Sarah
It has been three weeks since I started my new job. My parents calls me every time, I thought they would have found out by now, but Rebekah and Josh always fill in for me.
Am I enjoying my job? Yes, I am. Ronan isn't all that mean. I know he's keeping a lot from me and he did well in hiding it.
Still, I resent him for the outburst that happened a month ago. He reacted harshly and it might forever dent how I perceive him to be.
I was still lost in my thoughts when a call came in — My dad. I stared at the phone as it buzzed, feeling reluctant but eventually I picked it up.
"Hey Dad,"
"Good morning Sarah. I just called to inform you I'd be in New York City on Thursday for an event. I can't wait to see my girl," he announced.
I blinked my eyes severally, searching for the right response to his unexpected visit. "Okay dad. I'll be expecting you,"
My voice was deprived of joy because I'm still suspended and I don't know what I would do.
Immediately I hung up, I called Rebekah, informing her what my current situation was and she told me what she has been telling me since when it happened.
"Apologize to Mr. Ronan,"
I disconnected the call and stared at my phone with my left hand at akimbo. I heaved a sigh and dialed Ronan's number.
"Hey, is there any problem with Ellis?" He asked.
"No, I want to make a request,"
"Oh, what is it?"
"My parents will be in town on Thursday. Can you allow my boss lift my suspension? Hell will let loose if my father finds out that I have been suspended."
In what seem like a long time, he spoke up. "Alright, I'll call your boss,"
I was shocked and I stared at my phone to confirm if it was Ronan I called. To be honest, I didn't know he would agree without me apologizing to him.
Then he called back. My heart couldn't help but beat fast. I hesitated, but I picked up eventually and I waited for him to speak.
"Anywhere you go, Ellis must follow. I won't be home till Friday," he informed me.
"Okay," I responded and he hung up and that was our longest conversation until Thursday morning.
***
On Thursday morning, I took Ellis to school. As I dropped her she glared at me.
"I haven't seen father in two days," she lamented with her eyes in mine.
I placed my hand on her shoulder, "Yeah, he is on a business trip. He will be back tomorrow,'' I said.
"I'm seven years old, but not stupid," she said and I was taken aback.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"My father is getting married today,"
Getting married? I was more than shocked. Ronan didn't inform me that he is getting married. At that moment, a call entered. It was my parents.
"We just landed. Care to pick us up?" My dad asked me.
"Errrrr… I'll be at the ICU," I lied.
"Oh okay. We will find our way then," he said and hung up.
"ICU?" Ellis chuckled. "Why would you tell lies? You always told me lies are bad,"
Kids! Kids!! Kids!!!
"Your father lifted my suspension and I'm on my way to the hospital. Now, get inside before you'll be penalized for late coming."
I watched her as she entered the school gate. I heaved a sigh, entered the car and as I was about to drive off, Mrs. Elena stopped me.
Terrified, I stomped on the brake and looked outside my side window. "You shouldn't do that!" I yelled.
"Well, I hate to appear this way, but we need your help and it is very urgent,"
"What is it?" I asked sharply.
"Follow that car," she said as she took the passenger's seat. "Go!" She yelled at the car stationed a few metres away from us.
Not only was I angry, I felt betrayed. In all these weeks, I thought I'm starting to have a connection with him, but all of a sudden his daughter says he is getting married — That marred my heart.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
I looked through the rear mirror. Searching her face for more hints, but I got none. "You'll find out soon. It is not mine to tell,"
I followed the presumed car and we stopped at an event center. Probably where the wedding is taking place.
We walked into the inner room and I saw a few people carrying frames in their hand. It wasn't my concern till something caught my eyes…
It was a picture of Ronan and then… His bride-to-be… His bride-to-be is my presumed dead sister, Piper.
I didn't know when I pointed at the picture, "That's my sister," I whispered, but, everyone is locked into their moment and didn't hear me.
Just at that moment, Ronan appeared.
"There is something —"
"There is something —"
We were both caught up. "You go first," I stretched forth my hand, signaling that he should continue.
He held my arms. "Sarah, I'm stuck up in a disaster and please help me through it."
"What's that?" I asked.
"My fiancee bailed on me. She's absent and we don't have much time. Can you fill in please? I'll increase your pay if need be."
"Huh?"
My eyes shot wide, my ears became immune to voices, my lips remained apart, and my mind is at a standstill.
"Marry me, Sarah." He said and for once, I blinked with my eyes fixed on him.
I was still thinking about the marriage when I remembered about my sister. I pointed at the frame laying at the corner of the room. His eyes wandered to where I was pointing at.
"Yeah, that's my wife-to-be, but she bailed." He clarified my thoughts.
"That's my sister."
He stared at the frame and then at me. "You're kidding right?"
"No, I'm not."
"I vividly remembered when you told me your sister is dead,"
"Yes! And miraculously that's her! She has a scar above her elbow! I gave her that when we fought during our childhood days!" I yelled.
It seems he knew what I'm saying is true. Even though he didn't say it out loud, I could hear him. "How's that possible?"
"I need to find my sister. Where was the last place you saw her?" I asked, getting ready to take my leave.
"No! Billions of dollars is on the line right now and my stocks will potentially go down if this marriage doesn't pull through. So, I need you today, I'll find your sister. I know where she'll be. So, for now, please! If I go bankrupt there will be no way to care for Ellis and look for your sister,"
"How would this marriage make you go bankrupt? Stop lying, you just want to protect your ego," I said.
"No! Absolutely not!" He looked up as he tried to catch his breath. "It is not like that. I'll explain everything to you later…"
"I'm sorry Ronan, I can't do this. Besides, my parents will kill me if they find out and everyone will know about us. So, sooner or later, news would reach them," Before he could say anything, I shut him out. "Don't say we would divorce later. Fake or not, my marriage will never end in a divorce."
I turned around to leave. As my footstep recedes, Ronan caught up with me.
"I'll swallow my pride, Sarah. My company depends on this. Not only will I lose future deals, current contracts might be put on hold too,"
"You can tell them anything. Tell them that your bride bailed on you. I'm sure they will understand,"
"Sarah, that's not how the business world works. We feed on weakness here. A failed wedding can only mean one thing —" he paused and took a step closer. "A failed marriage means if I can't handle a woman, how will I successfully deliver any given project?"
"Your portfolio is concrete. A failed marriage won't deter anything Ronan."
"You don't get it, do you? We live in the moment in the business world, portfolios are useless. So, for the sake of Ellis and my reputation, please marry me. Besides, people who would love to see my downfall will all be present today,"
"My parents, Ronan — They will never agree to this and I'll be getting married to my sister's fiancé. It is a no-no Ronan, I can't do this."
As I was about to leave, I heard Elena's distant voice. "Sarah!"
I stared at hopeless Ronan before I turned to Elena. "Yeah?" My voice is laced with coldness. I won't listen to anyone trying to convince me.
"Do you realize that as we entered, there was nothing like reporters outside or a broadcast message everywhere." She said, adjusting her posture. "Even you, you weren't aware until now. That's how secretive this marriage is. No phones were allowed into the venue either. The marriage won't be declared public, I promise you."
"And in everything, I'll fuel your dreams of becoming an artist." Ronan added.
With this… I agreed to marry Ronan. With a sea of people around me, they got me dressed in white and did my makeup.
There was nothing to lose anyway. My parents won't find out, my dreams will be fulfilled, and I'll get to see my assumed dead sister. I'll be killing multiple birds with just one stone.
I walked to the rear stage, Ronan took my hand as we walked down the aisle. I could feel everyone staring at me as they clap their hands.
But my demeanor changed when I spotted a familiar face in the crowd — My dad.
And there is only one thing I could mutter….
"I'm finished."