Holding Adrian's hand, I allowed him to lead me through the snowy landscape of his estate. We were in the back fields, near the lake which was hidden from view by wild foliage. "'Dessa, I wish we could spend every day like this." I smiled up at him, his dark brown hair falling slightly in his eyes of blue. Jumping into step with him, I pecked his cheek before running in the direction we were facing.
-
"Tamaki, what are you doing?" Haruhi asked me, her angelic voice filling the quiet room. "Haruhi my dear, I am going to play for you!" Smiling lightly, I watched her take a seat just beside the grand piano that stood alone in the large hall. Looking at her lovingly, I sat at the stool and allowed my fingers to dance across the keys; a slow, passionate melody arising from the instrument in front of me. The song was a new composition of mine, 'Mon Seul et Unique'. After about twenty seconds of playing, I started to sing in French, the words flowing with the music "My dear, my princess don't forget your vows. Our love shall be everlasting..." Of course, she wouldn't understand, but she would get the meaning behind the melody.
As I finished, I looked up to see her gazing at me, tears in her eyes. "I hope you enjoyed it, my love." Haruhi simply nodded and leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. Her soft lips caressed the side of my face, spreading a gentle warmth across my cheeks. "Thank you Tamaki, that was beautiful."
-
"Miss Odessa, your parents are waiting for you in the foyer." I smiled at Adrian's maid, her French was perfect, but you could tell she wasn't used to speaking it, seeing as Adrian's family spoke German at home. Smiling shyly, I reached up and pecked Adrian's cheek before wondering to the foyer to meet with my parents who were waiting to take me home.
"Darling, we have some news for you, please don't be mad." Daddy started off, Mum's gaze shifted to me in the mirror of the car. "What is it?" They both seemed to shift uncomfortably, automatically switching to Ukrainian as they continued, their mother tongue. "Odessa, we've made an arrangement with an old family friend that will save our family from all our debt. It's a large thing to ask, but it would really help us and your siblings. After all, we want them to grow up with the best they can get." Mum's rambling showed how nervous she was. "Mum, Daddy, what is this favour?" Once again, they shifted uncomfortably, meeting one another's eyes before Daddy continued on from where Mum left off. "You see, this arrangement, it's more of a marriage proposal." My eyes narrowed, unsure of what he meant by that. "Marriage?" Mum turned in her seat to look at me. "I'm afraid the cost for your brothers' and sister's future is your hand in marriage." I was shocked to say the least. I could see the concern in Mum's beautiful blue eyes, the sorrow she felt for doing this, but all I felt was betrayal. "Who?" This time Daddy answered me, "a boy in Japan, he's half French, and his Grandmother was friends with my father. I do believe the boy's name was René." Nodding slowly, the anger slowly grew, leaving me simmering.
-
"Tamaki, I'm afraid I have some important news for you." My father stated, motioning for me to take a seat. I did so, looking up at him nervously. "As you know, it is custom for families such as ours to organize arranged marriages between our children." My eyes widened, realizing what he was getting at. "But father, what about Haruhi? I can't just leave her, I love her!" Father looked down, guiltily, at his lap. "I know, but this contract, it's not only about business, it's also the only way to save this family. Please understand, this is a favour from years ago being called on and I really cannot deny it. I'm sure you can try and talk to the other party of the engagement, but I have no insight as to what her views are on this arrangement." I was dumbstruck, the fury in my gut growing stronger and stronger. "Please Tamaki, at least try... I know you love Haruhi, and I think of her as a daughter... But I really can't deny this contract. I'm sorry." As Father finished speaking, I heard his voice crack and looked up to see him looking at me with moist eyes; sorrow and guilt showing genuinely in those orbs of his. At his gaze, the anger seemed to melt away to a low level. "I... I need to talk to Haruhi..." With that, I stood and exited Father's study, calling for a car to take me to my girlfriend's house.