Track #15: Blank Space
Taylor Swift
"Madame, Mr. vi Britannia has arrived."
There is a tear at the edge of her dress that she is noticing just now. A size not needing worry and agitation. Almost invisible to everyone except for her. So she does not mind it at all this time and lifts her amber eyes to the men standing infront of her.
Her gaze first flits to the butler giving him a polite nod before turning to the well-dressed man who has never stray his eyes away from her.
Standing up, she holds out her hand and greets him in a tone that is both inviting and challenging. "Good evening, Mr. vi Britannia. I am glad to finally meet you."
The man, Mr. vi Britannia, gives her a silent once-over. She feels a thrilling rush as those piercing amethyst eyes roam from her head to her red crystal high heels and back to her face where their eyes finally meet. It does not escape her how his gaze lingered on her exposed collar bones and neck. His close lips curve to a tiny smile suggesting secrets and hidden thoughts.
"Likewise, Ms. Corabelle." He accepts her hand but instead of the expected handshake that is supposed to mark the distance appropriate for those who have just met for the first time, he bends and gives the back of her hand a fluttering kiss.
"Though I must say, that this meeting should have taken place much sooner. It seems like I've been missing out on a lot of things."
The flirtatious implication does not escape her notice. She raises an eyebrow at him as he straightens and gestures for them to sit down.
This secluded part of the restaurant provides a soft dim atmosphere for lovers who want intimacy at the moment, for friends who want to converse about serious matters, for meetings of business, and for their situation, for possible marriage in the future.
"The waiters will be bringing our food later, thus there is no need to hassle yourself from scouring the menu."
"And you assume that I would like whatever they would be preparing?" There's a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Well..." Leaning forward, she places her elbow on top of the table and rests her chin on her palm. She looks at him through her eyelashes, a move that always captivates the men in her life. Or rather, the past men in her life. "I understand that you are a gentleman. Or are the newspapers and magazines wrong about describing you?"
Instead of answering, Mr. vi Britannia bestows her a smirk.
The wine arrives first. Something made a few decades ago, something considered high-class and enticing, the waiter explains. But she does not pay that much attention to him for she is busy figuring out the man sitting before her.
"Mr. vi Britannia..."
"Please call me 'Lelouch'."
"Lelouch, I heard that the Britannia Enterprises is facing a crisis right now. And if that is proven true, it is something that would be definitely hard to recover from."
"That's how it is. A mere 'hearsay' created by the rival companies," he answers before taking a sip of his wine. His Adam's apple moves as the liquid dances down his throat and she finds it oddly mesmerizing.
Bringing the glass to her mouth, she utters, "Then I suppose that bankruptcy is not the reason why you proposed this marriage arrangement."
A scoff. "Please, my company could easily conquer Corabelle Corporations with just a snap of my fingers. The very reason why I offered this is simply because I wanted a muse."
"A muse?" She is starting to get amused by him.
He places both of his elbows on the table, hands clasped, as he leans towards her, a lion surveying his lioness. "Indeed. A woman of equal grace and aura who will not get overshadowed by my own persona. But I am looking for someone who is not just a pretty face, I want a woman who can make me more powerful. Someone who is smart, independent, and principled. A woman who they will worship and envy. When people look at her, they must feel a sense of otherworldliness that their mortal minds cannot comprehend. And most of all, a woman who can be a queen. Beautiful, wise, unattainable."
"And you think that I can be one?" She wants to laugh. Good grief, she badly wants to laugh if only it wouldnt ruin her posture and crumple her dress. Each word that came out of his mouth are both complimenting and insulting. So the gossips are true. Lelouch vi Britannia, CEO of the world-renowned Britannia Enterprises, is certainly a narcissistic man who marvels on the insecurities and fear of those who are beneath him. She had heard of him of course. In this narrow world of business, it is a survival instinct to consider each company a rival to public consumption. And here with her is her biggest enemy.
Who thinks that she is an ornament he can utilize for his own benefit.
It's her turn to smirk.
"You think that I am fit for the role?" she taunts.
"What I think matters less than how the public would perceive you." The way he flashes his white teeth is comparable to a vampire about to drink the blood of his victim. "Let's see, Cecilia Corabelle, president of the Corabelle Corporations, philantrophist, artist..."
Lelouch waits for the waiter to finish serving their food before continuing. She stares at him, at this handsome intimidating man with eyes like gemstones. It fascinates her how different he is from how the media portrays him - an adventurous bachelor who loves to travel, who presents a wide pleasant smile on each of his pictures. A friendly man who just happens to be the CEO of one of the biggest business ventures in the world. Someone who looks so approachable and down-to-earth. That last word almost choke her due to irony.
But can she blame him? We all have a mask to wear in order to face and survive the realities of this world. And she had worn a lot.
"But," it is a comma - a brief pause for what should be an impending revelation yet it does not faze her. "Already twice divorced in just a span of six years with cheating scandals in between. Now," he leans back looking pleased with himself, "That is such a huge risk for me to take, isn't it?"
Ah, she understands now. She understands how he would manipulate this charade, why, out of nowhere, she received a marriage proposal from one of the most sought after personalities in the industry in the middle of a very important meeting, sealed inside a scented white envelope.
She was surprised at first, when her secretary entered the meeting room and brought her the envelope. Much more surprised upon finding out whom it was from. And definitely in intense disbelief after reading the words written on the pink paper.
"We're not even married yet and you're already lying," she grins. "It is not about how the public would perceive me but how it would see you. Lelouch vi Britannia, the man who succeeded to tame and capture the heart of the estranged Cecilia Corabelle. The knight in shining armor, the prince charming. Does it sound nice to you?"
Finally, a wrinkle forms in between his brows as annoyance thinned his lips. Perfect. She wants to get under his skin especially with how low he is treating her. As if she is another pawn in his chess set he would set to offense his enemies. She wants him agitated. She wants him mad. She wants him under her fingers without him knowing it.
Because Cecilia Corabelle is no one's pawn as much as she is no one's woman. Lelouch is right about one thing though. She is indeed smart, independent, and principled. And perhaps too much, for those are the primordial reasons of her divorce cases.
They couldn't tie her, they said.
She's too in control, they complained.
For a woman, she knows too much it is dangerous to let her wander alone, to let her out of their sights or else she would topple them from their pedestal in just a blink.
Those are her most favorite compliments.
Leaning back, chin up, she looks at him with cold nonchalance. "And how about the other women? Your paramours?"
"Will play no role in this game. I have a reputation to protect, after all. But if you ever get the urge to cheat, do me a favor and inform me at once so I can arrange it away from the eyes of the media?" he snarls. It is not a request but rather a silent warning that would definitely end with a punishment if left unheeded.
Cecilia grabs the knife before her and casually twirls it in between her fingers. The sharp edge occasionally brushes against her skin reminding her of the danger it could cause. Lelouch's eyes quickly dart to the movement, suspicious but wary. No one hasn't dared to touch their foods leaving them exposed and cold.
A steady prickling on her skin keeps her alert, but not because of fear from the warning but because she is disgusted by the way he is ordering her.
Only a few chosen people know about the truth behind those scandals and she wants to keep it that way. Few important people who deserve the truth and Lelouch vi Britannia does not qualify in that category. Let him think what he wants, let those scandals worry him, perhaps she can use those to irk him more, to trigger his temper until he explode and show his true colors.
Until he is on his knees desperately begging for her mercy.
Like them.
She gives him a knowing smile just to tease. "I can't make any promises."
"And I don't make light of my warnings," he counters.
This time, she gives in and laughs openly. She laughs like she is witnessing the funniest jester on the planet, turning the nearby customers towards her way. And she laughs some more when Lelouch's face is not too pleased with the attention they are getting.
"May I know what is funny?" He is smiling but his lips are pressed into a thin line.
She waves him off until she calms down. She needs to calm down or else she would scare him and make him back out of this game when it hasn't even started yet. And what? Ruin the fun? She hasn't have fun since her divorce with Kururugi and that was already a year ago.
"Sorry," she chuckles. "I just find this situation very much amusing. I never imagined myself to be sitting here, talking about marriage like it's a business deal necessary to close."
"Isn't that what we business people always do? So, do you agree with the conditions?"
Staring at him, she waits until he is squirming on his seat but it does not happen. Of course, it wouldn't. She is facing Lelouch vi Britannia here, a master of lie and deception and squirming is as foreign as the concept of losing to him. He meets her stare with his own piercing one, those amethyst eyes looking very sharp as diamonds. The warm glow of the candles makes him look like both an angel in church and a devil welcoming you to hell.
And Cecilia feels the familiar thrill she often craves. Her heart is racing, her eyes must be dilated. She holds the knife tighter feeling the cold metal engrave itself into her skin.
Does she agree with the conditions?
Yes, yes. She definitely will.
Do those conditions put her at a disadvantage?
Of course, but it's all part of it. The feeling of being trapped, of being shackled to someone is everything that will drive her mad enough to be reckless and to free herself from being owned.
Does Lelouch vi Britannia worthy of it all?
He's proud, coldhearted, and selfish. She loathes him and that's what would make defeating him much sweeter. A beautiful victory over a beautifully vile man.
The urge to laugh again comes to her but Cecilia tries her best to hold it in. It's like looking at the mirror when she peers at him now. His face reflects her ambitions and dreams. And she is starting to get sick and mad.
She extends her hand between them and says, "It's a deal."
Lelouch sighs in relief and in that brief moment of letting his guard down, she catches a glimpse of the boy he had been before. He clasps her hand with his own firm grip sealing the agreement.
"A deal, it is."
Then taking his hand back, he produces a small black box from his pocket and kneels on one knee infront of her. She hears the gasp of their audience as Lelouch asks her to marry him - complete with that hopeful tone and sparkling eyes - and their applause when she said 'Yes'.
The diamond is nothing too showy and loud. Instead, it lays in the middle of the ring like a lone star in the galaxy.
He kisses her long and hard and Cecilia allows herself to be a vulnerable woman for a moment and savors his dark taste and tongue.
"This is going to be an interesting business deal," he smiles.
"It will definitely cost you a lot, Mr. vi Britannia," she smiles back.
After all, when everything is said and done between them, he will just be another name in her long list of past lovers. No matter how famous and important he is.