Chapter 8 Family Matters
FAMILY MATTERS
ASHA
I flopped back on the sofa inside my office trying to pretend that what was going on in my house wasn’t going on.
But it was.
I had too many emotions to land on one so I called the one person I knew could commiserate with how I was feeling.
I didn’t bother to check time zones since it was early enough in the day for her to be awake no matter what part of the world she was in.
The last time we spoke she had been leaving Italy but I was unsure of where her next stop was.
I was hoping she’d make her way back to London so she could check on my flat for me.
The call connected and I spoke before she had a chance to say anything.
“I’m being invaded.”
“Asha, I’ve never known you to be so hysterical but this seems to be a new facet of your personality lately.”
“This isn’t hyperbole, Sasha, I’m actually being invaded.” I rolled over to look out over the water hoping it would calm my mind. Another clang from near the library immediately ended the calm.
“What does that mean?”
“Right now I’m listening to men I do not know bring items I do not own into my home. And no, it’s not stuff I purchased.”
“Is he moving in?”
Sasha had just calmed down about me getting engaged after our conversation with Nev and Tee last week. But him actually living here was something else entirely. She was booked and couldn’t get away from her obligations for various brand so despite her desire to run to my rescue she couldn’t.
At least not yet. Knowing my sister no matter how good things were going she’d want to see it for herself. And I loved her for that.
“Apparently so!”
“Without your permission?!”
This was the outrage I was going for and I was happy that I’d finally gotten a rise out of her so that someone could be annoyed with me at his highhandedness.
“Does it sound like I granted it to him?” I tucked my legs beneath me and pulled one of the throw blankets over myself. It had warmed up in DC, the snow nowhere on the ground but it was still cool.
“Well, tell him he bloody well can’t.”
“And how is it you propose that I tell a fucking mountain of a man what he can and cannot do? Tutor me in your ways of making the impossible happen, Sasha, I’m waiting here with rapt attention.”
Was now the time for sarcasm? Probably not. Especially since I wanted her to be the voice that made me feel less like a spoiled brat for not being okay with this. But the way she was questioning me was irking the few nerves that Ori hadn’t already frayed.
“Are you agreeing to the demands of a MAN?”
My eyes flew open as the tone she took when she said that was far more filled with levity than it should’ve been.
“I don’t know why you sound so gotdamn jolly about it.”
“I’m not jolly I’m bloody aghast. I’ve seen you go toe-to toe with just about everyone over everything when life necessitated it.
The only person you don’t argue with is mother and I know it’s not because you’re weak but because her thoughts and opinions don’t bloody well matter to you so you don’t waste your time .
” She still sounded far too amused for my liking, since it was at my expense.
“So why do you insist on defending me in front of her if you know I don’t care?” Sasha had always taken up the role as big sister despite being in the hard place of also being the middle child. I assumed it was the reason she was always in protector mode but I might have been mistaken.
“Because I care. I don’t want anyone to think they can walk over you And it would be better if you both could find common ground.”
“Why?”
“To make life easier!”
I frowned at her suggestion because it didn’t make any sense to me. “But life is peaceful. I forget she exists when I’m not near her and I ignore her when I have to be around her. What could be simpler than that?”
“You don’t wish that things could be different?”
I had to chuckle because for all her cynicism my sister was still a dreamer. I’d long since been too jaded but I had to admit it was endearing that Sasha was still hopeful despite how much of a ball breaker she normally was. “God no.”
“Why not?”
“We don’t have a typical family, Sasha. If you look at people in our tax bracket we’re probably far more well-adjusted than most of them because none of us have attempted to murder the other to seize an inheritance.”
She laughed slightly, and I couldn’t imagine what was funny. “There’s still time for that.”
I smiled at her wry sense of humor especially since she was right.
People normally only turned to murder when the one controlling the finances died.
ābo was in great health so I should probably be more wary of the family I didn’t rock with.
“True indeed. I’m more than happy to sign my share over to you to avoid the hassle. ”
“Unnecessary.”
I could hear the smile in her voice but I meant every word I’d said.
As it stood, I had someone who would financially provide for me and although my sister’s career and her trust fund were more than generous, I’d give her whatever money necessary.
Especially since the financials I’d seen from Ori meant I wouldn’t need it.
He’d added my name to his accounts and given me some fancy new phone that I’d never seen.
His banking app preloaded and the amount of available cash was jaw-dropping.
Even if we didn’t work out. He had already put in our contract that a nine-figure settlement would be at my disposal in case of death or divorce.
Best pay pig I’d ever had.
Well, you slept with this one so…
“If you look at it this way, we’re becoming even more normal with the way this marriage has been procured.
Set out on the marriage mart like beautiful offering and got snatched up.
Why in God’s name would I want to pretend we’re something we’re not only to set me up for failure later?
Do you understand the damage that would be caused if my emotions got involved? ”
“I’d almost forgotten that you had those.”
My laughter joined hers because the idea was ludicrous to say the least. “Go fuck yourself, Sasha.”
“I don’t know. Maybe the idea that you’re going to be someone’s wife has me thinking that it’s possible for there to be something more for us.”
“Is this sentimentality creeping in? Has someone tickled your fancy?”
“No, you fool.”
“Do you want to be married? If so, I’m sure that this agreement doesn’t specify me and only speaks on the daughter of William Avery which you are. Out of the two of us, I’m sure you’re the more desired.”
I was merely talking, and of course I wouldn’t back out of this now.
The idea of my sister, my bloody twin, knowing what Ori felt like immediately made me possessive.
Which, again, pissed me off. As much as I talked about the problems that would happen if my emotions got involved, at some point some of them already were.
Major issue right there, Asha.
“We are not bloody interchangeable.”
“We know that but how many people don’t?
Back then we were the perfect pair. Mother ensured we looked the part even though it meant that I had to practically starve to match your figure.
And although I’m far less physically perfect now given my size, I’m sure a quick fast and round of GLP-1s would have me welcomed into the high fashion fold. ”
Sasha was laughing but she knew that I wasn’t far off. Her face was in such high demand that if people remembered there were two of us and I could get down to her size we’d never get a break from working.
“You truly are ridiculous. You would rather die than be nice to people.”
I laughed feeling less stressed just talking to Sasha. “You’re right. I’d rather brave this arrangement than have to undergo the ridiculous scrutiny you’ve survived and then conquered all these years.”
“What are you going to do?”
Her question brought me back to reality fast. “I have no earthly idea.”
“I need to meet this man. If he has you thinking that marriage isn’t a fate worse than death or the vapidness of the industry he must be some sort of miracle worker.”
“You’re more than welcome to come whenever you feel the need.”
Sasha gasped causing me to laugh again. “An open invitation? That’s truly another miracle. This man has to be related to a god for you to not be melting down right now.”
“I might value my privacy but you’re always welcome. Besides, having an ally at hand would probably be good to keep me from doing something crazy.”
“I feel like our father should be doing far more to make this transition easier for you.”
“Ha! Him and his causes are why I’m in this mess now, don’t you understand?” I wasn’t mad at my dad but I was frustrated. He didn’t seem upset by this turn of events and tried to focus on the positives whenever I talked to him.
“I never know how to react when you remind me of that.”
I wasn’t sure what she was speaking on because this was the first time we’d discussed our father. “That what?”
“That revelation. The reason you’re getting married. You say it with such disdain but then you make light of it. I don’t know if it’s for my benefit or yours or his but it’s confusing.”
“Why would I want you to be angry or upset about a situation that neither of us could change?”
“Because on the principle—”
And this was a problem with a twin who lived what could be considered a charmed life. The idealism was still alive and well.
“What have principles ever gotten anyone in this world? This rock is run entirely off of the corruption and greed of the few to the detriment of many. If you’re not one of the few then you’re just waiting for your turn to be ground under someone’s boot heel.”
“And here I thought that marriage would make you somehow… softer.” The genuine disappointment in her voice broke my heart. Hearing that she wanted Ori to change me bothered me more than I could say.
“What would give you that notion? That a man would mellow me out? I’m quite insulted.”
“May I speak plainly?”