Chapter 24: Thursday afternoon: An arranged marriage?

It was Thursday, and the house had been buzzing with activity all week, so Aunt Marta, Gracie, and I decided to spend a few hours of peaceful bliss reading in the library.

Aunt Marta was sitting in an oversized armchair with her feet propped up on a footstool, totally engrossed in the first book of a new series she was reading. Gracie was over in her writing corner, tapping furiously at the keys of her laptop, obviously working hard on her own first novel. I was sprawled out on a sofa pretending to read but far too distracted by thoughts of my tall, dark, and sexy secret lover to actually manage to do so.

In fact, I’d been on the same page for at least the last hour. I read and reread the same paragraph about a hundred times, unable to get any further before my thoughts slid effortlessly to what my mind considered a more interesting topic for one, my Romi. I didn’t remember a time when anything else could distract me from reading as much as that man could. Not that I minded. Not at all. It was absolutely wonderful to have a real man in my life for once, and not only that but one who actually gave the best book boyfriends a run for their money.

I bit my lip to stop from giggling as I remembered how Romi had seemed a bit jealous when I’d told him I was heading to the library to talk romance books and compare book boyfriends with Aunt Marta and Gracie. We’d just stolen a few moments of bliss together in my room, so how he thought he had anything to be jealous of, I have no idea, but it was super cute when he pursed his lips in displeasure at the mere mention of “book boyfriends” then tried to hide the fact.

I chuckled and reassured him that none could compare to my very own Mr Sexy Abs, and that had delighted him if the brightness in his eyes was anything to go by. Well, it was true. While we women who loved our romance books enjoyed a good book boyfriend or two, there was nothing quite like having the real thing.

As a feeling of utter contentment washed over me, I let my eyes flutter closed. I couldn’t help but smile as my imagination ran wild, creating all sorts of fantasies about my secret lover. Hot Damn! My man was sexy! I was just indulging my inner sex goddess with thoughts of running my hands all over that Adonis-like body of his when Miki appeared, wanting me to go to his office for a chat.

He looked serious, and I was suddenly filled with a sense of trepidation. My mind bombarded me with questions as I followed him down to his office.

Why did he want to see me? Was this to do with Romi? Did he know about us? I really hoped he hadn’t found out about Romi and me today, of all days. As much as I wanted him to find out about us soon, now wasn’t the time—not when he was already under so much stress over the impending attacks.

“Sit down, Sonia,” Miki said as we entered his office.

His posture was stiff, and tension was radiating off him in waves. Oh no. My stomach sank.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, trying desperately to keep my voice calm.

He might not know anything. He might just be suspicious, I told myself.

“As you know, our alliance with Glowacki has been strong despite what happened with Krissa and our recent threats. We had thought it best to keep the actual strength of our alliance a secret, as it can pay to have enemies underestimate your strength. Still, these recent attacks have shown us that this strategy is not the best going forward,” he said, taking a deep breath before rushing on.

“So, after we settle this current issue, we have decided to ensure that both our friends and our enemies are in no doubt of our alliance and the actual strength we Bratva and the Poles draw from it. In order to show this and guarantee our alliance continues to remain strong in the future, we have arranged for you to marry Dariusz,” he said as if it was a done deal.

I guess he thought it was, but I was about to shatter that illusion.

“What the fuck?!” I asked incredulously.

He looked at me but didn’t reply.

“An arranged marriage? You cannot be serious!” I cried.

“Yes, Sonia, I am. We are, Glowacki and I. In fact, the deal is done, and we have shaken hands on it,” he stated firmly.

No fucking way!

How dare he do this to me?

My body shook with anger, and I blinked back tears.

This could not be happening!

“You don’t need to get married right away, of course. You can wait until after your graduation if you want and simply get engaged now.”

His voice was calm as if to placate me, but I was having none of that.

“No!” I screamed.

“Sonia, I know this may not be what you wanted, but our parents and grandparents had arranged marriages, and they became love matches. I am sure that will happen with you and Dariusz if you give it a chance,” he said almost beseechingly.

“Absolutely not!” I raged, shaking my head as the tears I’d been desperately trying to hold back started in earnest.

“I am sorry you are so against it just now, but the deal is done, and I cannot back out now, so it will happen. You need to get used to the idea,” Miki says.

Big fat tears streamed down my face, blurring my view of him.

I shook my head, “No! I won’t do it!”

He sighed like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

Whereas I felt like my whole world had come crashing down! I’d gone from feeling high to feeling so very low in the space of a few minutes, and it was devastating.

“I’m sorry, Sonia, but you have no choice!” he said firmly, obviously still trying to remain calm while I was anything but.

It only enraged me more.

“I hate you!” I screamed and ran out of the office.

Romi needed to know what was happening. I needed to find him, and we needed to confront Miki. There was nothing else for it. I wouldn’t marry anyone else. How could I when I was so in love with him? I searched for him only to find out he wasn’t home.

Shit. I tried his mobile, but he didn’t answer. So, I send him a quick text.

“I need to see you!”

Unable to think straight, I ran to my room, threw myself down on my bed and sobbed. I was absolutely furious with Miki for doing this to me. How dare he arrange a marriage for me. If he thought I was going to put up with that, he’d better think again. As soon as Romi returned, we were leaving.

Nodding in agreement with that thought, I stormed to my wardrobe and threw open the door. Pulling an overnight bag out, I started stuffing it. I packed everything I could into a small holdall, including my passport, money, and all of my jewellery, before grabbing some toiletries from the ensuite and adding them too. We would need to travel light, and we would need to leave immediately and get as far away as possible before anyone realised we were gone.

Sadness threatened to overwhelm me as I looked around the room, wondering if there was anything else I needed to pack. We were going to have to run, and I hated the thought of leaving my home and family behind forever, but it seemed as if there was no choice. Miki’s arrangement had seen to that.

I left the bag hidden in my wardrobe and hurried downstairs the minute I finally received Romi’s text reply.

“On my way. x”

As soon as I saw Romi’s car coming along the drive, I rushed outside. The moment he caught sight of me, he could tell I was upset. He gestured for me to head around to the side of the house as he parked, and I quickly did so, hiding behind a large tree.

The minute I saw him approach, the tears began again.

Without saying anything, he pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head.

“Miki has arranged for me to marry Dariusz Glowacki!” I sobbed.

“I know,” he said in a strained voice.

“What?” I gasped, looking up at him in confusion.

How did he know? When did he find out?

“Miki told me a short while ago,” he said, his body growing tense beneath my hands.

Anger radiated from him, and a muscle in his jaw jumped involuntarily as he ground his teeth as if trying desperately not to shout in rage.

“We have to run away. We need to go as soon as everyone is distracted,” I said, the words tumbling out in a rush, “I’ve packed a bag. I’ll go get it while you pack, and then we can slip out of here and…”

“No!” he said quickly, cutting me off.

Wait. What? No?

Romi moved away from me and rubbed at his forehead, wincing as if he had a headache coming on.

“Don’t you want me?” I asked, suddenly unsure of us.

“Don’t you feel for me the same way I feel for you?” I sniffed and wiped frustratingly at the bloody tears blurring my vision with the back of my hand.

Was I wrong about us? Were we just a fling?

He didn’t answer. Instead, he closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath as if steadying himself.

“Don’t you love me?” I asked, my voice cracking as a sense of desolation swept over me.

“Yes!” he said, shouting and looking at me as if I’d lost the plot.

Seriously? What was I supposed to think when he refused to leave with me?

“Of course, I love you,” he said, pulling my reluctant body back into his arms.

“Then we need to go. I won’t marry Dariusz!” I sobbed against his chest.

“I’m not leaving, Sonia,” he said firmly.

I tensed and looked at him incredulously.

“What are we going to do then?”

“I’ll figure it out. I promise,” Romi said suddenly, sounding tired.

“No. We have to leave. Now!” I pulled at his hand, and he tugged me back against him.

“Sonia, I know you’re worried, but we can’t leave when there is a war about to start. We need to be smart and…”

“You don’t want me!” I cried, pulling out of his arms again.

“Of course I do, baby,” he said placatingly, “But now isn’t the time. There’s too much happening…”

Too distraught to listen, I backed away from him, shaking my head before turning and running back into the house.

“Sonia!” he called after me, but I kept running, unable to bear hearing him make excuses as to why he wouldn’t leave with me.

Running past Miki on the way to my room with tears streaming down my face, I glowered at him.

“I hate you!” I shouted before rushing inside my room and slamming the door.