Ayshe.
~
" Good morning all. "
Asin was as happy as the last time I saw him.
" What joy, what joy .. come, come and embrace me, son. "
His grandfather invited him over, and as they hugged, I walked closer to Marie.
" You okay? "
She smiled ear to ear and nodded reassuringly. " I am .. we talk later. "
I nodded and immediately felt 25kg lighter.
She gave me a kiss on the cheek and joined her husband, paying their respects.
They looked over the moon happy. Just like the whole family did.
I peaked at Oliver .. he still didn't look at me. Why the cold shoulder if they were okay?
I found my seat and listened to their conversation.
" .. so we agreed? You will join us tomorrow for dinner. We will send it for you..
" Nonsense, dad .. me and Oliver will pick up my in-laws up from the airport. " Asin injected with a smile.
" Very well, son, as you wish. "
Yanam Martell seemed like a good father. To be honest, the whole family seemed .. nice.
But I wasn't born yesterday.
" How nice! .. " My father looked around for others to agree. " What a respectable young man you raised there. "
Oh, father ..
Looking at my sister clutching her husband's hand ..
I caught Oliver looking at right at them as well.
Yet his facial expression wasn't that of a man whose brother is floating with happiness.. but someone troubled.
I wondered what made him like that ..
——
Oliver.
~
Looks like she signed.
But brother..
That acting is first class. Not one, not even his mother would ever think .. that this is fake.
I got to give it to Marie as well. She looked happy and excited about her new life.
I mean ..
How will this work Asin? 6 months is a long time ..
" What's wrong? "
I looked at my mother and gave a relaxed smile.
" I think I drank too much last night.. still feel a little funny. " I lied.
" Well, eat something, maybe? .. and also.. " She leaned closer. " .. that other Konore girl is boring her eyes into you. Tell .. "
I rolled my eyes.
" There is nothing to tell. " I shrugged.
Unfortunately .. that was very much the truth.
I looked at Asin .. in 6 months, hopefully, we will be back to our routine. There is no need to create any unpleasant memories with that girl.
I did catch her eyes once but acted like I didn't. I took the momentarily silence and got up.
" Brother .. join me. We have a few more hours until the plane is ready. May I borrow him .. sister? "
For the first time, Marie's eyes flashed something other than happiness.
She laughed politely.
" Just don't keep him too long. "
Asin shared one more gleeful smile with the family, and we were away.
Since I was anticipating it, I watched as his phoney smile died.
We didn't speak on our way outside.
" No .. not your car. " He stopped me.
We got into one of the SUVs.
" I bet a lot happened.. "
I wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about it or not .. but as we drove away, he gradually relaxed.
" Calm down, Oliver .. everything went well. "
He was done, but I wasn't.
" Come on .. more. Go .."
" Ayay .. nothing to tell, really. She signed, and I outlined how we have act around others. She mentioned her plans studying music, per the contract I support.. the rest, you know. "
I leaned back hearing the relatively tame story. There has to be more.. obviously, but pushing him was a bad idea.
And we had work to do.
" You seem okay .. so we can move to our next step. "
He raised an eyebrow. " What .. what do you mean we have another race? "
" Nope .. but Mr Unknown wants to meet. "
Leyla called early this morning while I was getting ready.
Want might be the wrong word. He will meet us .. is what it meant.
" Finally.. "
This time, I raised an eyebrow.
" You wanted this? " I asked.
" No .. but I told you, didn't I? We made a little noise and with this newest stunt .. so yes, I figured we would meet soon. "
Well, at least he is using his head.
His melancholic self from this morning was nowhere to be seen.
But ..
As he looked out the window acting like he was interested in mediocre shops and small-time street peddlers .. I did see shadows of it .. his pain was fresh.
" I'm glad you pulled yourself together. Now let's go and meet the crew. They've been wanting to congratulate you. "
" Hmm .. how the others fair inside? "
" They be out tomorrow, nothing hit the papers .. might be scared to meet me. " I said, smiling.
" You too hard on them .. "
" And you like their fairy godmother.."
——
Marie.
~
After my new husband walked out with his friend, I was surrounded by the women of my family.
" Oh sweetheart, you two look wonderful together. " My mother hugged me.
Yes .. we had to.
After I signed, he spent the next hour making sure to hammer home the fact .. that we are fake.
On paper, the perfect couple but on paper only..
I sighed, thinking about missed paths ..
" How about we go and spend some time shopping? "
My mother in law came over with Yary brother wife .. I think her name was Zerile.
I did want a distraction, and my sister kept staring at me. We can find some time and talk.
" That's a wonderful idea .. we can finalise some things with Yanam here. "
My father was quick to take advantage.
I stared at him a little, but it's not like I hated him. He was who he was ..
We were surrounded by security as we walked through the Fallfield mall. A place I spent most of my youth.
I saw my mother enjoying the look other gave us, to be fair to them we did made for a ridiculous scene.
We went from store to store.
As experienced shoppers ourselves, we all joined my in-laws in a frenzy.
It was so fun I managed to forget all my problems and just enjoy some time with my family.
" Can we talk now? "
I heard my sisters voice coming behind me.
" Sure .. but let's go somewhere more private, okay? "
As she was nodding, Zerile sister came over to us.
" Unfortunately the shopping has to end.. the pilot called, and the plane was ready. "
Ayshe looked extremely irritated, but I had an idea.
" Umm.. Zerile, would it be okay if my sister fly with us? Do we have the space? "
" I sure it's fine. Haven't you asked Asin? "
I suppose it would make sense to ask him .. but I didn't even have his number.
" Well .. Oliver took him away so fast I didn't have a chance, too. " I tried to explain.
" Don't worry, he should be back soon, but it's obviously fine. " She smiled. " .. I remember when I came into the family, I was also unsure what to do .. or not do. You will have help. "
She was really nice. That was a huge relief since instead of some cliche evil in-laws, I had ones I actually liked.
" Where did that come from? " Ayshe asked after we were alone again.
" There is something I have to tell you. . And it cannot wait. "
——
Ayshe.
~
Did you know that you don't need a passport flying on a private plane?
I sure didn't.
My parents were surprised, but the Martells promised to treat me the same as Marie, who was their daughter now.
Besides they will arrive tomorrow afternoon.
I tried to call Jenk .. but I gave up after the first attempt.
It did register with me that I might never see him again, but.. I didn't really care.
Not since that night, really.
I felt a little ashamed, but it was pushed down by a multitude of other much stronger feelings.
Like curiosity.
Maria tiptoed, looking for her husband. She was acting a little strange..
The others were already on the plane, and I swear I heard Grandad Erwing say he go to his room and take a nap?
Soon, the two missing piece appeared look like they were in a good mood.
" My wife .. "
Asin smiled and offered his hand to Marie.
" I might see you later .. "
She smiled, talking to the air as they walked ahead of us.
We were left behind, and things turned awkward quickly but instead him making light of it .. he just walked towards the plane.
As much as I was stunned by that reaction, I followed close behind in case someone was watching .. like his mother.
She was an intelligent woman .. who kept giving me knowing smiles.
As I followed Oliver inside the plane, my mouth dropped.
The interior was huge, and it was obvious this was a Martell family plane.. maybe one of many.
Their insignia was engraved in everything, the seats, the utensils, even the little warm cloth the stewardess offered.
I understood they were rich.. but this is the stratosphere.
I was unsure where to sit, so I followed Oliver, who eventually stopped and took a seat next to her mother. At which point I kept looking for Marie.
I did find her and her husband .. Asin was fast asleep, clutching my sisters hand, and she was cheking her phone.
" Oh .. take a seat. "
She noticed me, and I couldn't help but hear a little disappointment in her voice.
I took a look at the sleeping man next to her ..
" How? " I asked.
She looked at him as well.
" He didn't sleep last night. "
I felt my skin burning, well well well .. is that what she wanted to tell me?
She noticed my distress and quickly shook her head, turning crimson as well.
" No .. not like that. Something even more ridiculous, I think. "
She started staring again, and I had to snap my finger to wake her.
I was fully lost at this point and in desperate need of information.
She stood up reluctantly, let go of his hand, and took me further down the plane.
We passed most of her in-laws, giving us polite nods and ending our long journey all the way the back of the plane.
The captain announced our destination and flight time. We sat down just in time for the seat belt signs to light up.
As we left Konore behind abruptly, Marie told me what happened last night in detail.
By the end, I was 5 years older.
What was that story?
I couldn't unleash the tsunami of questions i had because Marie became quite upset, reliving it.
I felt the unpleasant grip of guilty closing around my throat.
" Marie .. I'm so sorry for ..
She cut me off immediately.
" It's not your fault, you didn't force me to .. say those things and ruin that night. "
From what she told me .. Asin arrived happy as he left .. then she said a few things in anger .. which probably was unfair to the guy.
After that came the shocking part.
A fake marriage contract.
Like a freaking movie, it was. What is even more confusing and weird?
Her fake husband abandoned her for a swim that took .. 7 hours to finish?
80% of the story made no sense whatsoever.
But the rest of the 20% hurt my sister badly.
She even told me about their conversation.. how much he changes when they are alone.
That everything up until we saw was an act she signed up willing.
" So you .. went into that contract fully understanding what it means, right? "
She looked at me, annoyed.
" Trust me .. I know. Had time to think and rethink. I don't think he was going to give me that contract.. he did .. because of what happened. "
I closed my frustration with the situation.
" You think .. this will end well? "
The silence was heavy, I let her think it over one last time.
" I don't know Ayshe, but he is right. If I were to act prematurely, we all would regretted it one way or another. "
" What is that mean? " I asked.
She sighed and explained.
" Meaning all the things we already received are not refundable, besides.. Do you think dad would just hand back the house, and whatever else he got, just like that? "
Good point.
The situation is a mess because, well, because of me.
I could make it pretty, but if you looked at it clearly.. it was me.
" Wouldn't he be mad that you told me all of this? "
She smiled for the first time in a while.
" It's in our contract, so I was obligated to tell you, he said it's because .. it would be unfair to carry such a burden alone. "
Hmm .. sound thinking, as long as you can share a secret, at least with one, it won't become such .. such burden.
He wasn't a bad guy.
That was clear. It was also clear why the sudden change in Oliver.
He will never look at me as long his brother heart remains broken.
He blamed me .. just as much as I blamed me.