The Arrangement (Closed)

[Mayu]

Life was almost impossible for a woman, women to there fathers were not even people. They were nothing but cattle, sadly however Eden Tate was about to learn that the very hard way. Her father wanted her to have education but what she did not really find out till two years ago. That she would be marrying a man that he choose for her. Who ever would give him the most for her, rather it be in money, cattle or even both.

Eden was a very beautiful girl she had the blackest of hair that was very silky and curly though not out of control curly. She had piercing grey eyes, sometimes her eyes looked blue or even grey. Which was part of the reason people called her stormy sometimes. It was a term of endearment from her mother, though her father did not really seem to give a shit about her. Least that was how she felt at the time, and she did not like the way he made her feel either.

She had been warned that a new suitor was coming for her, she was told nothing about him. She did not know how old he was, she had no idea what kind of a man he was. She knew zero about the man, and that really made her worry. Because she had a fire in her and if he ever tried to kill her? she would probably try and kill him, but right now nothing seemed to matter. She was an object to be owned.

Feeling alone was very hard, she was in the garden in the back, listing to the birds chirping and she had a thick book in her hand. Her young eyes swallowing up every single word. She did not care if a lot of men did not want there wives to be smart. But she just did not seem to give a shit about anything, she was kept in the dark about everything. But what surprise would they be getting? only time would tell.

 

[garajd]

Alden Tremain, approaching his 50th birthday, came to the realization that, unless he married and had a son of his own, his sizeable estate would be left to his siblings or their children. He had been much more successful than any of them and the thought of them living off his estate was repulsive to him. Being the oldest, and now the only one without heirs, it was time to act.

Having surveyed the eligible females in his area, he met with several of the fathers and finally came to a decision that he would approach the father of Eden Tate. Yes, she had the reputation of a bit of a "firebrand", but Alden was used to dealing with such personalities. In his chosen profession of landowner, he had met with numerous employees who thought they knew better than he how to manage his properties.

The negotiations with Mr. Tate went quite smoothly, actually; although he was a successful businessman, the promise of a partnership with Alden Tate in two of his properties would bring in more annual income than he was already earning. The "Arrangement" was agreed to and all the papers were signed.

Once the papers were properly notarized and filed, the wedding would occur within 30 days.

One Week Later

Alden arose early, as he regularly did, showered and prepared to travel to the Tate residence to meet his bride-to-be.

 

[Mayu]

Right now things were going smoothly least for her father, Eden had known very well that her father got money some how but had no idea how. And right now everything was going as it should be least on her parents end. Her mother knew where her place was, after being married to her father for so many years. Her heart was in her reading and in her paintings, she was young but very smart. A lot of people said she had a young body but an old soul, she wasn't your typical girl.

But then she was told of what her father did and she was beyond pissed, she made that well known. She threw a fit and threw a few of her books at her father in the fight, but there was nothing more that could be done. She locked herself in her room and refused to open up accept to go to the bathroom. She was lonely and had not eaten in almost a week, but she knew the man who bought her was coming shortly. She had no idea who this man was but she was far from happy.

Her father pretty much had to knock the door down to get her out, he made her pack only what was agreed upon which wasn't much. And he grabbed her by the wrist and waited for the man to come to the home. Her eyes were very grey and dark, her hair up in a braid but she was very hurt by her fathers actions. This whole thing was crazy and right now? She just wanted to die. The thought of any man he did not love touch her made her sick to her stomach, and angry.

She waited and hated her father.

 

[garajd]

Alden traveled the short distance from his large mansion to the smaller, but still impressive, home of the Tates. Those in who he had confided his arrangement, laughed and warned him that Eden was going to be tougher to control than any of his tenants or employees. Even with his supreme confidence in his abilities, Alden was a bit apprehensive as he drove thru town to the other side . . . and his future wife.

Being greeted by Mr. Tate, Alden was welcomed into the great hallway. He could hear two women's voices in the library off the hall, not in normal conversational tones. Looking at Mr. Tate, "Let me handle this." Opening the door of the library and stepping in, shocking the two women, obviously mother and daughter, in the midst of their rage, "Excuse me for interrupting, but may I speak with Miss Eden . . . alone?" The tone in my voice indicates that this is not really a question, but a command.

 

[Mayu]

She was not to sure what was going to happen to her, and now it did not matter. She tried to ignore the fact someone was there, she heard someone walk in and the voice did not startle her. Looking up at him she heard the command and her mother got up bowed her head and left them alone shutting the door behind her. She would never bow down to this man like that, she was a person with ideas and thoughts in her own damn head. She was in a simple sky blue summer dress.

Now would be the time to see what he planned on doing with her, she held no respect to men like him and like her father. Mot men where the same, not all but a lot were. This man would be no damn different and never would she bow down and do anything willingly she would rather die first. Right now? She just did not seem to care. Looking down she showed him no mind, she got up and put her book back on the shelf. She did admit however he was rather good looking.

 

[garajd]

"Miss Eden, please sit down. Before we leave this room, there are a few things I would like to say to you."

 

[Mayu]

She heard his voice "Father already explained it, I am pretty much nothing but something you own now" She said sitting down and looking at him.

 

[garajd]

"Miss Eden, I do believe that your Father and I have differing views about the relationship between a husband and his wife; I'm sure you find that statement shocking. Yes, we are being married because of a business arrangement between your father and me."

"However, I do not now, and never will, look at you as 'property'. I own plenty of property and none of them are as beautiful as you, nor have the personality that you have."

Giving you a few moments to let my words sink in before continuing. "Once we leave today, and are married at the Court House, we will return to my house. I have set aside one of the guest rooms for you to use as your own. I will not demand that you consummate our marriage tonight. I only hope that over the next few days, maybe a couple of weeks, that you will see that I have a different expectation of my marriage than what you have seen."

"I want you to sit with me in my office and learn about my property holdings, and why I feel the need at this time, to prepare for the future by having an heir of my own."

 

[Mayu]

She watched him very carefully since he was a very unique kind of person, the way he spoke to her and how he did not speak down to her. She did not know if this was a trap or anything, but something inside her started to believe little things he was saying. How was it her father was a dick yet this man before her wasn't? Perhaps it was how he had been raised, course she suspected the man before her may have been older then her father. She felt in that moment that everything was what it should be.

He was willing to give her a room and not force himself on her, that to was something very different. Right now? She had no idea what to think any more, it was different and moments like this everything seemed to good to be true really. But perhaps she would give him a chance, she had a feeling her father was pacing back and forth like the mad man he was, she had no idea exactly how things were going to go, but right now she smiled weakly at him. She was beautiful to him?

Taking a deep breath she did not know how this would go and right now it did not seem to really matter to her, cocking her head to the side a little she just nodded more to him. "alright" She finally voiced and agreed with him, she did not know how this would go but right now it did not seem to really matter. "Is that all?" She said in a respectful tone, she wasn't going soft but respected his views and what he was so willing to give her. But also knew this could be a trap all the same.

 

[garajd]

"Yes, that is all, for now. I assume you have packed only as much as I instructed your father. In a few days, if you like, we can send for more of your belongings, or I will bring you back myself to collect anything you would like to bring from here. In addition, you will have an account at any store in town that you select and may purchase whatever you would like."

"Come, we must get to the Court House. Judge Samuels is expecting us shortly for the wedding. I will leave it to decide if you wish your mother and father to attend."

 

[Mayu]

She slowly stood up and shook her head "No father sold me and mother let him so no I don't want them to. I mean I know you think differently for my father, I am just explaining why in case you were curious. I only have one bag and don't want anything else" She said simply and slowly left the library with him, looking at her parents she walked right past her mother ignoring her. Pretty much telling them they were dead to her, she just did not seem to give much of a shit because of what had happened, she saw what he came in.

 

[garajd]

Escorting you to my car, my driver opening the rear door for us, and placing your single suitcase in the trunk, we leave and head toward the court house. With the glass window closed between us and the driver, he can not hear us talking in the back of the car.

"Eden, there is one more thing I want you to understand before we marry. I made this deal with your father because I wanted you for my wife . . . I chose you . . . not because I wanted to make a deal with your father." As I say this, I rest my hand on top of yours. The car comes to a stop at the court house; Alex, the driver, opens the door for us.

 

[Mayu]

The car was beautiful and when she got in she was looking outside the window, seeing everything pass her buy quickly. It was kinda sad how things like this could change a person and right now? She just did not seem to care. But she heard him talk and she listened to him, and right now everything was just so different. She did not know what he would say to her, but her stormy eyes seemed to show a lighter color. She had no idea why anyone would want her unless it was just to use her.

Hearing what he said and feeling his hand on hers, she blushed a little bit. She had a bad attitude everyone knew she would never bow down to a man, but why did he care so much? This whole thing was rather different and strange. "Everyone knows I would rather die then bow down to any man against my will. Why on earth would you want that?" She let the question linger as she walked into the judges chambers with him. This whole thing was crazy but had no idea how this would go.

 

[garajd]

Before getting out of the car, I lightly place a finger on your chin and turn your face to mine, "Understand this. You will never bow down to me! Robert, who helps me manage my properties, and Martha, his wife who handles the house for me, do not bow down to me. They call me Aldred when we speak. The only person on the face of the earth who should bow down to me is your Father. If your mother does, I'll probably knock her on her plump little ass and tell her to knock it off. Are we clear about that?"

Stepping out of the car and offering you my hand, with a smile on my face , , , "Let's go get married, shall we?"

 

[Mayu]

She was rather surprised by what he said to her but was happy over it really, she could not help but laugh when he said what he did about her mother. But feeling his finger against her and looking into his eyes she began to wonder why he never met someone normally and got involved that way, unless he had been a rude younger fellow before she was born. Looking into his eyes, her eyes seemed to showed a little more life about the whole thing, right now it just surprised her how everything ended this way.

When he offered up his hand to her, she saw something in him that she had never seen in any man and that was heart. She took his hand in hers and smiled a little bit more, it seemed nice to be able to be helped out of the car. She was worried about the whole thing, but right now she would just have to go ahead and do what had to be done. And right now? It was just so damn different. She knew she was about to marry a man about thirty or so years younger, but perhaps it wouldn't be that bad?

 

[garajd]

As you took my hand, I was a bit surprised that you held it a bit longer than was necessary just to get out of the car. Once we arrived at Judge Samuel's chambers, he smiled and guided us thru the marriage ceremony . . . yeah, a bit awkward for both of us, but still I think a little easier than we hand anticipated. When he said I could kiss my bride, I saw the look on your face, and settled for a soft kiss on the cheek.

After we get back to the car, Alex hands me a wrapped box he had in the front seat. Once we are seated I hand it to you to open. The jewelry box contains a diamond ring that matches the wedding band from our ceremony in the Judge's chambers.

Probably enough 'excitement' for one day, "Please take us home, Alex; I believe Martha has prepared a light lunch for us."

 

[Mayu]

She was highly impressed with the whole thing she expected him to kiss her, yet he kissed her cheek and respected her in a way no man had before. Perhaps he would keep up what he has promised her, which would be nice for a change with a man doing what he could for the woman. Right now? She was just happy with what was going to happen to them, she did not say anything but she kissed him on his cheek, it was nice to just be able to feel this way towards someone she did not know.

But then as they headed home she saw the box and opened it up, running her finger over it, it actually meant a lot to her. Right now? He was more then she hoped for, she did not know how this would go for her but right now it did not really matter to much. She slipped the diamond ring on and knew it had been an engagement ring. Right now everything was different but it was something she wouldn't regret ever. She was out of her fathers home and reaching over she took his hand in her own, squeezing his hand in a tender moment.

 

[garajd]

Arriving back at the house . . . now "our" house . . making the introductions to Robert and Martha, the both acknowledge you as Ms. Eden, but do not bow. Martha fusses over both of us for a few minutes and she sets out a light lunch for us on the porch. Alex has taken your suitcase to the guest room next to mine, per my instructions, and without question.

Robert heads back to the office area where he and I manage the properties from. After lunch, I call Martha in, "Thank you, Martha; that was excellent. Before clearing the table, would you show Eden to the guest room next to my room. Alex has already taken her suitcase up there."

Standing and offering you my hand again, "I need to talk with Robert for just a few minutes in my office. Feel free to lie down and rest of a while, or I am quite sure that Martha would love to give you a tour of the house, and tell you some little secrets about me that only she knows."

 

[Mayu]

The house was big and could see why he wanted to get married, besides him wanting a son. But a place like this even with two people it could be lonely if you did not have a woman to love and the woman to love the man. And it was kind of sad, when she took his hand to get out of the car she heard what he said and nodded to him. She kissed his cheek her way of thanking him for his kindness toward her. She would give him a chance and if he lied she would never let him ever forget it either.

Eden wasn't tired so Martha showed her around, telling her stories about him when he was a young man. No one really knew that Eden had musical talents, since her father never cared to know and her mother heard her play sometimes. But she had zeroed in on a piano that he had a very nice grand piano. She had no idea if it would work, but after she was shown all over and Martha had work to do, she went back to the piano and sat down. She began to play something, and actually sing, not knowing he could hear her.

"Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight
Can't face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger

[Chorus:]
God, I want to dream again
Take me where I've never been
I want to go there
This time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me
Nothing can stop me

Sometimes it's hard to just keep going
But faith is moving without knowing
Can I trust what I can't see?
To reach my destiny
I want to take control but I know better

[Chorus]

Forget the fear it's just a crutch
That tries to hold you back
And turn your dreams to dust
All you need to do is just trust"

Unbreakable (Acoustic)

 

[garajd]

Having concluded my meeting with Robert, I leave the office suite on the main floor and start to walk up to my room and change into something more comfortable. Walking past the library, I hear the piano . . . and a voice . . . it can only be you.

Listening to the words, I begin to understand a bit more what you must have had to endure at home. Not wanting to embarrass you by walking in on you, I wait until you have finished, then step into the library; the look on my face probably tells you all you need to know, that I heard you. Walking toward you as you sit still on the piano bench, "Are you ready to start dreaming again?"

 

[Mayu]

Everything in her life had been so damn difficult she was never wanted it was just really crazy, right now? She did not know what to do or what to say about anything. But when she stopped everything she saw him there and the look he gave her, she knew all to well what that meant. Sighing a little bit she heard what he said. Hanging her head as she did not know how to feel, hearing what he asked her. She looked forward looking outside the window, when she blinked tears fell down her cheeks.

"All my life I have never been wanted, father wanted a boy. Mother was the only one who knew I could play the piano, I never thought I would trust another man not after my father. To me love was only a dream, something I left on the other side of time" She looked at him. "I guess your parents taught you to respect a woman. Something father never did, course when you have a mother who is a door mate it makes me sick, you are unique my very own Enigma to try and figure out"

 

[garajd]

Taking you by the hand and helping you to stand, I wrap my arms around you and just hold you, wondering when was the last time you cried about anything. I know this is just the first day, and we have so far to go, but I want you to at least begin to feel comfortable being here.

"I was just getting ready to go change into something more comfortable than this suit. How about if you go change too, and we can take a walk around the property?"

 

[Mayu]

She could not help but smile a little bit right now? it was so different to feel everything around her, now? it was nice to be able to take moments like this. Sighing softly she could not help but feel him standing her up and before she knew it he was holding her. She rested her head against his chest as he held her. He was so kind it was something foreign to her, her father never allowed her to cry if she cried with him in the room he would always spank her behind. Hearing what he said she nodded, and put into a lighter outfit, tank top and a skirt that was high but not to high.

 

[garajd]

Changing into a pair of jeans, knit shirt, and sandals, I walk out of my room just as you leave the guest room. "Very nice," I comment, liking what I see, now that you are showing a little more skin. As much as I want you with me tonight, to force you to sleep with me will destroy every bit of progress we have made today.

There is a door between the guest room and master suite, but I am not going to be the one to open that door first . . . unless the separation last for more than a few days. Walking down the stairs, we exit thru the kitchen. Martha has already started dinner . . . one of my favorites, pot roast and vegetables. Stepping out onto the porch, "Would it be alright with you if Martha and Robert join us for dinner tonight? Alex has already left for the day."

 

[Mayu]

Right now everything was more different, the skirt showed her knees and rest of her legs but nothing further up. Right now everything was as it should be. Sighing a bit it was kinda hard to think of every little thing.She watched him look more human and it was different to hear what he said to her. Smiling a little bit as she cocked her head to the side hearing what he said about wanting her but wouldn't open up unless she did first. He was giving her plenty of leeway and that she respected.

"I appreciate that thank you" She said softly and hearing what he said about the dinner and if she minded he joined them, she shook her head no. "No I don't mind" Eden said with a soft smile on her face. And it was beautiful outside, not much sun but that was a very good thing for her. She hated the sun that beated down on her. Smiling more as she was thinking of all sorts of things in her little head.