Ayshe
"Good morning, everyone."
Asin was as effervescent as the last time I saw him.
"What joy, what joy! Come, come and embrace me, son."
His grandfather invited him over, and as they exchanged a fond hug, I walked closer to Marie.
"Are you truly well?" I whispered urgently.
She smiled radiantly and nodded reassuringly.
"I am. We will converse later."
I nodded, instantly feeling twenty-five kilograms lighter. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and joined her husband, paying their respects to the elders.
They looked ecstatically happy. Just as the entire family appeared to be.
I peeked at Oliver. He still wouldn't look at me. Why the calculated cold shoulder if they were genuinely fine?
I found my seat and listened intently to their conversation.
"...So, we are agreed? You will join us tomorrow for dinner. We will dispatch someone to collect you..."
"Nonsense, Dad. Oliver and I will personally pick up my in-laws from the airport," Asin interjected with an amiable smile.
"Very well, son, as you wish," his father smiled proudly.
Yanam Martell seemed like a benevolent father. To be frank, the entire family appeared... decent. But I wasn't born yesterday. Most secrets in such a renowned family were buried so deep it required time to fathom their true complexity.
"How splendid!" My father looked around, soliciting agreement. "What a respectable young man you have raised there."
Oh, Father.
Looking at my sister, clutching her husband's hand, I caught Oliver looking directly at them as well.
Yet, his facial expression was not that of a man whose brother was floating with happiness, but rather someone profoundly troubled. I wondered what had cast such a shadow over him.
---
Oliver
It appears she signed.
But brother...
That is first-class theatricality. Not one person, not even his own mother, would ever suspect that this entire display is a meticulously engineered fraud.
I must concede, Marie is a highly competent performer as well. She looks genuinely thrilled and excited about her new life.
I mean... how will this complex arrangement function, Asin? Six months is a substantial duration.
"What troubles you?"
I looked at my mother and offered a relaxed, easy smile.
"I believe I was too over-zealous with the bourbon last night. I still feel slightly indisposed." I lied smoothly.
"Well, perhaps eat something? And also..." She leaned closer, adopting a conspiratorial tone, "...that other Konore girl is boring holes into you with her eyes. Tell me..."
I rolled my eyes.
"There is nothing whatsoever to divulge." I shrugged.
Unfortunately, that was the unvarnished truth.
I looked back at Asin. In six months, we will hopefully be back to our comfortable routine. There is no need to inadvertently create any unpleasant or distracting memories involving that girl.
I did briefly catch her eye but instantly acted as though I hadn't. I seized the momentary silence to get up.
"Brother, join me. We have a few more hours before the plane is scheduled for departure. May I borrow him, sister?"
For the first time, Marie's eyes flashed with something other than fabricated happiness—a brief moment of genuine emotion.
She laughed politely. "Just do not abscond with him for too long."
Asin shared one final, gleeful smile with the family, and we were away.
Since I was anticipating it, I watched as his phoney smile instantly evaporated.
We didn't speak a single word on our way outside.
"No... not your car," He stopped me, gesturing to a different vehicle.
We got into one of the SUVs.
"I imagine a great deal has transpired," I suggested.
I wasn't sure if he was ready to discuss it, but as we drove away, he gradually relaxed.
"Be calm, Oliver. Everything proceeded as intended."
He considered the matter closed, but I was not. "Come on. Elaborate. Continue."
"Ayay... there is truly little to tell. She signed, and I meticulously outlined how we are to conduct ourselves around others. She mentioned her aspirations to study music; per the contract, I will provide support. The rest, you already understand."
I leaned back, taking in the relatively tame story. There had to be more, obviously, but pushing him further was a bad tactical idea.
...And we had work to attend to.
"You seem composed, so we can transition to our next objective."
He raised an eyebrow. "What... what do you mean? Do we have another race planned?"
"Nope. But I bet Mr. Unknown wishes to meet soon."
Leyla had called early this morning while I was preparing. Wish might be the wrong word. He will meet us, is what it implicitly meant. We might be made men soon...
"Finally," Asin murmured.
This time, I raised an eyebrow. "You desired this outcome?"
"No, but I informed you, didn't I? We generated a significant amount of noise, and with this most recent exploit... so yes, I conjectured we would secure a meeting soon."
Well, at least he was using his head. His melancholic self from this morning was nowhere in evidence.
But... as he looked out the window, feigning interest in the mediocre shops and small-time street peddlers, I did catch shadows of his pain. His distress was still acutely fresh.
"I am relieved you have composed yourself. Now, let's go and meet the crew. They are eager to offer their congratulations."
"Hmm. How are the others faring inside?" he asked.
"They will be released tomorrow. Nothing has hit the papers. They might be terrified to meet me," I said, offering a tight smile.
"You are too harsh on them."
"...And you are their self-appointed fairy godmother."
---
Marie
After my new husband walked out with his friend, I was immediately surrounded by the women of my family.
"Oh, sweetheart, you two look absolutely marvelous together." My mother hugged me tightly.
Yes. We were obligated to.
After I signed, he spent the next hour hammering home the fact that we are a fabrication. On paper, the perfect couple, but on paper only.
I sighed, thinking about the missed, genuine paths.
"How about we go and indulge in some retail therapy?"
My mother-in-law approached, along with brother Yary's wife, Zerile.
I desperately wanted a distraction, and my sister kept staring at me. We could find some time to converse then.
"That's a magnificent idea. We can finalize some administrative matters with Yanam here."
My father was quick to seize the opportunity.
I stared at him briefly, but it wasn't as if I hated him. He was simply being the opportunistic man he had always been.
We were surrounded by a discreet security detail as we walked through the Fallfield mall, a place where I spent most of my youth. I saw my mother thoroughly enjoying the attention others gave us. To be fair, we did make for a rather ridiculous spectacle.
We moved from boutique to boutique. As experienced shoppers ourselves, we all joined my in-laws in a delightful frenzy of acquisition. It was so much fun that I managed to forget all my pressing problems and simply enjoy some time with my family.
"Can we talk now?"
I heard my sister's voice directly behind me.
"Certainly. But let's find somewhere more discreet, shall we?"
As she nodded, Zerile approached us.
"Unfortunately, the shopping excursion must be curtailed. The pilot has called; the plane is ready."
Ayshe looked extremely irritated, but I had a sudden idea.
"Umm... sister Zerile, would it be permissible for Ayshe to fly with us? Do we have sufficient capacity?"
"I am quite certain it's perfectly fine. Haven't you asked Asin?"
I suppose it would have made sense to consult him, but I didn't even have his mobile number.
"Well, Oliver whisked him away so swiftly that I didn't have the opportunity to ask," I attempted to explain.
"Do not concern yourself. He should be back shortly, but it is obviously fine," she smiled warmly. "I remember when I first joined the family, I was also uncertain about what was appropriate to do or not do. You will have all the support you need."
She was genuinely kind. That was a huge relief, as instead of some cliché, cruel in-laws, I had ones I actually liked.
"Where did that come from?" Ayshe asked once we were alone again.
"There is something I must tell you. And it absolutely cannot wait."
---
Ayshe
Did you know that you don't require a passport to fly on a private plane? I certainly didn't.
My parents were initially surprised, but the Martells promised to treat me with the same deference as Marie, who was now their daughter. Besides, my parents would be arriving tomorrow afternoon.
I tried calling Stuart but abandoned the effort after the first attempt. It did register with me that I might not see him again for months, but honestly, I didn't truly care. Not since that night, really.
I felt a small flicker of shame, but it was quickly suppressed by a multitude of other, much stronger feelings, like overwhelming curiosity.
Marie was tiptoeing, looking for her husband. She was acting noticeably strange.
The others were already on the plane, and I swear I heard Grandad Erwing say he was going to his room to take a nap. Rooms on a plane?
Soon, the two missing pieces appeared, looking like they were in an excellent mood.
"My wife."
Asin smiled and offered his hand to Marie.
"I might see you later," she smiled, seemingly talking to the air as they walked ahead of us.
We were left behind, and the atmosphere between Oliver and me turned awkward quickly. But instead of making light of it, Oliver just walked briskly toward the plane.
As much as I was stunned by that cold and indifferent reaction, I followed closely behind him in case someone was watching, like his mother. She was an intelligent woman who kept giving me a knowing, cryptic smile.
As I followed Oliver inside the plane, my mouth dropped open. The interior was vast, and it was obviously a Martell family plane—perhaps one of many. Their insignia was engraved into everything: the seats, the utensils, even the small warm cloth the stewardess offered.
I understood they were wealthy, but this was the stratosphere of affluence.
I was unsure where to sit, so I followed Oliver, who eventually stopped and took a seat next to his mother. At that point, I kept going, looking for Marie.
I found her and her husband. Asin was fast asleep, clutching my sister's hand, and she was checking her phone.
"Oh, take a seat."
She noticed me, and I couldn't help but hear a slight note of disappointment in her voice.
I looked at the sleeping man next to her. "How is this possible?" I asked.
She looked at him as well. "He didn't sleep at all last night."
I felt my skin burning. Well, well, well... was that what she wanted to tell me?
She noticed my obvious distress and quickly shook her head, turning crimson herself. "No. Not like that. Something far more ridiculous, I think."
She started staring again, and I had to snap my fingers to regain her attention. I was thoroughly lost at this point and in desperate need of information.
She stood up reluctantly, let go of his hand, and led me further down the plane. We passed most of her in-laws, who offered us polite nods, ending our long journey all the way at the back of the aircraft.
The captain announced our destination and flight time. We sat down just in time for the seat belt signs to illuminate.
As we left Konore behind abruptly, Marie recounted what happened last night in exhaustive detail.
By the end of her narrative, I felt five years older.
What was that story?
I couldn't unleash the tsunami of questions I had because Marie became visibly upset, reliving the events.
I felt the unpleasant grip of guilt tightening around my throat.
"Marie, I am so truly sorry for..."
She cut me off immediately. "It is not your fault. You didn't force me to say those things and ruin that night."
From what she told me, Asin arrived as happy as he left, and then she said a few things in anger, which were probably grossly unfair to the man.
After that came the most shocking part: a fake marriage contract. It was like a freaking movie. What was even more confusing and bizarre?
Her fake husband abandoned her for a swim that took... seven hours to complete?
Eighty percent of the story made absolutely no logical sense.
But the remaining twenty percent had wounded my sister badly.
She even told me about their conversation, how drastically he changed when they were alone. That everything up until now was an elaborate act, which she had willingly signed up for.
"So you... entered into that contract fully comprehending the ramifications, correct?" I asked.
She looked at me, annoyed. "Trust me. I know. I had time to think and re-think everything. I didn't know... he was going to offer me that contract. I think he only did so because of what happened."
I closed my eyes in frustration with the situation. "Do you truly believe this will end well?"
The silence was heavy. I let her think it over one last time.
"I don't know, Ayshe, but he is correct. If I were to act prematurely, we all would have regretted it in one way or another."
"What exactly does that mean?" I asked.
She sighed and explained. "Meaning all the things we have already received are non-refundable. Besides... do you honestly believe Dad would simply hand back the house, and whatever else he secured, just like that?"
A valid point.
The entire situation is a catastrophic mess, and well, it's largely because of me. I could try to frame it attractively, but if you looked at it clearly, it was my intervention.
"Wouldn't he be angry that you told me all of this?"
She smiled for the first time in a while.
"It's explicitly stipulated in our contract that I was obligated to inform you. He said it's because... it would be unjust to carry such a burden alone."
Hmm. Sound thinking. As long as you can share a secret, at least with one person, it won't become such... a crushing burden.
He wasn't a bad guy. That much was clear.
It was also perfectly clear why the sudden, drastic change in Oliver's demeanor occurred.
He will never look at me as long as his brother's heart remains broken.
He blamed me... maybe just as much as I blamed myself.