Bound by Deception

5.2 Prepare for Mission 2000

Aria was used to being welcomed in weird ways. Every birthday, her aunt would set up a different animal plushie that would swing into her face the moment she walked into the door; and on holidays she'd be bombarded with glitter or powder or sometimes even water. There was music too - there was always music. Light, upbeat poppy music or slow, romantic jazz. Jazz was especially popular on Gratitude Day.

Even on regular days, Aria expected to be jumped on by either her aunt or Noah. She prepared herself to fall against the door, or if it wasn't closed, fall onto the wood of the porch. On that day, however, when she made it inside and was kicking her shoes off, she wasn't greeted by anyone. Suspicion arose in her stomach like sticky bile. The house was disconcertingly silent.

"Noah?" She called into the hallway. "Auntie? Uncle?"

"...useless, spoiled child!" She abruptly heard a shout, then a bang and footsteps pounding down the hallway. Aria groaned. It looked like she'd be in for a long night if that was her aunt that was yelling.

To her dismay, it was her aunt. The slim figure of Lady Kumar stomped down the stairs, smoking with rage and with cheeks redder than the charcoal burning in the furnace. Behind her, Aria's uncle and Noah timidly crawled like cautious ants. They waved their hands when they noticed Aria, as though trying to get her to escape before she also got caught in her aunt's radar of fury, but Aria was nonplussed. She was used to babyish tantrums by her family.

"Aria, where have you been!" Her aunt shrieked, finally noticing her niece. "We have to prepare for this weekend and you're off galavanting with your friends?"

"I was working, Auntie," Aria said dryly.

"I don't want to hear your complaints!" Tamasa snapped. "I know you don't want to go to this ball, but it's important for our family, your future, and our image. You must-!"

"Auntie, I'll go to the ball," Aria interjected calmly.

Tamasa stopped talking. She blinked, her mouth still open. "Pardon?"

"I'm going to the ball." Aria began climbing the steps. "And I'm bringing a date with me."

"Date?" Everyone in the room repeated.

"You have a date?" Noah cackled.

"You have a date?!" Bhuv growled.

"You'll go!" Immediately, the mood in the room shifted and Aria's aunt beamed. "And with a boy, no less! Oh, Aria, this is wonderful news!" She ran up the steps to hug her niece. "Oh, we'll have to get you a dress! Yes, a new, lovely dress embroidered with emeralds - I hear it's all the rage amongst young ladies." She giggled. "And your hair! We'll need pearls...no, perhaps rubies. Oh!" She clapped her hands like a delighted schoolgirl. "Sweetheart, you've made my day so much better! I'm so lucky to have you!"

"Gee, thanks Mum," Noah grumbled.

"Don't give me attitude, young man!" Tamasa sharply turned, glaring at her son and husband. "Aria is the only one in this family who listens to me. She deserves my spoils." She rubbed Aria's shoulder lovingly, and the latter girl smirked at her cousin. "In fact, Aria, your uncle, and I have been discussing something important about you."

"Oh?" Aria arched an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"After this ball, I have hopes that you'll either marry your date or find a proper husband," Tamasa began. "So, your uncle and I have decided to go to Longhorn to have a second honeymoon...if he doesn't annoy me enough that I decide to kill him."

"Darling..."Bhuv muttered, a bead of sweat trickling down his neck.

"Okay." Aria remained confused. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Well, you're going to be in charge of the estate," Tamasa continued. "And I would like you to train Noah. This obnoxious son of mine seems to have let his money go to his head. He has no regard for his future or his studies. I'm giving you the job to train him or find a proper governess. Perhaps we should remove him from the school and put him in a stricter one."

"Mama!" Noah complained.

"Don't 'mama' me!" Tamasa growled. "You brought this upon yourself by being foolish, Noah. I'm doing this for your good, and because I love you. After the ball, you and Aria will be staying at our Brookside Estate. It's smaller and less luxurious than here. You will learn to be a proper gentleman. I will not hear of another foolish game from you again, do you understand?!"

Noah glared at the ground, refusing to meet his mother's strict gaze. "Yes, Mother," he snarled.

Tamasa clapped her hands. "Excellent! Now, Aria darling, tell me all about your date."

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unedited

Well, Tamasa sure seemed happy about Aria's date lol. Wait till she finds out who it is. Will she like Sterling? 

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