Chapter 3 A Silent Engagement

Luthel Mansion

Livy finally woke up to the familiar scent of her room, the warmth of it suddenly smoothed her aching nerves.

Wait. How did i get to my room? Am I still dreaming?

Was that all a dream? If it was, then she's couldn't be happier to have woken up from such nightmare. But she deep down still, she knew it wasn’t a dream.

Slowly and weakly, she opened her eyes to see their family doctor writing down on his notepad.

She looked around carefully just to be certain it was her room, but met her mother's cold eyes staring her down.

Last thing she remembered was, she suddenly felt faint at work inside her office and decided to close her eyes for a bit.

Could it be that she had fainted back then? Why, why did she faint?

Soon the memories came rushing back like a sharp slap making her flinch.

She had seen the Winfrey's at Luthel Inc, and she knew the reason why they had come.

That and coupled with the fact that she had not eaten anything since the day before must have been the reason she fainted.

"Good. You're awake. How do you feel? Are you hurting anywhere?" doctor Collins asked, concerned.

Dr. Collins has been the Luthel family doctor ever since Livy was a little girl, so she wasn't feeling too self-conscious with him around.

"I feel fine, just my head...it feels sore, and my stomach hurts a little," she replied.

"How long have you been feeling the ache in your head?", Dr Collins asked professionally.

"For the past 2 days now. I... " she started but Judy interrupted,

"She must have been stressing herself too much at the office combined with her wedding preparations. It's my fault, I shouldn't have let her take on so much work. But I hope she's alright?"

Livy completely froze as the sound of the word 'marriage' rang in her ears.

So it's decided then? She's getting married to Markian. A trickle of tear made its way down her cheek as she lowered her head in disappointment.

When she raised up her head again, her eyes were glued to her mother who showed no empathy or pity whatsoever.

Judy's face was as blank as ever, only maybe with a slight disapproval. Of course it wasn't against the arranged marriage, but at the fact that Livy was now crying.

She hates it when her daughters unnecessary starts to cry around her, thinking that would solve anything.

She believes only the weak and lazy think they can solve their problems with tears. Pathetic. She knows she didn't bring them up to lazy nor weak.

"She will be fine, she just needs to start eating properly- she has lost some weight. I will give you some prescriptions she needs to take, it will help with the headache and the pain in her stomach too for the time being. And of course, congratulations on your wedding, ma'am. Don't worry, you will be just fine once you take the prescribed medications as instructed,” Dr Collins stated pleasantly.

Livy was already lost in her own thoughts, and might as well be drowning in her own tears toi.

“Of course Dr, she will and I’ll make sure of that. Thank you for your help.” Judy said nicely as she walked the doctor to the door and handed him over to the butler to see him out.

When she returned to Livy's bed, she was quite upset for several reasons but kept a straight face as she tucked Livy in and straightened the side of the blanket covering.

"'Take the day off and nurse yourself back to health,' I said. Falling sick or fainting at the office doesn't tell well on our imagine, but does she listen? No! I'm responsible for putting food on the tables of over 2000 employees, but my own daughter fainted because of hunger- how ironic?" Judy soliloquized audibly.

She was not the least bit careful with her word, well aware that Livy could hear her and was still crying.

"Who...se wedding preparations were you referring to, mother?" Livy asked with a heavy heart.

"Yours of course. The Winfrey's have accepted the married proposal, so in a week's time you will be getting married to the President of Castlehill- Markian Winfrey. Now, do you understand why you can't be so negligent with your health? Imagine the embarrassment I faced today when I came to share the good news with you, but you were unconscious in your office."

Judy rehearsed what happened at the office after Livy had gone unconscious.

Good news? Please...

When Judy was done scolding her daughter and putting everything in order, she was about to leave- hoping for no objection from her sad daughter.

"Should I just die? Or maybe i should've died instead of Sophy, then I wouldn't be compelled into a life of torture all in the name of marriage. Maybe I should died, because I would rather be dead than conceit to the idea of a loveless marriage. Who knows? Maybe then you would finally listen to me." Livy spoke with all the seriousness and boldness she could muster.

But with a personality like hers, it was very easy to call her bluff. This, Judy knew very well how to manipulate.

"I think that would be the easiest solution for everyone, don't you? Well then, go on! You would just be another one of my burdens lifted...",

"Mother?!!!"

"What?! Do you think you can threaten me with ending your life? Was that what all this drama of starvation and falling unconscious been about these past few days? Look honey, if you think that tears and going hungry would help you get your way, then you really are a weakling and unworthy to call me 'mother'..." Judy stated firmly.

At this point Livy was dead silent and wondered what exactly is going through her mother's mind right now?

Is she really serious about getting her married to the same man that have been married to her late daughter up until a month ago?

When did her mother become so unfeeling and impulsive, only thinking about profit and gain?

Livy tried to move her lips to say something but there were no words.

"... I didn't think so either. So you better put yourself together and show that you are your father's daughter and the heiress of the Luthel empire. Your fears would follow you around all your life if you don't stop hiding and face them head on. The Winfrey's and i have decided that date for the court marriage be in the next one week. So put your emotions to good use and get your acts right, unless you want your father's life's work and your sister's efforts all be for nothing- and it will be on you!" With that Judy left the room and Livy with mixed emotions.

Why is her destiny leading her along these thorny path? Why can't she just have a normal life with a promising future?

The last thing she wants is to cause problems for her mother and Luthel Inc, but she can't betray her sister like this either.

Winfrey Mansion

It's been 3 days since the Winfrey's accepted the marriage proposal between their son and Luthel Inc's heiress- Olivia Luthel.

Fortunately, only family members were invited for the engagement tonight, which was an approximate of 10 persons from both families. No press, no media.

Markian is in his room thinking about the turn of event surrounding him currently.

Mrs. Judy Luthel have promised to leave Castlehill with her investors if he doesn't agree to this sick joke.

He stared intensely at a picture frame of Sophia on one side of the brilliantly painted wall of his room.

With a glass of wine in his hand, he took each sip as he relived the happy but short memories of him with his late wife.

It was October last year and Sophy had thought pranking him by nabbing him from the office and took him on a trip to Italy, Venice.

She had bugged him for months that she wanted to go on a vacation there, but he had been very busy late year with business trips and constant work load at the office. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and took him there by force anyway.

He was quite upset with her because he didn't have his laptop with him and was unable to do any work, but he remembered they had ended up having the best time in Venice.

She had gotten him a native bracelet with an eagle engraved at the crust of the bracelet.

He never took it off his wrist- not even after her death. But what does any of that matter now? he asked himself as he looked at the bracelet on his wrist. It was supposed to be her promise of forever with him, a promise she didn't keep. Angrily, he pulled the bracelet off his wrist.

In 3 days time, he would be making the same vows he had made with Sophy to her twin sister.

He raised his glass at Sophy's portrait and smirked with glimmering blue eyes.

"I was going to take you round the world- just like you dreamt of, and when we grew old, we would both spend the rest of our lives alone on a little island- just the both of us. (Sigh)... I was so stupid to have thought that I had forever with you..." he soliloquized disheartened.

"...I'll be getting engaged to your sister today, hope it makes you happy? Leaving without a goodbye isn't very smart now, is it? She and I will have to live together and in the same room. We will even share a bed like a married couple, hope that makes you happy? Everyday....every single moment without you would be a nightmare for me, hope that makes you happy?" he questioned the picture accusingly, almost expecting a reply.

He took a sip from his glass again when a knock on the door got his attention.

Without looking at who is at the door, the servant spoke in a firm voice, "Sir, your bride and her family have just arrived and you're needed downstairs."

With a wave of dismissal, the servant was excused before Markian set down his glass on the expensive wooden drawer below Sophy's portrait.

It is time for business because, that's how he sees this entire madness of a marriage as- only business.

He straightened his long-sleeved shirt with his hand, slipped on his suit and headed downstairs to join the people gathered and do the needful.

Livy looked like she was going to throw up anytime soon. Her skin was pale and her hands were cold and shaky like they were freezing.

She tried to convince herself to look Markian in the face at least once, but nothing was strong enough to convince her.

He was looking dashing but had his strict personality up to 101% this evening. She had to admit that made him even more handsome and ridiculously attractive.

If she can't handle standing close to him even for few minutes, how on earth would she be able to live with this man under the same roof for the rest of her life?

For the very first time, she was ready to mingle or talk to people- anybody at all, and exchange meaningless pleasantries than to stand close to this man that gives her the chills and butterflies at the same time.

The giving of ring was the hardest part. She didn't realize how long she took to give her hand to him until when he asked for it until he yanked it from her side, where they seemed to have been frozen solid.

She felt her heart skip several beats the moment he held her hand to slip on the ring. Her legs were about to give as she pleaded for just few more seconds.

He didn't ask her anything, she didn't say anything either. They both knew nothing they say would change anything, only their parents' wishes must be fulfilled for the betterment of their companies tonight.

After the whole ritual was completed, Markian disappeared and was no where to be found. Livy at the least was relieved he judgy eyes was nowhere in site, but now she is forced to speak and make pleasantries with people she didn't know- but recognized from her sister's wedding, on Markian's behalf. They were soon going to be her new family afterall.

Accompanying her to the Winfrey's was her mother- Judy, her only uncle and his wife from her mother's side and an aunt from her father's side.

She didn't have a big extended family and she was grateful for that because, it meant less people to talk to, greet or send cards to during festivities and celebrations.

Livy had no friends so she wasn't expecting any one around her age to be here, but there was lady in her late twenties present at the engagement.

The lady looked nice and jovial when they both exchanged pleasantries. She introduced herself as Markian's cousin who lives in Shanghai- Heather Tion Winfrey.

She was not married though she was very beautiful with the body of a catalog model. She was good looking and appeared more genuine than every other Markian's family member Livy had spoken to tonight.

But Livy wasn't in the mood to interact with anymore people. She just wanted to be alone and collect her thoughts, so she was least bit attentive nor pleasant towards Heather.

Finally, she was left alone so she sneaked up into a quiet dark room to ease herself of the stress and tension. She really wants to shout and scream at the top of her lungs.

"This is a nightmare! Oh...i can't even imagine what they might be saying behind their nice smile. They must be thinking, 'who knows if she didn't kill her sister so she could marry her sister's husband' or 'she should be ashamed to herself for agreeing to marry her sister's widowed husband.' I can't take these anymore! I can't handle anymore of this madness. I feel like throwing up. How did things get to these? Why exactly am I doing here?" she soliloquized in faith that she was alone in the room.

"Getting engaged, obviously. You seem to be very stressed, but this is not a good place for a confession. I could show you a perfect spot to go to and scream at the world if you want," a voice spoke from behind a hard wooden surface, scaring 2yrs out of Livy's life.

"Goodness! whhh...wh.. Who is therrrree?" she asked shocked and surprised.

Turning on the lamp that's on the table, the bright light illuminated th whole room exposing the face belonging to the voice that almost scared her to death.

He was a young handsome man, probably in his middle 20s. He had the Winfrey's seductive chiselled face and blue eyes, almost like that of Markian's, but he were clean shaved.

He looked familiar, but she was too scared to recall where she must have seen him before.

Oh God, he heard everything she just said. This was all too frightening and embarrassing at same time.

"I'm Daniel, Daniel Tion Winfrey. I'm your fiance's paternal cousin. But we've met before, don't you remember? At your sister's wedding 2yrs ago, I asked you for a dance but you turned me down- rudely if I may add. Now here we are again," he spoke teasingly.

Oh no, she remember now. She was so emotional that evening at the post wedding party. After yelling at Markian and telling him not to come close to her ever again, she had left Markian furiously and must have vented the rest of her anger on Daniel when he come up to her and asked for a dance.

Now, what would he do with what he just heard? She wondered.

Would he use it to his advantage and try to blackmail her or would he just tell his mother, who would tell the rest of their family? Or worse, his mother might tell her mom.

It's official, her life would become a nightmare of rumors and back-talks before she official becomes a Winfrey.

"I do remember and I sincerely apologize for my outburst that night. I was not in the right frame of mind at the post wedding party so I vented my anger on you. But please, do not let another soul hear about what I just said here, please" Livy pleaded with him sincerely.

"Relax Princess, I didn't hear anything of importance to me. But if you'd like me to show you, there's a place I can take you to where you can scream to your heart's content. We both know bottled up feelings never amounts to anything positive, so you should let it all out", Daniel spoke smoothly and convincingly.

She was ready to go anywhere with him, because he was right. She had to scream out her feelings unless she might just have another outburst. And who knows who I might vent out my anger on this time? It might be in front of everyone, that would only cause more trouble for the both families.

"Where is this place?", she asked politely.

"That rooftop right there is the perfect location for relieving stress. So, are you coming?!" he replied pointing at the Castlehill skyscraper logo that was brighly shining all the way from the city.

When he noticed she wouldn't refuse but was hasitant, without waiting for a response he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. He lead her straight to the stairs leading to the backdoor of the Winfrey's mansion.

He put her securedly in his Mclaren senna, and they were on the high way faster than she could recollect her senses.

This was dangerous and she was acting very impulsive right now. She doesn't know this man, and just because he said he was Markian's cousin doesn't mean he couldn't be a kidnapper or an assassin or even a serial killer.

She knew all this, but she was not scared. Somehow, she had manage to convince her worried heart that this escape was what she needed at this moment.

He drove into a parking lot belonging to a very familiar building- they were at Castlehill.

He led her out and took her hand once again sending warmth and excitement through her whole body.

They both took the elevator to the top floor and got out. In few seconds with his guidance, they were at the rooftop.

Livy could see the entire city from up there, and as she looked to the farther side of the city, Luthel Inc's skyscraper was glistering with majestic and brilliant contour.

This view was breathtaking, and with everything happening so fast, she closed her eyes to take it all in.

Few seconds later, Daniel squeezed her hand slightly bringing her back to reality.

"Well? isn't there something you would like to say to the universe?" he asked her with a smile.

She looked at him asking for permission and he nodded. She carefully and slowly slipped her hand from he's and stepped forward close to the edge. She was terrified of heights, so she didn't dare move too closer.

With open arms and no regard whatsoever, she yelled, "I don't want to take my sister's place! Mom, I wish you would listen to me just this once and put an end this madness! I don't want to get Married to my sister's husband, is that too hard for you to understand?! I just...i just want a place of my own where I would be happy. A love to call my own, a family to look forward to and a relationship that would last a lifetime- something that would be mine and only mine. Why is it so hard to get the little things I want while others get to have it so easily?!(sobs)... I'm so exhausted, I feel like I might...like I might...just be alone for the rest of my life," she spoke with a broken voice as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Breaking down, she fell to the ground crying and sobbing.

Daniel let her cry for a while before he went close and held her to tried and console her.

After about 30mins, he took her back down to the parking lot and they both left Castslehill.

It was a very long and silent drive back home. The only time they spoke was when he asked if she wants to go home or somewhere else?

She said she would like to go home but she would appreciate it if he could just drive round the city for a while longer, and he agreed.

She got home around 1am and found her mom both furious and worried, asking her where she had been.

She told her mom she needed some fresh air so she went for a drive round the city.

It was already too late and yelling at Livy would be a waste. No harm was done- and that was all that mattered to Judy, so she told Livy to go get some rest before she left the room.

The night didn't seem so gloomy any more. Livy had said all she wanted to, all thanks to Daniel. But what was his reason? Why did he help her out tonight after she had been so rude to him in the past?

They weren't even friends, but she had followed that man to Castlehill, screamed her lungs out to the universe, cried her eyes out on the rooftop and had a long ride through the city with him- all in one night.

She didn't even thank him after he had brought her home. Such poor manners, she thought. But she intends to pay Daniel back for all his help.

Even though she wasn't sure if she was going to get any sleep, she eventually dosed off withing minutes. And for the first time in almost a week, she had a dreamless and relaxing sleep- and she was thankful for that.