Chapter 3 A Silent Engagement
Luthel Mansion
Livy finally woke up to the familiar scent of her room, the warmth of it suddenly smoothed her aching
nerves.
Wait. How did i get to my room? Am I still dreaming?
Was that all a dream? If it was, then she''s couldn''t be happier to have woken up from such nightmare.
But she deep down still, she knew it wasn’t a dream.
Slowly and weakly, she opened her eyes to see their family doctor writing down on his notepad.
She looked around carefully just to be certain it was her room, but met her mother''s cold eyes staring
her down.
Last thing she remembered was, she suddenly felt faint at work inside her office and decided to close
her eyes for a bit.
Could it be that she had fainted back then? Why, why did she faint?
Soon the memories came rushing back like a sharp p making her flinch.
She had seen the Winfrey''s at Luthel Inc, and she knew the reason why they hade.
That and coupled with the fact that she had not eaten anything since the day before must have been
the reason she fainted.
"Good. You''re awake. How do you feel? Are you hurting anywhere?" doctor Collins asked, concerned.
Dr. Collins has been the Luthel family doctor ever since Livy was a little girl, so she wasn''t feeling too
self-conscious with him around.
"I feel fine, just my head...it feels sore, and my stomach hurts a little," she replied.
"How long have you been feeling the ache in your head?", Dr Collins asked professionally.
"For the past 2 days now. I... " she started but Judy interrupted,
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
"She must have been stressing herself too much at the officebined with her wedding preparations.
It''s my fault, I shouldn''t have let her take on so much work. But I hope she''s alright?"
Livypletely froze as the sound of the word ''marriage'' rang in her ears.
So it''s decided then? She''s getting married to Markian. A trickle of tear made its way down her cheek
as she lowered her head in disappointment.
When she raised up her head again, her eyes were glued to her mother who showed no empathy or
pity whatsoever.
Judy''s face was as nk as ever, only maybe with a slight disapproval. Of course it wasn''t against the
arranged marriage, but at the fact that Livy was now crying.
She hates it when her daughters unnecessary starts to cry around her, thinking that would solve
anything.
She believes only the weak andzy think they can solve their problems with tears. Pathetic. She
knows she didn''t bring them up tozy nor weak.
"She will be fine, she just needs to start eating properly- she has lost some weight. I will give you some
prescriptions she needs to take, it will help with the headache and the pain in her stomach too for the
time being. And of course, congrattions on your wedding, ma''am. Don''t worry, you will be just fine
once you take the prescribed medications as instructed,” Dr Collins stated pleasantly.
Livy was already lost in her own thoughts, and might as well be drowning in her own tears toi.
“Of course Dr, she will and I’ll make sure of that. Thank you for your help.” Judy said nicely as she
walked the doctor to the door and handed him over to the butler to see him out.
When she returned to Livy''s bed, she was quite upset for several reasons but kept a straight face as
she tucked Livy in and straightened the side of the nket covering.
"''Take the day off and nurse yourself back to health,'' I said. Falling sick or fainting at the office doesn''t
tell well on our imagine, but does she listen? No! I''m responsible for putting food on the tables of over
2000 employees, but my own daughter fainted because of hunger- how ironic?" Judy soliloquized
audibly.
She was not the least bit careful with her word, well aware that Livy could hear her and was still crying.
"Who...se wedding preparations were you referring to, mother?" Livy asked with a heavy heart.
"Yours of course. The Winfrey''s have epted the married proposal, so in a week''s time you will be
getting married to the President of Castlehill- Markian Winfrey. Now, do you understand why you can''t
be so negligent with your health? Imagine the embarrassment I faced today when I came to share the
good news with you, but you were unconscious in your office."
Judy rehearsed what happened at the office after Livy had gone unconscious.
Good news? Please...
When Judy was done scolding her daughter and putting everything in order, she was about to leave-
hoping for no objection from her sad daughter.
"Should I just die? Or maybe i should''ve died instead of Sophy, then I wouldn''t bepelled into a life
of torture all in the name of marriage. Maybe I should died, because I would rather be dead than
conceit to the idea of a loveless marriage. Who knows? Maybe then you would finally listen to me." Livy
spoke with all the seriousness and boldness she could muster.
But with a personality like hers, it was very easy to call her bluff. This, Judy knew very well how to
manipte.
"I think that would be the easiest solution for everyone, don''t you? Well then, go on! You would just be
another one of my burdens lifted...",
"Mother?!!!"
"What?! Do you think you can threaten me with ending your life? Was that what all this drama of
starvation and falling unconscious been about these past few days? Look honey, if you think that tears
and going hungry would help you get your way, then you really are a weakling and unworthy to call me
''mother''..." Judy stated firmly.
At this point Livy was dead silent and wondered what exactly is going through her mother''s mind right
now?
Is she really serious about getting her married to the same man that have been married to herte
daughter up until a month ago?
When did her mother be so unfeeling and impulsive, only thinking about profit and gain?
Livy tried to move her lips to say something but there were no words.
"... I didn''t think so either. So you better put yourself together and show that you are your father''s
daughter and the heiress of the Luthel empire. Your fears would follow you around all your life if you
don''t stop hiding and face them head on. The Winfrey''s and i have decided that date for the court
marriage be in the next one week. So put your emotions to good use and get your acts right, unless
you want your father''s life''s work and your sister''s efforts all be for nothing- and it will be on you!" With
that Judy left the room and Livy with mixed emotions.
Why is her destiny leading her along these thorny path? Why can''t she just have a normal life with a
promising future?
Thest thing she wants is to cause problems for her mother and Luthel Inc, but she can''t betray her
sister like this either.
Winfrey Mansion
It''s been 3 days since the Winfrey''s epted the marriage proposal between their son and Luthel Inc''s
heiress- Olivia Luthel.
Fortunately, only family members were invited for the engagement tonight, which was an approximate
of 10 persons from both families. No press, no media.
Markian is in his room thinking about the turn of event surrounding him currently.
Mrs. Judy Luthel have promised to leave Castlehill with her investors if he doesn''t agree to this sick
joke.
He stared intensely at a picture frame of Sophia on one side of the brilliantly painted wall of his room.
With a ss of wine in his hand, he took each sip as he relived the happy but short memories of him
with histe wife.
It was Octoberst year and Sophy had thought pranking him by nabbing him from the office and took
him on a trip to Italy, Venice.
She had bugged him for months that she wanted to go on a vacation there, but he had been very busy
her own hands and took him there by force anyway.
He was quite upset with her because he didn''t have hisptop with him and was unable to do any work,
but he remembered they had ended up having the best time in Venice.
She had gotten him a native bracelet with an eagle engraved at the crust of the bracelet.
He never took it off his wrist- not even after her death. But what does any of that matter now? he asked
himself as he looked at the bracelet on his wrist. It was supposed to be her promise of forever with him,
a promise she didn''t keep. Angrily, he pulled the bracelet off his wrist.
In 3 days time, he would be making the same vows he had made with Sophy to her twin sister.
He raised his ss at Sophy''s portrait and smirked with glimmering blue eyes.
"I was going to take you round the world- just like you dreamt of, and when we grew old, we would both
spend the rest of our lives alone on a little ind- just the both of us. (Sigh)... I was so stupid to have
thought that I had forever with you..." he soliloquized disheartened.
"...I''ll be getting engaged to your sister today, hope it makes you happy? Leaving without a goodbye
isn''t very smart now, is it? She and I will have to live together and in the same room. We will even
share a bed like a married couple, hope that makes you happy? Everyday....every single moment
without you would be a nightmare for me, hope that makes you happy?" he questioned the picture
usingly, almost expecting a reply.
He took a sip from his ss again when a knock on the door got his attention.
Without looking at who is at the door, the servant spoke in a firm voice, "Sir, your bride and her family
have just arrived and you''re needed downstairs."
With a wave of dismissal, the servant was excused before Markian set down his ss on the
expensive wooden drawer below Sophy''s portrait.
It is time for business because, that''s how he sees this entire madness of a marriage as- only business.
He straightened his long-sleeved shirt with his hand, slipped on his suit and headed downstairs to join
the people gathered and do the needful.
Livy looked like she was going to throw up anytime soon. Her skin was pale and her hands were cold
and shaky like they were freezing.
She tried to convince herself to look Markian in the face at least once, but nothing was strong enough
to convince her.
He was looking dashing but had his strict personality up to 101% this evening. She had to admit that
made him even more handsome and ridiculously attractive.
If she can''t handle standing close to him even for few minutes, how on earth would she be able to live
with this man under the same roof for the rest of her life?
For the very first time, she was ready to mingle or talk to people- anybody at all, and exchange
meaningless pleasantries than to stand close to this man that gives her the chills and butterflies at the
same time.
The giving of ring was the hardest part. She didn''t realize how long she took to give her hand to him
until when he asked for it until he yanked it from her side, where they seemed to have been frozen
solid.
She felt her heart skip several beats the moment he held her hand to slip on the ring. Her legs were
about to give as she pleaded for just few more seconds.
He didn''t ask her anything, she didn''t say anything either. They both knew nothing they say would
change anything, only their parents'' wishes must be fulfilled for the betterment of theirpanies
tonight.
After the whole ritual waspleted, Markian disappeared and was no where to be found. Livy at the
least was relieved he judgy eyes was nowhere in site, but now she is forced to speak and make
pleasantries with people she didn''t know- but recognized from her sister''s wedding, on Markian''s
behalf. They were soon going to be her new family afterall.
Apanying her to the Winfrey''s was her mother- Judy, her only uncle and his wife from her mother''s
side and an aunt from her father''s side.
She didn''t have a big extended family and she was grateful for that because, it meant less people to
talk to, greet or send cards to during festivities and celebrations.
Livy had no friends so she wasn''t expecting any one around her age to be here, but there wasdy in
herte twenties present at the engagement.
Thedy looked nice and jovial when they both exchanged pleasantries. She introduced herself as
Markian''s cousin who lives in Shanghai- Heather Tion Winfrey.
She was not married though she was very beautiful with the body of a catalog model. She was good
looking and appeared more genuine than every other Markian''s family member Livy had spoken to
tonight.
But Livy wasn''t in the mood to interact with anymore people. She just wanted to be alone and collect
her thoughts, so she was least bit attentive nor pleasant towards Heather.
Finally, she was left alone so she sneaked up into a quiet dark room to ease herself of the stress and
tension. She really wants to shout and scream at the top of her lungs.
"This is a nightmare! Oh...i can''t even imagine what they might be saying behind their nice smile. They
must be thinking, ''who knows if she didn''t kill her sister so she could marry her sister''s husband'' or ''she
should be ashamed to herself for agreeing to marry her sister''s widowed husband.'' I can''t take these
anymore! I can''t handle anymore of this madness. I feel like throwing up. How did things get to these?
Why exactly am I doing here?" she soliloquized in faith that she was alone in the room.
"Getting engaged, obviously. You seem to be very stressed, but this is not a good ce for a
confession. I could show you a perfect spot to go to and scream at the world if you want," a voice
spoke from behind a hard wooden surface, scaring 2yrs out of Livy''s life.
"Goodness! whhh...wh.. Who is therrrree?" she asked shocked and surprised.
Turning on themp that''s on the table, the bright light illuminated th whole room exposing the face
belonging to the voice that almost scared her to death.
He was a young handsome man, probably in his middle 20s. He had the Winfrey''s seductive chiselled
face and blue eyes, almost like that of Markian''s, but he were clean shaved.
He looked familiar, but she was too scared to recall where she must have seen him before.
Oh God, he heard everything she just said. This was all too frightening and embarrassing at same time.
"I''m Daniel, Daniel Tion Winfrey. I''m your fiance''s paternal cousin. But we''ve met before, don''t you
remember? At your sister''s wedding 2yrs ago, I asked you for a dance but you turned me down- rudely
if I may add. Now here we are again," he spoke teasingly.
Oh no, she remember now. She was so emotional that evening at the post wedding party. After yelling
at Markian and telling him not toe close to her ever again, she had left Markian furiously and must
have vented the rest of her anger on Daniel when hee up to her and asked for a dance.
Now, what would he do with what he just heard? She wondered.
Would he use it to his advantage and try to ckmail her or would he just tell his mother, who would tell
the rest of their family? Or worse, his mother might tell her mom.
It''s official, her life would be a nightmare of rumors and back-talks before she official bes a
Winfrey.
"I do remember and I sincerely apologize for my outburst that night. I was not in the right frame of mind
at the post wedding party so I vented my anger on you. But please, do not let another soul hear about
what I just said here, please" Livy pleaded with him sincerely.
"Rx Princess, I didn''t hear anything of importance to me. But if you''d like me to show you, there''s a
ce I can take you to where you can scream to your heart''s content. We both know bottled up
feelings never amounts to anything positive, so you should let it all out", Daniel spoke smoothly and
convincingly.
She was ready to go anywhere with him, because he was right. She had to scream out her feelings
unless she might just have another outburst. And who knows who I might vent out my anger on this
time? It might be in front of everyone, that would only cause more trouble for the both families.
"Where is this ce?", she asked politely.
"That rooftop right there is the perfect location for relieving stress. So, are youing?!" he replied
pointing at the Castlehill skyscraper logo that was brighly shining all the way from the city.
When he noticed she wouldn''t refuse but was hasitant, without waiting for a response he grabbed her
hand and pulled her out of the room. He lead her straight to the stairs leading to the backdoor of the
Winfrey''s mansion.
He put her securedly in his Mren senna, and they were on the high way faster than she could
recollect her senses.
This was dangerous and she was acting very impulsive right now. She doesn''t know this man, and just
because he said he was Markian''s cousin doesn''t mean he couldn''t be a kidnapper or an assassin or
even a serial killer.
She knew all this, but she was not scared. Somehow, she had manage to convince her worried heart
that this escape was what she needed at this moment.
He drove into a parking lot belonging to a very familiar building- they were at Castlehill.
He led her out and took her hand once again sending warmth and excitement through her whole body.
They both took the elevator to the top floor and got out. In few seconds with his guidance, they were at
the rooftop.
Livy could see the entire city from up there, and as she looked to the farther side of the city, Luthel Inc''s
skyscraper was glistering with majestic and brilliant contour.
This view was breathtaking, and with everything happening so fast, she closed her eyes to take it all in.
Few secondster, Daniel squeezed her hand slightly bringing her back to reality.
"Well? isn''t there something you would like to say to the universe?" he asked her with a smile.
She looked at him asking for permission and he nodded. She carefully and slowly slipped her hand
from he''s and stepped forward close to the edge. She was terrified of heights, so she didn''t dare move
too closer.
With open arms and no regard whatsoever, she yelled, "I don''t want to take my sister''s ce! Mom, I
wish you would listen to me just this once and put an end this madness! I don''t want to
get Married to my sister''s husband, is that too hard for you to understand?! I just...i just want a ce of
my own where I would be happy. A love to call my own, a family to look forward to and a rtionship
that wouldst a lifetime- something that would be mine and only mine. Why is it so hard to get the little
things I want while others get to have it so easily?!(sobs)... I''m so exhausted, I feel like I might...like I
might...just be alone for the rest of my life," she spoke with a broken voice as tears rolled down her
cheeks.
Breaking down, she fell to the ground crying and sobbing.
Daniel let her cry for a while before he went close and held her to tried and console her.
After about 30mins, he took her back down to the parking lot and they both left Castslehill.
It was a very long and silent drive back home. The only time they spoke was when he asked if she
wants to go home or somewhere else?
She said she would like to go home but she would appreciate it if he could just drive round the city for a
while longer, and he agreed.
She got home around 1am and found her mom both furious and worried, asking her where she had
been.
She told her mom she needed some fresh air so she went for a drive round the city.
It was already toote and yelling at Livy would be a waste. No harm was done- and that was all that
mattered to Judy, so she told Livy to go get some rest before she left the room.
The night didn''t seem so gloomy any more. Livy had said all she wanted to, all thanks to Daniel. But
what was his reason? Why did he help her out tonight after she had been so rude to him in the past?
They weren''t even friends, but she had followed that man to Castlehill, screamed her lungs out to the
universe, cried her eyes out on the rooftop and had a long ride through the city with him- all in one
night.
She didn''t even thank him after he had brought her home. Such poor manners, she thought. But she
intends to pay Daniel back for all his help.
Even though she wasn''t sure if she was going to get any sleep, she eventually dosed off withing
minutes. And for the first time in almost a week, she had a dreamless and rxing sleep- and she was
thankful for that.