"You're the one that called on the phone right?", mother's voice quipped. Filling the void of silence that had formed by Alana and I both losing our abilities to speak as we both began to make Siara's presence at my doorway sink into our minds.
My eyes darted to Alana, a panicked look engraved in my features. More than anyone else Alana would understand why having Siara here would make me uncomfortable nonetheless render me speechless.
My heart was working overtime now, beating erratically as I considered fight or flight. Closing my eyes I began to imagine my happy place. After a few moments I could see it: me, alone in my bed with my laptop and headphones on blissfully indulging in a satisfactory episode of Castle.
Exhaling, I slowly opened my eyes with a renewed sense of calm. All three pair of eyes were peering at me expectantly.
No one said anything until the force of my mother's hip bouncing me to the side and out of the doorway knocked me out of my reverie. With the path now clear she quickly ushers the two ladies inside.
Mother's smile reemerged, but nonetheless seemed a bit forced. "Oh, do come in", she says. Ignoring the fact that this was actually my dorm room, "I'm Blake's mom but you both can just call me Heather".
I smiled awkwardly at mom who seemed a little too eager to continue the conversation even though no one else was talking.
"So, Blake", mom started but I cut her off with a small nervous chuckle mumbling, "please leave us", in a not so subtle way that made her cold icy glare harden on me. Nevertheless, she did disappear into the kitchen where dad was also.
"Blake", Siara's voice says from beside me. This time I turn to face her. Very slowly too might I add.
I had feared this day ever since I graduated high school, I had done everything to avoid this and yet... Here I am.
Once again, I smiled awkwardly at her "Hey Siara, it's been a while".
"I need your help Blake", she informs as I motion her to the couch.
You can do this Blake I slightly encouraged myself.
So far she seemed fine, I was the only person that was making any of this awkward.
I mean, I can be a professional right? Besides, what happened was two years ago. I should be over it by now. But whatever happens though I cannot let her see how her mere presence unravels me. Besides, the quicker I hear her out the faster this'll be over with.
Clearing my throat, I sat on the couch adjacent to her, "Siara, this is Alana my best friend. You talked to my mom earlier about needing an exit strategy. Alana and I work together in that department, our other associate Conner isn't here right now. He usually deals with the selection of the clients".
Siara was a petite blonde. Her hair was almost platinum blonde, so much longer than the last time I saw her. Her once bright emerald eyes lacked their usual tenacity and seemed to be overshadowed by worry. The dark circles under her eyes didn't escape my inspection either. Something was clearly bothering her and keeping her up at nights. Aside from that she was still as beautiful as ever, possibly even more than I remember.
Alana's foot kicked my shin ungraciously bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry", I said quickly "I was just remembering something from this morning".
Okay, lame excuse
Alana snorted, quite unladylike too might I add, "You mean Natasha ".
Now, I was actually thinking about this morning and I smirked without intending to.
"Yeah", I confessed until I felt a hand slapping the back of my head.
"Focus, dickhead", Alana basically commanded.
And I did, focus. I faced Siara again rubbing my head. "How can we help you?", I asked making my expression impassive the entire time. Hopefully, covering up the air of awkwardness and embarrassment this one girl evoked in me.
"Look, Blake" Siara's hands gripped the sides of the couch where she sat so close to the edge. Her knees shaking uncontrollably, "I heard about you guys from a friend of mine that you helped out. But before I say anything else I need to know exactly what it is that you guys do".
She didn't seem the least bit relaxed. But I ignored her anxious state and nodded while looking at Alana expectantly.
Alana's hands tightening around the bag in her arms as our gazes met, then she sat on the armrest of the couch I was in before looking back at Siara.
"We assist people who wish to get out of certain situations usually it's along the lines of helping people out of relationships with difficult partners who wouldn't appreciate the termination of that relationship without certain complications", Alana explains "it really does vary though, based on the specific needs of the client".
Siara's brows knit together apparently in deep thought for a while before she nods, "Then you guys are perfect".
It was my turn to speak again, "Explain".
She sighed, bringing a loose strand of blonde hair back into place with her fingers, "My best friend she... she is under a contract to be engaged to Calder McKnight for a year. At first the arrangement was purely a business deal because my friend Kai Barnes is the heir of Maldak Tech and Calder's father is the CEO of McKnight and Co."
"What exactly is the problem here Siara?" Alana inquired, voicing my concerns.
"They want to move up the wedding", Siara explained leaving me a bit confused, "the thing is, the engagement was meant to be called off when the contract concluded. But now both of their parents wants them to go through with it since both companies will benefit from such a strategical wedding. Calder is all for it he claims he's fallen in love with her but Kai doesn't want to get married. She's wants a way out but there's nothing she can do. These are powerful people".
Nodding, I regarded Siara through curious eyes, "But that's not all is it?".
She looked away before muttering a slight, "No".
I remained silent as encouragement for her to continue.
"They intend for her to be married in two months and for her to produce an heir to both companies soon after".
"They want her to get pregnant", I said mostly to myself. Alana's body stiffened beside me.
Once again I nodded taking in all the information.
"What do you want us to do?"
Siara shuffled in her seat, "Kai wants a way out, without risking going against her parents and losing her company, she wants a way out of the engagement because neither does she want to get married or have a baby when she's barely even twenty".
"I can understand why", I mused.
Alana nodded beside me in agreement.
Siara took note of my calm aura her eyes alight with something that she didn't have when she first came in here... hope.
"So, do you think you can do it?", She asked eagerly, "can you get her out".
I chuckled to myself, "Don't be ridiculous Siara. Of course we can get her out".
She was even further at the edge of her seat by now, "So will you do it? Will you help her?".
Alana flashed me a weary look. One that Siara didn't fail to notice.
Kai's situation had honestly hit a little too close to home for me.
Siara looked at me with wide hopeful eyes and I knew she wouldn't like what I would say next.
"Whether we help her or not Siara, it is not up to me".