Lorelei Leàndre's POV :
I sat in the living room of my mother's home, while she spoke on the phone in the next room. I had no clue of what she spoke about, but she was super upset over the phone. Then she got quiet and seemed satisfied with whatever she talked about with the person on the other end of the phone.
In this time I decided I'd mind my own business and continue reading one of my romance novels. I loved a good novel to read. It'd be so much more better in the quietness.
I smiled to myself and read my book as the candle on the stand beside me filled the room with a sweet vanilla scent.
Moments later I could feel a presence, a set of eyes watching me, so I instinctively looked over to see my mom standing there with a smirk on her face.
" My dearest sweet daughter. There is something we need to discuss. " She walked over to me and then sat right beside me, facing towards my way- and her knees touching mine.
My eyes rolled in annoyance, my mother wasn't the nicest person ever so I knew she'd say something I didn't want to hear.
" What is it now? " I asked her, staring at her hand as she placed it on my knee.
" Uh..remember that day I came home and had a lot of new things? Then gave you about $2500. Because I got paid a lot of money at my job? " She asked me in a calm tone
I looked to her eyes and slowly nodded, waiting for her to continue what she was on about.
" Well, I was paid in advance. A man gave me a job to get some information and things from the Mayor..before he was fired. Uh- I lied about the information and now I owe the man who I was working for in the time. " My mother told me, but I just looked to my book because she was just beating around the bush with me and it was pissing me off already.
" I offered you as a way to pay my debt. " She said the moment I stuck my nose into my book.
I decided to pick up my bookmark from beside the candle and stuck it into my book before sitting my book, where my bookmark was.
" What are you talking about? " I asked in a calm and collective tone.
" His son. He refused to go on any blind dates or look for a woman to marry. This is important for their reputation. This is life or death and if this debt wasn't paid in at least 48 hours. How can I make 100 thousand dollars in that short time. And you don't do anything important with your life so I figured that you didn't mind. " She said to me in a quick manner.
" What the fuck?! I'm not marrying some guy's son. Just because you are uninterested in my life doesn't mean I want to throw it away by marrying someone's son. " I told her and I started to stand up from my spot and pulling from her
" Well..it's a private ceremony, and this guy went to your school, just a grade higher. Perhaps you knew him. Do you recall, Olivander Valerian? " She asked trying to reason with me
However I freaked out more. I hated that guy and I refuse to marry him. He is such an asshole and he was always in my way! In the way of just..everything! He got me in trouble a lot. I just wanted to turn around and slap my mother across her face.
" I'm not marrying anyone, and especially not him. " I told her
" Well, you got all those nice books you wanted didn't you? You owe me this. " She said to me
" Well if only I knew you were getting money and lying about doing the job after you had your money. You're so greedy and selfish! " I yelled at her
My mother slapped me across the face, causing the silence of me.
" My life is on the line here. If anything you're being a selfish brat! " She shouted back at me.
" Mom! I don't want- "
" I don't care what you want. It's already to be done..leave my living room, I'm tired of your ungratefulness. " She said relaxing on the couch and taking a deep breath,
I stared at her and then I took my book before storming off to my bedroom. As selfish as she was I didn't want her die. Could she not think of something else?
I slammed my door shut and locked it. I panted heavily and leaned against the door, before sliding down onto my butt.
She's so cruel, but I don't want to be anything like her, so I'll have to go through with it. I'll find a way to pay off at least double that debt, and then I'll divorce the guy.
Very slowly, I stood up and undressed out of my pajamas, before laying down in my bed. I normally slept that way. But I couldn't help but tear up and cry a bit.
~
The next morning I found myself staring at the wall of my shower as I thought about being married so young, and to someone I don't even know. I reached out and then I turned off the shower before opening the shower curtain and then grabbing my towel and drying off, before walking into my room.
I'm glad to have a bathroom in my bedroom, because I didn't want to see my mother's face anymore, I still cannot believe her.
I dug through my clothes drawer for a big t-shirt. Sighing softly I unlocked the door and walked out to get some food, because..well not even my mother can stop me from eating- it might as well be a hobby of mine.
A smile appeared on my lips as I entered the kitchen but I seen the maid already making breakfast like always.
" Good morning, Miss Leàndre. Your mother told me of your engagement, I am so happy for you. " Susanne said softly.
She was a middle aged woman, always hard working. I inhaled softly as I snapped into reality realizing she waited for a response but not once did she seem impatient
" Oh- right. Thank you, Susanne. " I smiled at her softly
" Of course. " She said softly and then turned away then turned back with a plate that had bagels on it. " I made the bagels myself. And I even made the cream cheese, do enjoy ma'am. "
I smiled at her, how thoughtful of her. I reached out taking the plate from her calmly and then I grabbed her forearm before she could continue what she was doing
" Please, just Lorry or Lorelei. And, thanks- I'm so grateful " I said before walking to my room and I heard my mom coming from the living room into the hall.
" Lorry. " She called my name causing me to pause and turn towards her
" What "
" My goodness, what are you wearing. Go put on something nice, our guests will be here soon. You'll meet your fiancé and his father. " My mother said, but the moment the words spilt out of her mouth , I almost dropped my plate.
I stared at her like I wanted to throw the plate to her.
Eventually I took a deep breath and then walked back to the kitchen to sit the plate down before slowly walking to my bedroom to look more presentable.
I opened my closet and decided to find a cute outfit to wear
[ What she picked ]
I ran my hands over my black skirt and then I picked up my earrings and put them in. I stared at the outfit and made sure I looked decent before hearing a knock
" Lorelei! They have an arrived, hurry before they ring the bell. " She said
I opened the door and a satisfied smile appeared on her face as she viewed me. She grabbed my wrist pulling me to the living room and made me stand in the view of the door as she opened it when the bell rang.
I seen a man who looked about 40 something, and he shook hands with my mother before she stepped aside for them to come inside. Next, was a very handsome man that I almost didn't even recognize until I really looked at his face taking in the familiar features I knew before.
He's always been handsome but, that's never changed how I felt for him. But he'd gotten..much much more handsome.
The look on his face told me he knew exactly who I was, but he looked at what I wearing and then he looked away, in annoyance.
" Ahem, this is my wonderful daughter Lorelei. " My mother said staring at me waiting for me to give a proper greeting,
I stared at them and waved before turning to sit down on the couch, putting one of my legs over the other as I leaned back,
" She's- just a bit shy " My mother said motioning them to sit down as well.
I looked at her as she sat with me, and I was frowning at her
" Lying is what got you here in the first place. And I'm not going to pretend I like him when I don't. " I said to her but I didn't bother being quiet about it, what these people think of me doesn't matter because I'm pretty sure Olivander's dad doesn't care as long as he's carrying the family name.
" Be nice. " She gave a serious look
" Janice, will we have problems with this..arrangement? " Mr. Valerian asked my mom
My mother looked at him and shook her head. " No..that's a normal reaction considering these two apparently didn't get along in school. " She smiled at him and then she cleared her throat after
" Good. I have scheduled a date for the two, in 25 minutes. That way they can get to know each other more. Maybe find out why they have misunderstood each other for so long. " The man said before smiling plainly at us both. " We should have them on their way in 5 minutes though."
Olivander was staring directly at me when I looked at him, his eyes went down looking at my skirt and pantyhose but he looked away, and not quickly. Just in a way that he didn't care if I seen him looking right at me.
My face felt very slightly warm but I looked down to my hands as the two men got up and left to wait outside.
My mother looked at me and smiled " At least it's not an..ugly guy. " She chuckled
I looked at her with disgust and rolled my eyes before getting my phone from my purse to let those few minutes go by.
" There's no time for that. Now go on " She pointed to the door tempting to snatch my phone but I quickly pulled away.
" Fine, but only because I don't want to look at your face. " I told her and got up before going to stand on the porch, staring at the the nice vehicle
" Are you going to stare at my ride , or will you get in already? " I heard a very very sexy voice from behind me.
With that, I quickly turned around and seen him. Even his voice got sexier.
I was staring at him, but when I heard his father ask us to move to get a move on, because they didn't have all day-
I quickly turned around and got into limo ignoring both of them. His father stayed there with my mother so we were alone.
As we left I looked down to my lap silently, and I could feel him staring at me
" Why didn't you idiots just give the money back to my father? " Olivander asked me
I frowned and looked up at him " Excuse me, I had nothing to do with what my mother did. " I responded quickly
" Is that so? Or perhaps you just thought you could get money out of this arrangement. " He said and then crossed his arms
" No no no, I could care less about money. If it didn't depend on my mother's life, I wouldn't marry your ass for a hundred million dollars. " I said sternly and then flipped him off.
" Right. You're all the same. This is why I'm in this situation anyway. I decided not to ever find someone because of girls like you. You know- I didn't know about this until yesterday. " He said staring at me, but his eyes were so..manipulating and I was so mesmerized by them.
It was like I was stuck, his eyes were light blue and his pupils were so visible from far away. However I realized what he said and then I frowned
" Excuse me, I didn't know either. You can keep anything you have, because I don't want it "
Olivander stared at me before looking outside of the window, calmly.
" Whatever. " He told me and then closed his eyes
I sighed and then I grabbed my kindle and started reading ' Boss On Notice ', but as I read it, I became more invested as a sex scene was almost there. My teeth gently sank into my bottom lip as I read more.
" Slut.. " I heard but then I heard a loud clearing of throat right after.
" Excuse me?! Have you any manners? That is no way to speak to a wo- "
" Oh so you're not reading a dirty book? I know that look. I have a cousin who reads it and she reacts just the same way. " He said to me and then his eyebrow slowly went up
" I- well, actually that's not actually what- uhm.. looks like we're slowing down actually. " I said and when the car finally stopped the driver opened the door for us, and I took my purse before quickly making my way out.
I exhaled heavily, knowing that I didn't have to be trapped somewhere that small for any longer with him.
My heart pounded a bit and it was such a weird feeling, and I knew exactly why. He is very handsome, and his voice is just so sexy, that's not something I can avoid. However, that doesn't mean that I am in love with him at all.
This guy was such a moron a few years ago..if I had to guess he's about 26. I'm almost 25, and being forced to marry this scumbag.
I looked around to see that we were outside of a very very expensive restaurant, so I paused and looked at Olivander.
" I can't- I can't afford this. I don't get paid until Thursday. " I said quickly " Let's just go to a cheaper place for now. " I suggested
I worked in a grocery store, and I stayed with my mother because I kind of didn't want to go to college. I thought about owning an apartment of my own, but I'm still sort of not used to living by myself.
My mother was the same way, and before my father passed away he wanted me to take care of her. But to be honest she's become sort of an alcoholic..and it's making me want to move out.
" Well, then don't pay. You can ask me to, I won't get pissed off or anything. " Olivander said looking at me as we ordered a table for 2.
I looked at him and then decided I'd just get a drink and pay for it by myself. The only time that I have been here was when one of my rich friends had dinner here for their 21st birthday,
I followed the waiter to our seats and I pulled my chair out, before sitting down.
" Do you have any boyfriend or ex boyfriends? I really don't have time for petty boyfriends. " Olivander asked me calmly
I just rolled my eyes and crossed my arms " One ex boyfriend, how about you? Any boyfriend? " I smirked
His calm face, slowly turned to a frown " Don't be a brat on the first date. " He told me as he leaned in " Now, I don't date. I sometimes..do one night stands. But don't worry, I won't have an affair or whatever while we are married. "
Olivander was staring into my eyes and it made me nervous, so I cleared my throat and looked around
" How old are you? "
I looked at him and frowned " Do you seriously not know who I am? " I asked him
" No..? " He said in a questioning tone
" We went to high school together. I'm 24, but I'll be 25 in about 2 months. You? " I said, and his eyebrows went up slightly as if he could have possibly remembered me.
" 26. " He looked down to where my shoulder would be, and more of my body taking me in. " What are you having to eat? "
" I'm not hungry, I'll just have a drink. " I said quickly
" You haven't even eaten, you will order food and eat it. If me paying makes you feel that guilty, then you can pay your half of the bill later if it makes you feel any better. " Olivander looked to my face again
" Uhm..okay fine. " I smiled looking at the menu
I could have sworn he smiled but he just looked away when I started to look at him again.
" I kind of want this spaghetti, with some red wine. And maybe an appetizer, some nachos. " I said looking at him
He nodded calmly " I guess I'll just get the same thing. "
" Copy cat " I said and then my phone began ringing
Olivander stared at me as I answered the call and held the phone to my ear " Hello? "
" Hey, how's the date? " My mom asked whispering
" This isn't a good time, I'll call you later. "
My mom responded quickly but I cut her off by hanging up and all I heard was: " No wait- "
" That is very rude. Considering that I'm paying for this date, I think you should give me your phone until it's over. I'd like to know who I'm marrying. " Olivander slowly held out his hand very calmly..
Extra info ~
The book she was reading on her kindle : Boss On Notice, it's free on kindle app or the device. It's really good. (: