An Arranged Marriage - Episode 3

Four years later. 

Kane. 

I step out of my car, glancing at my Rolex to see that it's past 10 in the night, I'm way behind my schedule, I was supposed to be here 2 hours ago.

Another car drives into the parking lot and I don't turn to see who it is, I know who it is, we came in together.

"Kane " The voice says, and I turn to glance at Cash.

"We are home" He says, coming to stand beside me.

"Yeah.." I echo, "I fucking wish I was somewhere else" I say before moving towards the front door.

We walk together, silently, simultaneously, i and my twin.

The doors silently open and the whole staff come into view.

"Welcome home sir, it's been so long" The butler, James says and I nod, even after I've been gone for 5 years he still looks the same.

17 years ago he was intimidating, right now he looks like an old man who needs lots of sleep.

"Thank you James" I say and he turns to Cash, greeting him, my younger brother by 3 minutes nods his reply, not much of a talker.

The staff pours out towards the car, I turn to the stairs. 

There's no one there. 

I turn to James. 

He looks like he's going to be sick. 

"Where's my sister James?" 

"She's sleeping Sir" He says, very much aware that I'm very much aware he's lying. 

"James....." Cash says, coming to stand beside me.

"She.. She threw a tantrum sir, she's out in the city" 

So very much like Linda, father must have done something wrong, must have refused her a pretty trinket she just must get. 

Even after five years, still petty and childish. 

I mount the stairs, one feet at a time, my mind betraying my body. 

I feel Cash behind me, aware of my every movement, aware in all sense, attuned to me. 

I walk towards the master bedroom, now my bedroom after 5 years, not once in those years, before Cabe died, not once did I think these rooms will be mine. 

My father must be in one of his estate, he knows better than to show his face in front of me. 

I open them and Cash leans against the wall, crossing his leg at the ankles. 

"Are you going to hurl your guts up right now?" 

I give him the middle finger as I turn around in the room, nothing, nothing in this room reminds me of Cabe, not a single stitch, nothing. 

I turn to Cash, he did this, knows how repulsive it would be to me to see Cabe's things in this room. 

"Cash..." 

"Don't become sappy, just get a night sleep and get your pretty brain to work on the revenge my brother needs" He says and I hold his stare, yes, yes, we are back for a reason, revenge. 

Yes, this will be easy. 

"Go to bed Cash" I say and he blends into the hallway like a cat, not a single ruffle of clothe or padding of footsteps. 

I turn and I can swear I feel Cabe's spirit brushing me, welcoming me, 

It's good to be home Cabe. 

****

"They had sex!" Aroofa screams, murder in her eyes. 

"Hush" I scold, watching Aroos trying to look everywhere but at me. 

"Aroos, anything to say for yourself?" 

"I'm not a child, I can do whatever I want" 

"I never said you couldn't, but you very well knew that Aroofa had a crush on him, you don't steal your sisters man" 

"He's not her man, he didn't like her" Aroos says, not seeing me, her fingers clenching into fists in her dress. 

"Excuse me!?" Aroofa shrieks, "He kissed me first! He's so my man!" I don't look at Aroofa breathing fire, my eyes are on Aroos who looks like she might dissappear before my very eyes. 

What's wrong?

"Aroos? Are you okay?" The concern in my voice tips Aroofa and she quiets her ranting, Aroofa might be the quiet one of us but she can get loud when she's angry, also she is the most sensitive so my voice must have cued her in that something was wrong with Aroos. 

" Aroos? "

" Why won't you just leave me? I fucked him, yes, that doesn't mean anything to me, it's not my fault that you can't have fun in your life" She says, her jab hitting a sore spot but I look past it, to the reality. 

"Aroos, what's wrong, and mind your language ?" 

"Leave me" she says. 

"Aroos!" 

"He, He forced me! He forced me!" she shrieks and Aroofa recoils, not from Aroos but from the pain shining in her eyes. 

My heart stutters. 

"Did he rape you?" I ask, my voice strong, betraying the tremble in my limbs. 

"No, but,he made me do things, he took pictures too, I was drunk.." She says, her voice breaking, Aroofa pulls her in, Aroos doesn't cry, she's too strung tight for that. 

My heart beats inside my taut body, the pain sweeping me, but none shows on my face. 

I have to be strong for my girl, I have to think about my next step, the things I have to do to that fucking bastard for touching a hair on Aroos's head. 

Anaya clears the doorway and I know something is wrong when she doesn't immediately notice the tension in the room. 

More bad news I'm sure. 

"I went to the bank" She says and I nod, I know she did, I sent her there. 

"They say the documents are gone, they showed me a couple of documents with your name and papa's, he must have collected the documents" 

The words comes like a blow to me, my sisters gape, they know what those documents mean, they know what those documents mean to us, our future. 

I nod, because it seems there is not much I can do but nod. 

"Papa must have forged your signature, he must have done that to get the Land documents, you have to get it from papa, you can't let him take it from us" 

Anaya says and I nod, of course, I have to do something, it's up to me to take care of my siblings future. 

I smile, hoping it doesn't look as foreign as it does on my face. 

"It's fine, I made some chicken soup, I'm sure you came in through the cold, go have some" I say and she watches me, her keen eyes not missing much.

But I don't give much away either, my eyes goes to Aroos, 

I'm sorry my darling girl, we have to wait a bit on getting justice for you. 

AN

To everyone out there who has to be strong  25 hours a day, 8 days a week this one is for you. 

Thank you for reading, 

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/an-arranged-marriage

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Read " Twisted Twice, Twisted Mine " by the same author ( Bebe Ernest )