Chapter 8 : Nearly On the way home
it began to rain. It tapped steadily against the glass, soft at first, also heavier. With the strain from supper moping in her muscles, Lena watched the megacity lights blur. Nothing said anything. This time, Adrian drove himself, his jaw set in contemplation and his hands solid on the wheel. There was a commodity different about the stillness between them; it felt full rather than empty, like a commodity that was just staying to be noticed. Eventually, Adrian remarked," You handled Victor well." Lena gave him a quick look." I did not intend to." You were n't needed to. That is why it was successful. She gave a small smile." Your family is violent."" It was one of the more relaxed feasts." She chortled still, and also became serious." I am a little hysterical of your grandmother."" Everyone is hysterical of her," he answered." She would n't be in charge if she did n't." The manse was dark when they got there, save for the many lights that had been left on. As they entered, the rain continued to jargon vocally outdoors, and silence enveloped them. Suddenly tired, Lena removed her shoes." Tea?" Adrian enquired. She gave a nod." Please." They waited for the kettle to boil in the rather normal kitchen. The window came foggy as brumes rose. They were just two folks spending a late night together for a brief moment." You caught her off guard," Adrian said." Your grandmother?"" Yes. She anticipated being a flexible person." And she got me rather." He raised a corner of his mouth." Exactly. "
The kettle shut off with a click. Adrian moved precisely as he poured the water. He gave a mug to Lena." I am thankful." They touched with their fritters. It was short. unintentional. nonetheless, Lena tasted it — a bitsy, stimulating mindfulness that moved up her arm and nestled uncomfortably near her heart. Adrian came motionless. Neither moved for a moment. This was dangerous ground." I ought to —" Lena started. Adrian said contemporaneously," So should I." They both came to a halt. The quiet grew more violent. Lena raised her aspect. She did not realize how close he was. Not making contact. Not relatively yet. The gap between them became purposeful and brittle. She could see the slight crinkle between his brows and the deliberate slowing of his breath.She said," This is not part of the contract."" I'm apprehensive," he answered." Also we ought to cease."" Yes." Neither made a move. Outdoors, the rain grew heavier as distant thunder roared. For a moment, Adrian's eyes fell to her lips. Her breath caught. Nearly anything. The moment was broken by a harsh buzz. On the counter, Adrian's phone bucketed. The enchantment was broken. He incontinently took a step back, his poise solidifying like armor. His expression hardened as he looked at the TV." I must accept this." Lena jounced, contemporaneously appreciative and unhappy." Obviously." With her heart pounding, she turned away and made her way to the stairs. She stopped half over. Adrian remained standing in the kitchen, gaping off into space while holding his phone to his ear.He appeared uneasy for the first time since she would meet him. Lena shut the door to her room, leaned against it, and put her win to her casket. Nearly. That was the issue. There were impacts for almost everything. Adrian hung up the phone downward and peered at the rain- barred glass of the dark window. He did not intend to approach. He did n't. Still, he'd compactly asked to be casual about the regulations tonight. And that was the most dangerous of all.
Chapter 9 : The Clause on heritage
Lena was surprised by how thick the document was. In Adrian's study office, she discovered it stowed down in a thin black brochure between legal missions and fiscal reports written in a language so complex that anyone untrained to understand it would be bullied. She had not gone in hunt of secrets. Not on purpose. Still, the brochure had been open when she entered the study to return a book; one runner had been flipped just enough for her to notice a bolded line. Maturity control requires marriage. Her twinkle accelerated. With the leather president cool under her fritters, Lena read slowly.Twelve months of continued marriage. living together in public. No sanctioned split. Voting power is automatically transferred upon violation. Her stomach constricted. That was it. Not only marriage. monitoring. performance. Her heart was contending as she continued to read. A secondary device would first take over power of Blackwood effects if Adrian didn't misbehave with the provision. Hale, Victor. Lena shut the brochure. Suddenly, the room sounded too small. Adrian arrived home later than normal that evening. The brochure lay on the table between them like a silent charge as she awaited in the living room. When he spotted it, he suddenly halted. He inquired," How important did you read? "" Enough," Lena said calmly. sluggishly, as if to buy time, he took off his jacket." I ought to have given a clearer explanation."" Yes," she replied." You ought to have." There was a long period of silence." So, this is not just about being married," Lena went on. The thing is to convert the board as a total that we're real." Yes."" And if they suppose we are not?" Adrian stated," They will not."" That is not a response." He looked her in the eye." After that, I lose everything." Honesty was more important than any avoidance. Lena remarked," You said we would disband still after a time." still, this clause implies that we're being observed at every turn." By attorneys," Adrian remarked." And challengers."" As well as your family."" Yes." Lena paced as she stood." You did not wed me for practical reasons. To save your dominion, you wed me.Adrian did not refute it. He explained," I married you because you would n't confuse duty with love." also, you would n't vend me out. Her casket constricted." You did not give me with a completely informed option."" I offered you an option," he said." You were not hysterical of me." She came to a stop before him." That was not just."" No," he concurred." It was n't." She compactly noticed commodity she had noway seen before pressure beneath the control that he'd noway permitted to come to the face." What happens if Victor wins?" Lena asked hesitantly. Adrian's mouth tensed." He breaks up the business. sells property. People lose their employment." And you?"" I lose my applicability." The word was more significant than it ought to have been. Lena glanced at her ring." This makes a difference," she remarked." Yes."" I've to move you." Adrian answered," I need you to be yourself."" This can only work in that way." She chortled still and without recreation." Now you are requesting trust?" He stated," I am requesting cooperation."" Within the guidelines we establish." Once further, silence descended." You do not keep effects like this from me again if I stay," Lena remarked cautiously." I refuse to."" And if I go?" Adrian's eyes met hers." I will take the consequences after that." She looked for signs of manipulation on his face. She did not find any. At last, Lena took up the brochure and securely closed it. She declared," I am not going."" Not just yet." Adrian's visage briefly and designedly showed signs of relief." But this is no longer just your contract," she continued.He declared," It's ours."" Yes," Lena answered." And that implies if I am putting my heart and name in peril —" She restrained herself. Adrian saw. — also I admire the variety," she said." Everything." He bowed his head." You will." Lena felt the decision's weight fully subside as she turned away. The agreement had been modified. The stakes had also increased.
Chapter 10 : The test for the Public
The feet were spectacular. The vast chamber was filled with shards of light as chandeliers bounced off polished marble bottoms. As quiet music played in the background, guests in elegant gowns and fitted tuxedos rumored graciously while belting champagne. There was a hint of stress and precious incense in the air. Lena made adaptations to her cream- colored evening gown, which Adrian's hairstylist had guaranteed would be sophisticated without drawing overdue attention to itself. She looked at herself in the glass in front of the big staircase; she was composed, cool, and in charge. Adrian stood coming to her, his countenance impassive as his dark suit fit impeccably. Without making contact, his hand dallied near hers." You are set," he muttered. Lena answered," As ready as I will ever be." Nearly incontinently, Victor Hale's piercing eyes set her in the middle of the mass.
He gave her a sly look that suggested he was planning to make her uncomfortable. Adrian gripped his jaw. The brace went down the stairs and into the chamber. Tales echoed across the crowd as cameras flashed. Every step sounded planned, every stir examined. Adrian maintained his countenance and led Lena with ease as the media fleetly swirled around, ready for statements. She responded to inquiries with brief, gracious, assured answers, reflecting his poise. One journalist said," Mr. Blackwood, congratulations on the marriage." " Is Mrs. Blackwood content?" " Yes," Adrian said with ease." We are thrilled." Everyone looked at Lena. The journalist inquired," Are you conforming to your new life?" Lena gave a small smile." Yes, I am thankful. " Victor squinted his eyes. Later, Adrian leaned slightly in Lena's direction at the head table. He said," Flash back the rules." She gave a nod. The event went off without a hitch, but people were bruiting and observing her every step. Although Lena felt uneasy, she refused to back down. A swell came up to her halfway through the gathering and leaned in conspiratorially. Some people claim that the marriage is only strategic. Would you like to note? Lena looked her in the eye. She stated simply," I watch about honesty." " And I plan to use it in my conduct." Startled, the swell blinked." utmost women would n't —" Lena still intruded," utmost women are not me." The words were heard. also there was silence. Adrian's win slightly touched hers, yet it was enough to keep her predicated." Perfect," he murmured. Lena gave herself a little rush for an alternate.
Together, they were handling this, gracefully and precisely avoiding examination. Still, the room's corner was illuminated in a different way by a camera flash. Too deliberately, Victor Hale was beaming. Lena also saw an intelligencer with a phone in the murk behind him, recording further than just the faint subtle relations, sharp ganders, and rumored reflections. reproach had been sown. Lena felt her stomach constrict. Although the public test was over, the fallout was just getting started. She heard Adrian's anxious, gentle voice." Remain near me." Yes, she did. Every action, every word, and every gesture was important from this point on. And one error might make all the difference.
Chapter 11: Manoeuvres and Fallout
There was an odd silence the morning following the feast. With her coffee untreated, Lena sat in the brightly lit breakfast room and browsed her phone. Some of the captions were awful, while others were slightly disparaging. Every aspect of the event was examined, including her vesture, erraticisms, smile, and indeed her handshake with Adrian. Some pieces easily showed Victor's influence, and his subtle imputations could be set up in many journals and on social media. Lena saw a pattern as she scrolled. Adrian, wearing a dapper morning suit, walked in still. His dark eyes narrowed as he looked at her screen." Are you reviewing the fallout formally?" he inquired." Yes," Lena replied." This is covered in Victor's fingerprints. Also, some intelligencers were dishonest. Adrian gripped his jaw." I will deal with him. But you have to keep your cool. No responses. Lena gave a nod." I'm able to do that." He went to the window and looked out over the megacity." I've no control over everything. Still, I'm suitable to defend you when demanded. She raised her concerns to him." Defend me? or dominate me? He took some time to respond." The line is thinner than either of us would like," he concluded. But we'll see who respects it tonight. Lena went with Adrian to the board meeting that night. Men in well- acclimatized suits dominated the large room, each of them quietly assessing her appearance. With a recalcitrant and pleased smile, Victor sat in the corner. A hint of discomfort flashed through Lena's mind. She took a deliberate, slow breath. One superintendent ruminated," Mrs. Blackwood, your analysis of the PR impact of the fete was. perceptive. " Lena jounced while maintaining a steady regard." I'm thankful. I only concentrated on possible hazards and public opinion. Victor's grin remained fixed. His aspect remained fixated on a colleague as he murmured commodities to her. Adrian bent over. He said," Ignore him." She jounced and calmly defiantly met Victor's regard. He arched an eyebrow but remained silent. Adrian attended her to the auto following the meeting. He remarked," You handled that beautifully." Lena gave a mime." I took the needed action." He studied her hard." Don't you suppose you have a better understanding of the stakes now?"" Yes. Every action counts. It was a calm drive home. Lena felt the pressure of Victor's covert plans and the public scrutiny.The retainers moved with their customary effectiveness, but the manse appeared quieter than normal when they arrived. Lena could n't get relieved of the sensation that she was being watched. As they entered, Adrian put a hand on the small of her reverse. He said," You are not alone in this."" I'm apprehensive," Lena answered. Still, the feeling of vulnerability persisted. She had been reminded by Victor's meddling that it took strategy rather than grace to survive in Adrian's world. She was also prepared to play.