ELYRA.

"Young Miss Elyra? I think you have the wrong house." She stated when I nudged her out of the way.

"I think that would be me." Alan held out a hand and I took it, smiling I turned around to wave at the Radriels who looked stunned and particularly Stàr who looked like she was strapped in a daze and unable to get out of it.

"Here you go, Miss." Alan, my personal driver offered, opening the car door and i walked in and he shut it after me.

"Is this it? Is this why you wanted a divorce? Because you had some guy you were cheating on me with?" Nick yelled, pursuing after the car as Alan zoomed out of the driveway and I sighed, blinking my eyes repeatedly to stop the tears from flowing out.

I was so strong back there, I was almost at the edge of breaking down into tears but I held my shit together.

"Your parents would be delighted to see you, Miss Elyra." I smiled weakly as I turned on my phone.

"Would they? It's been 3 years and I rebelled against them. I even went ahead to marry someone without their knowledge and consent, I can't even wait for them to say 'i told you so' I probably deserve it." I shut my eyes as the tears began rolling down.

"Even at that, I'm sure they would still be glad you're coming back."

"I would really appreciate silence, Alan." He nodded and thankfully, stopped talking altogether.

The hairs on my skin stood up and I didn't need to look to know that goosebumps cover up my skin as Alan drove into my family's estate.

It was exactly how I knew it to be, graceful and silent. You would doubt that anyone ever lived here.

"Your parents should be at the third floor. It's game day." I need, clutching my bag, I went in and took the elevator to the third floor.

Standing at the doorway, I remembered how much fun game day used to be and yet, it seemed like everything had changed.

Mum and dad sat quietly, just staring at the TV like they were trying to relieve old memories.

"I think it's past beginning of game time." I finally said to get their attention and as expected, they both swirled to meet my eyes.

"Elyra? Oh my goodness, am i dreaming? Is that you? Elyra!" Mum called in a whisper like she was unable to believe her eyes.

"Mum." I called, gulping as I didn't want tears to flow out. At least, not now.

"Oh lord, bless my heart. It's you." She called like it was getting hard to breathe for her and I dropped my bag and ran towards her.

"I've missed you so much, mum." I cried, enveloped in her arms was my safe space as I began bawling my eyes out.

"I should have never left, I should have listened to you." I cried and she patted my head softly.

"It's okay. It's going to be fine.” She consoled softly and I just held on to her.

My mother is so supportive, she didn't bother asking what had happened even after I rebeled and went ahead to marry him despite her refusal.

“Mom, I was stupid and—” She shook her head in negativity as she smiled softly.

“No! Everyone makes mistake my love, everyone does.” I nodded, as I turned to stare at my father who had been gaping at me the whole time like he couldn't even begin to guess who I was.

“Dad…”I called softly and I saw my mom gulp so I turned to stare at her with inquisitive eyes.

“He has amnesia and cancer and hasn't gotten any treatment so it's possible he doesn't remember you. He doesn't even remember me most of the time.” She stated and I could feel every inch of hurt that followed with her words.

“What? What?” I literally raced across the room and threw my arms around him as tears began to pour out of my eyes yet again..

“Dad?” He stared at me in confusion as he tilted his head to a side.

“Who are you?” He asked and I could feel my entire world falling to my feet as I stared at him.

Oh fuck no! I never for once thought that there be a time in life when my father wouldn't recognize me. I just couldn't think of it.

“Mum, we have enough to take father to a good hospital and have him treated. Why havent you ?” She stared at him for a while and blinked back her tears like she was hiding it from them and that was understandable.

Perhaps she didn't want him to see her hurting.

“Let's talk at the balcony.” She requested and I nodded, placing a soft kiss on my dad's cheek before walking over to my mum.

Once we were at the balcony, out of ear shot, mum's tears began running out as she sniffled.

“We have nothing to take care of your father currently. We don't have anything. The company is been hoarded right now. Your father gambled it off one of the nights when he was drunk and the only way to get it back is if we give something in return.” Mum placed a hand to hr chest as she leaned against the railing and I bit the insides of my mouth till I could feel the metallic taste of blood inside of my mouth.

“What did they request for?” I asked, wondering how bad life was turning for us.

“Something they know we can't give, that's why they offered it. They want a marriage alliance, they know you're married. Why would they request that when they know there's no one we can give to them? They know what they're doing.” My mum rolled her eyes, it was brimming with tears and red like she had been punched while I bit my lips hardly.

“What if…” I trailed off softly and mum turned to stare at me with a negative expression on her face, she was already shaking her head in negativity like she already knew what I was about to say.

“What if we give them what they want?”

ELYRA

“No.” Mum yelled after me I walked back into the house, searching for her phone frantically while she trailed after me in tears.

“No, Elyra. We can manage. You just got out of a toxic marriage and I'm not about to let you go into another one knowing fully well that this one would be arranged.” She yelled at the top of her voice when I spotted her phone on the top of the dinning table.

Dad was already fast asleep on the table and I snatched it before she could get to me.

“Yes mum! Yes. I'd get married to their son. That's what it takes to get back our company and save dad's life. Can't you see that we're the ones that doesn't have much of a choice here?” I screamed, scrolling through her phone to search for the number of Gates Hills.

That's the name of the company and the owner that my father gambled our company over to and once I spotted it, I dialed the number into my phone.

“Elyra. Please, let's just discuss this okay? You just got back, you haven't even had a meal or a drink. Just calm down so I can fix you something to eat first, please.” She muttered, with her hands up as she walked closer to me while my vision was soiled with tears.

“I don't need a meal, mum. Look at dad, he looks like he would die on us any moment.” I dialed the number and it began ringing and I gestured at my mum to seal her lips.

“Please, just let me do this and we'll see how this turns out. We'll see if it's something I can maneuver. Maybe I can even negotiate something else with them.” I nodded, tilting my head to a side to drive my point and she swallowed as the call went through.

“Hello. I'd like to talk with Mr Hills.” I stated, trying my best to mask my cranky voice while trying to sound confident.

“This is him. And you are?” I swallowed nervously as my mum took a seat slowly and I walked towards the door.

“This is Elyra Dranen, daughter of Van Dranen, Owner of Dranen's group.” I introduced myself and immediately the words fell out of my mouth, I could already hear him laughing at the other end of the phone.

“Oh well. This is about to get interesting but before you continue, I won't make any negotiations. I already told your father what I want and if he can't give me that, I'm not willing to make any other deals with him.” He said in a smug tone and I looked at my mum who gestured with her fingers, inquiring what he was talking about.

I put the call on mute and turned to stare at mum.

“He said he's willing for a negotiation.” I whispered and I watched as her eyes lit up while I put the phone to my ear.

“That's pretty clear, my mother already related it to me. I'd like to schedule a meeting.” I answered in a straightforward tone and there was hesitation in his voice before he continued again.

“You can get a meeting. 4pm today and that's only if you're giving what I'm offering.” I nodded at mum for reassurance while sucking in a really deep breath.

“I'll be there.” I answered and ended the call while heaving a sigh.

“What'd he say?” Mum queried, standing up to meet me as she held my hands tightly.

“He's willing to take something else and we set up a meeting. I think he was probably messing with you both when he talked about an arranged marriage. He already knows you have no other children to marry out.” I chuckled slightly and mum pulled me in for a hug.

“What would I have done without you?” I smiled slightly as I bit the insides of my mouth. It felt weird to lie to my mum but I couldn't stand her getting worried over this.

“You see? Now why not fix me a meal as you said?” She nodded, shifting the strands of my hair that had fallen across my face to the back of my ear.

“Of course.”

I stared at my watch and saw I had about 1 hour to meet with Mr Hills, I better hurry up.

I went off to my room as mum had gone to fix me a meal and freshened up.

Opening up my wardrobe, I smiled slightly as I pulled out one of the gowns that I used to wear before getting married.

It's actually weird that they still fit perfectly well.

“You're all dressed up?” My mum asked in low tones when I re entered the dining as she set the table with steaming dishes she had made.

“I have to meet with Mr Hills by 4pm this noon so that I can finalize everything with him. I still have some minutes to get there and it's not far so let me dig in. I'm famished.” There was a suspicious glint in her eyes but she overlooked it as she say directly opposite me.

“Make sure he doesn't coax you into giving him anything that would be too much for you.” She cautioned as I took up the fork and began digging.

“Of course.” I nodded.

In few minutes of silence, I was done eating and cleared the table, did the dishes and was ready to set out.

“Be safe.” My mum advised for the 100th time and I nodded as I got into the back seat while my driver drove towards the Hill's mansion.

“You’re right on time, Mrs Elyra.” Mr Hills commended as I stepped into his living room and I swerved to meet him seated on one of the sofas.

“I'm meeting with someone as important as you so I have to be on time.” He chuckled slightly as I took a seat.

“Of course. What would you have? A soft drink? Something hard?” He gestured towards his maid and I waved him off.

“I'd rather not have anything and go straight to the point why I decided to meet with you. My parents told me about the deal you made and the only negotiation you would rather have.” I started and he leaned forward.

“Yes and I said I wouldn't be negotiating so I wonder why they sent you here.” He said in a slightly smug tone and I heaved sigh.

“I know. As a matter of fact, I'm here to accept the offer.” He squinted his eyes, somewhat out of disbelief as he stared at me.

“That can't be possible. You're married.” He chuckled and I stood up, dropping a copy of my divorce agreement onto his table.

“Well you're in luck. I just got divorced with my husband.” He looked like his eyes would pop out of his socket when the door opened and the last person I'd rather see right now walked through the door.

“Elyra?” He called as soon as our gazes met.

ELYRA

Standing right in front of me was one of Nick's competitors that I had to meet a couple of times and from the occasions, we had decided it would be best we never meet ever again.

He was egoistic and rude and I wondered what his connection to the Hill's would be so I straightened my expression.

“Hello Mr Radriel.” I greeted, putting on a fake smile as I took my seat while Mr Hills beckoned on Radriel while his gaze remained fixated on me.

“What's she doing here?” He queried as he walked into the living room towards Mr Hills.

“It seems you both know each other but I'd still introduce. This is Elyra, heiress of the Dranen's group and she's here to accept my offer of marrying you to get back her father's company.” Radriels face turned to stare back ate with his mouth wide open and I swallowed nervously.

The person I'm supposed to get married to is Radriel? Of all people on the face of the earth, it just had to be him?

“Well I'll be damned. Isn't Mrs Elyra married?” He chuckled with a smirk on his face as he pulled off his tie and sank into a chair.

Now I see where he got the whole character and attitude from, his father was a good depiction.

“You're in luck, son. She got divorced to accept our offer.” He stated and I cleared my throat uncomfortably as I bit my lips nervously.

I felt like the world could do me and favour and make me invisible at this point, the earth can just open up it's beautiful mouth and swallow me whole because what the fucking hell?

“Is that so?”

“No, that's not the reason I got divorced and I absolutely didn't know that Radriel was the person I was supposed to get married to and I don't even care.” I turned to stare at him, straightening my back as I kept a stern expression.

“We might have gotten off on the wrong foot, Mr Radriel but this is business and I'm sure your father understands that. You're father put up this deal and I'm here to redeem it. If you feel uncomfortable accepting this, Mr Radriel, you can as well tell your father to give us a lighter option.” I stated, trying to mask the fact that I was breaking into a thousand pieces.

Radriel wouldn't accept this marriage.

He hated me, he hated Nick. It was pretty obvious so now I'm rest assured, I don't have to get married to anyone.

They would look for something else to bargain with and I'm more than a hundred percent sure that no matter what it is, I would redeem it.

“You seem very determined, Miss Elyra.” His father commented as I rubbed my wrist against each other slightly.

“And nervous if I may add. You're not hiding it well, Elyra.” He stated, exchanging knowing glances with his father and I wondered what the secret eye talks would be all about.

“Since you've met and would eventually get married, I might as well give you both soke space to bond.” His father stated and I shifted uncomfortably on my seat, tensed by the fact that I'd be left alone with Radriel in one space.

“I see you finally got a hold of your senses and divorced Nick.” He shrugged, picking up the divorce letter and skimming through it.

“My divorce none of your business, Mr Radriel.” I smiled, while shooting him a hard glare and he stood up, walked over to the mini bar they had at their dining and poured himself a drink.

“If you want to smile, you smile Elyra. If you want to give me death stares, give me death stares Elyra. Just pick a struggle and besides, it's quite a pity that you didn't even use the process of the divorce to get money out of your ex husband.” He came back to sit and I shattered my teeth slightly as I dropped the pretense of smiles and all nice looks.

“As I said again, it's none of your business. Your family has mine in a chokehold and I'd like us to be released from it even if it's to my detriment.” He nodded slightly, poker faced.

“You see how easy it is for me to get my revenge and have you recounting every single moment you ever met with me?” I squinted my eyes at his question as I made no sense of it at all.

“Who knew all it would take was get your father drunk and have him play casino. That was his very pride and he was willing to stake his company on it.” I tilted my head to a side in confusion as I still tried to pick the pieces of what he was saying.

“What do you mean by that?” I queried and he leaned back in his seat.

“Exactly 4 months ago, you met with me and literally embarrassed me in front of the board, gaining your husband that particular contract. I promised you that I would get my revenge, Elyra.” My eyes bulged out in surprise as I stared at him in shock.

“So all this, you planned all of this little scheme as your revenge?” All the scenes of that day I represented Nick played in my head like a fucking light bulb and it just dawned on me the kind of maniac I was dealing with.

This man is a fucking psycho.

A fucking literal maniac.

“You're crazy, Radriel.” My internal thoughts slipped out of my mouth as suddenly it felt hard to breathe.

“Good to know you're catching up.” He nodded and pulled his briefcase to himself.

“Here. That's the marriage agreement, I already had it drafted up and carried it with me at all times knowing that this day would finally come. Once you sign it, we're legally married. I can save you the struggle of having a wedding but I'm not sure my father would accept that.” I gasped as he dumped the copy in front of me and began walking upstairs while I placed my hands on my chest gasping.