The Arrangement
Disclaimer: I own nothing except OCs.
Also, the timeline and reality has been tweaked a not so small amount – I'm sorry, it was necessary for the plot.
Chapter 1
Melanie's POV
They say 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'. Well, I prefer to think, hell hath no fury like a woman who is forced into ridiculous scenarios by men, against their will. Even more so, if it is men I should have been able to trust. My name is Melanie Runnels and I have been betrayed in the worst possible way. I swear, mom is rolling over in her grave right now.
How could Dad do this to me?
"What the fuck were you thinking"?!
"Watch your language young lady", my father snapped back. Is this an acceptable response for what he's done? I think not. I did the next thing that came naturally. I threw a glass at his head. Despite his age, he still moves fast enough to dodge it. Damn him, damn him all the way to Hades…
"Seriously? An arranged marriage dad? Again, what the fuck was going through your fucking head? Its 2013 for Christ sake! Do you hate me this much"?!
Dustin wrapped his arms around me and tucked my head under his chin.
"Come on Mellie, calm down, please. It's gonna be OK baby girl, I promise".
Dustin always knew how to calm me down. Right now I really hate him for it. He just needs to pull out the puppy dog eyes and I am a goner. Cody just stayed to one side biting his lip and staring at the floor. I know what he's thinking. Twins always do right? He blames himself. I don't blame him, I blame the patriarch of the family. The man who is going to give me an explanation. Right the hell now.
I pull away from Dustin and sit at the kitchen table. I fix my father with the iciest stare I can and he doesn't flinch. God, he really doesn't care about me in this situation does he? I have some support though. Dustin sits down beside me and puts his arm round the back of my chair. Cody still hasn't moved. Dustin can understand me on this. Cody can't. Always daddy's favourite.
"It was the only way to get the boy's jobs back".
That was it? This is his master reason?
"What about me"?
"Sweetie, you just finished college. You have a lull just now. Dustin and Cody don't. You need to help out your brothers. Darlin"-
"Bullshit. This is complete bullshit. What about my career huh? What about my dreams"?
"Melanie, I have supported you. But, I just don't think it is a feasible career. If you had done what you were told"-
"So what, you just let me spend the last six years at the best art school in the country until I became useful? You knew this was what I wanted to do, you knew that. I don't have any interest in wrestling, I never did. I defied your plans for your children and this is you taking your revenge isn't it? This is incredibly pathetic dad".
My voice shook slightly. Of course, this was all so clear. I could see my dad's grand plan now. We never saw eye to eye on this. He waited, bided his time and that was that. My life was over before it had even begun. I had to cast away my future just so my brothers could have theirs? In what universe is this fair? I could feel tears stinging at the back of my eyes.
"Dad, we can find another way around this", Dustin pleaded, and his grip tightened. "Cody's still really young. I don't need to go back, not really".
"This is about family honour here", Dusty's eyes hardened. "I will not let them walk all over us. We go along with this and you two have guaranteed contracts for another term. Melanie can take her place in the family business. It's what is best for everyone. The Rhodes dynasty remains strong. End of discussion".
My anger resurfaced.
"Best for the family? Get real dad. What you've done, it's best for yourself and best for your sons. You don't care what you're putting me through, because all you care about is your sons and your wrestling legacy"!
That did it, the floodgates are open. Hastily I swiped the few tears away that had spilled onto my face.
"Please dad", my voice dropped an octave. "Please don't sign that contract. Please".
His next words chilled me to the bone.
"It's too late. The contract is signed. The agreement is made".
Normal POV
In the vast gardens of the Runnel's estate was a swing attached to an old oak tree. Melanie loved it here. It was out of view of the house, it caught the sun and it was the perfect place to sit and think. This part of the garden smelled like honeysuckle. It had always comforted her. She came her when Cody left for the WWE, she came here the day they buried her mothers and she came here every time she felt let down by daddy dearest. Suffice to say, she came here a lot. Only difference was, today she was followed.
"You were so much help", the sarcasm dripping out of her mouth was almost overwhelming. "Truly, my hero. What was it you used to say Codes? Oh that was it, 'I will always be there for you Mellie'. Unless your career is on the line right? After all, wrestling comes first".
Cody flopped down on the ground beside the swing. "I'm sorry".
"I know you are".
The two sat in silence for a while longer. Cody plucked a few blades of grass and twirled them in his fingers. God, everything was so screwed up. He loved his little sister more than anything and he had let her down.
"I know it wasn't easy Codes". Melanie started to swing a little while she spoke to him. In many ways, it reminded Cody of when they were children. "I know it's your career and you've always wanted it. I don't want to stand in the way of you going back".
Cody leaned back against the warm wood of the old oak tree.
"But what about you Mellie"?
Melanie shrugged.
"It isn't right. It shouldn't be this way".
"No, but if it gets you and Dustin what you want, then maybe it's worth it. I wouldn't do this for dad, but I would do what I can to help you both. You're my brothers, I love you".
"We love you too. But it doesn't mean I'm OK, with any of this".
"Oh god no, far from it".
Just like that, things were alright with the twins. Melanie hopped off the swing and plopped down next to Cody. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"Do you know who it is"?
"I have no idea. I can try and find out though"?
"No. Doesn't matter. It's not like it'll change anything. I am about to be sold in marriage before I'm ready, and to a man I don't know and have never met. I don't think dad's being honest though".
"How do you mean"?
"Something just doesn't add up. They can give you and Dustin jobs without me. What is dad hiding"?
Cody sighed and rested his head against hers. "I wish I knew".
Dusty's POV
"So it's all sorted on your end then"?
Dusty pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, Melanie will do it".
"Of course she will, she loves her brothers. Plus she knows how to stay in line. I'm warning you Dusty, anything happens that goes against us, it will go badly for all of your children".
"Is there no way we can alter it? What do you want with Melanie? She isn't a wrestler or a promoter. She's an artist. She has no value to you or the company". Dusty hoped against hope that there was some way to spare his daughter.
"Think of her more as our insurance policy. She'll be perfectly safe, I swear. As long as your boys keep their heads down and do what we say. You too Dusty. I hear the slightest peep that you're in any way against this situation or complain in any way, your boys are out, you are out, and your daughter will wish she had never been born".
"I understand".
"Good, now get Melanie to that dress fitting tomorrow and don't be late on Tuesday. Pleasure doing business with you".
The phone line went dead and Dusty stayed at his desk for a long time after. This was another step in the clash of the infamous wrestling legacies. But now he wondered if it was a step too far.