The Desperation of Aria
That night, I hardly slept at all. I couldn't get Cole's comments out of my brain.
"What's at stake for you?"
The vineyard. The legacy of my father. Everything I had put so much effort into safeguarding.
I paced the tiny kitchen for hours, trying to think of something else to do. I had already pleaded for an extension, called every bank I could find, and even thought about selling off equipment to pay off the obligations. However, nothing was effective. Nothing was sufficient.
I was mocked by the foreclosure notice that was sitting on the table. I gazed at it until the text became hazy. Did I truly have no other options?
In the morning, I felt empty. I briefly allowed myself to think that it was just another day as the light was just beginning to rise, bathing the vineyard in a golden glow. But then, like a chilly wave, reality struck again.
I was distracted from my thoughts as my phone buzzed. Cole was the one.
- "Have you decided yet?" *
My stomach turned at the sight of his name on the screen. I didn't respond. Rather, I picked up my keys and went outdoors.
As I made my way through the rows of vines, the cool morning air touched my face. Remembering how my father used to do the same, I stroked my fingers through the leaves. He would grin and remark, "The vines listen to you, Aria." "They can tell when you're worried."
My eyes pricked with tears. If he saw me right now, what would he think? If I accepted the bargain, would he understand or would he push me to fight harder?
The decision's weight grew intolerable as the day went on. I was sitting in the living room by nightfall, looking at Cole's number. I picked up the phone and called, my hands shaking.
On the first ring, he responded. "Aria." He sounded cool and smooth as if he had been waiting for my call.
"I..." I swallowed the lump in my throat and hesitated. "I'll carry it out."
After a little silence, he spoke more softly, as if in relief. "Wonderful decision."
"It's not a choice," I yelled, my annoyance erupting. "I was backed into a corner by you."
"I'm providing you with a means of escape," he stated calmly.
I retorted, "A way out that benefits you."
"Very true," he said. "However, that doesn't mean it won't benefit you either."
He was right, and I detested it.
"When do we begin?" I made an effort to sound steady as I inquired.
"Tonight," he continued, his voice becoming more professional and efficient. "At seven, be prepared. I'll send a car to come get you.
"Tonight?" I spoke incredulously.
He stated, "The sooner, the better." "The media loves a good debut, so we need to make this look real." Downtown, there's a charity event. The time was ideal.
My stomach rumbled. "A public gathering? Are you serious?
"Totally," he replied. "When you arrive, I'll give you a rundown on everything. Put on something classy.
He hung up before I could argue.
My heart was pounding as I gazed at the phone. I just agreed to what?
---
I was wearing a basic black dress and holding a tiny purse when I was outside my house at seven o'clock. Like Cole, the automobile he delivered was sleek and frightening.
With my heart racing, I slid in as the driver opened the door.
Aside from the buzz of the engine, the travel to Cole's mansion was quiet. It was impossible for me not to gape when we pulled up. Perched on a hill overlooking the city below, the house—or rather, the estate—was enormous, comprised entirely of stone and glass.
I felt quite out of place as I stepped out once the driver opened the door.
Cole, in a dapper black suit, was standing at the doorway. His confidence radiated like a force field, and he appeared to have just stepped out of a magazine.
With a playful tone, he said, "You're late."
Crossing my arms, I shot out, "You didn't give me much notice."
He seemed amused as his lips quirked. "Enter now. We are running out of time.
The inside of the home was as frightening as the outside, but I followed him inside. Marble floors, high ceilings, and artwork I was scared to examine too carefully.
He smiled at me and observed, "You clean up well," as we entered what appeared to be a private office.
I said, "Thanks," without trying to disguise my sarcasm.
I was given a folder by him. "This has all the information you require. Our relationship chronology, how we met, and our tale.
My mind swirling, I turned the pages. "You had all of this planned?"
"Obviously," he replied. "We can't leave anything to chance if we want to convince the world that we are deeply in love."
My stomach turned as I heard the words madly in love. It was not a good idea. What a bad idea.
As I closed the folder, I acknowledged, "I'm not sure if I can pull this off."
"You can," he said in an unmistakable tone. "And you will. For the vineyard.
I detested the way he was able to get past my defenses.
"All right," I murmured, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper.
"Good," he murmured, his eyes somewhat softening. "Then let's get going."
---
The charity dinner was grand, overwhelming, and packed with individuals who seemed to fit in Cole's world—everything I had dreaded it would be.
Everyone's eyes were on us as soon as we entered the ballroom. Cole guided me through the mob with a gentle touch on my back. I was certain that everyone could tell that I felt like a phony.
With his lips near my ear, he said, "Calm down." "You're doing great."
I detested how easily he could make me uneasy, and his contact gave me a shock.
Cole introduced me to folks I had only ever seen on magazine covers as we went about. Charming and self-assured, he was everything that everyone expected a billionaire to be.
She then showed up right when I felt I was beginning to understand.
A voice purred behind us, "Cole."
His ex-fiance was there when we turned. She had a beautiful smile that stopped short of her eyes.
"Jessica," Cole stated in a calm voice.
Her eyes were calculating and piercing as she looked at me. "And who is this?"
Cole whispered, "Aria," as his hand grew a little tighter around my waist. "My fiance."
For a brief while, Jessica's smile wavered, but it soon returned. "How... unexpected."
I could sense the strain and the weight of her scrutiny.
With a forced smile, I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
She seemed to be attempting to see right through me as her eyes narrowed. "It's all my pleasure."
Although the conversation was brief, it left me feeling shaken. I looked at Cole as Jessica left.
"What was that?" I muttered.
With his mouth clenched, he remarked, "She's looking for weaknesses."
"Did she discover any?"
His face was unreadable when he looked at me. "Not just yet."
My spine tingled at what he said.
I had the unshakeable sensation that this agreement would end up costing me more than I had anticipated for the remainder of the evening.