Handcuffed Heiress

11. Changed

11. Changed

Natalía
A few days ago...
"Don't you think it's time for you two to stop hiding? It's been eleven years. If anyone was coming after you they would have already. How many times do I have to tell you that you're safe?" Phoenix kept tapping away at his computer keyboard and Safiare (pronounced Sapphire) bit the inside of her cheeks. "Look, I know you're scared, but my husband and I will protect you like we always have. My ex husband too. It's time for you to get rid of Sofia and Nicholas Jones and go back to being Safiare and Phoenix Maddox. You're wasting your life away."

I've been acquainted with the Maddox twins since they were ten years old. Antonio had contacted me after their parents were killed in the Middle East where they had been living at the time. Their parents had been involved with the trading of oil and they think that was the reason for their deaths, although it wasn't confirmed. Antonio, being a friend of their parents had gotten them out and sent them to America with their one trusted friend Abdul who had been taking care of them at the time. I have been watching out for them since. They had refused to live with me; because I was a public figure and they worried their identities would have been exposed. I had agreed with them back then. Now I think enough time has passed and they should re-enter society.

"I don't know if we should. Abdul, what do you think?"
"It's up to you miss. I'll go along with whatever you decide."
"Phoenix?" He stopped typing for a few seconds. "I think we should. We've been hiding for a long time. I think now we're in a position to take care of ourselves if anything were to happen." I smiled. Phoenix was always the voice of reason. I knew Safiare would listen to him. "You can think it over for a while, but it would help if you said yes because I have other things to discuss with you." Phoenix made a whooping sound and finally turned away from his computer.

"What's that all about?"
"He's trading stocks."
"Does he even know how to do that?"
"Of course I do. I've been doing it for years, which is why we're so rich."
"What exactly are you trading?"
"Oil."
"What? You can do that?"
"Of course, you can do anything these days."
"And you didn't think that was dangerous considering who you are?"
"It's the internet, way safer than doing things in person."
"As long as you're being safe."
"I always am. I have to protect this one you know." I smiled, then brought up the topic I really wanted to.

"How do you feel about marriage, Safiare?" She looked at me like I'd grown a second head. Her brother laughed. "You know she has never dated right?"
"And you have?"
"Of course I have? But Saf hasn't. She's still a, you know what."
"It's very disturbing that you know so much about her private life."
"We're twins. It's not something we can escape."
"Anyway, I showed her a picture. What do you think about him?"
"He's cute, but I don't know him. I'm just twenty-one. I don't think I want to get married so soon, and to someone I don't even know."
"You know it's funny. He said the same thing. I'm not asking you to get married right away. You can date for as long as you like, get to know each other and develop a connection. Then, you can decide if you want to get married or not."

She took up the picture and studied it some more. "Who is he anyway?"
"My son."
"Your son? Wow, he's all grown up."
"It wouldn't be a bad thing if you were to marry into our family you know. You're already like a daughter to me."
"Okay. I'll marry him."
"You will?"

"Well that was easy." She elbowed Phoenix in his side for that comment.

"Why?"
"He seems like someone who would keep me on my toes. I think things would be exciting with him."
"And we all know how you crave excitement."
"Stop being an ass Phoenix."
"How can I not? You're pretty much leaving your brother for a guy you haven't even met. On that note," he turned to me. "I clearly remember you also have a daughter? Is she up for marriage too?" I laughed. "That's not going to happen. Kaitlyn is free to choose her own husband."
"So why doesn't he get to choose his own wife?"
"Because he's a problem child and he needs to be contained. He's lost the chance to choose."
"And you think Safiare can contain him?" He started laughing uncontrollable. "Yes. I think she can. I see a little of myself in her. If she's going to go up against my husband reincarnated in my son, I'm sure she can bring him to his knees."
"Well then, good luck with that."