Arianne
The rage is an all consuming thing that is living and writhing inside of me. It coils tight around my middle till I feel my breath stutter out of me in harsh exhales and it takes all of my strength to stop from reaching out and pushing the door to the car open and tossing myself into the oncoming traffic.
"I did this for the good of the company." My father grumbles beside me and I grit my teeth to stop from snapping at him.
"You could have told me that this was your brilliant plan to save our business." I retort quietly, my voice shaking slightly from the fury within me.
"You wouldn't have gone along with it and-"
"And so the best solution you could come up with is to ambush me with it?" I seethed.
"Arianne… the last thing I want is to taint our family legacy and name with Kane blood. I didn't want this and trust me when I say if there was any other way, any other remedy to this bankruptcy, I would have taken it." Usually, the steel in his voice would be enough to curb my anger but I was having none of it today.
"We have always stood together through the best and worst of things," my voice cracks from emotion. "For the longest time, it has always been you and me. I didn't always like the decisions that you made but we did it together…why would you betray me in this way?"
From the corner of my eyes, I could see him sag in defeat and he opens his hands, palms open and angles his body to face me.
"This is for the best." He says and I scoff, wiping at my eyes.
The Kane estate comes into view in the distance, breaking through the greenery we had been driving through and I feel myself tighten.
"Whatever you say, you word is law." I reply as we park in from of the sprawling mansion.
"Arianne, that's not-"
"Come now, let's get to know the family you sold me to." I say, cutting him off. Not waiting for my door to be opened for me, I step out of the car in the crisp warm air.
I inhale deeply, trying to fortify my mental walls for whatever I may face today. It is no secret that the Kane and Saint-Clair families have been long rivals since the beginning of the industrial age doing whatever they could to outsmart, outlast and outmanoeuvre one another and this marriage is bound to shock not only me but the rest of the world.
"Welcome, Miss Saint-Clair." A voice says from beside me and I turn to see a stout man with receding salt and pepper hair, smiling warmly at me.
"I am James, the Kane Estate's butler, behind me is Celine the housekeeper," He gestures to a middle-aged woman with glowing olive skin and honey-brown eyes, her hair is pinned beneath a ivory bonnet. "And Mateo, the groundskeeper," an older mountain of a man stood a little too close to Celine and I hide my smile as I nodded at the two in greeting.
I tense when I feel my father come to stand by my side.
"You will be introduced to the rest of the staff momentarily but first, I'll show you to your wing of the mansion. Mr. Kane is having a family luncheon to introduce you to everyone and I would assume you would like to freshen up before you meet them." The butler says and I freeze.
Not only am I being married off into the Kane family without my knowledge or consent, but I am to meet the whole clan today? My stomach cramps and a wave of dizziness overtakes me and I clench my teeth.
"Thank you, James, I would really appreciate that." He dips his head and turns for me to follow him.
"Arianne…" My father begins to say but I pay him no mind and follow behind James, without sparing him a glance.
"It is nice to meet you, Celine, Mateo." I smile as I pass them and Celine breaks into a warm smile that helps to lessen the tension in my bones and suddenly, I feel grounded.
I am being led through a series of stairs and halls, passing by a hallway dedicated to the portraits of the past Kane patriarchs but I pay no attention to them or to the routes that James is leading me through.
I try to stop the shaking that wracks my body as I walk, cursing my father for putting me in this situation for the umpteenth time.
Xander Kane is many things, a brilliant mind that elevated Kane Global to such unreachable heights in the business world. He is ruthless, cold and bloodthirsty when it comes to his business and those traits have served him well as CEO but…what would he be like as a husband?
The thought is so ridiculous I almost laugh.
So deep have I been I my head, I don't notice we have reached my rooms until James stops and clears his throat.
"Here we are, Miss Saint-Clair." He says and opens the door to reveal a large room. I step into the space, carefully taking everything in through squinted eyes.
The room is designed in shades of ruby red, silver and deep purple. The giant four-poster bed is dressed in red silk and I move to it and run my fingers through the smooth fabric, my mind suddenly going blank.
My stunned expression must be showing on my face because James steps forward and clears his throat, this time uncertainly.
"Mr. Kane charged me with finding out what you like and I learned that you prefer these colors in the summer so I tried to have the room tailored to your specific tastes…" He trails off, unsure and I give him a smile in appreciation.
"It's perfect, James. Thank you." I say sincerely and he visibly relaxes before catching himself and righting his posture, going back to his practiced professionalism.
"Right through there is your vanity room," He waves a hand to a door on the right. "Here is your closet," He opens another door and I catch a glimpse of a room almost as big as the bedroom with clothes arranged by color.
"The door across the hall is your bathroom and the door at the end of the hall will be your home office." James finishes and stands with his hands folded behind him.
I swallow, taking it all in and I walk to him, clasping my hands before me.
"Thanks again, James. That will be all." I sigh.
"If you need anything, you can reach me through the landline by the bed. There is a list of which numbers call who on the table by the phone too." He says and dips his head at me again and walks out, closing the door softly behind him.
Alone, I fall into the plush chaise lounge before the bed.
The reality of the situation finally hits me and it suddenly feels like a weight is pressing down on my shoulders and I lie there and take deep breaths.
A memory comes to me, unbidden, of my mother. Her hair is swept to the side as she looks down at me crying on my knees.
"If I didn't let myself get distracted I could have spelt the last word right and won, Mum." I bawled and she gripped me tightly.
"Oh honey, don't be so hard on yourself. You are resilient and way smarter than other kids your age," She leans back and wipes a tear from my face. "Winning isn't everything, but remember to give yourself some grace, take a step back, regroup, analyze and plan. No one will be ready when next you decide to come for them."
I sit up, sudden resolve lightening the weight as I stand.
It is time to meet my new family.