13. UNEXPECTED REALITIES.
“Come on now”
The ferris wheel lights contrasted the stars in the sky, coloring it a smear of sinful of red and crimson orange, Below such firy sight was Alli, in the arms of his favorite cousin, Aliya. She had her hands around a slurpie while he played the shooting game to win a teddy bear. “You don’t have any aim” She yelled aloud and he rolled his eyes to the back of his head.
“Will you shut up?”
She tugged his arm, while adjusting the vintage scarf around her shoulders. “Come on, the movie will soon start” The sound of drumming was a little more audible than her voice as she set her sights on the large screen between the row of people. There were carpets laid in front of the parking lot, and shrubs that shot through. She had on her favorite pair of brown sandals and had downed the entire drink in her hands, alongside the popcorn before the movie started.
Alli stepped away, an exhale escaping his lips because he knew within him that it wouldn’t be long till he had to surrender his. Aliya was so full of energy, excited over the little things like a movie night with him. She was also a nineteen year old community college graduate who was set to get married by summer.
She was alot of things.
And Alli saw those things whenever he looked at her, even though he wasn’t sure she did. “Yes!” He exclaimed, finally landing a purple furry with eyes as large as its arm. “It’s something” He had on a proud smile as he collected the stuffed animal from the vendor. Instinctively, he handed it to her just as the beginning of the movie started off with the familiar soundtrack.
And the moment she looked into her hands, Alli sped off like lightning, raising his hands in the air. “First to get there” He yelled, bumping into a few people that roamed the park and over the lawned shrubs. Aliya looked up, letting her arms fall right next to her. “Really?” She rolled her eyes, grudgingly making her way down the hill. “And you’re the adult” She felt a sting go up her chest as he raced her all the way to the end.
And she hefted up a middle finger which truth be told, was haram.
-
The Chicago Tribune was a statewide newspaper that would have already reached the corners and outskirts of the city usually by noon the next day. And the odds of Agatha finding out from the media that her niece was engaged was slim—
—but never zero.
“What?” She peeked above the newspaper before closing it in her hands. “I’m going to need more than an explanation for this. I’m going to ne—“ She took off her framed glasses as Liv calmly folded her clothes into the luggage in front of her.
“Olivia Bethany Sanders, where do you think you’re going?” She rose from her seats and she rolled her eyes. “Because if my slightly demented brain can recall it right, you swore you hated that man at his father’s funeral just like last two weeks”
“I know ma” She turned around. “Like i said for the nth time, it’s literally to save his company” She placed her knee to the bed to allow her zip up her bags. “It’s a long story, but it is what it is” Her eyes caught the flash of the diamond ring in the mirror.
“It is w—I cannot believe you right now” Agatha raised her voice and Liv had gotten enough of it. “Ma, it’s really not that deep” She fell back, packing her third bag for the Vienna trip which was due tomorrow. Her aunt had to look back at the headlines again to ensure this wasn’t a fever dream, as much as it felt like one, it wasn’t.
ARCHER’S FIRST SON GETS ENGAGED.
There were a million words, for the same story, some claiming she was a secretary, a local or whatever. Liv hadn’t seen not one of the media papers, she was good with not knowing how invasive they usually were plus Damien had already warned her to stay away, for her own good. They were vicious with news like this, news around a public figure, a man who every woman desired, and who every mother admired for theirs was now married to a nobody—someone no one had an idea of.
Liv was thrown into the spotlight and immediately the article was published, she realized she couldn’t even leave her house to work, or take Hamilton’s bus as usual. Things were already different and it was just the beginning.
“You have done alot of things that aren’t deep, Olivia Sanders. Sneaking out to a party in night grade was not, no matter everything i said, lying about eating the gingerbread cake a day to christmas was not but you know what is deep?” They locked eyes with each other as Liv folded her arms.
“Getting engaged, Olivia”
“It just happened ma, i was thinking about me. This isn’t just about him you know? Trust me the last thing i want is to spend one minute by his side” Liv gritted through her teeth and Agatha tossed the paper to the side. “Sure tell yourself that” She muttered and Liv inched closer to her. “You do grasp the idea of a fake engagement right?” She whispered.
“None of this. None of this is real”
“You have no idea what you’re getting into, Liv. And it’s crazy i mean, it’s crazy that i’m the only one seeing it. I thought you were the rational one” She took her aunt’s hands. “I am, and i know. I know it’s complicated but— But Damien said it’s just to secure this deal. It won’t last long, engagements fall apart all the time. Especially celebrity engagements” She whispered and Agatha sighed. “None of this, Liv. None of this is rational”
“And what happens then?”
Liv pulled away from her. “What happens when?” She asked.
“When it’s all over. What happens then?” Olivia tossed her head over her shoulders. “We will cross the bridge when we get there, ma” She sighed. “It’s okay, i swear. It’s nothing but just think of all the good things it could bring, especially for my fashion career. It could launch into the public eye, i could meet with designers, celebrities at this ball and build my network. It could be my dream come true, where i don’t have to be stuck with a nine to fucking five. I graduated months ago, and i see where my mates all are, around the world. I need this, for me”
“I need this, ma. I can imagine the looks on their faces, Sarah and all the people from highschool, summer camp even. I want something different ma, and i’m going after it. For the first time, i’m chasing something and i don’t feel sorry for it” Liv whispered and Agatha drew closer to her. “I just—“ She stuttered.
“I just hope you thought it through, Liv” She stuck her fingers into her red hair. “I’m an adult now, there’s no need to get worried. I can take care of myself” She held her frail hands in hers and her aunt scoffed. “Of course i’ll worry. It is my job to worry. I swore it to your mother that i would” She stroked her chin. “You’ll always be my little girl, Olivia and just hurry up with this arrangement and come back home to me” She whispered.
“There’s so much you can do, than this”
“I’m talking real love, Liv. You deserve all of this but with someone who means it. Someone who means this” Liv smiled before slowly pulling away. “Yes ma, someday. Someday i promise you an in-law and geandbabies too” She chuckled and Agatha waved. “I don’t have much longer but no pressure” She joked and Liv scoffed. “Don’t say that, come on” They burst out laughing till their eyes fell and Liv let out a deep sigh. “Infinity” She said.
Agatha leaned against the table, hands scrunching the edge of the paper. “Infinity” She whispered and just when she turned her back to leave, Agatha called out to her. “When are you—“
“When are you leaving for Vienna?” She asked and Liv’s eyes darted to her luggages before parting her lips to reply—
-
“Tomorrow?” Amelia exclaimed, slamming her hands to his table. And Damien matched her eyes. “Could you keep your voice down” He muttered under his breath and she scoffed.
Getting up from his chair, her hands found her hip. “What is this really about, Alex?” She whispered. “Is this about some dumb article that i wrote about you. Is that what this is about?”
His stare turned cold, and so did his stare.
“Not everything revolves around you, Amelia. I met a girl, and i fell in love” “Bullshit” She exclaimed. “All of this is bullshit because you didn’t know that when you had your tongue down my throat last week of whenever. And she talked the most distasteful shit about you. And then a week later, you’re happily engaged and in love?” There was a crack in her voice and Damien looked to her. “What can i say? Enemies to lovers” He replied calmly and Amelia just chuckled bizarrely.
“This is all a joke to you, huh?”
“This was all a joke to you. Telling me you were dying to meet my parents and to take me around the entire wo—“
“Amelia” Damien stood but she raised her voice higher than his. “You fucking moaned in my ears how you wanted this, wanted this. Amelia, move in with me, have my motherfucking babies and then a week later, you’re engaged?” She was filled with rage as they locked eyes and Damien pushed a lump down his throat. “Amelia. It’s not—“ He paused, realizing he could be anything but truthful to a reporter.
“It could never happen”
“We could never happen. It was just fun” Damien reiterated and a scoff escaped her lips. “Fun?” She tirefullly echoed. “Fun was us in high school and college, but not anymore, Damien. It isn’t fun if it’s only one person having it. I wanted something. I wanted you, Damien and i was foolish enough to think that we wanted the same things. Damn it i should have known”
“Amelia.”
“I should have known i could never change you, no matter how much i tried. How long i tried” He turned away. “I’m sorry. I hurt you” He pushed a lump down his throat and she chuckled.
“You didn’t hurt me, Damien. You wasted my time.”
“Time i’d never get back” She whispered. “And Olivia, give her something for me will you?” Amelia asked before hefting up her middle finger. “And goodluck, she’s going to need it dealing with you and putting up with whatever bullshit it is now” She added. “As for me, i don’t buy shit. And i’m going to get to root of this. And trust that when i do, not if, when i find out whatever the fuck this is, i’ll drag you for filth” She gnashed her teeth.
“And the whole Archer company with it”
“Amelia” He called, but she didn’t utter a word after that. Rather she walked out of his office, slamming the door behind her and leaving him with his hands in the air. “Fuck” He cussed under his breath as he looked to the wall. Immediately she left, Amanda walked in a peplum skirt and top. She had on a bracelet she bit into. “This is bad” He muttered, looking to her and she exhaled. “I know. I heard” She walked over to his desk and placed her wrists at the center, he placed his next to hers and looked deep into her hazel eyes. “Everything will be okay”
“Everything is good in Vienna” She flashed a smile at him as she stepped back. “Have you called your wife?” She turned to him and he fell into his chair. “Don’t ever call her that” He hid behind his desktop. “Just—call her. The plane leaves tonight” And with that Amanda walked out of his office, heading to hers.
His eyes trailed her, and eventually landed on the door.
Heaving a deep breath, his hands found his phone next to him and he clicked on her name.
-
The phone chimed next to him as he struggled with the popcorn. Alli halted, pulling out and surrendering the snack to Aliya. Picking up his phone, the light shone into his eyes.
“Drop it. You’re missing the movie” Aliya yelled at him and he turned to her. “We’ve watched this a hundred times, Aliya” He got up, picking up his empty drink with him. And then his eyes read her text message.
Liv: Leaving tonight. So sorry i couldn’t make it for movie night!
He pouted, turning it off and slipping it into his pockets. “I’m going to—“ He just paused, realizing that Aliya’s full attention was in the movie. “Get a refill” He mumbled to himself instead as she pulled away from the parking lot.
She tossed her phone to her bed, excitedly climbing over her million bags. She grabbed the thrifted hat she’d gotten and looked into the mirror. Tilting it to the side, a smirk morphed at the side of her lips—just like his. And Agatha watched from the door as she went through her default poses.
“Vienna. Here i come.”
She was happy, and that was all that mattered.
To be continued…