Forced to Marry my Sister’s Fiancé

Eleven

Dinner time came before Georgie knew it, she had busied herself with getting her luggage from her car and settling in. The rest of the time she stayed cooped up in the room, sometimes stewing and worrying over how dinner would go, and then day dreaming about the mysterious man she had met at the mall.

It annoyed her to stay this hung up over a guy she had just met, but she couldn’t help the attraction and curiosity she felt towards him. And not for the first time that hour alone, she wondered again, who exactly was that man, and what exactly was his story? She knew he was no ordinary man, that much was certain from his expensive yet classy suit to the very aura that surrounded him. He was a dangerous man, she was certain. One she wanted to know, nevertheless.

She was startled awake from her lazed state when a sharp knock sounded on the door. She stood from her reclined position on the bed and walked towards the door, taking a look at the clock on the wall on the way, and she was shocked to discover that it was 6:40 already. Dinner was supposed to be at 7.

Shaking her head, she opened the door to reveal a grave looking anthony. His brows were set in a frown and his lips were pursed, he looked frazzled and ill at ease. Before she could question further, he hurriedly side stepped her and slipped into the room, starting to pace around.

“Anthony?” She questioned with a frown as she closed the door. “What happened?”

“Don’t hate me please Georgie..” Suddenly stopping his movements, he came towards her to plead, his forehead crinkled.

“What do you mean by that? What the hell is going on? Why would I hate you?” Georgia questions seriously, as her eyes tracked his movements, her heart pounding as endless possibilities fleeted through her mind.

“I promise I didn’t know..they’d..they’d go this far! And alexia..with..Fuck’s sake just! Don’t hate me, please..forgive me..” he bent low till he was down to her level, reaching over in attempt to cup her cheeks, but Georgia hurriedly pulled away.

“What is going on anthony, am serious.” She glared, not only surprised but deeply concerned. Anthony’s distress had dispelled all thoughts of the mysterious man from her mind.

Anthony’s face seemed to pale even further when he noticed her withdrawal from him. His heart in a bunch. Already she wasn’t allowing him close, he couldn’t imagine her reaction when the family reveals everything. God, he hated being a Valentino sometimes.

When he opened his mouth and closed without being able to say what he wanted to Georgia, he squeezed his eyes shut knowing there was no way he’d be able to say it and be at the receiving end of her betrayed look. He wasn’t at all close to Georgie like he had been before, but something just told him he couldn’t bare for her to see him like that. Oh how he regretted bringing her back home.

“It’s nothing..” He smiled through his pain. He couldn’t do it. He’d just leave it to the others. “It’s nothing..it’s almost time for dinner. Prepare yourself..” He continued, gave her another pain filled smile, nodded at her once, before he proceeded out of the room with a heavy heart.

Georgia watched him leave with a befuddled look on her face, wondering what had just happened. She hadn’t remembered Anthony to be so emotional, and because she knew he wasn’t, it had to be something big to get him like that. What had he done? And why did he fear her hatred and ask for her forgiveness.. well whatever it was, she had a strong feeling it had something to do with why her “family” were acting so friendly to her as if the past they shared hadn’t happened at all.

“I don’t have time for this..” she sighed out loud, stretching her arms, before she sauntered over to the dresser, where she had arranged a few of her stuff.

She looked into her tired eyes in the mirror, sighing once again, she sat and busied herself with getting ready for the dinner. She couldn’t bring herself to dress in one of the numerous designer dresses in the closet, and instead opted to wear a red silk flowy dress she brought from home that made her feel more like herself. As she continued to prepare for the dinner, her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and apprehension.

She didn’t trust her family to have any bit of good intentions for her, so she could only hope whatever it is they had planned for her, she would be strong enough to overcome it all. No..she would have to be strong. She couldn’t afford to be anything less than that.

When she was dressed, she couldn’t even appreciate how beautiful she had looked, but instead turned away from the mirror, unwilling to see the slight vulnerability she knew murked within her eyes.

It was time. She thought, just as the door to her room was rapped against. She took a deep breath, hoping to ease the tension off her shoulders, before she plastered a confident smile on her face, and walked over to open the door with well practice ease to her movements that she so did not feel.

“Greetings, Third young mistress..” The aged face that welcomed her, had her stilling in shock. The middle aged woman, stood tall and broad, just as Georgie had remembered. Hair that was once black was whitened completely and held back in a stiff bun. Her face had softened, graced with multiple lines of aging, and she stood, her figure straight just as was expected of her, however her warm brown eyes were filled to the brim with tears as she looked lovingly at Georgia.

“Martha?” Georgie’s heart skipped a beat, as recognition hit her like a wave, her mind reeling. The name slipping through her lips before she could even process it.

“Yes, welcome home, Georgia..” Martha unable to control herself or her tears, pulled Georgia into a tight embrace which to Georgia felt everything like home.

Tears welled up in Georgia’s eyes too as she embraced Martha once more. Martha was to Georgie what a mother would’ve been. She had loved Georgia as she had loved her own. Sometimes, even more. She had been the reason why Georgie had even survived to the age of 16 at the Valentino Villa. And she had been the one to push Georgie to make the decision to leave, as she had feared for her safety.

“Oh, Georgia, how much I have missed you..I thought I would never see you again..” Martha cried softly, her voice filled with both joy and anguish.

“Come..” Georgia says, pulling her into the room, before she closed it soundly, conscious of the eyes of the servants around that had witnessed their embrace.

“Gosh, Martha, how have you been? How’s Molly and the twins? It’s been so long, oh I’ve missed you too so much..” Georgia says, feeling so full of emotions, she thought she’d burst. Martha had been the only person she had been looking forward to seeing in Moore. She had been the only lingering attachment Georgie had to the city.

“They’re all good. Molly’s married with two kids and the twins are away at University..” Martha chuckled at the incredulous look on Georgia’s face.

“Wow, I feel so old and out of touch, Molly with kids? And when I left the twins were still snot nosed noisy brats.." Georgia said with a soft laugh, her heart lightening just a bit from the reunion with Martha. She couldn’t believe how much time had gone by..

“Enough about that, tell me about you..how did you fare all these years? You silly child, not once did you call..” Martha says, her emotions is a twist, she couldn’t imagine the struggles that georgie had gone through after her absence, and not one day had gone by that she hadn’t thought of her, not knowing wether she had lived or not, how she had survived, what she had been doing with her life.

“Am alright..I survived the years. Am even a lawyer now, too. I’m fine I promise..” Georgia faked a smile, she couldn’t possibly tell her that her career was in jeopardy now, what with her fellon status. She wanted someone to feel proud of her for once. Especially if the person had been martha, who practically raised her.

Martha looked silently at Georgia, knowing there was much she wasn’t saying, but knew she couldn’t presssure her into talking. Whatever it is that was bothering her tho, she would always be by her side, through it all.

“Am proud of you Georgie, and all that you had accomplished for all these years. I love you so much Georgia, am so glad I got to see you again before I died.” Martha smile’s broadly, her heart finally at ease.

“Thanks Martha, and please you’ll live another 100 years,” Georgia says, wincing at the thought of Martha not being around anymore.

Martha chuckled at Georgia's remark, before she sobered up, her expression grave. "Well, let's focus on the present for now, things are not how they’ve been Georgia, the family is going through some troubles..well I reckon they’d tell you all about it during dinner, but just..be careful. Us servants, have been hearing some rumors, the matriarch seem to be planning something, and it involves you, Georgia.”

Georgia's eyes widened at Martha's words. The sense of foreboding that had been building within her all day intensified.

“Is that why Anthony acted so strangely, and the family..they’re acting like nothing’s changed. I need to know what’s going on..I need to find out the truth..” Georgia says, hating being kept in the dark. Whatever it was someone should just out with it already.

“I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I’ve got. Listen, you’re going to be late for dinner, you should go and see what they have to say. Just be cautious, Georgie. And if things get too strange or uncomfortable, remember, you're not alone. I'll be here, and I'll do what I can to help you."

Georgia nodded, her determination renewed. Whatever it was they were going to throw at her she would be ready. She wasn’t the same disgraced girl that left the Villa 10 years ago, and it was time to show them exactly that.

“Thank you, Martha. For everything. I’m so glad I got to see you too.”

Martha smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting a deep affection for the young woman she had watched grow up. "You'll always be like a daughter to me, Georgia. Now, go to dinner. The truth awaits."

With a final embrace, Georgia left her room and made her way to the grand dining hall Amelia had shown her during their earlier tour, her steps filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Tonight, she would confront her family and unravel the secrets that had shrouded her return to the Valentino Villa.