Oren had the look of disgust at what was happening but a far away longing look in his eyes when he heard the letter written by his late dad being read out. He wanted Mr. Fred to read it all out but the family wanted something else... And so they skipped to the main reason everyone was present. The property...
There was pin drop silence through out the day. Mr. Fred had gone after reading the will and everyone was still trying to process what on earth just happened. But the most shocked was Oren. He couldn't believe it, oblivious to the jealous and envious gaze of his family members, he stared into space with the business card of a certain lady tucked into his palm. He looked down to see the printed name 'Lady Persephone' It was very simple but looked quite expensive in its rich black color with a splash of gold.
Now in his room... He sat down to take in all that was said to him. He recalled his dad handing everything to him... Every last thing... Down to the house! But there was a condition for it to be fulfilled... He had to get married before he could achieve them. If he already had someone he could go ahead with it but if not... He was to get with Lady Persephone in order to get it all. Oren felt a headache coming. It was just too much. He pinched the bridge of his nose, a habit he did whenever he was stressed out and having difficulty assimilating issues . Just then he felt something in his pocket and went ahead to take it out, it was Mr. Fred who snuck it into his pocket away from the eyes of his family members. Opening it, he saw the name of the sender and the tears weld up, they fell as he got to the end. His dad wrote to him on his sick bed apologizing for not being there and being too late. This was his way of compensating him and making sure he didn't end up alone but had someone who had his back.
He woke up to dark skies and dried tears, lying down quietly contemplating his life. No one had talked to him or ordered him to do anything, the servants probably heard what happened too but for some reason, Lady Persephone was suddenly on his mind. Who was she? How does she know his dad? What does she have to gain from all these? Sleep came again...
Oren was sitting opposite her in a restaurant as she watched him eat while she smoked with a glass of wine. He felt her gaze lingering on him which made him to lift his head and met her eyes only to look away from her, minding his food. She never spoke a word, neither did he but the silence was comfortable. The waiter came to carryout the dishes when he was done and thus the discussion began..
"Who are you to my father?"
"Not a mistress" a rich, thick Italian accent flowed out. It was attractive but he chose to ignore it.
"I didn't ask that"
"But you thought it..."
"Why?" It was a simple question but with a lot of depth.
"You're his only flesh and blood... And he wronged you and your mom in ways that shouldn't be. He's trying to atone for his sins"
"By buying it?!!" His voice, almost a scream.
"No. Am the one buying it."
"What?" Oren was so confused, he didn't understand what she was saying.
"He saved me once and I hate to owe people especially ones like him so I wanted to pay him with money, but he won't bulge. On his death bed he mentioned something he wanted to do desperately which was the only way to repay him so I bought it from him. So here we are paying my dept.
Oren burst out laughing... He laughed so hard until the tears came. It took a while before he got back his composure. Lady Persephone knew this was coming from a place of hurt... Not the surface level but one that was so deep in pain that it was difficult to see the end. What a pity... He was too young to experience that.
"So you're buying me? Am your property? Way to go dad... " He smiled bitterly
"If you're done whining let's get down to business". Oren shifted uncomfortablely but listened anyway.
"There's a clause which states that for you to acquire it all, you need to be married or at least be engaged to your partner."
"And if I don't have one?"
Lady Persephone raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. " You sure? I thought the lady beside the pig was your partner".
He knew she was talking about his brother when she used the word "pig" but what does she mean by my partner?
"Am sorry who? Freya? That's my brother's wife". It was said with both contempt and hurt. She smiled . "Interesting", she thought.
"So why does she stare at you like that?"
"You mean with hate"
"No. Like a meal. Like her favorite snack!"
Oren was dumbfounded. What? That's not true. If anything, she was trouble, always looking for ways to put him in trouble. Although he remembered that day in his room, the look in her eyes but he chose not to think about it.
"You're mistaken. That lady hates me"
"Oh I see, you guys had a history. But I don't think she's gonna let go. I know the look I saw on her face.... She's ambitious... Very ambitious and she wants you". Oren just stared at her. A part of him wanted to reject it, but he knew... It was true.