★RAINE★
Hailey stared at me, blinking multiple times, her jaw slack open and her food remaining untouched.
"Okay, no, we need a drink over this conversation." She stood abruptly, opening my refrigerator.
"Uhm, no, Hailey, I had alcohol last night and I still have a hangover from it." I complained, but Hailey only chuckled.
"I'm not talking about alcohol, silly, you don't even own any. I brought this on my way." She retrieves a wine, apple martini, our favourite, from the refrigerator and placed it on the counter, shuffling the cupboard for glass cups and opener. She found both, opened the wine and poured us a glass.
After downing the whole glass and pouring herself another, Hailey said; "Okay, sweetie, I'll need you to tell me everything, and I mean everything from when Elliot broke up with you."
She must've been too interested in this news; she had used Elliot by his name and not a cuss.
And so I began telling her. I told her about Elliot's words when he asked to break up, told her how I coincidentally met Nathaniel's uncle outside the restaurant, how he had offered to drop me at home but I insisted on going to a club, how I asked him to escort me, the kiss, the sex and the marriage proposal.
After I was done speaking, Hailey's eyes were so wide and her cheeks were reddened. "Wow..." She whispered. "That... that is good news!" She suddenly squealed, jolting me.
"It is?" It was safe to say that I was surprised because I'd thought she was going to be against it. Not that I would've cancelled the marriage even if she was against it, I was just going to be sad that the one person who should support me wasn't. "Oh... okay."
"It is for real! We need to seriously celebrate!" She exclaimed, and I shook my head with a fond smile.
"Yeah, we are not doing that. It's... it's not like we are marrying because we are in love." I rolled my eyes.
"Even still, silly. This is Nathaniel Carter we are talking about. The rich-ass CEO, the fashion tycoon, and most of all the most wanted bachelor in Germany! Rethink your decision, sweetie." She laughed, shaking her head and continuing her meal. "And craziest of all, he's your ex-boyfriend's uncle, now look at that. Elliot will be so jealous!"
I mulled it over, Hailey was indeed right. There was nothing Nathaniel didn't have, and it would be interesting to watch Elliot's reaction when he learns I'll be marrying his uncle and soon enough he would be terming me an aunt. A smirk spread through my lips.
Hailey must've guessed my thoughts because she chuckled. "Now can you see how much worth a celebration is?"
"Let's leave the celebration for after marriage, Hailey." I waved her off. "The other thing is how I will tell father."
"Well, you can tell him it's a marriage of convenience and Nathaniel would help his business." Hailey shrugged.
"You know how much father doesn't like asking for help. Sometimes I wished I wasn't his only child." I sighed.
"That's not the main concern, sweetie." Hailey placed her hand on my shoulder. "What's important is 'now' Nathaniel is offering to help you to a better life, your father would definitely understand, so you have no reason to worry. Just call him if you can't face him, okay?"
I took in a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, I'll do that."
Hailey squeezed my shoulder. "That's my strong girl! I'll be your chief bridesmaid anyway."
I laughed hard and shook my head. "Hailey, please."
Hailey stayed for three more hours before her mother called. Hailey was a daughter to a single mother, the same way I was the only child to father, only that father was never meant to be a single father, but his wife—my mother—had died during my birth. Father didn't want to blame me, but sometimes I saw it in his eyes, the moments where he wished I wasn't born. I didn't blame him, he loved his wife too much, down to honouring her wish of him never remarrying even after her death.
Sitting on the couch, my thumb hovered over father's contact. Taking a deep breath in, I clicked the call button. After three rings, the call connected.
"Dad..."
"Ray baby, how are you, sweetheart?" He sounded like stress personified over the phone, and I knew he was going through his own shit. That's why hesitation didn't cross my mind in accepting Nathaniel's offer, I wanted the best life for father. He had tried for me too much.
"I'm fine, dad. How are you?" I asked back.
"I am alright, my dear. I paid some debts today, the ones of five thousand euros and ten thousand euros." I wanted to ask where he got the money from, but that wasn't important. "I know I haven't funded you in a while, I'll do that shortly."
"No, dad, that is not why I called." I sighed. "I..." I swallowed, "I will be getting married to Nathaniel Carter."
The other end of the call was silent, too silent I wondered if he had also stopped breathing. "No."
No?
"You will not marry that man, Raine. I know what you are doing, I will pay off our debts the company occurred and I will resolve the theft issue, you just have to stay quiet." Father said, his voice its usual softness, but I heard the undercurrent of something attained.
"It's not only entirely about us, dad. We are not being indebted to him if that is what you think, it's favour in return for favour. I'll marry him so he can get his brother's company because his brother would only hand it to him if he has a wife, in return for his help with our company. It's a win-win, dad."
"Raine Mitchell," he called out, even though his voice was still tame, I knew he was clenching his teeth. "I will fix our company, I will pay our debt. Do not bring up the discussion of marriage with Nathaniel Carter ever again." With that, he hung up.
I sighed deeply, I loved my dad and I obeyed him as well, but I knew for the first time in my life, I was going to disobey father. But I hoped he understood it was for the better of both our lives.