I arrived at Loretta's flat and walked straight in. Whenever something serious happens, Loretta likes being cowered, hiding within her shell instead of facing her demons. She looks up from her couch, her eyes swollen. I sigh as I scrutinise the Gucci trousers she's wearing and the popcorn on the table. She carefully dropped the iPad on the table and came to hug me. The choice she made isn't a straightforward one, and for her to do this a week before her wedding implies she's serious. It must have been deplorable, knowing she couldn't have both her career and Ariel. "Arielle." She holds her arms up and I chomp back a grin as I sit down beside her, giving in to her quiet supplication for an embrace. I wrap my arms around her and rub her back as she rests her head on my chest. "I'm sorry," she said to me. "I know how much time you put into this wedding, but I can't do this. I can't give up my career, and for the fact that I adore Ariel, I'm not willing to stand by his family's choking rules for the rest of my life.
I can't live like that, Arielle ." I gave her a quizzical look. Father hasn't told her, has he? "Loretta," I mumble. "You got to do this. It's too late to walk away. Seriously there is no going back any longer, Lori. By chance you walk away now, that's it. It's the end of the beautiful moment between you and Ariel. Are you going to forfeit everything you shared? I know you adore him, and he worships the ground you walk on. I know he makes you whole, Lori." She shakes her head. "I can't, Arielle. I truly can't. If I wed him, I'll be bitter all the days of my life and l will hate him for everything l "'ll lose." l am at the pinnacle of my career. My light will quench in daylight."Loretta." My voice whispers, chastising. "This isn't an ordinary fairy tale marriage. It's an arranged marriage. Have you thought of what will happen to Mother and Father? The company, Ariel's inheritance, and everything we claim? Without the Warrens' backup, we can't survive." Our family will go bankrupt. She wraps her arms around herself, an indication of frailty in her look. "They won't hurt us. You know they won't." I cross my arms and gaze her down. "Grandma Adele came to our house today, Lori. She demands that the wedding must take place the following week… with or without you. In case you do not do this, they'll… they'll make me wed him in your stead." Loretta's eyes broaden, and she falls quiet. "You… you can't be serious?" I gesture. "I am. Father told me that eventually if I do not do it, I'll lose my company and all the funds he guaranteed to invest in me. Grandmother Adele cautioned him
that she'll withdraw their support if this marriage falls through." She runs a hand through her hair. "They're looking for my Ashely heels, Arielle. They won't allow you to go through that. Besides, Ariel wouldn't ever concur with it. That's sick." My heart clenches agonisingly as I gesture. Faged out. Tired. That's likely what he considers of this whole circumstance, as well. "I'm not sure about Lori, I do not think they're just faking it. Father appeared stressed, and I've never seen Grandmother Adele look so determined." Loretta shakes her head. "Don't worry," she consoles me. "You won't be constrained to do anything, Arielle. They won't make you. They're only debilitating us and using you to twist my arm and change my stand, but I won't bulge ""Loretta," I called her "If they do not alter their minds, can you bear to observe Ariel wed somebody else? especially me? I know you adore him, Lori, so if it's not too much trouble think this carefully. In case they aren't faking at that point what? Will you truly stand back and end up being Ariel's sister-in-law? That's what'll happen if you do not change your mind. Father made it clear that if you're not there on your wedding day, I'll have to walk down the aisle in your stead, or I'll lose everything I've worked for." I know Grandmother said she wouldn't accept Loretta at all any longer, but I'm certain she wouldn't object if Loretta changed her stand now.
All she's ever needed is for Ariel to be happy, and his bliss lies with Loretta. It continuously has. Loretta looks wary and runs a hand through her hair. "I'm certain, Arielle. I can't do this. I can't halt my life for anybody — not even Ariel ." I gaze at her incredulity. "Even if it implies he'll wed somebody else?" She gestures. "If that's our fate, so be it." I pulled her shoulders and shook her. "Loretta!" I snap. "Be sensible, for God's sake. Can't you see what you're doing to me? You'll get off easily as a pie, but what of me? I'll be stuck having to wed a man who always adored you, and in case I deny it, I'll lose my company, my sweat. Do not do this to me, Lori. Do not do this to Ariel ." She looks into my eyes, her expression a blend of rebellion and scepticism. "It won't come to that, Arielle. You won't lose your company. Neither Father nor Grandmother Adele would ever let that happen. She adores you more than she's ever adored me, you know? Indeed if I do not wed Ariel, she won't rebuff you for it. Do not stress it, alright? You won't get caught in a cold marriage, or anything it is that's going through your intellect. Disregard the fear Father is igniting in you, Arielle. Everything is going to be fine. I promise." I shake my head. "No," I whisper. "Everything won't be." I do not know how to make her see reason.
By chance, if Loretta doesn't alter her mind, she'll be wrecking three lives, plus her life.