Marriage by Law (4 page)

"Is everything o-"

"Your father and I have something to discuss," said my mother, cutting off whatever my dad was going to say. For someone who claims she has no emotions, she sure got jealous when father spent more time talking to me.

I sighed and looked up at her, raising my eyebrows to question her. And here I thought my dad wore the pants in this relationship.

"Years ago, a man had saved his business rival from a horrible death. He has made a promise," she started. It was easy to zone out when my mother spoke and watch the flickering fire or even the way the ducted heating blew a piece of fluff from a jumper across the room. It brought up questions like, why have the heating system and the fireplace at the same time? Wasn’t that a waste of energy?

Her voice was that monotone. Made me wonder what my dad saw in her to marry her.

"The promise was that the first granddaughter he had would be married to his best man's family. Back then it wasn’t about money, it was about word. When someone gives their word, they stick to it. They care about loyalty. The two businesses had enough power to overrun each other and send one sinking to the ground, which in these days can cause a great global financial crisis with the way both businesses have risen. To make sure that didn't happen, they made a promise."

I always did wonder why she picked such bad wallpaper. I mean, orange does not go with the fireplace; it didn’t create a natural theme at all. And why orange? It wasn’t even orange
orange
, if there was such a thing, it was mustard orange. My eyes just hurt staring at it; it was like staring at the clouds when they blocked out the sun. You couldn’t see the sun but your eyes felt the glare from it.

"They weren't just family rivals but also business rivals. Ever since that day, they both had worked together to help each other in each other's business. Better lead the world with a friend," she dictated. Rather than focus on her story, I was focusing on how she said ‘each other’ too much in the sentence. Mother, did you even study English?

My mother looked a bit wary as she told me all this. I couldn't help but yawn; this was boring and all I wanted to do was lock myself away and cry. But for some reason, tears just wouldn't come. Maybe I was expecting this type of betrayal from J –him. There were so many signs along the way that our relationship was just not working out. In a way, was I glad that it was finally over.

I should have known this was coming. The past few months gave me enough warning.

"So they had given their word. I don’t care what anyone thinks,” I scoffed. Well, that was obvious.

“And I don’t care what you have to say about this but the sacred promise must be kept.”

She grabbed a box off the fireplace and walked over, handing it to me. I opened it up to see a beautiful engraved ring. There was a light colored stone in the middle and it looked like the gold had wrapped itself around the ring, like a small delicate vine wrapping around the stone before forming into a ring.

"Okay. Why do I need to know this?" I asked, looking up from the box. “And why do I need this?”

Sure, the ring was pretty to look at, but why did I need it? She sighed in frustration and looked at father in disbelief. Maybe if she explained things properly, it would have made sense in the first place. She explained it like a story, but the plot and ending were missing.

"After generations, there had finally been the birth of a female girl in that family. And now that she is of age and because of other factors, such as their company being sued by a client which may cause them bankruptcy, she needs to marry their heir to honor our side of the deal. Their heir and our heir. They have a son that is of age to get married and now they need the great-great-" she waved a hand, signifying it was many ‘greats’ – “daughter from our side so the deal made can be done.”

I shrugged. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, Ivory, that man was, in fact, your father's great grandfather," she said.
"And according to the promise, you are the first girl born in this house in over 5 generations."

Present Time

             "Why didn't we do this before?" asked Rose as we walked into
 ‘
Betty’, which was
 
a small cafe we found during our time in the university.

"I didn't know. Both our schedules were pretty full.”

"And it's not now?" asked Rose. Even though she acted like she enjoyed spending time with me knitting, I saw a glint in her eyes I hadn't in a long time. It made me feel nearly normal back here.

"Well, now that he’s back officially, I’m sure he can meet with people and go to meetings. I won’t have to on his behalf.” But then seeing him hang out with a group of old ladies didn’t seem likely.

I sat down in a corner booth, taking off my hat and seeing Rose’s skeptical gaze. “It’s so no one rattles to the witch,” I explained, shaking my head, witch being my mother. She would surely screech if she knew I was out having fun.

I should have also commented on her choice of clothes, yellow and orange, maybe a few darker shades would have made her stick out less. And this was Rosemarie. I doubt she owned any black clothes Well, she probably owned a little black dress, because it was the little black dress, for irony.

“She’s still alive?”

I smiled, shaking my head. It wasn’t a surprise Rose hated her. In fact, I can list how many people liked her on one hand with half the fingers I needed.

"How did you get here?" asked Rose, sipping her flat white as I saw her eyes scan outside to see our car.

“I walked.” I wrinkled my nose at the potent smell of coffee and drew my chocolate chiller milkshake closer to me. It was freezing, making my fingers go pale. I wasn’t a fan of coffee. In fact, it made me drowsier, the sugar and the warmth putting me to bed, so how I fell in love with a coffee shop, who knows.

Maybe it was because their chocolate milkshakes were too good to resist.

I sipped my chocolate chiller and wrapped my arms around my mid-section trying to keep warm. It was raining softly outside and the sun had disappeared under the thick blanket of clouds. So much for a warm day, I thought, staring out the window behind her.

"Front door?" Rose asked with a sarcastic expression on her face and I giggled.

"I jumped the fence into my neighbor’s and then used their back fence door," I said shrugging. Rose groaned, shaking her head with her mouth slightly open.

"Why?”

“I don’t know,” I replied. I really didn’t. I just missed doing things that I wasn’t allowed to do, and jumping fences was what I did back in the day. Oh right, I also didn’t want to walk through the main gate, in case someone I knew walked in and I had to go upstairs, change into a stupid dress and sit knitting.

“Your dad really shouldn’t have let you play sports," she said, shaking her head. Rosemarie was allergic to sports. In fact, while I played she would sit there photographing the boys on the team. Meanwhile I loved sports. I loved pouring my anger and frustration on everything - mainly mother - on the poor ball during the games.

“How are you going to get back?" she asked. I shrugged as I took another large sip of cold chocolate that was starting to jam my straw, which was really annoying.

"The same way?"

"Really, Iv, what if your neighbors see you?" she asked.

I waved a hand, shaking my head. “They won’t. They were on a holiday to Fiji or something." What I’d do to be on a holiday right now.

I would probably take the front door, not that I would admit it to her face, but I think I pulled a muscle jumping the fence in the first place. Maybe I was too old for that now.

The rain had seemed to stop and I stood up giving up on trying to get the chocolate chip piece out of my drink. I hated it when they got stuck in the straw.

"We should get back," I sighed. I didn't want to leave this place. I had a good time, and I hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

Making sure both my hat and glasses were secure, I walked toward the door, with Rose following beside me and tucking my arm through hers.

“We should plan something soon,” I said and she nodded, kicking a rock in her way as we walked down the quiet street. She suddenly grew really quiet and I cast a worried look in her way. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” she asked but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. I let it drop; she never did break when I pushed her. She was always involved in my drama but I never had a chance to ask her about hers.

"Are you coming over?" I asked Rose as we walked down the familiar road, making sure to keep away from view which was hard when Rose stuck out like a sore thumb.

I felt something on my face and we both looked up. She squealed and started running, dragging me along behind her as the rain came down harder. We ducked under a tree laughing as I pulled out of her grip and wiped the water from my hands. Perfect timing.

"Maybe not for a while. You both should get to know each other," she said. I scoffed, like that was going to happen. Maybe he should start by knowing my name, oh yea that would be a good place to start.

We waited while cuddling to keep us both warm. That was, till I started sneezing and she shoved me away and yelled cooties like a child.

“I don’t want to get sick,” she said, seeing my face and I pouted at her.

“Your affection wounds me.”

She laughed, doubling over. “Man, I haven’t heard your terrible Shakespearian lines in a long time.”

“It’s not terrible,” I said, looking at a car driving toward us.

“Yes it is, because it’s not even Shakespearian.”

I rolled my eyes, focusing on the car. It looked familiar.

"Shit!"

"What's wrong?" asked Rose, looking up at me with her bright blue eyes in caution.

"That's his car," I said, watching the car turn around the corner.

"So?"

“I should go,” I said. It would be wise to be home before him, and to be there at dinner ready. The last thing I needed was him complaining to my mother that I wasn’t being a good wife and cutting all ties with my dad.

Giving Rose a quick hug, I ran into the rain shivering as I made my way toward the house.  My heart was pounding in my chest and my breathing was ragged. Oh boy, I was
 
so
 
out of shape.

I saw the white and red roof of our house and ran along the fence to the back as I saw his car come to a stop. I quickly dodged the bush going around to the back fence and lifting myself up onto the plank.

Time to climb this.

This was, in fact, easier than the neighbor’s. Why didn’t I just take my fence the first time? It even had planks going horizontal that was easier to climb.

Hoisting myself up, I looked down at the mud on the other side. That was probably why I didn’t climb. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself over and carefully lowered myself down, only to slip on the last part and landing in the mud. A loud squelching sound made me realise that my jeans were now ruined, not that they were in some brilliant condition before.

I groaned. Why did I rush back? I should have taken the front door and walked up in my rainy and disgusting looking state proud. But then he could have banned me from leaving the house since I brought some mud stains to his posh carpet.

I looked down the muddy area and sighed. Here goes nothing.

I sat up brushing away as much mud as I could when I heard the back door open.

"There you are. I was wondering where you were, dearie," said Margaret, walking out. I stood up while plucking sticks from my hair.

"Oh yes, just enjoying the nice weather?"

Margaret ushered me inside and I sighed, back to what was my equivalent of a prison.

"Go freshen up, dear, and get warm in bed. I'll bring your dinner up today," she said. I sighed, nodding as I walked up the stairs, trying hard not to touch anything. I had left my shoes outside so at least I wouldn’t leave stains on the carpet.

Darius came down the corridor as I walked up the last step toward my bedroom. I felt his eyes take in my appearance and winced. Great, so much for not wanting him to see me like this. Nice one, Ivory, just look like a mud man. He stopped but didn’t say anything so I walked right past him, not even making eye contact. He wanted to play hostile, I could do that just as well.

Only if I didn’t sneeze like a man as he started walking again, I could have played it classy.

Margaret looked down at me from beside the bed as I sneezed again and she took the thermometer out. “Bed rest.”

I groaned, rolling around and hiding my face in the pillow. “I’m not that sick,” I complained but my body was sick.

I moaned in delight as she wrapped another blanket around me. I was freezing.

"Eat the soup. I'll be back with fresh hot cross buns the chef made.”

I nodded, turning over and looking at the yucky looking soup beside her that did not look appetizing. I did believe her when she said it was good for me. Anything that foul looking probably was, but I did want some hot cross buns filled with chocolate that would just melt in my mouth.

What was the occasion? Hot cross buns were an Easter specialty. I waited till she walked out before closing my eyes and rolling over as much as I could. Warm, I was warm. I felt myself being dragged into the beautiful world of sleep as the door opened.

Keep the hot cross buns there, Ma. I’ll eat them when I wake up. But I couldn’t move my mouth to mutter it and instead of the chocolate smell, I smelt cologne.

Chapter Five

6 Months Ago

I started laughing, dropping the box. My mother picked up the box scowling and glared at me as I continued to laugh. She blew against the imaginary dust that collected when I dropped it and scowled at me.

That was a beautiful story; she should make it into a fairytale. But have a happing ending in there somewhere because there was never going to be a happy ending with me in real life.

"You're joking, right?" I asked when I could finally speak. I looked at my father who had a sad expression on his face and stopped laughing.

“You are joking, right?” I said a bit calmer and when I got no reply I blew it.

"You're serious?" I asked, looking back and forth.

"This is a great opportunity -"

"I am barely twenty!" I yelled loudly. My father winced and opened his mouth to say something but as usual my mother cut him off, again.

"You are turning twenty one soon. You are a legal adult," she said. I scoffed, that wasn't what she said with all my other choices. You are a young girl, not mature enough to be an adult, leave the stuff to father and I, she would say.

But now my decision with James was proving her right by the moment. I shook my head. I didn't want to think about him.

Was I seriously the only girl in five generations? I knew my father had a lot of brothers and male cousins but I never expected that was in five generations!

"What do you mean, exactly?" I said.

"We mean for you to get married to the man we have picked. He is a direct descendant like you, not a cousin or anyone else. He is q-"

"When?" I asked wearily.

"Soon. It will be a small private wedding. The boy needs to finish his degree and so must leave right after for six months. You can take this time to learn your duties and impress him when he gets back. Mistakes will not be accepted, Ivory. You will be given full training while he is on his-"