in my belly as I tried to wrap my head around the sudden turn of events.

Some few hours ago we had all been on the edge following the scandal and impending investigation.

My mind raced fast trying to piece events of the day together.

Nothing of interest happened except Don Silver’s visit.

My eyes widened upon remembrance and the feeling of dread intensified in my belly.

“Who?”, I gasped my question a mere whisper against the deafening silence at the table.

Father avoided my gaze,his jaw clenching.

“Kian DaSilver, Don Silver’s grandson.”

My mouth dropped open. 

The name DaSilver had been making rounds ever since Kian DaSilver took over his father’s position as Capo after his gruesome murder.

Rumors churned that he was irrevocably cruel,pitiless and built like a bull.

My frequent eavesdropping at father’s office had made me hear father curse at him for drug routes he had lost to him.

Father hated him,that I knew,and so it meant something was definitely amiss.

“Why do I have to marry him?”

Father slid his phone across the table landing right in front of me.

“INVESTIGATION INTO MORETTI INDUSTRIES HALTED;Feds announce…”

I gasped in surprise at the headline for the afternoon news I had missed.

“The investigation,the rumors-they we’re going to destroy us.Don Silver offered a solution.”,father said his voice laced with a desperation I rarely witnessed.

“This alliance is a strategic one,Anya.It’s going to cement our standing in our world.Our enemies are going to think twice before they make any move on us”,he added.

I looked at Father,but he was staring at his wine glass.

And mom was so focused on a stain on the cloth that covered the table.

It dawned on me that this had already been discussed and agreed on,but that didn’t mean I couldn’t try to change my fate.

“Can I refuse?”,I found myself asking,looking at the faces of the only people I considered family.

Mom’s head shot up at my question,her look almost imploring me not to provoke Father.

“You cannot refuse,Anya.This is the only way to save our family.And you know that double crossing the Silvers,will be more scandalous than that article fiasco.”,Father replied standing up.

“This is the only way child.To save our name.And our business.You will marry Kian DaSilver.”, he added firmly.

I nodded lightly in response. 

“Come on,” Mom said,standing. “Let’s take a walk in the garden.”

I followed her. The air outside was warm and humid.

I glanced at my mother,her face a mixture of concern and a distant look I couldn’t place.

“Anya”,she began softly facing me.

“I know that you must have envisioned things in a different way. To fall in love and get married in a fairytale dress right?”,she chuckled nervously.

“And I understand how hard this might be for you to watch all your dreams taken away by a single decision.But dear, loyalty  in our world is everything. It is what keeps us and our families together.”

I swallowed hard,unsure of what to say.

“Your father has fought hard to bring our family and business to this height, and right now you are the only one who can keep it together. Double crossing Don Silver will be the most foolish thing to do,Anya.”

“You’re the saviour of this family. This alliance will send ripples across the entire terrain”, she continued clinging desperate unto my hands.

“What about my happiness,Ma?.What about love?”,I sounded my protest with a trembling voice.

I was torn between my love for my family and my own desires.

I knew what it will mean to my family if I accepted this marriage.

“ Love doesn’t come first in our lives,Anya. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good of others around us. Love eventually finds us when we least expect it,child.”

I caught on the distant look of comfort on her face which made my little protest bubble die.

Mom had once shared her own experience when her parents arranged for her to marry dad to seal a business agreement between their families.

Cassio and I were the result of their union.And I couldn’t tell if they had eventually found love,but I knew dad regarded mom with a level of understanding.

It was all I could hope for myself.

“I will do it.”, I whispered.

“My child. I knew you would understand.”

“I should find your father and tell him about your response.”, a look of relief was present on her face.

“You are stronger than you think Anya.You can do this”,squeezing my arm reassuringly she stepped back into the house to find my father.

I fought my hardest to keep the tears that threatened to fall.

I had to do this for my family.To save us.To save our business.

“Anya?”

“Hi ,brother”, I quickly dabbed my eyes and turned to face him with a half smile.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,you know.”he said taking my hands.

“Anya you can still say no to this.”

“Say no”, I scoffed.

“And then what? Be at the mercy of Don Silver?”

“I was working on something. I just needed more time.But dad had to agree to this messed up arrangement.”

“Time was the one thing that wasn’t on our side Cassio.You should have worked faster.Done something!” ,I shouted.

A flicker of pain flashed on his face.

“Ca-ssio, I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that.”

“No you are actually right. I should have don something sooner. I’m sorry little sis.”

“It is fine Cassio.This is what needs to be done.”

“I may not have done anything to avert this,but I’m definitely not going to leave things as they are.”, Cassio said as he entangled me from his embrace.

“What are you going to do?”, I asked in fear.

“It’s time to pay Kian DaSilver a visit.”

“Cassio ,no don’t. Don’t do anything stupid”

My plea fell on deaf ears as he stomped out of the garden.