Merging Hearts (Smitten Hearts #1)

Chapter Fourteen

Rain and Hazel

“What are your parents like?” Hazel breaks the thirty minute silence, her voice tentative as the car glides through the streets on our way to my parents house. I peer at her, shocked at why she still wants to talk to me after what I said earlier.

I know it was a messed up thing to say, but I didn’t realize it until it left my mouth. I sounded like I was going to throw it in her face every time that I pay her.

However, one look at her sweaty fighting hands, I realize it’s not about me, it’s about her. In hindsight, I’m not being fair taking her to my family without prepping her about them. Not that they are scary people, but that she doesn’t know that … or anything for that matter.

“What do you want to know?

“Everything. What will happen if we get there? What do they think of me? Do they … do they know I’m Black?”

“They know, and they don’t care.”

Hazel snicker humorlessly. “Let me guess, they don’t see color?”

“They do. That’s how they were able to raise my brother in the right one.” From my peripheral vision, I see her nod, but her fingers haven’t stopped clawing against each other.

I gaze out the window with a neutral expression, the cityscape blurring as I gather my thoughts. “We’re Dacostas. It simply means we have a certain reputation to uphold, so we might seem complicated from the outside view.” I glance at her, my brows furrowing slightly. “But to family, we’re different. My mother is warm, caring, and full of love. She always has enough to give, and will do anything for the people she adores.” A hint of smile plays on my lips. “My father, on the other hand, is strict. He might fool you with his calm demeanor, but, again , he’s a Dacosta, there’s always a storm brimming inside him. He expects loyalty and respect, and breaching a part of his contract can attract punishments you won’t like. He’ll do whatever it takes to protect our family and our interest.”

I take my eyes off the road to study her reaction, but I’m caught off guard by her attention fixed on me, a mixture of curiosity and admiration in the depths of her eyes. I refocus on the road. “Then there’s my brother, Renzo, and my sister, Reina. My family are not people to be trifled with, but we’re not monsters either. The point is, we’re only scary to the outside world. To family, we’re just … just.”

“But I’m not family,” she says, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.

My hold on the steering wheel tightens as I feel a pang of something. It’s not guilt, more like discomfort. I’m unsure how to respond to that, be it to debunk or confirm. My response comes out stilted, a deliberate attempt to clear all emotion from my voice. “You’ll be my wife. That’s enough for them.” The silence that follows next is oppressive and loud, a type that tells me silence around her won’t be one I crave.

“But is getting married to someone you don’t know not extreme? Is the reason worth it?”

“Everything is worth it when it comes to my business.”

Soon, I hear a short breathy laugh and without turning to her, I ask, “What’s funny now?”

“This is the most word I’ve ever heard you utter. Maybe now and when you were trying to get me to marry you. Even then, it was barely up to hundred. You should talk more, you have a nice voice.”

I smirk, unable to hide it any further. “You count my words, and you think I have a nice voice? Those are … weird compliments.”

“I’ll take a thank you.”

Instead of the thank you, I bring my car in front of the mansion and turn to her. “The universe must not be in support of that, because … we’re here.”

Her smile drops and the uncertainty returns to her eyes. We step out of the car, the cool afternoon air enveloping me like a shroud. One of the staff walks toward us.

“Welcome Mr Dacosta,” the family chauffeur greets as I pass him my keys to take the car into the parkway. I walk around to Hazel’s side, the crunch of gravel sounding beneath my shoes. The flicker of fear in her eyes is palpable, and I feel my own tension rising.

A growing sense of uneasiness settles in my stomach as I guide her into the main Dacosta House. Not because I’m worried they’ll reject her. It’s the opposite. Knowing my family, she’ll be welcomed with open arms. It’s what they’ve always wanted anyways. They’ll dote on her with so much love that will make her feel at home, which is bad for both of us.

I glance over at my wife-to-be. She’s scared, I realize. I can see the stiffness of her shoulders and the faint tremble of her lips, and my eyes soften. Sympathy is not what I feel for her, but I don’t know what the feeling is. Maybe it’s because I know we’re both in this, both of us bound by a contract, pretending to be what we’re not.

My hand covers hers and I refuse to meet her eyes as I whisper ‘breath’. In silence, we board the private elevator that takes us to the grand sitting-room. “Let’s do this,” I whisper more to myself before stepping out to announce our presence.

Hazel

We step across the threshold, walking our way down the stairs where his family and two friends wait for us with smiles on their faces. My legs wobble under me. When he said we’d be meeting his family and friends, I didn’t realize he meant at the same time in the same place, but trust him to make decisions and expect everyone to follow through with it.

I’ve never been in a place like this. The mansion sprawls in front of me, all polished marble and mahogany. The kind of simplicity that comes from already having too much lavishness. The kind of wealth that makes one feel small. Every step I take seems like an echo, reminding me of how out of place I am here.

Rain’s hand is still wrapped around mine. I feel a warm flutter in my chest as he gives it my hand a little squeeze, a reassuring gesture that feels out of character for him.

“They’re here!” a feminine voice squeals in excitement and I recognize her as Reina Dacosta, the only daughter of the Dacosta family.

“Hi!” She pulls me in a hug that catches me off guard, and I release my hand from Rain’s to return the hug. “I’ve been waiting to see you.”

“You’ve seen her now. Let her breathe.” Renzo Dacosta, the second son of the Dacosta family, pulls his chatty sister to his side. “Hi. I hope the journey wasn’t too long.” I shake my head with a smile.

Mrs Dacosta rises from her seat, a warm motherly smile spreading across her face. “Oh, darling,” she coos, her voice dripping with elegance as she embraces me. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s so nice to meet you too, Mrs Dacosta. I’ve heard so much about you,” I reply, trying to sound calm despite the butterflies in my stomach.

“These are my friends. Knox Meadows.” The dirty blonde brings forth his hand for a shake, his cheeks dimpling as he smiles. “And Antonio Kingston.” The second guy gives me a half salute, earning a laugh from me.

“Let her sit,” Mr Dacosta orders, his calm but stern expression unwavering.

Minutes (or maybe hours) have passed, and as I chat with every member of the family about my background, hobbies and dreams, I realize that Rain was right.

The Dacostas are just… just.

I thought I’d be walking on eggshells, feeling uncomfortable from being sized up, but it’s not happening. Instead, I’m shocked at how easily they made me fit in, even when Rain assured me they’re aware of the facade around the arrangement.

They all know the marriage is fake, yet they treat me nothing less than a real fiancée of their son. They look at me like I’m a rare gold and I’m unsure how that’s supposed to make me feel.

Will they hate me after six months? Will Reina still want to be my friend? And Rain, he specifically said we can’t contact each other anymore after the six months is up and while that should comfort me (it still does), I can’t help but feel sad at the thought of losing the people who have done nothing, but be so kind to me.

Mrs Dacosta claps and coyly places her hands under her chin. “I’ve always wanted to do this.” She turns to me and grabs my hands. “Do you want to see Rain’s childhood pictures?” We (Reina, Mrs Dacosta, and I) are in the grand dining because we didn’t move back to the sitting room with the men after lunch.

My cheeks warm at the thought, and I nod. Partly because I can’t turn her down, and partly because I do want to see what little Rain Dacosta looked like. Mrs Dacosta lets out a girly squeal and leaves to get the album.

Reina shifts her chair closer to mine, gaining my attention as I mirror the smile on her face. She’s so chatty, and it’s easier because we’re exactly the same age. “I know this can seem like a lot to handle or understand, but we’re so grateful you’re here.”

“Why?” I ask the question that’s been begging to drop since we walked into the mansion. They all know how fake it is, then why are they all looking at me as if I’m doing them a huge favor? “I know you know the basis of the arrangement.”

“Of course I do,” she confirms. “I’ll just like to say we’re helping Rain take another chance in life because his head is too stuck up his ass for him to do it himself.” I chuckle.

“But do you know why it’s me?”

“I don’t. But I’m glad it is.” After seeing the look of confusion on my face, Reina tilts her head at the sitting room where the men discuss. “He’s been staring at you every now and then.” I turn my head to check, but Rain is deep in the conversation with the others.

“I don’t see it. But even if he is, I’m sure he’s just checking to see if I’m okay. I’d expressed my fears as to whether you all will accept or not.”

Reina shakes her head with a smile that boldly spells ‘ you’re still not getting it ’. “While him caring about you is even weird enough, it’s the look he’s giving you that’s telling me that there might be hope after all.”

“What look does he give me?” My heart beats hard against my ribcage as I ask. Do I really want to know the answer to that?

“He looks at you like you’re something he wants, but doesn’t want to reach out for. But I know he eventually will.” Her smile widens mischievously, but her eyes tell me she’s dead serious. “Oh, Mom’s here!”

Reina adjusts her chair back to the former position as Mrs Dacosta joins us with photobooks, leaving me with no time to process what I’ve just heard from her.