Chapter 4 : Agreements
-Present-
As days turned into weeks and months, Aishleen took the time to grieve, reflect, and carefully weigh her options. She sought solace in the memories of her late fiancé and drew strength from the love they had shared. Slowly, she began to envision a future where she could honor his memory while navigating a new path.
Finally, after much contemplation, Aishleen reached a decision. She reached out to Keenan and requested a meeting to discuss her answer.
When Aishleen met with Keenan to share her decision, she did so with a mixture of nervousness and determination. She knew that her choice would significantly impact not only her life but also the future of both their families.
As they sat down together, Aishleen took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She looked into Keenan's eyes and spoke with a steady voice, "Keenan, I've thought long and hard about your proposal, considering the possibilities and the risks involved. After careful consideration, I have reached a decision." Keenan leaned forward attentively, giving her his full attention. "I'm listening," he responded, his tone filled with anticipation.
Aishleen continued, her voice unwavering, "I've decided to accept your proposal for a genuine marriage under a written contract. I believe that, together, we can overcome the challenges our families face and work towards a brighter future."
The sound of the pen's tip scratching against the paper broke the silence in the room as Aishleen finally, after a long wait, placed her signature on the designated spot in the contract. Aishleen had made her decision long before, and the past hour spent together over dinner was the final step she needed to take to see if, one day, she would find comfort in sharing the same space with him, knowing that he had harbored the same intention from the start.
"Well done," Aishleen informed him as she finished her task. She closed the pen and set it back down beside the papers, then straightened herself in her seat to once again gaze across the table and into the man's eyes. Keenan gave her a sweet smile and nodded his head towards the waiter who stood in the corner of the room, signaling him to retrieve the papers and pen from the folder.
In silence, Aishleen watched as the waiter took them and handed them over to Keenan before retreating from her sight once again. Holding her gaze, Aishleen observed quietly as Keenan held the contract in his hands, his eyes seemingly studying its contents, even though she knew he didn't need to since she had written it herself, before he placed it back on the table and began signing it.
"Alright," he spoke after he finished his part, closing the pen's cap and slipping it into the front pocket of his shirt. "I'm glad we finally got this agreement settled. I will arrange the next steps and set a date for the public proposal and our engagement party. I suppose three months should be enough time for mourning, don't you think? I'm sure people won't have an issue seeing you accept a new marriage proposal by then."
As they finalized the terms, both Aishleen and Keenan signed the contract, solidifying their commitment to each other and their families. With a newfound sense of purpose and determination, Aishleen embarked on this uncharted path, knowing that she had made the right decision. She was ready to honor her late fiancé's memory while embracing the possibilities of a future intertwined with Keenan's.
"Do we really have to make it that big and public?" Aishleen asked, a hint of worry in her heart.
A smile appeared on Keenan's face as he chuckled softly. "Of course. It's the only way to celebrate our love and showcase our commitment to each other. It will be a memorable event that people will talk about for years to come. Besides, I want the world to know how lucky I am to have you by my side."
Aishleen couldn't help but be captivated by his words and the genuine excitement in his eyes. She started to see the potential for an extraordinary journey with Keenan, filled with adventure, love, and mutual support.
"Alright," Aishleen replied, her worries melting away. "Let's make it an unforgettable celebration then."
As they walked out of the restaurant, Aishleen felt a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. She was eager to see what the future held for her and Keenan, ready to embark on this new chapter of her life. The touch of Keenan's hand on her back as he guided her towards the car filled her with a sense of warmth and reassurance. It was a small gesture, but it made her feel cherished and protected.
As she stepped into her car, Aishleen looked at Keenan and smiled, her eyes shining with hope. "I'll be waiting for your call, Keenan. Let's make our journey together remarkable."
Keenan returned her smile, his eyes reflecting the same enthusiasm. "Absolutely, Aishleen. Our journey starts now."
With that, Aishleen closed the car door, and as she drove away, she couldn't help but feel excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. She was stepping into the unknown, but with Keenan by her side, she knew she would never be alone.
The sky was already so dark as Aishleen drove her car into the driveway of her parents' home. The sound of gravel under the wheels was the only sound she could hear besides the engine of her car. She parked her car in front of the house, right next to the family car, before she turned off the engine and got out.
Aishleen would be greeted by silence as she stepped inside, which was not too surprising. This spacious, grand house was only inhabited by her parents since she left, along with only a few household staff who helped around the house, the old head butler who opened the door and welcomed her earlier, and a driver who didn't reside within the house. With no lights turned on, she couldn't feel anything except a sense of displacement, feeling so unfamiliar in the home she was raised in. It was unsurprising, as she hadn't lived in this place for years.
Currently, Aishleen resided in a small apartment in one corner of the bustling city of New York, a place she had chosen when she decided to live independently and away from the luxurious life that her family couldn't avoid. She only occasionally returned home for family dinners and weekend stays.
In her small New York apartment, Aishleen found solace and a sense of freedom. It was a place where she could be herself, away from the expectations and pressures of her family's affluent lifestyle. The apartment was modestly furnished, reflecting her desire for simplicity and a more grounded existence.
Living independently in the bustling city allowed Aishleen to explore her own interests and pursue her own dreams. She immersed herself in her work, dedicating long hours to her career and building a name for herself in the business world. Aishleen was determined to prove her capabilities and worth beyond her family's wealth and influence.
Despite her newfound independence, Aishleen still maintained a connection with her family. She cherished the occasional family dinners and weekend stays, as it provided her with a sense of belonging and reminded her of her roots. These visits also served as a reminder of the stark contrast between her chosen path and the life she left behind.
In her apartment, Aishleen surrounded herself with momentos of her late fiancé, keeping his memory alive and finding comfort in their shared love. She had learned to navigate the grief and honor his memory while embracing the possibility of a new future.
Aishleen's small apartment in New York became her sanctuary, a place where she could reflect, heal, and envision a life of her own making. It was a symbol of her resilience and determination to forge her own path, independent of societal expectations and familial obligations.
The woman walked through several rooms without turning her face, knowing exactly where she would find her beloved mother, who was surely waiting for her arrival. And when she finally found her in the private lounge in the middle of the mansion, Aishleen wouldn't be surprised to discover that the room was identical to the ones she had passed before.
The room was dark and silent, with the only light emanating from the fireplace, as the curtains on the large windows across the room were tightly closed. Her mother stood in front of the fireplace, a glass of wine in one hand, tilted in such a way that it was right in front of her closed lips, waiting to spill the dense purple liquid onto them. Her other hand rested on her body, just below her ribcage. Her eyes were fixed on the dancing flames before her, their light reflecting perfectly in her cold, unyielding gaze.
Aishleen sighed as she looked at her mother. While Aishleen and her late fiancé had worked tirelessly to save her father's company since the day the fate of the business was decided and written, her mother had suffered a painful blow to her heart. Aishleen could read every hardship she had endured in recent years through the lines that appeared on her face, the strands of white in her hair, and her increasingly frail body.
"Mother," Aishleen called out, breaking the silence and her wandering thoughts. Her mother didn't flinch at all, a blink of her eyes being the only reaction Aishleen got before she turned her face away from the fire, slowly looking in Aishleen's direction.