"Let's get in. We are late."

Kali didn't need the information. She bit her tongue and kept the snarky retort to herself as she threw the door open and stepped down.

This was the second time she was meeting his family in one week. The plans were laid down by her God-sent mother-in-law. Not only did Kali have to bear sitting and eating with her, but she also had to pretend she was interested in garnering her approval.

The rest of the family was nothing to write about. Giovanna, the youngest Madden, was a brat who never missed any opportunity to jest at Kali's humble background. She was her mother's daughter, through and through. Ysabel was playing the role of the dissatisfied mother. She and Giovanna paired well together. A match made in hell.

Kali was only fond of Timothy, the father, and Peter, the older brother. Both were welcoming and went out of their way to make her feel at home. It was as if they were trying to buffer the distrusting attitude the mother and daughter duo were putting forward. While they were obviously not thrilled by the early marriage, they were more respectful when the subject was broached.

"Will you come in?"

Kali's neck snapped around to look at Samuel, and she nodded. "Yes, lead the way."

They entered the restaurant and walked over to where the family sat.

His father was the first to stand, his hand stretched towards her. She shook it, putting on her friendliest smile.

"Good morning." Kali kissed his cheek, then waved at his sister and mother, sitting on the other side of the table. "Morning, to you both."

"I am early!" they all looked to see a minimally dishevelled Peter rush towards the table. "Sorry, I thought I was late again."

Unlike the rest of his family, he was dressed more casually than formally, with a sports jacket thrown over jeans and a sweatshirt. His hair was still damp, and he carried a gym bag.

Kalie smiled, acknowledging him as she took her seat beside Samuel.

"You aren't late. How was your morning."

"Fine. Left as soon as I could. Sister-in-law." Kali looked at him. "How are you today?"

"Fine. Thanks for asking."

He raised his glass of water in her direction before gulping down its entire content. After everyone had settled in, the food was ordered, and they began eating.

Timothy constantly brought up little conversations here and there while they ate. He asked about her family and her relationship with his son. He enquired about her life in general. For most of them, she answered honestly. But for the others, the ones that regarded her relationship with Samuel, she lied.

He sat beside her, a smile on his face when he spoke to his father. Kali sensed that he deeply respected and loved his father. It made her wonder if he was the reason Samuel wanted to marry quickly. Maybe he was gravely ill, and Samuel wanted to have his father see him married before he passed. It was pure speculation, but she didn't have much to go on.

Samuel always showed love and care to his family. Even when they were rude, like Giovanna, or dismissive, like Ysabel. The only person he did not care for was her. She was his possession. The wife he would have at his arm. Aside from the theory of pleasing his dying father, Kali had no idea why he wanted a wife.

Another thing she came up blank on was her way out of the marriage. She didn't have long. In a week and then some, she would be married. She would walk down that cursed aisle to marry a man she fantasized about strangling and becoming a daughter-in-law to a woman she despised. The only way out was to get the money, but that meant borrowing from someone.

Richard was out of the question. He had done enough to ruin her life. she wouldn't sink herself deeper by being indebted to him.

"Have you picked out a dress?" Kali looked away from her plate and towards Giovanna. "I am sure you have something extravagant in mind."

The girl was on a war path, but Kali had worse battles. So, she put on her best smile and shook her head.

"Your mother is going with me to get my dress. Whatever is decided looks good on me is what you'd see on the wedding day. It's quite unfortunate that you didn't want to come along. With your fashion sense and blunt honesty, I am sure you wouldn't let me leave with anything less than perfect."

"I am sure everything will go well." Timothy interrupted before Giovanna could throw out a reply. "I just wish you decided on a later date. Don't want you to rush into it; that goes for the both of you."

"Let them be," Ysabel spoke. Kali didn't even turn to acknowledge her. "If he wants to marry tomorrow or next year, it's their decision."

Giovanna stared at her intently, and Kali didn't drop her gaze. Then, for the first time since they sat --for the first time since they met-- Samuel touched her. His hand moved beneath the table, resting on her knee to call her attention away from his sister. As soon as her eyes were on him, he pulled his hand away, and she returned to her food in silence.

After breakfast, everyone said their goodbyes and each began leaving to face the rest of their day. Kali stood outside by the car while Samuel spoke to his parents. She took the time to enjoy the fresh air and sun on her face while preparing for another depressing ride with Samuel at the wheel.

As she stood, she caught a glimpse of herself in the windows. In an effort to look good, she had chosen an all-black outfit; mid-rise flare pants and a crepe suit. Ysabel insisted that she dressed well and made sure to look above reproach. Kali guessed it was easier to sell her as a perfect daughter-in-law if she dressed like she belonged in their circle.

"Did you enjoy breakfast?"

She noticed Giovanna walking out of the restaurant and towards her. "It was delicious. Of course, I did."

"Hmm." She grinned sceptically. Her finger was drumming on her forearm.

"Listen, you want to say something to me, come out with it. Your brother would be here any second to take me home."

"Permit me to be upfront because I am not interested in beating around the bush. I don't believe in this fairy tale love story you claim to have with my brother. Samuel is a romantic, and it wouldn't surprise me if you took advantage of whatever infatuation he might have felt towards you."

"Excuse me?"

"Please, don't play dumb. Our family is famous in most, if not all of, the state. You must have known who he was when you met. No one falls in love so deeply after three months and decides to get married out of the blue."

"You said you didn't want to beat around the bush, but that's all I see you doing." Kali dropped her folded arms and stood face to face-with Giovanna, looking at her with a smirk. "Let the words come out. Say what you want to say."

"I think you are just after our money."

"Great! You have figured me out down to a tee. Now I better turn and run." She laughed sarcastically. "I am not interested in stepping on the wrong toes in this house, but I don't intend on sucking up to anyone. Maybe time will change your mind, or maybe it won't. I wouldn't try to convince you of my feelings."

Giovanna scoffed and eyed her, eyes falling on Kali's sneakers, purse and rings as she shook her head in humour. "Know that I'd be keeping an eye on you. You wouldn't fool me as you did with everyone else. Get that clear."

Giovanna spun and stomped off, marching up into the restaurant and past a curious Samuel. He didn't ask her anything, and Kali was sure she wouldn't reply anyway. It was clear from the tension during breakfast that everyone was on edge with their sudden engagement, everyone except his mother. The woman was an actress in need of an Oscar for her performance. Managing to play worried mother for her son's sudden decision to get married. It had taken a lot to hold her composure and not give in to the desire to make a scene.

"Get in," he said, unlocking the car.

They left before the rest of his family. Samuel muttered something about driving for a while before dropping her off, but she didn't catch everything he said. Her mind was fuzzy from exhaustion. All she wanted to do was rest a bit. She closed her eyes and hoped the movement of the car and the silence would help her get some sleep. When she woke up, she would have the strength to do other things. Mainly, finally, calling her sister to inform her that she was getting married.

"Madness."

"What?"

Kali shook her head and closed her eyes again. "Not talking to you."

He didn't argue or call her out her tone. She only heard him mutter under his breath, and she turned her head away. She didn't open her eyes again until she was shaken awake.

"What are we doing here?" Kali asked drowsily, rubbing her eyes so she could wake up. The car was parked in front of an apartment building.

"Just something I need to get. We won't be long."

"Listen, Mathias might be waiting for me."

"I called to inform him that I was coming to pick something up. Come on up."

She looked up, at the building, the sun reflecting off its thick black windows. "I will wait in the car, and you go get whatever it is you are trying to get. I'll wait."

She wasn't sure why he wanted her to follow him into the building. He could easily get it himself, and she wanted him to do just that. She didn't want to be alone with him unless it was absolutely necessary.

"It's for you. From my mother. Come on, it won't take long."

He took her hand to help her down. Kali clutched her purse and walked beside him until they reached the room. Samuel opened the door with a smart key, stepping aside to let her walk in. She brushed past, hearing a click as she turned the corner of the short hallway and into the living room.

"What do you need to get? I don't want to stay here long."

"I don't need anything," Samuel informed her. He took a sit on the sofa and looked at her intently. "Nothing I need is here, well, except you. And right now, I need the truth."

"Excuse me?"

"Beautiful, young, with a career in IT and web development. You have a lot a guy would appreciate in a woman. What did my mother offer you to make you accept this? My mother didn't just pick out complete strangers and offer them marriage to another complete stranger. I find it hard to believe you just jumped at the opportunity to be married to someone you have never met."

Kali laughed and picked up her bag from the sofa, she strutted over to the door, but it held when she tried to open it.

Confused at first, she tried again and again until she realized that the click she heard earlier was indeed him locking the door.

She matched back to the living room.

"I don't have the strength for whatever this is. Open the door and let me out."

"No." Was his simple answer. "No one is leaving this apartment until you tell me all I have to know."

"This is a joke, right? You and your mother are playing me like a fiddle, and honestly, I have reached my limit for the day, if not the year. Open the door."

He stood so quickly, his eyes dark and steaming with anger. She stumbled back in panic for a flash second before regaining her stamina. She wouldn't be afraid of him. He was the one who wanted a wife. His mother got him one by whatever means necessary, even if it was at the cost of her future. She wouldn't give him the pleasure of looking down on her.

What did his mother offer? The audacity.

"Open the door. I am not in the mood."

"You think I am. I am about to marry a woman I have known for a round sum of six hours."

"What did you expect to happen?" She finally exploded, throwing her purse hard at the chair and pushing at him in frustration. Her question seemed to surprise him. She planted her hands on her hips and raised her eyes to his. "Answer me. What did you expect to happen?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"What kind of wife did you expect your mother to get out of the blue? Huh?"

"Why would I need her to find a wife for me when I was about to propose to someone I loved. Someone I wanted to marry!"

"A-am confused." She stammered. It was like hitting a brick wall. All the momentum went out of her.

Samuel shoved his fingers through his hair. Finally understanding what was happening, or believing she understood, Kali finally relented.

"You don't want to be married to me. She lied."

"Who?"

"Your mother. She said you wanted a wife."

"And you just agreed?"

"Of course not."

"I want to know why you accepted." Samuel walked over and urged her to take a seat on the chair. "I want to know everything, from beginning to end. No fighting, no arguments...no judgment. I need to know what she gave to you."

"Why? What would it change?"

"If I enter this marriage, I want no more surprises. So, you tell me how you know my mother and what she offered you, and I'll tell you how I ended up here in exchange."

"I still don't know what that would change."

"It would keep her from playing games with us later on. There has to be a reason she hasn't told both of us the same story. You have your version, and I have mine."

He had a point.

"Okay. But you first."

"What we say here would remain between the both of us."

"Who would I talk to? Your mother?"

"I am being serious." He chastised.

"I would not be telling anyone anything. You say your part, and I will tell you mine."

It turned out that Samuel wasn't looking for a wife. Ysabel blackmailed him into breaking his relationship with his actual girlfriend so he would marry someone she chose for him.

"I don't understand. Why go through all that trouble to stop you from being with this girl? Does she have a history with their family or something?"

"I didn't receive any explanations. I had two choices. Accept the deal, or my girlfriend going to prison."

"What was her name?" He held back, and Kali rolled her eyes. "You said we need to know everything. If I don't know her name and it comes up one day, or I run into her, I might make a mistake. You know, saying something I shouldn't."

After another hesitation, he finally caved. His eyes fell from hers and glued to his hands. "Her name is Flora. Now it's your turn."

Kali hesitated. She promised the truth, but that meant revealing that his mother was having an affair. As much as she disliked him, a little less, now that she knew the truth, she liked his father. Samuel might feel obligated to tell his father the truth and crush him in the process.

"Don't get cold on my, now. My part was important to you, and yours is important to me. Speak, let me hear it."

Hesitantly, she prepared herself to tell her side of the story. But she decided to make it mercifully short.

"My ex-boyfriend was, or is, your mother's lover. I met her the day we broke up."

Samuel swallowed, and his eyes fell away. "That's how she got you to agree to this? Paying for some twisted sort of silence."

"No, I wouldn't care to see her again and much less marry her son if she begged me."

Kali didn't pay too much attention to the fact that he didn't react to her admitting his mother was having an affair. She believed he wouldn't want to process that information in her presence.

"After our split, your mother came over to my apartment. She found out I had debts and threatened to have them called in. I stood to lose my house and my family's factory. I agreed to stop her from ruining my family's life.

"What was...what was your boyfriend's name?"

Kali was reluctant to say. She didn't want to be in a situation where he would go to find the man his mother was having an affair with, but, in the end, Samuel had been truthful.

"Richard."

His hands bunched into fists. They clenched so hard that his knuckles almost looked white. She didn't say anything more, afraid of aggravating the situation further.

They both sat there, not saying a word to each other.