The Decision Pt. 2

ALESSIA

My phone rang, and I swiftly reached for it thinking my sister was returning my call already. But it wasn't Lia, instead it was Mrs. Robinson telling me that they had spoken with Mr. Martin, and that her husband wanted to see me in their office.

"Really? Okay. Let me just change into something more appropriate. I'll be there soon," I replied excitedly.

"I'll send my driver to pick you up so you won't have any trouble. There's also a surprise waiting for you."

I couldn't tell if I was excited or nervous about the surprise that Mrs. Robinson mentioned. But whatever that was, I hoped it wouldn't put me in danger. My paranoia had been building up, I felt like everything would not do good on me but harm. I hoped my instincts were wrong.

I dismissed my concerns. I hurriedly got myself dressed and prepared. Less than half an hour after I spoke to Mrs. Robinson, the driver arrived to pick me up.

I went to Aunt Edith and informed her about me going back to the Robinsons, I knew she was worried about me too, but she never really doubted what I could do. Upon arriving at the Grand Artisan Pavilions, the receptionist escorted me to Mr. Robinson's office.

As we were entering the office, I instantly saw somebody that I had been dying to see the past few days. I could no longer stop my heart from overtaking me. I was moved to tears when I saw Lia there with the Robinson couple. I quickly approached my sister and hugged her tightly.

"Thank God you're back!" I exclaimed joyfully.

Lia bit her lip while wiping her tears. "Sia, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I just went with Uncle Donovan and Aunt Lavinia to properly bid farewell to you. I'll also leave and return to Mr. Martin," Lia said tearfully.

The joy that was building up in my heart suddenly stopped, and I was trying to convince myself that I didn't hear those words from Lia.

"What?" I almost ruptured my eardrums hearing that. "Are you kidding, Lia?"

My younger sister shook her head vigorously. "I'm serious, Sis. If I don't go back to that old man, not only will we lose our house and land, but your life might also be in danger."

My eyes widened. "W-what do you mean?" I wish I could tell her that if it was my life that was at stake in return for her freedom, I would personally hand it over to that monster that seemed to have chained my sister.

"Harding Martin knows people. He can make anyone disappear. Your sister is afraid that you'll be in danger if she doesn't return to Harding," Mr. Robinson answered my question.

I almost ran out of breath at what I heard.

"What about you now, Lia? Can you get along with that old man? Who knows what might happen to you in his company?" I was also afraid for my sister; I was actually more afraid for my sister being with that man than me losing my life. It felt like the entire sky had fallen on our shoulders.

"Don't worry, dear. Harding promised not to harm Lia. I saw that he's really interested in your sister. Who knows, maybe he'll learn to love your sister just as he loved his deceased wife."

To my ears, Mr. Robinson's last words sounded like a pipe dream. If only I could do something, I wouldn't want my younger sister to be in such a situation. Lia's all that's left for me besides our aunt. Despite being the eldest, I couldn't do anything for my sister, and it made me sick to think that there was nothing I could do about it.

"O-okay, I'll let you go back there. But call me all the time, okay? I want to know what's happening with you every day. Don't keep anything from me," I instructed her with such heavy heart, making her feel that I was not in favor of it, but assuring her that I trust her completely.

Lia nodded. I hugged my sister tightly again. We hugged for a few more minutes while crying incessantly. When our feelings calmed down, we parted ways. I could only wish that I could do more to protect her.

"I'm leaving now, Sia. Don't worry, I'll endure this for both of us. I'll study hard and finish college so that when the time comes that I'm tired of that old man, I can still support myself."

I forced a smile. I knew my sister so well; between us two, she was the brave one. She may look weak on the outside, but she's stronger than me. Our personalities were the opposite. I looked brave and strong when looked at, but in reality, I was the other way around. I learned to pretend to be strong to stay away from the bullies.

After my sister left, I remained silent for a few minutes, quietly shedding tears. I couldn't understand what mistake we, as siblings, had committed to deserve such a fate. As I wept, the Robinson couple watched me silently.

When I finally stopped crying, Mr. Robinson spoke up.

"I did everything I could, but this is the farthest that I could go, Sia. I'm sorry I couldn't save your sister."

"It's okay, you have done enough." I replied.

"Thank you, dear. Don't worry, I'll help you revive Artisan Pages. I'll invest a significant amount of capital. While you're studying, I'll appoint a temporary manager for your business. Once you graduate, you'll undergo training for a few months, and then you'll become the CEO. Is that okay with you?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, sir.” I knew that it was too good to be true of him to throw such gesture without expecting anything in return, so I asked him about it.

Mr. Robinson hesitated at my question. He glanced at his wife.

"I won't ask for anything in return for my help, Sia. Your father and I were friends, so it's only right that I help you. Besides, I also failed to fulfill my promise to save your sister."

I sighed. I didn't want to owe anyone, especially since I wasn't really that close to this friend of my father.

"I insist, sir. Even if you couldn't save Lia, you still did your part. I don't want to have debts to others. If I can afford to pay, why should I borrow then?"

Mr. Robinson let out a deep sigh.

"We don't want to force you, dear. But if you insist, perhaps you'd like to continue our deal with your parents," Mrs. Robinson said.

I seemed to know where the lady's words were leading. "Alright. I'll marry your son," I said courageously. The influence and power of the Robinson family would help me recover my sister one day. I needed to strengthen myself too just like Lia.

"Are you sure, dear? You haven't even seen or met my son," Mrs. Robinson asked, seeking reassurance.

"It's okay. My parents probably wouldn't agree if your son were unattractive. They'd probably be pleased with my decision if they were still alive."

Mr. Robinson glanced at his wife, and instructed her to call up their son and ask him to come to the office right away.

“Will you, two, excuse me for some moment?" Mrs. Robinson asked before leaving us. "I hope you won't regret your decision, dear. You don't have to do this," she added.

I looked at the old woman and thanked her for reminding me about it. I also assured her that my decision was final. The agreement between them and my parents was for me to fulfill, and I knew that there was already no turning back.

Mr. Robinson remained silent. He just turned around quietly and approached the glass wall.

Mrs. Robinson returned shortly.

"Is Claude on his way here?" he asked, then turned to me.

"You can still change your mind, dear. Just think of us as your second parents, that's why we're helping you."

I raised an eyebrow. It was starting to sound as if they didn't want me to marry their son. I told them how her words were making me feel.

"Of course not, dear. We agreed to the arrangement with your parents because we want you for our son. But we're just worried about you. Claude can be difficult to deal with. We are just thinking that you might have a hard time with him."

"I'll do my best to get along with your son," I promised.

"You'll only be together for a year. After that, you'll go your separate ways. We just want to teach Claude a lesson. If you happen to have a child, it's up to you whether to leave the child with us or take him with you. What's important to us is to get to know our grandchild and spend time with them occasionally," Mrs. Robinson said.

Those were the conditions, it sounded easy at my end. I knew how short the duration of a year could be, it would only feel like three nights and the next morning, it was over. But I had other thoughts about a span of a single year too, it could also feel endlessly long, depending on the situation.

"That's a deal, Mr. & Mrs. Robinsons," I quickly agreed. I could repay my debt of gratitude to the couple and help them if needed.

"I'll call a lawyer to draft the contract," Mr. Robinson said. Just like that, the next thing we knew, he was already speaking with his lawyer over the phone.

Mrs. Robinson sat beside me and asked about personal matters concerning me. We had been talking for a few minutes when the office door suddenly opened.

"Good morning! Why did you call me here?" a baritone voice said.

My attention immediately shifted when I heard the newcomer's question.

My eyes almost bulged when I saw the man who had just entered. He might be the most handsome man I had ever seen in person. He was handsome in the most rugged way. He looked every inch of a bad boy from head to toe.

His hair was thick and long, almost covering his eyes because of the long fringe that formed a curtain around his forehead. He also had thick eyebrows and a round set of eyes that seemed to be always angry when he stared. His shoulders were broad, and his white T-shirt hugged his chest tightly.

As my gaze lowered to his body, I quickly swallowed. I didn't know if his jeans were just too tight or was he hiding something big inside because I could almost see the bulge in front.

I lowered my eyes to the floor. I noticed that the man who was facing me was wearing leather boots. What did this man ride to the office? A motorcycle, perhaps.

I didn't like these kinds of men. I preferred those who looked harmless like Jaime. Sh*t! Why did I remember him again? I hadn't seen him for years. I should have forgotten him because no matter what I do, he only liked Nienna. He would never like me.

The man stepped forward. I thought he was coming towards me, but he approached Mrs. Robinson instead. He kissed the woman's cheek and then approached Mr. Robinson.

"Who is this girl, dad?"

I raised an eyebrow at what I heard. Did this guy consider me a child? Shouldn't he call me a lady or a woman, instead?

I looked at my outfit, a mini-dress and flat sandals. The hem of my flowery dress reached only to my knees. Didn't I look like a young lady in my attire? Did I need to wear a plain-colored short dress and high-heeled shoes to be considered a lady?

"She is your fiancée, son," Mrs. Robinson answered his question.

The man turned to me

"Excuse me, miss. You’re not my type. You’re skinny, and you look more like a girl than a woman. Besides, I have no intention of marrying anyone."

I almost fell off my seat. Thankfully, I held onto the armrest. The son of the Robinson couple spoke too frankly and brutally.

The young man wasn't done yet. He approached me and stood in front of me.

"What do I have to do to change your mind about marrying me?" he asked, his hands on his hips.

I couldn't respond. I just stared at him, drowning in his gaze.

He leaned forward and placed his hands on the armrest of my seat. I was forced to put my hands on my thighs because one of his hands brushed against mine.

"How much do I have to pay you to disappear and not show up in front of me again?"

I was mortified. I actually didn't see this coming. My heart was still processing the fact that I could not do anything about my sister, and here I am being bombarded with insults by

someone who acts as if he owns the world.

"Claude!" the couple called out simultaneously.

But it seemed like the young man didn't hear them. He was still staring at me. His eyes were almost ablaze.

"I'm asking you! Why won't you answer me?"

His voice was almost deafening. I was nervous, but I didn't want to back down.

"I'll still marry you even if you don't want to. Your money will be my money when we get married," I replied in the softest voice I could muster.

The young man's eyes narrowed. He was about to raise his hand and strangle me, but Mrs. Robinson quickly stopped him.

"Claude, that's enough! Don't scare Sia!"

"D*mn!" Claude cursed loudly before backing away and leaving the office.

I wanted to cry, but I held myself back.

"I'm sorry, dear. That's just how my son is. It might be better if you don't marry him. Who knows what else he might do to you," Mrs. Robinson suggested.

I smiled bitterly. "I will still do it, ma'am. I won't back down. After all, it's only a year of marriage, right?"

I decided to leave it up to fate. If I could get closer to Claude, perhaps he could also help me forget about Jaime once and for all.

The couple sighed deeply at the same time.