Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6

Aria's pov:

I looked at the doorway in which Cassian Passed through, and I realized if Someone like him can't escape his own family, then who am I?

The Sound of his car vibrated through the night, and left nothing but silence in my ears as he left.

“He'd cool off”. Mr. Vale said as he Poured himself a drink like nothing had just happened in this room Some minutes ago.

I looked at him and wiped the tears on my face.

“You threatened to disown him”, I said angrily.

His Calm and unmoved eyes shifted to me slowly.

“But I gave him a choice”, he said.

“That's a dirty blackmail, not choice!” I Shouted with a shaky voice.

“Aria, mind your tone.” My mother said Sternly as she tightened her hand on her wine glass cup.

“No, I won't!”. The room Stiffened immediately as I said that.

Mrs Vale forced a Small smile.

“Both of you are Still young, Aria, so emotions like this are expected.”

“Expected? You announced an arranged marriage and want us to be happy about it, were you expecting an applause?” I said.

“Elena, leave us”. Mr Vale Called without looking up.

Cassian's Sister stood up, and left.

Now, it remained just the four of us.

Three adults who looked composed, and me, the only Person falling apart.

My mother turned to me gently.

“Aria, this alliance had been discussed for years, so your tears Can't change anything now." She said.

My head Snapped towards her side.

“Years? I was only a Child for crying out loud.” I Screamed.

“And now you're not”. She said.

“So you've been waiting for today? You've been grooming and Prepping me for this shit?” I said, obviously Pained.

“Aria, mind your words!” She yelled at me irritatedly.

“No, you mind yours! You didn't even ask me!" I Said.

“Because you would have said no.” She said.

“Exactly! Feelings are temporary but power is not.” Mr. Vale said.

I Stared at him disgustingly.

“Is that how you treat your son too? Is this the way to treat a Child?”

His expression didn't change.

“He'd understand his duty soon.” He said.

“So marriage is now a duty?” I asked.

His eyes met mine directly and he turned away after few Seconds.

My mother Stood up.

“We'd take our leave now."

As we Stepped outside, the night air hit my body Sharply.

I inhaled like I had been under water for hours.

“You are going to let me walk into that hole?" I said.

“It's necessary.” She said.

“For who?”

“For our future.”

I turned Slowly towards her.

“You mean for your business or Political gain?”

My mom is also a Politician aside being a business woman.

She's been on seat as a Commissioner of finance since four years ago and she's trying to run for a Second term.

She didn’t deny it. “You'd thank me for this one day.” She said.

“Cassian is Powerful, and the Vale name open doors.”

“I don't want any opened door, I want a Choice.” I said.

When we got home, I didn’t wait for her... I walked Straight to my room.

“Aria,” she called.

I didn’t Stop or look at her.

“Aria.” She called again.

I turned at the top of the Stairs.

“Did you ever love me or I'm just Part of a deal to you?”

“Don't be dramatic, Aria."

She said Coldly, and that hurt more than anything.

I left her Standing, and entered my room.

I Sat on the floor and broke down in tears. “They Can't do this to me.”

I whispered to myself as tears Streaked down my face.

A Soft knock came few minutes later.

“Princess”. Matilda called.

I Stood up and opened the door for her.

She stepped in Carefully.

Matilda had started taking Care of me since I was a child.

She looked at my face and gasp.

“Oh my God.” She Said.

That was all it took... I fell into her arms and Cried like a baby.

“They're marrying me off.” I Sobbed into her Chest.

“They already decided years ago.” I said.

She held me tightly, and rocked my back. “Shhh… shhh… calm down Princess.”

She Pulled back and Cupped my face tenderly. “Did you tell Madam Kehlani that you're against it?”

“I did, but she Shunned me.”

Matilda sighed deeply. “You know how she is... She thinks she’s Protecting you.”

“By throwing me into a Cage?” My voice cracked.

Matilda wiped my tears.

“Go and beg her.” She Persuaded.

I looked at her weirdly. “Beg?”

“Yes, talk to her as a daughter, not as a business Partner... Remind her you are her flesh and blood.”

Hope flickered weakly inside me, but it disappeared immediately.

“She won't listen, when has she ever listened?” I said.

“Try first, a mother's heart is always soft to her blood.”

I Swallowed hard... What if she was right?

What if there was still some Soft spot to reach in her heart?

I stood up Slowly and left to my mother's room.

Her door was Slightly open when I got there.

I Pushed it open and Stepped in.

But I met her Packing..

A Suitcase lay on her bed and Clothes and documents were arranged neatly inside it.

“You’re leaving?”

“I have a flight to Catch up with in less than two hours.” She said hastily.

My Chest tightened. “Already?”

“Yes”, she said.

I stepped inside her room fully. “So that's it?

She zipped her Suitcase calmly.

“What do you want, Aria? Make it quick.”

“Please I don't want this marriage, kindly reconsider”. I Pleaded.

She finally looked at me, irritation flashing across her face.

“We’ve discussed this, Aria.”

“No, you announced it! You didn’t discuss anything with me.” I fired.

“This marriage Secures your future.”

“No, it buries me!”

Her eyes hardened.

“Lower your voice.”

“You drop this on me and then you want to leave? How is that fair to you?”

She raised her hands abruptly and Slapped me. “Enough!” She yelled.

Her voice vibrated through the room.

I looked at her with an eye full of shock, because this is the first time She'd raise her hands on me.

You think I built everything we have for you to Cry about choice and freedom? You think the world Cares about your feelings?” She Screamed.

“I Care about my feelings, I'm your daughter for crying out loud!”

“And I am ensuring you remain Protected!”

“Protected from what exactly? My happiness?”

Her hand Slammed against the suitcase violently.

“You'd not question my decision!”

“I already am! I am!”. My voice Came out low.

Her breathing grew sharper. “You are just being Childish.”

“And you’re being heartless!” I Cried.

She turned around and Picked her phone and Suitcase.

“I don't have time for all this Crap”. She said and walked Past me.

Then the front door Closed, and she was gone.

I don't remember walking into my room... I just remember Sitting on my bed and staring at nothing in Particular.

Matilda Came in quietly later.

“She left?” she asked gently.

I burst into another fresh tears.

"She didn’t listen to me, I told you already that she wouldn't listen.”

Matilda Came closer to me and sat beside me on the bed.

“Oh, my Child.” She hugged me.

“She Chose business again,” I whispered.

Matilda Stroked my hair.

“You need to rest baby.” She Said.

“I can't breathe, Matilda".

“You’re just overwhelmed.” She said.

“She doesn’t love me.”

“Don’t Say that again,” she Said firmly. “She loves you in her own way.”

“But her way hurts.”

Matilda tucked me in bed and lay beside me. “Close your eyes baby, tomorrow will be lighter, okay?”

Her fingers kept Stroking my hair gently until I Slept off.

Morning Came quickly.. I heard distant movement in the house.

I heard doors opening, and Staff talking in the house, but I couldn't move, and I Couldn’t open my eyes either.

The weight in my Chest felt heavier than yesterday's, and my breathing felt like work.

At some Point, everything became blurry, and the room felt hot and cold at the Same time.

“Aria, wake up.” The voice Sounded far away.

That was Mila's voice, I'd recognize it anytime, anyday.

Why was Mila here?

“Matilda, she's not responding!” She Said.

Footsteps rushed Closer to me and hands touched my face.

“Jesus… she’s burning.” Matilda’s voice broke.

“Burning? Who are they talking about?” I thought.

I Couldn’t open my eyes, and my body felt numb.

“She haven't Stepped out this morning?” Mila asked.

“Yes, I thought She was just upset about what happened yesterday… Somebody call the driver now!” Matilda Screamed.

I felt myself being lifted, and voices blurred together.

“She’s not waking up! Aria, please!” Mila Panicked, her voice was already shaking.

Cold air hit my face, and the last thing I heard before everything went blank was Mila Crying out my name.