BRUTAL MINDS (A DARK ROMANCE)

CHAPTER 33- MARITAL DUTIES

                A few minutes later, Karl finally arrived and took her in the car as they both made their way to the Mansion.

"How was it?"
"Horrible, I was set up."
"How?"
Allison showed him her ring finger.
"What the hell?"
"I know, I know. I thought so too but I didn't have much of a choice." She said, crossing her arms to her chest.
"What now?"
"I don't know Karl, I wish this was all a nightmare that I would wake up from."

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~

"What is this I'm seeing on the news Hades?" Lisa yelled into the phone that afternoon.
"Lisa will you calm down and listen?"
"Heck no! I want you back home right now."
"I won't be back in New York for awhile."
"What are you saying Hades? Please tell me you didn't actually get engaged to someone else. Please tell me that was a prank." She sobbed.
"It wasn't Lisa. I'm getting married...in a few weeks."
"How can you sound so unaffected you bastard! How could you do this to me? To us?"
"I'm sorry. I've apologized, there you have it."
"What? You shameless scum! Oh I can't believe you'd be this cruel."
"Lisa..." He signed, tiredly. "I told you before and I'll say it again, there was never anything real between us and there never will be."
"What are you saying? No." She yelled, her voice cracking.
"I don't love you Lisa." He said, bluntly, almost too cruel but he didn't care as long as she was being told the truth and that was what he was doing.
"Hades..." she called out, clutching at her chest, hurt. "Don't say that please."
"I have no feelings for you whatsoever Lisa. I'm sorry for the time wasted in delusions."
"Delusions? You think my feeling for you are some baseless fantasy?"
"Maybe"
"You're a horrible person Hades."
"Mmm"
"I feel sorry for her."
"What?"
"You don't love her either. You know it."
"Yes I don't but our union will benefit me."
"What could you possibly gain from a crumbling empire? You have more than enough wealth as it is."
"Oh no Lisa, not in cash....."
"What?"
".....but in kind."

HAMILTON MANOR
12:30pm

"Welcome home dear, I'm proud of you. You did well today." Vera said, smiling.
"Mmm."
"Oh what's with the long face? Cheer up Allison."
"There's absolutely nothing to cheer up about."
"Humph! Suit yourself. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be retiring in a few days from now."
"Wh...what? But aunt you're not even sixty yet. Why would you? Please don't, I still need you around.

          Vera smiled, the lad genuinely cares for her so much. Adopting Allison was one of the best thing that had happened to her since her husband died untimely.

"You'll always have me sweet Ally."
"Why are you doing this Aunt Vee?"
"I figured I should be out of the picture so our plan of restoring our company would speed up."
"How?"
"With the original owner, retired. It would be easier for customers to trust the new owner."
"Me?"
"No your husband, Lenshaw."
"Don't call him that. We're not married."
"Well get used to it. That isn't far off from what I see."
"Where will you go aunt?"
"Cuba. I hear you once managed my brother's resort there. I plan on picking up from where you left off."
"Oh auntie" Allison smiled. "You do love a life of partying and fun."
"I need it now that I'm getting older."
"I agree. I think it would suit you perfectly but auntie I still need your mentorship. I still need your presence around this house. It'll be an empty void without you."
"Not to worry, Lenshaw should be moving in after the contract signing."
"What?"
"Why the surprise? Don't husband and wife live together? Besides I'm changing the Mansion to his name."
"You can't be serious Aunt. Don't you think you're doing a bit too much?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if...what if He's up to something else? What if he wants you to do this so he'd get easy access to us? What if he's purposely taking advantage of our desperate situation to further wreck us?"
Vera chuckled. "You're such a drama queen Allison."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" She frowned, Hades had called her that earlier today.
"But don't worry, a sham isn't a sham without all the right props to go along with it. I'm only making these changes so our plan continues on foolproof. Everything is temporary Allison, keep that in mind."
"When will you leave aunt?"
"Immediately after the signing."
"I'll miss you aunt."
"I'm just a flight away sweetheart."
"Right." Allison smiled.
"Make me proud Allison."
"I'll try."
"And when your best isn't enough?"
"Give it my all."
Vera smiled, proudly. "I have thought you well."