Chapter ten. Moving on...

I apologize for my errors. Thank you for still reading.

It has been eight months since paige died and three months after knowing the other twin, paige. They aren't still friends, but they related in descent conversation whenever paige came to New York for Aria or the cemetery. They usually met at the late paige's apartment which now belongs to Aria. They never really talk much. Though, They have several times found themselves stealing glances at each other. It was obvious to the group there was something there, but no one said anything except hanna. They all wanted to have paige in their lives. it matters to them that they connected with her. Everyone was trying to make the friendship work except for emily.

Hanna had asked her several times why she had refused to be more civil to paige. She said she simply didn't like her. Hanna refused to accept it. She told emily she felt there was more. Emily got angry one time and refused to talk to hanna for two days so hanna never brought it up again.

On the other hand, Shana now calls paige once in a while to say hi. A new friendship was building there. Shana and this paige respected and appreciated each other they were both outspoken and Passionate about what they do. This paige fascinated her. Shana saw her as a more stronger woman. something she had wanted her paige to be.

Emily had finally agrees to start working with Aria at the jewelry shop. Evelyn had given her a job at the accounting office. It has been helping her move on. At first when she started working wayne was happy, really happy. it was something. Then over the last few weeks emily was over doing it. She left very early and came back late. It's like she went all in. Hanna understood it and she explained it to wayne. how can anyone really blame her for working all the time? What was she to do?. She couldn't date it was a waste of time and she couldn't start sleeping with samara again it wasn't fair to either of them. So she worked. It was the only thing to keep sane. Wayne understood so he put his plan in motion.

Everything hanna told wayne was right. After all she and emily were best friends, she knows 'her emmy'.

True, all that hanna said to wayne were going through Emily's mind and even more. Emily prayed her father would kindly just let her be. forget all about that custom thing because She has tried and paige died, she has fallen in love. But the universe didn't allow it last.

Unfortunately for emily she didn't know everything had already been decided and settled. And it is time to include her in it.

A WEEK AGO

"Please tell me you are joking!".

Paige kept laughing and laughing until she had tears coming out of her eyes. She and her adopted brother, the son of Betty. Akin, just got back from Germany after almost a month away to three different countries in two continents. After resting for two days, her father called her down to his office. When she got there he was sitting with her mother Betty and brother Akin.

Betty and Akin didn't look too happy, but they sat there anyways to support Nicklaus in his plan. he promised them what he was about doing was for paige's best interest. He wanted paige to settle down and Alison was never his choice.

Yes, she was like a daughter to him. she is the daughter of one of his longest and closest friends, but she wasn't a wife material. They all knew Alison and Paige's relationship was a push and pull me type. He has never believed paige truly loved her. he doesn't even know why they are still together because they both slept around and they both knew it. The relationship was just unhealthy so, when wayne came to him with a proposal he took it without any doubt that emily was going to be the one for paige. After all first, his other daughter was going to marry the emily. She ought to have been something and secondly, her father wayne, had saved his life and reputation years ago. The fields were definitely worth his daughter.

"Am not joking paige you can laugh all you want, but I have made up my mind". Nicklause said trying to seem in control of the situation. Betty stood up and went to paige. She sat down beside her cupping her face to look at her

"Paige sweetheart I think is time you settle down. You work too hard. You need a partner that will take care of you, really take care of my baby". Paige stood up she couldn't believe her mother has agreed with this without talking to her. She has always supported her whenever she was fighting with her father.

"What is wrong with you people?. Hancock you're in on this nonsense?. That's why you followed me back isn't it?". Akin couldn't look at paige., but answered her.

"B am sorry dad called me a week ago. He told me everything I think is worth a try and besides, you know I never liked Ali, she is not good for you I honestly want you to be really happy".

"And you think this will make me happy?". She hissed and turns to her father.

"Am not a child that you can just push this on me!. I will get married when I want. To whom I want!". Paige was getting irritated she can't believe this time around her father had managed to have Betty and Akin on his side.

"Paige there is no need trying to fight this and stop yelling will you. You're talking to your parents".

"This is the twenty first century!. Who does this?. I have my money I can leave the company for you and Akin. I will go start my own company. you know I can do it". Betty stood up went and sat down near paige again.

Even though she isn't her biological mother. She raised paige and she loves her very much. There was a time Akin accused her of loving paige more than him. Paige slapped him and gave him a week off to get his shit together. That night, He went to Betty drunk and yelling in frustration. as soon as paige entered the house and saw their mother frighten of him, she rushed to him crazy, beating him up. He learnt his lesson, He never disrespected their mother or paige ever since.

"Don't you ever say that. You're not going anywhere paige. Why do you always threaten to leave us whenever you have a fight with Nick?. You want to leave me too without a care paige?. Who leaves his mother when she getting old?". Her mother always uses emotional blackmail to make her stay.

"Ma, you won't succeed this time and you're not that old. Come on Akin married who he loves, Spencer and you want me to marry some girl that my late sister was going to marry?. I can't love her and neither will see love me. She hates me with the way she looks at me and I feel she wishes I was the one dead". Paige sighed and stood up. She went to the window and stood there quietly. Everyone kept quite. After some time she turned, She made up her mind she wasn't going to marry Emily.

"Am not going to marry emily am going to marry Alison and thats the end of it. If you push me I will leave". She turned to her mother.

"Support me or your husband is your choice. Just know I will always be there for you which ever one you choose". Akin hurriedly stood up and went to paige.

"Please Batman you can't marry Alison you don't love her! She is bad for you". He turned to Betty and Nicklaus frustrated.

"Dad don't push B I can't have her marrying Ali. They will kill each other. Dad, Mum? say something please!". Paige turned and started walking to the door.

"Stop right there paige am not done". Nicklaus stood up and turns to his wife.

"Please give us a minute bett. I will tell you all about it later".

"Am not going anywhere Nick You want to threaten my baby for the hundredth time while am gone?. no way am not going anywhere not this time Nick". Betty adjusted herself better on the seat looking straight at her husband. Nick sighed and held his forehead then sat back down.

The women in his life always cause him problems he wondered why he always seems the bad guy. Well, he already has everything planned, he always had a backup plan.

"If you do this I will... I will relieve some of my powers on the board to you".

Paige turns. was she hearing him right?. She had wanted that for so long. Her father vetoed a lot of things she wanted to do in the company. when it came to NGOS and charities. With this she could do all she ever wanted. Nick knew it and now he was blackmailing her into marrying emily in other to get what she had ever wanted.

"What is this Nick?. Why now?. I could have talked some more sense to her. why do you always have to piss us up?. This is total a blackmail!. I won't allow it happen this way, you hear me? I won't...". Betty was angry. She wanted paige to marry, but not like this.

"I will do it!" Paige announced. Betty and Akin all turns to her in surprise, but not Nicklaus. he always knew how to get her. Paige starts moving back smirking while looking straight at her father.

"I will do it if I have all the NGOS, head our Mercedes deals and have my say In part of nester oil. You will not veto anything on the NGOS and I can do as I desire with my personal funds. I don't need you sticking your nose in how I spend my money. If you'd agree and sign the papers I'll present, we'll have a deal".

"Paige I don't like it when you turn everything in to a business deal. What is wrong with you two!". Betty can't believe what was happening. They always dare each other it wasn't healthy.

"Deal". Nicklaus stood up and gave paige his hand smiling.

"I will have the papers by today's end when you sign I shall marry her whenever you want. I know you dad, so everything will happen AFTER you sign it". Paige warns.

"I said deal paige no funny business you'll thank me later".

"I doubt that, but I will enjoy my work while my wife gets whatever she wants. We will all be happy". She shakes his hand, gave her mother a kiss and a pat on Akin's hand then turned to walk out.

"Paige that's not marriage".

She left happy saying "bye ma" to Betty without looking back. Nicklaus held his wife laughing.

"Don't worry bett, everything will work out fine. She has accepted to marry Emily that's all that matters. I tell you from all I've found out, we're going to be happy in-laws. This is the best decision paige has ever made. Just wait and see sweetheart, just wait and see". He kept laughing while his wife and Akin didn't look too convinced. They prayed he was right.

PRESENT DAY

This paige wasn't as friendly as the other paige, she seems arrogant like her parents, proud and snobby, but she had Paige's face and something he couldn't put his head on. So wayne investigated her and he found her to be just about perfect for Emily. She is what he wished and hope for emily. She isn't like late paige, but she is something more. he was sure she was a fit for his emmy. He was sure emily and this paige will save each other out of their present state, he prayed he is right.

Wayne, Evelyn and Nicolas had a meeting about a month ago. Wayne brought them the idea that emily should still be betrothed to the other twin, this Paige. He told them he didn't want to put emily through another fresh process of finding a family to be betrothed to. Time wasn't on her side, his extended family have already started talking. Emily has passed the age he didn't want them taunting her. He just wanted a relationship that won't last more than some few months. Emily was already more than 22 years. He prefers to just marry her off to this paige immediately if he could.

Nicolas who is still in shock due to Evelyn's betray refused to be part of it. He was hurt. He couldn't believe paige wasn't his. He couldn't believe they were two and Evelyn didn't tell him or Nicklaus. He was leaving with the devil until aria marries so he tells himself.

Evelyn has already arrived. She was seated in Wayne's sitting room with wayne, Ashley and her husband. they were like Emily's other parents. Wayne had asked for their support they weren't too thrill at first, but they understood where he coming from so they gave him their support. They felt this paige will make emily happy even if not now, but in the near future.

After some time they heard Emily's car stops. Wayne had asked her to come back early they needed to talk. As emily enters she was shocked to see everyone there. She hasn't gone to the cream mansion since their last outburst, but she has seen evelyn few times at the office. Their relationship wasn't back to the way it used to be, but they were making progress.

"Hi guys. To what do I owe the pleasure of having you all seated together waiting for me?". She knew the answer, but she didn't want to believe her father was going ahead so soon. She Stood looking and waiting for their answer. Wayne spoke up.

"Emily, we asked you here for a reason. An important one at that. You might not like what we are going to say or do, but please do know it is for your best interest". Emily just quietly watch and waited for him to continue.

"emmy we have found a Match for you". Wayne had to swallow his silver then out the words twice because it was like the blood has drained from Emily's face.

"is tradition so the betrothing has to continue. We're sorry paige is dead, but time is not on our side we have to move on". Emily turns to face the window she couldn't look at them. she had tears, she couldn't breath. it was as if they were trying to kill her or something. She opens the window and stood there. After breathing in and out her breathing became normal so wayne continues he had to get this out before Nicklaus and paige got there."Am sorry emmy, but this has got to be done". Evelyn chipped in trying to help wayne.

"Emily, paige would have wanted you to be happy I know it. All she ever wanted was to make you happy". Emily still didn't turn. She didn't want to look at their faces, but she needed to know to whom.

"Who are you getting rid of me to?". The room was quite. It was so quite emily thought they didn't hear her so she repeated herself."I asked who are you getting rid of me to..."

"Paige Nicklaus McCullers" wayne answered softly. Emily frantically turns and walks to the nearest couch facing them all.

"What the hell!?. how, why, when did you do this?. When did you even decide this?. Is this a joke?. What the fuck is this?!" Emily asks fuming in a disrespectful manner.

"A month ago!" Wayne hisses. "And it's settled, do you understand emmy? It's final!. Your first betrothing ended and we didn't have a choice. It was god's will. I have tried to give you time emmy, but time is what we don't have. You're already twenty two years, you can't pass that in this house is an abomination I can't have you taunted I just can't".wayne wanted emily to understand. She could be so stubborn. She just kept staring at wayne through eyes huge with horror and disbelief.

"Are you telling me that you made all arrangements with the McCullers without even consulting me? You did all this without considering my feelings?"

"Damn you emily!" her father hiss between his clenched teeth. "You're what matters must!, how dare you think otherwise!. Every decision I have ever made was for your own good".

"You must really love me so much" Emily whispers brokenly.

"You're finally managing to get rid of me again forever. you have been waiting to!" Emily cried. With sudden heartbreaking clarity, no wonder no one pushed or spoke about looking for another family for her to be betrothed to. They are all in on it.

"Why must I go to that God forsaking family?. Why do you want to punish me by marrying me off to the twin of my late fiancée?. Can't you see it's going to be much more harder for me?.

Closing her eyes against the painful tears that threatened. emily wanted to be strong she didn't want to cry, but the tears kept coming. she saw her father through a bleary haze. She walks and then stops right in front of him. drawing a long, anguished breath.

"You never really loved me. You wanted a boy in the first place. I was never good enough. Everything I had to do twice to make you happy and proud. Well guess what? I wish I was dead like my mother!. I wish you weren't my father! I wish I was never born into this stupid silly custom. I thank god for killing my mother and leaving you alone...!.

"How dare you!" Wayne thundered, slapping her across the face with a force that sends her to her knees. His hand lifted to strike her again, but the fury in Paige's voice checked him in mid-motion.

"Wayne don't you dare!". None of them heard paige and Nicklaus enter the house. Paige was so shocked when wayne hit emily she didn't know when she spoke.

Wayne's face froze, then sagged with defeat as he sank back into his chair. Emily stood up and swung around to face her 'rescuer' her voice shaking with fury. She knew it was paige."You pampered arrogant little piece of shit " emily cursed her.

Despite such abuse, Paige saw that emily's beautiful brown eyes which were hurling daggers at her were also glittering with unshed tears. Emily was trying to be stronger in front of her."I understand your anger" paige softly and gently says.

Emily's thoughts circles she didn't believe paige genuine calmnes., so she tries to look for some spot where she could thrust the blade of her anger.

"So what now?. You what to fuck your sister's fiancée too?. Should I remove my clothes so you can Fuck me right here in front of everyone?".

"That's enough!" Paige interrupted quietly, coming to her feet. Emily was daring them all. Wayne's fist crashed against the chair, his roar vibrating through the room.

"I will not tolerate anymore of your nonsense emily!. You're now going to be betroth to paige Nicklaus McCullers and that is final!". he lost his temper then he softens again. Something has got to work.

"She will make you happy again I know she will emmy. Please don't make this harder than is already is". wayne said from behind her.

"Oh God" Emily scoffed and hiss glaring at Evelyn. How did you manage to convince my father to do this to me Evelyn?. Papa Marin?. Mama Marin? You all are just going to watch him do this?". They all kept quite. Ashely was crying she didn't know what to say. Emily continues.

"Why most it be her?. Can't you see she is the doppelgänger?. She is Katherine or geeta. the evil twin!. Can't you find somebody else dad?. Please find somebody, anybody, but not her!" Emily turns to paige.

"You coward! I wouldn't marry you if you were the last girl standing" Jerking her head away, she hisses furiously then spits on paige. Paige brought out some tissues from her pocket cleans her face then composes herself not to lose her temper. She spoke softly trying to make things better.

"Is not what you think emily. am doing this for paige". Emily narrows her eyes as if she wasn't hearing and seeing properly.

"You liar!. how dare you use Paige's name in this?. You think I didn't notice the way you look at me. You are doing this for your selfish interest!". Emily couldn't stay one place. She was so mad and irritated by her father, Evelyn and paige. She moves to paige.

"I'll hate you for this until the day I die!". Ignoring her Paige says gently "I want you to go to bed now and try to get some sleep. You're angry I understand. I'll come back tomorrow afternoon. There are many explanations I'll like to make, and I'll make them when you're in a better frame of mind to listen to them".

Not for one second was emily deceived by Paige's pretense of tender concern towards her. The moment Paige finishes speaking, emily March fast towards the door.

As she was nearly out the door paige wouldn't let her leave without adding to her pain in an arrogantly, authoritative voice.

"Emily, I expect you to be here when I arrive. I want all this over with the soonest". Emily's hand froze on the handle. her heart shriek, her resentment of paige's commands, her directives, her existence!. Without so much as a backward glance to indicate she'd heard, she went out the door and shuts it behind her with a crash. As if to break it.

Emily ran up the stairs, then down the hall towards the safety and sanity of her room. Once inside it, she leans against the door in a cold trembling paralysis . . .staring at the cheerful cozy room she had left so excitedly in the morning. her mind unable to cope with the disaster that is now her life. Will she ever be happy in this life at all?. Emily asks herself.

Downstairs in the study, the awful ominous silence lengthened. The tension in the room could warm a frozen leftovers. Paige stood staring outside with murderous rage emanating from every inch of her beautiful, powerful frame. She couldn't believe wayne didn't tell emily about being betrothed to her until today. She thought she and her dad were just coming to greet the fields in acceptance of the betrothing. Paige sighed.

"I know what you're thinking. Am sorry I didn't tell her before now. I just wanted to get it over with today. She can be so stubborn. And I...I have never raised my hand against her I swear it. I didn't mean to hit her. She just had to push it too far. What can I do now?" wayne whispered, his face guilty ridden.

Paige's head jerked around. "What can you do?" She snaps angrily. "You've done enough!. Emily will definitely marry me, but she'll make you pay for what happened tonight and in doing so, she'll make me pay as well!". She hissed then her tone changed soften, her words coming out slowly.

"From this night forward, I will take charge of all things patterning the wedding. no matter what she says, we're all going to keep our mouths shut!. You people here have already done enough". Wayne and the marins nodded and look away. Nicklaus kept staring at wayne. They needed to talk about his actions today. Evelyn was too shocked to say anything. This paige was indeed her parent's child.

Next, their married life begins.

Cheers!