The Arrangement

CHAPTER ONE

Violet's POV

I stood transfixed as I saw my father kneel before his visitor. The kneeling sight looked strange to me. I had known my father to be a very proud man.

Curiosity took a strong hold on me as I nudged myself forward, abandoning the pressing kitchen errand I was supposed to run while hoping to read a meaning to the demeaning kneeling

The middle-aged man balanced himself rather too comfortably on the sofa. He enjoyed the kneeling sight. He was elegantly dressed and had a nice haircut that made him look young.

His protruding belly however betrayed his age as it was exactly like that of a pregnant goat.

My father remained on his knees

"Partnering with your company wouldn't be a big deal. It's just that I have to get something in return," The man grinned sheepishly. "Nothing goes for nothing," he said, cocking his head mischievously while making a fast hold of his glass of wine. 

Simon Rendy, my father, gave out the broadest smile and responded susceptibly, "Anything sir, ask away"

The man chuckled animatedly. "I'd love for your daughter to get married to my son," he dropped the bombshell the same way he did his glass of wine, letting the sheepish grin expand like a balloon.

His words caught me off guard. I had to struggle desperately to stifle a gasp that undoubtedly wanted to betray my hide-out behind the parlor's fancy curtain. 

What did he mean? Of course it couldn't be me. If anyone was to be chosen, it would be Tiana the darling of the house. But she was just twenty, how could she get married at such a young age? I brooded helplessly, my mind getting ahead of itself.

I remained mysteriously strapped to the door, patiently waiting for a reply from the kneeling figure.

I searched my father's face for a sign of disapproval and was glad that the broad smile had faded. He indeed found the suggestion ridiculous. 

My already racing heart had calmed into a pacing beat and I was ready to continue my journey to the kitchen but I got rooted one hundred and eighty degrees from my Initial position as my father replied cheerfully

"So be it"

What could be going on? How could he make such an abusive and inconsiderate exchange? I quickly scurried away to the kitchen where my mother urgently needed my help, keeping the unfinished business unfinished.

****

"I believe a call for help was made twenty minutes ago," my mom said in her usual detached tone as she dressed the chicken.

"Uhmm.. I came as soon as I heard you scream my name," I replied softly, careful not to push the wrong button. Speaking the truth was out of the question at such moments, so I almost happily took the pathway of filthy lies.

Still concentrating on the chicken she was dressing, "Did it take twenty minutes for you to hear my call? Or does sound now travel with a tortoise's speed?"

"No mum, I mean I...

"Or maybe Mom, it took twenty minutes for her brain to process the information. You know she's fish-brained," Tiana chipped in without looking, as she diced the onions. Of course, Tiana would always find a way to input a curt reply.

After twenty years of living with her, we still didn't get along. We barely talked to each other, and were at loggerheads with each other — or she was at loggerheads with me.

My mom made no comment after Tiana's rude reply. She was a peaceful and quiet woman and would always find a way to detach herself from a troubling situation

I absolutely ignored Tiana as I made my way to Pamela, my youngest sister's side, to help her with the carrots.

 She had already done a handful of it and just a little was left. She calmly let go of the knife and allowed me to take over

My mind couldn't stray far away from the scene I had witnessed earlier. Could It be that I had misheard my father's final affirmation? 

He loved his daughters, though he had a favorite, but that didn't make us less his children. 

Who was going to be the sacrificial lamb?

I was so much lost in the wonder world that I had become a monument at the spot.

"Violet!!!!" Tiana's scream jolted me into reality. All eyes were on me. I looked confusedly at everyone. What was it again? I frowned.

Pamela pointed.

I quickly looked down at the quietly laid down carrot and realized that I had made no progress on it. I looked from one angry face to another and didn't quite know what to do.

My mom's face was the scariest of all. She had lost her cool "Violet, could you be more useful in life?" She queried, visibly holding herself from saying more hurtful words to me. 

I stood, shamefaced not brave enough to meet anyone's face. I had no excuse.

Almost immediately, the scary look disappeared from her face and was replaced with that of concern

"Is anything troubling you? Are you okay? You can always lay all your burdens on me," she moved closer to where I stood.

I looked at her bright smile and decided not to tell her. Why spill so many beans when I was not even certain of what I had heard? And besides, I loved the sweet smile on her face so much that I couldn't bear to see it sad.

"Nothing Mom, I was just lost in the imaginary world," I replied, returning the radiating and infectious smile. How could I tell them the ridiculous nonsense that I had heard my father spew?

She turned back to her work, just as my father trotted in holding a brown envelope.

"How's everything going?" He smiled at everyone. 

Aside from Tiana, the home was a peaceful place. So everything was fine

He especially came close to me and patted my back softly. I frowned. He had never done that before. Yes, he loved me but he had never specially left everyone, especially Tiana, to pat me lovingly.

If for anything, I was always the leftover in the affectionate patting exercise.

"Finish up fast, my children, and come to the sitting room. I have something important to discuss with you all"

My mom looked lovingly and replied with a nod.

SIMON RENDY'S POV

I couldn't bring myself to break the news to them while they were in such a joyful mood. How would my wife take this unexpected news? Who would agree to live with the world's most popular playboy?

I went to the sitting room and sat pondering

"I'd love for your daughter to get married to my son," Dandy Stanley's words replayed in my head. Giving my daughter to Dandy's son was like signing a death certificate.

Why did he have to ask for that in exchange for his shares in my company?

The rhetorics kept pouring in as I racked my brain on the easiest and least offensive way to break the good and bad news.

But walking into the kitchen and seeing them in such a jovial way, made me delay dropping the rock. 

My wife had stood in her usual elegant posture, fastidiously dressing the chicken. Her hair was of the most silver auburn and her eyes, the saddest blue. 

The gentle smile on her face made her face more angelic, that waking up beside her had always given my heart a giddy start.

And there was my favorite daughter, Tiana, looking stunning as ever as a wisp of her long brown hair stood in her way as she cut the cabbage into beautiful tiny circles.

Her hair was of the deepest brown, just like my mother's. I was exceptionally filled with joy at her birth. It felt like my mom had just returned from the dead.

Violet looked beautiful as usual in the elegant gown she was putting on. I didn't take much liking to her because she was too quiet, reserved and very inquisitive.

Her eyes and ears were always everywhere, searching for things they weren't allowed to comprehend.

I waited a little before they trooped in directly from the kitchen into the sitting room. They were all beauties indeed.

"Pamela, go to your room. I'd love to have a word with your mom and your sisters," I said.

"Honey, you look pale. Is there a problem?" My wife asked as she and her daughter settled on the brown cozy sofa opposite where I was sitting. Her bodice fitted her twin towers too perfectly that I almost forgot what was ailing me.

I cleared my throat and faked a genuine smile before saying, "I have good news and a pinch of bad news"

In response, they all laughed delicately 

"Dad let's hear the bad news first, at least the good news will suppress the pains caused by the bad news" Tiana contributed.

I bowed my head.

"I will start with the good news first. I've succeeded in securing the biggest deal ever. Dandy Stanley has agreed to input the highest share which is 5.0 percent in our company," I said, studying their expression and finding genuine joy and gratitude in them.

"That's wonderful news, what's the bad news then?" My wife grinned from ear to ear in contrast to her question.

I bowed my head in shame and didn't know how to liberate myself from the hatred that would be directed towards me.

"Dandy Stanley wanted something in exchange," I lifted my head to see three eager eyes watching

"And... What's this thing he wants?" Tiana asked 

"He wants one of you to get married to his son," I finally let the cat out, closing my eyes slightly so that I wouldn't see the look on their face

"His son?? Will that be Randell Stanley?" Tiana got up from the sofa

I sighed and nodded silently

"That's wonderful news!!" She screamed in delight, shocking everyone. "Randell has been my crush for years now. Please let me marry him, please," She pleaded.

"But sadly, Randell is a Playboy and has a history of assaulting the workers in his house," I added, hoping the little piece of information would make Tiana less elated.

But she would not be deterred. "Who cares? As long as he loves me. So when's the wedding?" She still wore a look of delight.

"Next week."

"The hell," my wife howled. "Why so soon?"

I ignored the question and studied Violet's expression, but found no expression on it. My heart broke as the wrong one was being chosen. 

"Tiana, I'm sorry, Dandy wishes for his son to get married to the eldest daughter," I tearfully said. 

"No!!!" She screamed so shrilly that she choked on her saliva and began to cough wildly. 

Before Violet could go to the kitchen to bring the water, she was already gasping for breath.

Almost immediately, she became quiet and lay unconscious on the floor.

Every eye was tear stricken as my wife let out a loud wail not minding Violet's soft and gentle voice trying to ask the grown-ups if "Tiana was dead?"

"No darling, she isn't, she can't be" the words kept passing out of my lips as the ambulance came and took her to the hospital. She lay so motionless on the stretcher that even I thought she was dead.

"I don't think she's breathing," Violet cried out as the stretcher rolled away sadly