Page 15 of The Secret Fiancée
She nods. “I didn’t have the courage to escape that marriage, knowing that my family didn’t support me. They’re very traditional, and once I’d gotten married, they wouldn’t let me move back home. I could go home for weeks at a time, but eventually, I was sent back to my husband, until I just couldn’t take it anymore.” She raises a trembling hand and pushes her hair behind her ear, her expression filled with heartache. “I’d been working for your dad at the time, and one day, he saw the bruises on my skin. He helped me unconditionally. Your dad saved me, Raya.”
I bite down on my lip to keep my emotions in check, shocked by Mom’s story and the role Dad played in it. I knew they met while she was working for him, but this isn’t what I’d been imagining all these years. It’s surprising that she’s still able to smile the way she does when she’s been through so much.
“Your father is terrified that my fate will befall you, honey. The mere idea of an arranged marriage fills him with worries for your safety, and nothing I do or say will convince him that I was just unlucky, and that what happened to me could’ve happenedeven if my first marriage had been a love marriage. All of my cousins are in successfully and happy arranged marriages, so I don’t fully share Dad’s worries, but I do understand where he’s coming from. There are risks to marrying someone you don’t truly know, and the one thing your father will never do is risk your safety.”
I nod and cross my arms, at a loss for words. “I’m sorry, Mom.” I say eventually, wishing I were one of those people that just knows the right thing to say at the right time. “I wish you never had to go through that, and I’m really grateful Dad was there for you.”
She smiles at me and brushes my hair out of my face. “Me too, sweetie. Your father is the reason whyI’mopposed to an arranged marriage for you. I want you to have a grand love story of your own, and I want you to be with someone of your own choosing.”
For reasons I can’t quite explain, my thoughts drift to Lex and the way we danced together, the stories we shared with each other. If I had a choice, would I choose to spend another evening with him, laughing and playing truth or dare until we’re barely able to stay awake?
I sigh and let my eyes fall closed for a moment.
Yes.
A thousand times over.
Thirteen
Raya
My heart beats louder with each step I take toward Lex’s campus office, my nerves racked. The news about the merger and everything it entails threw me off so much that I missed his last class, and thereby potentially my chance to intern at Windsor Motors.
The door is ajar, giving me a view of him behind his desk, his tie loosened and his hair messier than it was in class last time. I watch him for a moment as he flicks through papers that have been submitted to him, his brow raised and his expression serious.
This version of him is in such contrast with the playfulness he showed me a few weeks ago. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, yet here he is, even further out of reach than ever before.
I hesitate before lifting my hand to knock, scared in more ways than one. Lex looks up at the sound, and just like that, I’m rooted in place. He smiles, his dimples making an appearance, and my heart skips a beat.
“Raya.”
He rises from his seat, and I take a deep breath before walking in, unsure how to behave around him. “Hi, Professor Windsor,” I end up saying, my voice trembling.
Lex’s expression hardens, and I stare at him for a moment, wishing I knew what he’s thinking. “Miss Lewis,” he corrects himself, gesturing toward the seat in front of his desk. “You weren’t in class this week.”
“I’m sorry, Professor. I have no good excuse, and I’d understand if you won’t let me submit my design now that I’ve missed the deadline.” My voice shakes, and I lower my head as I reach for the folder I brought with me. My movements are hesitant as I place it on his desk, unsure what to expect.
“Take a seat.”
Lex walks around his desk as I sink down in the seat he pointed out, my entire body trembling with nerves. He closes the door to his office before turning back to me, and my heart skips a beat.This. This is how he looked at me that night — like he can’t see anything but me.
“Tell me why you missed my class, and I’ll decide whether your reason is worthy of an exception.” My eyes widen a fraction, heat rushing to my cheeks as he walks back toward his desk and leans against it instead of sitting down behind it, placing his body inches from mine. “Give me aTruth, Raya.”
I look up at him, longing hitting me hard as memories crash through my mind. The way he kissed me, the rounds of truth and dare we played, and the way his body felt against mine as we laid on his sofa. It was the first time I felt a real connection with someone, and it hurts that it finally happened mere weeks before finding out that I’ll most likely marry someone I’ve never even met, someone my parents refuse to tell me anything about. I wish I never knew what I’ll miss out on.
“It’s a personal matter, Professor.”
He moves closer, until he’s right in front of me, my knees brushing against his shins. I hate how incredible he looks in that navy three-piece suit, clearly another one of Raven’s highly coveted designs. “Personal, huh?” Something flashes in his eyes, and he leans in, placing his index finger underneath my chin, tipping my face up. My heart begins to race, and he smiles like he knows exactly how he’s making me feel. “What is it that kept you from me?”
His gaze dips down to my lips, and I inhale shakily. “I was at home with my parents for a couple of days,” I tell him, my own gaze drawn to his mouth. What would happen if I kissed him right now, one last time? Would it make me forget about the things my parents are keeping from me? Would it make me forget the countless reasons this man in front of me can never be mine?
“Are they okay?” Lex asks, his expression clearing as his hand falls away.
I nod and cross my arms. “They’re fine. It’s just… they just needed me at home for a little while.” I look away, my voice breaking. What would he say if I told him I spent days trying to convince my parents to let me marry a perfect stranger, in order to save my family’s company? Countless arguments, and still Mom and Dad wouldn’t even tell me what company we’d merge with, or who I’d marry, convinced I’d take matters into my own hands if I knew. The look in their eyes spoke volumes, though. Whoever it is has the power to save us, and they hate that as much as I do.
“I see,” he says, his tone light. “One more question, Raya. Answer me honestly, and I’ll let you submit your design.” I glance back at him to find him looking at me with an expression I can’t quite read.
I nod, my nerves sky high. I know what he’ll ask, and I’m not sure how to answer him.