A Doomed Arrangement

Alina’s POV

The hall of the Whitmore household was extremely silent. I stood like a criminal in front of my father and my stepmother, Georgia, who was continuously dabbing a cold cloth over Lila’s cheeks. Looking at the slap mark, she started fuming, “How dare you hit Lila! Who gave you the right to raise your hand at my daughter?”

“She slept with my boyfriend and spoke ill about my mother! She deserved what came her way.”

“You…” She was about to lunge at me when my father held her back. He signalled for her to calm down and then looked at me, “Alina, relationships are complicated. Lila is young, and they both are in love…”

“Wait,” I stared at my father in disbelief, “You knew about this?”

My father shared an uncomfortable gaze with Lila and muttered, “Yes.”

Even though Lila was the one who got slapped, I was the one who was feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I understood my good for nothing sister and asshole of a boyfriend going behind my back, but my father? My own father chose to protect her instead of me!

I was not the kind to cry over petty things but this time I felt my eyes sting. I looked at him straight and said, “I expected better from you, Mr Whitmore.”

“Alina! Don't talk to your father like that.” Georgia fiercely defended her husband but all she received from me was an eye roll. Father? What a joke!

“I am done with this conversation.” I stood up from my seat, preparing to walk away when suddenly, I heard Lila sob. She said, “I am sorry, dad. It is because of me Alina is fighting with you. I knew he was Alina’s boyfriend but I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with him.”

My face twisted seeing her put on this petty act; no wonder father favoured, even I would have trusted her if I hadn't seen her true colours. Georgia immediately rushed to pacify her precious daughter, “It's okay, baby. It's not your fault. You can't control your emotions.” 

Lila looked at me with her tear stained eyes, “I am sorry, Alina, but Ethan and I love each other. Please don't take him away from me. I will give you whatever you want but please don't take him away.”

I scoffed. Take him away? When did I even try to?

“I…” Georgia tried to speak up but her words were silenced by the sound of her heart breaking over her daughter crying. She looked at her husband and said, “Warner, say something!”

The man nodded and looked at me, “Alina, you have to let this go. Your sister made a mistake and she is accepting it, what more can she do?”

I stared at him for a few seconds before adjusting my composure. Sure, since you want to play this game, I will play along.

I declared, “I want AV.”

“Huh?” The three of them stared at me in disbelief.

I continued, “I know about the will, you are planning to give it away to Lila. AV was my mother's company which you took over after her death. It rightfully belongs to me.”

Georgia spoke up, “That company now belongs to your father. He gets to choose who the company goes to.”

“I don't care.” I shot my eyes at her and said firmly, “She can have the love of her life in exchange for the company.”

The silence started to suffocate the room which was awkwardly silent. Dad leaned back on the chair, the wrinkles on his temples tightened, signalling that he was in deep thoughts. Next to him, Lila was getting impatient, “Dad, say something! You promised the company to me. You can't give it to her.”

My eyebrows raised in amusement, “Didn't you say you will give away anything for Ethan? What happened now?”

“This is different!” She bickered and turned to Georgia, “Mom, I have told all my friends that I am taking over the company. If it doesn't happen, I will lose face. This is social suicide!”

“I have never seen anyone fight tooth and nail for leftovers.” I commented, “You amuse me, Lila. Living a hand me down life, fighting over a hand me down man, now you want my mother's leftover company as well.”

“You…” Lila stood up from her seat to charge at me but was stopped by our father, “Lila. Alina. Stop fighting!”

“But dad…” Lila tried to contest but he shut her down again. After she swallowed the hard pill and sat down, he turned to look at me, “Alina, I understand what you are trying to say but I am afraid it's not possible.”

A victorious smile appeared on Lila’s face as she nuzzled next to her mom. I took in a deep breath and turned my attention to my father, “Why not?”

He took the glass of water in front of him, taking a small sip and revealed, “It is because I am selling AV.”

“WHAT?” Lila and I don't agree to anything but for the first time, we said something in unison. 

“Dad? What do you mean? You literally promised! Now what am I suppose to tell my friends?” The girl whined. I shook my head because unlike my image, I cared more about AV. 

I asked, “What happened? Why are we selling the company?”

The couple looked at each other, trying to find words to put it in the nice way possible! I barked, “Can someone answer!”

My dad kept the glass on the table and loosened his collar, “The company has been struggling for some time. We have accumulated substantial debt, several investors have withdrawn, and our remaining investors are preparing to do the same.”

I fell back on my seat, my fingers curling within my palm, “I don't believe this…”

“Alina, I am sorry. I tried my best to keep the company afloat but…” My dad said but I could not even hear him because of the way my ears were ringing with despair.

I lifted my work out eyes and asked, “What happens now?”

“Whatever remains after the debt will be divided according to the terms of the sale,” Georgia explained, “We will soon be thrown out of AV.”

“This is a disaster,” I pinched my temples. It was my fault. I should have pushed harder to take over the company years ago instead of trusting my father to protect what my mother had built.

The couple looked at each other for a while, as if they were contemplating on something. After a few seconds, Georgia spoke up, “Well, there is a way out…”

My head immediately perked up and I looked at my father for an explanation.

“Do you know Roy Henderson?” He questioned me. I nodded, everyone in the business world knew Roy. A 48-year-old business tycoon who is known for acquiring struggling companies and turning them around.

“He is willing to help us out. But he has one condition.”

“What is it?” I could hardly hide the hopelessness on my face. I want to save AV at all cost and for that I was willing to comply with anything. 

My father watched me carefully before revealing, “He wants to marry you.”