CHAPTER 4

Once the mourners bid farewell to the Hunt family, carmilla and her dad makes their way back to the mansion. The atmosphere in the car became tense with carmilla sitting in Stony silence.

As they pulled up to the mansion, carmilla's father turns to her.

“ Carmilla, we need to talk,”. He said, with his voice low.

Carmilla's heart skips a bit. What more is her dad going to talk about?

As they made their way inside the mansion, carmilla's mother excuses herself, disappearing into her room.

Carmilla's father led her inside the study, closing the door behind them.

“ Carmilla, I know you're confused about what I said earlier. And I know you're also confused about the Harrington's”. He said, his eyes serious.

“ But… I need to explain something to you. Like I said, your brother was engaged to marry into the Harrington's family”.

Carmilla's eyes was set fixed looking at her dad.

“ You already said that earlier. What I'm worried about is why didn't any of you tell me?”.

Her father sighed.

“ It was a complicated situation back then. And your brother was trying to secure a business deal with the Harrington's, marrying into the family was part of the arrangement”.

Carmilla's mind reeled. Why would her brother want to marry into a wealthy family, when theirs was rich enough.

“ Dad, what is wrong with the family's company?”. She asked 

“ You see… our company is going bankrupt due to embezzlement of funds. But it was my mistake, that all I can tell you now”. He replied with a low voice.

“ Julian! Got engaged into that family, that I never knew about. Why would you guys keep such a big thing from me?”. She questions, feeling a pang of hurt.

Her father's expression becomes somber.

“ Your brother was trying to protect our families name. I never knew that marrying him off would get him killed”. 

Carmilla's eyes narrowed.

“ What do you mean? What's wrong with the Harrington's?”.

Her father hesitated, as if unsure of how to reveal what was in his mind. 

Just as he was about speaking the door opened interrupting their discussion. 

There room became silent for a moment.

“ Did I interrupt something? Why did you two suddenly become quiet?”. Mrs. Hunt asked, feeling suspicious about their sudden quietness.

The two still remains quiet seated with Mr Hunt signaling carmilla using his eyes not to say anything.

“ It nothing”. He responded, with a firm voice, staring at his wife.

“ Oh, I almost forgot. The Harrington's invited us over to their mansion for the burial reception. You should go prepare and change into something nice. You too cam”. He added, viewing their outfit.

Carmilla adjusting her chair backwards to leave is stopped by her mother.

“ No need to leave in a hurry. I presume that your dad must have briefed you about our families situation” she said, with her hands preventing her daughter from leaving.

“ Yes. Dad already told me, but I believe that not everything”. She replied, removing her mom's hands from her.

Staring at her parents, carmilla gave out a huge sigh as if trying to remove something from her chest.

“ Did you two have to go this far? Do you realize that you caused Julian's death?”. 

Her mom chuckles.

“ We? I believe that absurd for you to say. Instead of trying to blame us! why not look for who is at fault”.

“ It you that responsible for your brother's death. It you who should have been married into that family not your brother!”. 

Carmilla stood shocked on what her mother had uttered.

“ What did you just say? You mean to tell me that you had an arranged marriage planned initially for me?”. She questions angrily.

Mr. Hunt staring at both his wife and daughter arguing begins to feel a bit of disappointment in himself as he also contributed to the family's present situation.

“ Yes. Your mom and I initially planned this marriage for you. But your brother knew better than anyone that you will refuse to this arrangement. Instead, he decided to take it upon himself by marrying”. He answered, with a low voice, his eyes staring away from his daughter.

Carmilla upon hearing this, breaks into tears with her hands covering her mouth blaming herself for all this drama. Even if she wants to save the family's company by partnering with her own company, the shareholders won't certainly agree to it. And her company might suffer lose as she just grew it under three years.

Is there no other way to solve the problem without marrying into that family? She asks herself.

Her mom observing her present condition, knew instantly that she will want to do anything to help them.

“ If you still regard this family as yours and you want to help us, renew the agreement your brother had with the family”.

“ Marry into the family”. 

Mr. Hunt eyes widens, he couldn't believe what term his wife has just come up with.

“ Honey, how can you say that. I won't agree to this! After loosing my son, I can't afford to loose my daughter as well”. He responded angrily.

Mrs. Hunt couldn't care less of what her husband may think, all she knew is that If carmilla could agree to this, their family won't be ruined.

“ Is marrying into that family the best solution?”. She questions her mother, who did not care less what she was feeling.

“ If you really want to redeem yourself as this family's daughter, and you want to have a better relationship with me, marry Harrison”. She ordered.

“ She does not need to redeem herself for any reason, she has always been the daughter of this family”. He responded, with a stern look at his wife.

Carmilla watching how her father defends her and her mom caring less of what she might feel. Thought that her mom might be right this time.

“ I'll marry Harrison. I've decided”. She said as she faces her parents.

 I hope this time I've made the right choice.