I have a proposition for you

Sophia

Ellie and Philip stared at Kieran and me for a few moments since we were still standing too close to each other. Her eyes flickered towards my neck, but she couldn’t see anything thanks to the dim light and my soft, blond locks that were let down freely. Upsetting my pregnant sister with the truth about her future brother-in-law was the last thing I’d want if she didn’t already have her own suspicions. And Kieran never really tried to hide his bigotry towards us.

“Why are you so giddy?” I asked, catching Ellie’s eyes, pretending I did not know what was happening.

A diversion was always the best strategy, and it worked like magic. As soon as that question was out, Ellie’s face lit up with a smile that showed how happy she was.

“We have something to tell you,” Ellie mused. I didn’t miss her small hand searching for Philip’s and his finding hers.

“Yes, we have an announcement to make, and as you two are the most important people in our lives, you deserve to be the first to know.” After a brief pause that Philip made for dramatic purposes only, he continued: “Earlier tonight, this beautiful girl who found it in her heart to love me, made me the happiest man on the planet by accepting to be my wife. Now the three of us, Ellie, our baby, and I, will start a new family, which you will always be a part of.” He proclaimed, excitement rolling off of him in waves.

The happiness of the newly engaged couple was obvious, and damn Kieran to hell and back if he tried to deny it.

Although I knew what Philip was going to say and was sure of my sister’s answer, I didn’t have to fake surprise. The thrill I felt for them gave me enough verve to pass it off as a pleasant shock.

I was the first to react by making those few steps that separated me from the lovebirds to pull Ellie into a hug, congratulating her and wishing only the greatest things for her upcoming life. I repeated the same with my future brother-in-law while Kieran was in the same spot.

I knew he didn’t take the news well, but he could’ve pretended he was glad for their sake.

I faked a cough, which seemed to snap Kieran out of his thoughts as he finally moved and congratulated both Philip and Ellie. His stance was still rigid and stiff, and the smile plastered on his face looked too good to be true.

“I need to talk to you. Privately.” A rough hand on my forearm pulled me away from the small crowd, and, to my surprise, I didn’t resist. I was blindly following a man who almost killed me earlier.

What the hell was wrong with me? Was I this stupid? I have never been this submissive before... What did he do to me? Did he put a spell on me or something?

Thanks to our apartment being as humble as it was, we were standing by the entrance door in just a couple of steps, leaving Philip and Ellie to stare after us with conspiratorial smiles on their faces. It was easy to tell what they were thinking, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

Kieran leaned closer to me, bending his head to make up for the height difference, and whispered: “I have a proposition for you.” His warm breath tingled my earlobe, causing a thousand ants to crawl down my spine.

I was taken aback by his tone that gave away nothing except the mystery that laced it. What could he possibly offer me?

“Money to keep me quiet? To not report you for attempted murder?” I spat.

Instead of confirming my thoughts, Kieran chuckled deeply. He was laughing at me?

“Don’t be silly. Do you think it would take me a long time to make that accusation disappear?” A barely audible roar came from his chest. He made fun of me and ridiculed me, but he wasn’t wrong. I was no one; I stood no chance against him. The realization that he was right tasted bitter on my tongue.

“And do you actually think I couldn’t have killed you in the blink of an eye if I wanted to?” Kieran was standing uncomfortably close to me, and it seemed he was nearing me more and more with each passing second, dominating the tiny space of the hallway. His closeness lit up every nerve cell in my body, pushing me towards the edge of sanity.

But I could not argue against it. If he wanted me dead, I would have been dead and floating in the Potomac River by now.

“What if I told you there was a way for you to secure your sister’s safety from me?” If Kieran didn’t have my full attention before, now he definitely did. “I promise not to make her life miserable if you could do one simple thing for me.”

“What do you want?” I asked immediately, and my eagerness to know his conditions made Kieran suppress his laugh.

“Come by my office tomorrow around noon. I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding it.” He was amused by this? I was so confused by his reaction that I had an easier time believing my senses were still off.

With that said, Kieran was out the door. Just like that.

I stayed there for a few more moments, trying to collect my thoughts and emotions scattered all over the place.

My life was never an easy ride, but this last week could qualify for some ‘Believe it or not,’ column in newspapers. How was one person supposed to handle all of this? How was one supposed to stay sane?

“What’s happening with the two of you?” I liked neither Ellie’s tone nor her facial expression. They both insinuated that something awfully disgusting and unimaginable was happening between me and that demon’s spawn.

“Nothing. We’re future in-laws. We need to make plans for our nephew.” I brushed her question off, but the wheels in my head couldn’t stop turning as I nervously avoided eye contact with Ellie and Philip.

What could someone like Kieran King want from me? What could I do in exchange for Ellie’s safety?

The next few minutes we spent talking about their plans, only to be surprised when they informed me that the small wedding would be held in the local church a week from now. They wanted nothing lavish and were in a rush to say their vows as soon as possible.

No matter the initial shock, I approved of their decision. It will only mean they will spend more time with each other. With Philip’s illness… I shivered, not wanting to think about the pending diagnosis and destroy the ecstatic atmosphere that overwhelmed us. We had tomorrow to worry about those things.

“So, you’re not going to tell me what’s going on between you and Kieran?” Ellie asked later that night when we were each in our beds.

“Nothing is going on, sweetheart,” I answered, but Ellie didn’t give up.

“But you were upset when we came, and he looked so scary. I was afraid for you…” she whispered.

‘And I am afraid for you and what that monster can do,’ I thought but never said it aloud.

“Ellie, drop it. You’re imagining things. Let’s sleep. I’m tired. Good night.” It came out harsher than I intended, but it was the only way to make my sister stop asking questions.

“Good night,” Ellie whispered back, and I heard the shuffling of sheets as she turned around to the opposite side.

Soon, Ellie’s breathing became deeper and slower, and I was sure she was asleep. Unlike her, I was awake for much, much longer.