Chapter 5

"I don't want to know..." Vivian shook her head, not even wanting to hear what Alajos had to say. As long as she remained unaware, she wouldn't be sent away.

Vivian was in avoidance.

Alajos wouldn't let her escape. Bryson's terms were too tempting, and he was right; this was a favorable union for both Houston and Los Angeles.

"As an old Capo, your father is passing on his experience to a novice Capo, and I think he's right," Alajos said. "I'm still too young, my experience isn't enough to deter the followers my father left behind. I need to establish more authority; I need more followers."

"Bryson is generous. The Los Angeles mafia will do their utmost to help Houston through this difficult time. Houston will establish a stable and lasting alliance with Los Angeles, and we will be the best of partners."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"You're smart, Vivian," Alajos said, not minding tearing away Vivian's façade. "You understand that besides mutual interest, marriage is another way to ensure a strong alliance."

"We will be engaged next week, with the wedding set for the following month."

There was no room for negotiation. Like her father, Alajos was dictatorial, shattering Vivian's beautiful illusions. She wouldn't go to college, learn musical theater, or perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.

The world went dark for Vivian, and just before she fainted, the last thing she was conscious of was Alajos rushing towards her.

...

Vivian felt humiliated; she had spoiled the Hargrave family's banquet—she had fainted from hunger.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Alajos, frightened by her state, had called the family doctor.

Vivian's face flushed with embarrassment; she wanted to hide under the covers but was too weak from hunger. "I'm really fine, I was just too hungry."

Upon hearing her say she was hungry, Vilem quickly pushed past Alajos. "I brought you something to eat; have a bit first."

The food Vilem brought was all taken from the banquet, consisting of mousse cake, cheese, and sausage—Vivian's favorites.

Vivian managed to maintain her manners, eating the cake and sausage with a fork, barely overcoming the dizzying hunger.

She felt revived.

Vivian almost cried.

When she lifted her head from the food, Alajos was gone, leaving only her family in the room.

Her father, looking angry and displeased, sat on the sofa. Vivian fainting from hunger was a humiliating act for him.

"Do I really have to marry Alajos?" Vivian clutched her fork, hoping to hear a denial from her brother, so she could pretend the conversation in the lounge was all a dream.

Vilem looked at her apologetically, appearing utterly powerless.

Vivian then turned to Joseph.

Joseph silently looked towards their father.

And so, it was Bryson who would announce this terrible truth to her.

"Yes," Bryson said calmly, his tone as if he were commenting on how tasty that morning's sandwich was, "you will become Alajos's bride. The daughter of the Jones family and the Capo of Houston marrying will form the most unbreakable alliance between Los Angeles and Houston."

"No," Vivian refused loudly.

"You don't have the right to refuse, Vivian. This is your duty as a daughter of the Jones family," Bryson said. "Everything has been arranged. Vilem will stay with you, and Alajos will select a bodyguard to ensure your safety. You will live in the Golden Hill Apartment, waiting for the wedding next month."

"No, I won't." Bryson's uncompromising attitude plunged Vivian into despair, and she began to cry, trying to elicit some sympathy from her father. "You promised me I could go to college, learn musical theater, and perform in the Metropolitan Opera Hall if I met the requirements. You said you would be proud of me."

"Father, please don't do this to me. I don't want to marry Alajos; I don't want to get married at all."

But the response she hoped for was not forthcoming. Bryson only grew angrier with her resistance and even slapped her for her repeated embarrassment, "Enough, Vivian. You're not a child anymore. You need to understand that crying won't solve anything; you must marry Alajos."

Bryson, with a headache from Vivian's crying, didn't want to waste any more time here. He prepared to go downstairs to discuss further cooperation with Alajos.

"Get yourself together and come down, you've already been very rude today." Bryson straightened his clothes and walked out, "Don't embarrass yourself further, VivianVivian continued to cry, wishing she could bury herself in the covers and weep.

Vilem didn't know how to console her. "Stop crying; your eyes are already swollen." He poured Vivian a glass of water. "Drink some water, please. Don't worry us anymore."

"Brother, can't you help me? Can't you persuade father for me? I don't want to marry Alajos; I'm only nineteen."

"What's so bad about marrying Alajos?" Joseph never understood Vivian's thoughts. He thought she was being unreasonable; their father's arrangement was the best. "Alajos is the most powerful and charming man in Houston; many women want to marry him."

"Let whoever wants to marry him, marry him." Vivian cried into Vilem's arms.

"Do you think just any woman can marry him if she wants? You can marry Alajos because you are Vivian Jones, who can represent the Jones family in a union with Houston. You should feel honored," Joseph said angrily. "Now, dry your tears, finish your water, and come downstairs. Don't act like a victim; it's unbecoming."

"Joseph, you're being too harsh," Vilem protested. "Vivian just doesn't want to marry Alajos; she's not wrong."

"Enjoying the family's gifts without wanting to fulfill obligations or take responsibility—that is wrong," Joseph shouted. He was angry to have such irresponsible siblings. "You too, Vilem. You should both understand your place and take on your responsibilities."

"Maintaining the alliance between Los Angeles and Houston, bearing an heir for Alajos, that is Vivian's duty. Protecting the Jones family, fighting for it until death, that is your duty. Both of you better understand that!"

"Yes, I am accepting my responsibility, even if unwillingly," Vilem glared fearlessly at Joseph. "But Vivian is different; she's a girl, only nineteen, with dreams yet to be fulfilled."

Vilem continued, "We all know that once Vivian marries Alajos, there will be no chance for her dreams. She'll be trapped in Houston, by Alajos's side, turned into a tool for producing heirs. She will no longer have freedom."

"Is this your idea of honor?"

"Vilem!" Joseph pointed at him angrily. "Mind your tone. I'd advise you not to act tough here. My gun doesn't recognize you as a brother."

Joseph, like an enraged lion, bared his sharp teeth and claws, as if one more word from Vilem would really result in a bullet in his head.

Vivian, frightened by their confrontation, clung to Vilem's arm, begging him not to argue anymore for her sake.

Vilem hugged his trembling sister, forcing himself to look away from Joseph's fierce gaze.

With a cold snort, Joseph turned and left the room.