Arranged To Be|18+✔️

44'

"What do you mean?" he asked, staring at me.

But I could tell by the look in his eyes that he already knew.

I bit my lip and looked up. "This isn't going to work. We're not going to work."

"How would you know if you never tried?"

"We don't have to try for me to know that! We come from different lives and want two different things. I want to be a fashion designer, you're a mafia leader. I want to live in the suburbs, you live in a fortress. I want a normal life, and you go out and do God knows what every other night. My family loves me, and yours is barely functional."

"D-Don't you dare bring my family into this." His voice cracked as he pointed at me. "I tried so hard for you. I did everything—anything. And now you want to leave me because you think we can't work? You're not even trying!"

"But I did try!" I shot back. "I tried so hard, and every time we got close, you'd run away. Then everything started falling apart and I—"

"You weren't saying you wanted to leave when we fucked the other day," he cut in.

"You're an asshole."

"And you're a cold-hearted bitch." He stormed toward the door but paused with his hand on the handle. "Say what you want about my family, but at least I know they'd never sell me off to a stranger to pay off some debt."

Then he was gone.

I stood there in silence, the echo of the door slamming still ringing in my ears. I clutched the edge of the sink and let the tears fall. My heart ached in my chest, heavy and raw.

I couldn't believe I was crying over a guy in the bathroom while my designs were lighting up the runway. It felt surreal, and pathetic.

I stayed curled up in a stall for what felt like hours, crying quietly.

*

A knock tapped against the stall door.

"It's occupied," I croaked.

"Zariah, it's me. Darcey. You have to come out. People are asking for you, important people."

"I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone."

A sharp bang against the door made me jump.

"Zariah! Are you crazy? These people could launch your career. Get your ass out here or I'm dragging you out myself."

I sighed and slowly stood. When I unlocked the door, Darcey was there with a wet paper towel.

"God, you look awful. Here, clean yourself up."

I wiped my face, tossed the towel in the trash, and followed her. The whole way, my chest felt hollow.

"Do you know if Czar left?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah. He left a while ago. But his sister stayed."

"Oh."

"Remember what I told you, Zariah. Now fix that face. You've got business to handle."

She wasn't wrong. As soon as we entered the main hall, a group of well-dressed men and women swarmed us. They shook my hand, asked questions, offered compliments and cards. I forced a smile, nodded, and answered everything I could.

*

By the end of the night, I had booked several gigs and secured opportunities I never dreamed of. But I couldn't feel a thing.

I was packing up my designs and waiting for Josiah to pick me up. I'd called him earlier, and of course, he agreed without hesitation.

That's what I loved about him. No questions, no judgment.

I couldn't go back to Czar's house. I had to stay with my parents until I could get my own place.

Josiah pulled up outside and hopped out of the car. "Hey, Zariah."

"Thanks again," I said as he took my bag.

"Anything for you. Mom and Dad are going to be happy to see you."

He loaded the trunk, and we climbed in.

"They better be, considering I'm staying with them," I said.

"What? Why?"

I hesitated. "Things didn't work out."

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "We're just too different. It was an arranged marriage, Josiah. I should've known better."

He glanced over at me. "Yeah, but you cared about him. He cared about you. I saw it. When Dad told you Czar was waiting for you that one night, you looked terrified for him."

"I do care for him. I think I might even love him. But it doesn't change anything."

"If you love him, you should try to make it work."

"Why should I take advice from you? You don't know anything about love."

"I know that when you love someone, you fight for them with everything you have. And I don't think you did."

I didn't say anything.

Because deep down, I knew he was right.

~*~

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