Page 59 of Lau Ahi
“We don’t have a typical family, Sasha. If you look at people in our tax bracket we’re probably far more well-adjusted than most of them because none of us have attempted to murder the other to seize an inheritance.”
She laughed slightly, and I couldn’t imagine what was funny. “There’s still time for that.”
I smiled at her wry sense of humor especially since she was right. People normally only turned to murder when the one controlling the finances died. Abo was in great health so I should probably be more wary of the family I didn’t rock with. “True indeed. I’m more than happy to sign my share over to you to avoid the hassle.”
“Unnecessary.”
I could hear the smile in her voice but I meant every word I’d said. As it stood, I had someone who would financially provide for me and although my sister’s career and her trust fund were more than generous, I’d give her whatever money necessary. Especially since the financials I’d seen from Ori meant I wouldn’t need it. He’d added my name to his accounts and given me some fancy new phone that I’d never seen. His banking app preloaded and the amount of available cash was jaw-dropping. Even if we didn’t work out. He had already put in our contract that a nine-figure settlement would be at my disposal in case of death or divorce.
Best pay pig I’d ever had.
Well, you slept with this one so…
“If you look at it this way, we’re becoming even more normal with the way this marriage has been procured. Set out on the marriage mart like beautiful offering and got snatched up. Why in God’s name would I want to pretend we’re something we’re not only to set me up for failure later? Do you understand the damage that would be caused if myemotionsgot involved?”
“I’d almost forgotten that you had those.”
My laughter joined hers because the idea was ludicrous to say the least. “Go fuck yourself, Sasha.”
“I don’t know. Maybe the idea that you’re going to be someone’s wife has me thinking that it’s possible for there to be something more for us.”
“Is this sentimentality creeping in? Has someone tickled your fancy?”
“No, you fool.”
“Do you want to be married? If so, I’m sure that this agreement doesn’t specify me and only speaks on the daughter of William Avery which you are. Out of the two of us, I’m sure you’re the more desired.”
I was merely talking, and of course I wouldn’t back out of this now. The idea of my sister, my bloody twin, knowing what Ori felt like immediately made me possessive. Which, again, pissed me off. As much as I talked about the problems that would happen if my emotions got involved, at some point some of them already were.
Major issue right there, Asha.
“We are not bloody interchangeable.”
“We know that but how many people don’t? Back then we were the perfect pair. Mother ensured we looked the part even though it meant that I had to practically starve to match your figure. And although I’m far less physically perfect now given my size, I’m sure a quick fast and round of GLP-1s would have me welcomed into the high fashion fold.”
Sasha was laughing but she knew that I wasn’t far off. Her face was in such high demand that if people remembered there were two of us and I could get down to her size we’d never get a break from working.
“You truly are ridiculous. You would rather die than be nice to people.”
I laughed feeling less stressed just talking to Sasha. “You’re right. I’d rather brave this arrangement than have to undergo the ridiculous scrutiny you’ve survived and then conquered all these years.”
“What are you going to do?”
Her question brought me back to reality fast. “I have no earthly idea.”
“I need to meet this man. If he has you thinking that marriage isn’t a fate worse than death or the vapidness of the industry he must be some sort of miracle worker.”
“You’re more than welcome to come whenever you feel the need.”
Sasha gasped causing me to laugh again. “An open invitation? That’s truly another miracle. This man has to be related to a god for you to not be melting down right now.”
“I might value my privacy but you’re always welcome. Besides, having an ally at hand would probably be good to keep me from doing something crazy.”
“I feel like our father should be doing far more to make this transition easier for you.”
“Ha! Him and his causes are why I’m in this mess now, don’t you understand?” I wasn’t mad at my dad but I was frustrated. He didn’t seem upset by this turn of events and tried to focus on the positives whenever I talked to him.
“I never know how to react when you remind me of that.”
