“I can’t believe your father wants you to marry that guy.”
“Richard doesn’t care about anything other than his company,” she said with a bitter edge in her voice. “This marriage is the surest way for him to form a necessary business connection. He won’t change his mind, but he might be surprised to learn that Mason has such a loose tongue.”
“Would your father call off the marriage if he knew Mason shared private information with that Brooks guy?” he asked hopefully.
Charlie felt a twinge in her gut. Is he having second thoughts? Her brows creased and she shook her head. “No. The deal is too good. If something like this comes up in the future, he’ll just find a way to shut Mason up.” Charlie imagined her father cutting out Mason’s tongue or sewing his lips shut. The mental images would have disgusted her, but in the case of Mason Novak, they gave her a sick sense of satisfaction.
“I guess we should get a move on,” Drew said with resolve. Charlie thought she saw disappointment in his face, but when she looked again, whatever she’d seen was gone. Did I imagine it?
She grabbed Drew’s hand, pulling him out of the elevator. The two followed the signs to a door labeled Office of Interpersonal Determination.
Charlie took a deep breath. “Here we go.”
Hand in hand, they stepped inside. Charlie wasn’t surprised to see that the office looked as uninviting as the rest of the building. A few fake plants strategically placed around the room broke up of monotony of white and gray that seemed to drown the building.
“Welcome to the Office of Interpersonal Determination, how can I help you?” A young woman behind a desk asked, her boredom obvious. She didn’t look up from the tablet sitting on the desk in front of her.
Charlie stepped closer, glancing at the screen. The woman was reading a trashy tabloid. She fought to keep from rolling her eyes.
“We’re here to have our Compatibility tested.”
The woman pointed to a scanner on the desk without looking up. “Scan in. Someone will be with you shortly.”
The pair scanned their chips and took a seat in the waiting area. Two other couples occupied the hard, plastic chairs, each nervously anticipating their turn. The couples huddled together holding hands, looking too anxious to speak. Charlie leaned her head against Drew’s shoulder, staring off into space.
A minute later, a door behind the secretary’s desk opened, and a couple emerged. Love-struck smiles split their faces, giving them an ethereal glow that Charlie envied. A woman in business attire followed them out. The smile on her face was less than sincere, but the couple didn’t notice.
“Congratulations.” She sounded as bored as the woman behind the desk. Grabbing a tablet on the desk, she scanned the screen. “Marie and Henry, you can follow me.”
The pair stood on shaky legs, clinging to one another as they stumbled through the doorway. Charlie watched, waiting for them to reemerge. It took a few minutes before they exited. Tears filled Marie’s eyes and Henry’s face looked blank; their hands no longer twined together. Charlie felt a stab of pity for them as they left the office.
“Sandy and Michael.” The last couple entered the other room. Charlie waited. Another man and woman entered the office. The receptionist gave them the same instructions she’d given Charlie and Drew. As they sat to wait, Sandy and Michael walked out. They both looked dazed but happy. Charlie smiled at them as they passed.
“Charlotte and Drew.” Charlie jumped to her feet, pulling Drew up with her. She nearly sprinted back into the quiet room. Two empty chairs faced the desk where the woman had settled in. Charlie and Drew sat down, the chairs squeaked under their weight. Two identical scanners stood waiting on the desk. Between them sat a blank tablet.
“My name is Mrs. Watson. I’ll be administrating your test today.” She spoke in a monotone, all business. Sliding two tablets across her desk, she looked at them. “Before we begin, you need to read these over and sign.”
Charlie took the worn tablet closest to her and read,
Being of sound mind, I do confirm that I am submitting to this Interpersonal Determining of my own free will. I have not and will not attempt to alter my results in any way. I vow to abide by the outcome of my Interpersonal Determining.
Charlie didn’t finish reading the paper. She knew what it meant. She thought of her Determining and the contract she’d signed that day. Now, she faced another legally binding contract. Unsure, she differed to Drew. He shot her an encouraging smile before picking up a stylus and signing his name at the bottom of the document. After a deep breath, Charlie signed and dated her own tablet before handing it back.
“Thank you. When the test is complete, the results will be displayed on the tablet. Please place your wrists above the scanners.” Mrs. Watson instructed.
Charlie extended her hand, lining her wrist up with the scanner. In seconds, a familiar red light flashed, illuminating her skin. The red light pulsed as it read her chip. Within moments, the light disappeared and the scanner beeped. It was over. The next minute would change the rest of her life. Sweat dampened Charlie’s palms and her pulse raced, doing double-time in her chest.
A minute passed, but nothing happened. Charlie’s unease grew until she began wringing her hands. “Does it usually take this long?”
For the first time since entering the office, Mrs. Watson’s faced showed emotion. Confusion furrowed her brows. “The results should have come through by now. I’m not sure what’s happening.” Turning to her computer, she began typing furiously.
“Will this change the test results?” Drew asked quietly.
Mrs. Watson examined the screen before answering. “No. The computer is showing that your test went through and the results were calculated. Our system seems to be having an issue receiving those results.”
Charlie fidgeted in her seat. The waiting felt like torture. “Does this happen often?”
“I’ve never encountered an issue like this, but I’ve heard of it happening.” As Mrs. Watson spoke, realization crossed her face. She turned to Charlie and really examined her for the first time.
A light flashed on the computer, drawing Mrs. Watson’s attention back to the screen. A relieved smile broke out across her face. “Here we are. The results should be displayed on the tablet any second now.”
When the screen lit up, Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. Everything fell away as if the world had paused. The only sound she could hear was the whoosh of air leaving her lungs. Her vision grew fuzzy around the edges. Her eyes zeroed in on the word displayed there in bold, dark letters.
Incompatible.
“Why?” she whispered to herself.
“Legally, I’m not allowed to release the reasons behind your results. All I can tell you is that your chips have determined that you are not Compatible. I am very sorry.” Mrs. Watson’s said softly, attempting to relay a sympathy she clearly didn’t feel.
Charlie looked at Drew with desperation. His shoulders slumped, a defeated look covering his face.
“Stop that,” she snapped at him. “This isn’t over. It can’t be!”
Mrs. Watson spoke using an understanding tone. “I’m afraid the contract you signed—”
“To hell with the contract!” Charlie shrieked, unable to control herself.
“We knew this was a long shot.” Drew shook his head sadly. “Let’s go.” He stood, moving has if his body weighed a thousand pounds.
Mrs. Watson watched with wide eyes as Charlie jumped out of her chair and grabbed Drew, keeping him from walking through the now open office door. “No. No, Drew! I can’t marry him, I won’t. You are my last chance! Without this I’ll be sold off. We have to fight this! Please …” Frustrated tears gathered in her eyes until they overflowed, falling down her cheeks.
Drew’s eyes raked over her. “Is that all I am to you, your last resort?” He pulled away from her, anger replacing his resignation. “The chip was right,” he scoffed, “we aren’t Compatible.”
Charlie f
linched, as if he’d struck her. Without even a glance over the shoulder, he walked through the door and out of the office.
This couldn’t be happening. Drew was the only man she ever considered marrying. Now he’d been ripped from her. Nothing stood between her and a life with Mason.
By the time she stumbled out of the office, Drew was long gone. He’d left her. She reached for the ring hidden beneath her shirt, her sweaty palm holding it in a death grip. Tears continued flowing from her eyes as she staggered to the elevators and pressed the call button.
When the elevator doors opened, she nearly fell inside. Blinded by the emotions that wouldn’t stop, she bumped into someone. “Sorry.” She mumbled, trying to dry her eyes. The young man grumbled a reply as the elevator began to move.
Rather than embarrass herself more, Charlie fought to keep her emotions in check. When they reached the lobby, she flew out of the car, dashing to the street. Outside the building she searched the crowd of people for Drew. A man caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, but when she looked, it wasn’t him.
With no hope left, she walked out of the City Center, heading toward home.
Chapter Ten
“Charlotte, come down for breakfast. Your father and I need to speak with you,” Margaret called through the bedroom door.
Charlie had been awake for hours. She’d spent the majority of that time staring up at her ceiling, thinking about Mason. Comparing him to Drew. Was Drew really the good guy she’d though? He’d just left her in the office at the first sign of struggle. Was that really someone she wanted to be married to?
Despite the uselessness of her contemplation, she couldn’t keep herself from analyzing the situation over and over. There had to be a loophole. Only the knowledge that the contract still hadn’t been signed provided her with any solace. She was free for a few more days.
But now, in the light of morning, exhaustion weighed her down. Facing her parents didn’t rank high on her list of things to do, especially when all she wanted was to indulge in some self-pity before going back to her obsessive analysis.
“Charlotte?” Margaret tried the doorknob, finding it locked. “Are you awake?”
“No,” Charlie grunted.
“You have five minutes before your father comes up to get you.”
The ominous statement sent a chill shooting up her spine. “I’ll be down.”
Margaret’s heels clicked as she walked down the stairs. Charlie listened to the sound fade. In the following silence, her thoughts wandered to Richard. The fact that he was home for breakfast sent warning bells ringing in her head. It’s because of the Compatibility test.
Knowing her five minutes were up, she slid out from under the covers and padded to the bathroom. Dark circles rimmed her bloodshot eyes. She splashed some cool water on her face, hoping it might improve her appearance. It didn’t. She pulled her long tresses back into a messy bun. A pair of fuzzy slippers and a long bathrobe completed her casual ensemble. Without a glance in the mirror, Charlie walked to the door. She grabbed her phone and stuffed it into one of the bathrobe’s deep pockets.
Her slippers made a comforting shuffling noise on the stairs, the sound a clear contrast to the clack of Margaret’s heels.
“There you are.” Margaret glowered at Charlie’s slippers and robe. With a disapproving shake of her head, she turned her attention to the housekeeper. “Constance, you may bring Charlotte’s breakfast now.”
Charlie pulled out the chair across from her mother, eyeing Richard as she took her seat. His eyes scanned the tablet in his hand. Every few seconds they would flick to the plate of eggs in front of him, but as soon as a bite was skewered on his fork, he looked back to the screen. Charlie watched him, searching for some explanation for his presence. Constance reappeared, pulling her gaze away.
She frowned when the housekeeper placed a bowl of fresh fruit covered in plain yogurt before her. She shot a questioning look at Margaret.
“You need to watch your figure. When the contract is signed, we’ll have weeks to plan your wedding. We can’t have you looking pudgy.”
The comment stung. “I doubt a piece of bacon or an egg will have that much of an effect.”
Margaret exhaled heavily. “Don’t fight me on this, Charlotte.” She massaged her temples.
Charlie scoffed at the dramatic display. “Why was I summoned for breakfast?” She ate a few grapes and a piece of melon. “I assume Richard’s presence means it’s something important.” Out of the corner of her eye she watched him set his tablet down.
“It is important.” Margaret pressed her lips together until they almost disappeared.
Charlie leaned back in her chair. “Fine, what’s going on?”
When Richard deigned to speak, the tone in his voice felt like a violent slap. “This is about yesterday.”
“What about yesterday?” Charlie feigned ignorance.
“Don’t!” Richard punctuated his yell by hitting the table. “Don’t play dumb!” Charlie’s fork jumped and the china tea set rattled.
Her palms began to sweat and she worked to keep her face calm. “What do you think you know?”
“You and that scholarship boy had your Compatibility tested yesterday.” Spittle flew from Richard’s mouth, landing on Charlie’s breakfast.
She glanced down at her tainted meal with disgust. “Yes, Drew and I got tested. I won’t apologize for it.”
Richard’s eyes flashed. “Careful, Charlotte. You’re dangerously close to provoking me.”
Charlie’s pulse picked up. “What will you do, hit me? You’ve already done that so please, try it again.” Her eyes flicked to his hand, anticipating a blow. “I doubt it will make much of an impression the second time around.” Before she cold blink, Richard jumped to his feet, lunging toward her.
“Richard.” Margaret grabbed his arm. “Novack won’t accept damaged merchandise.”
His hands clenched into fists. “Don’t tempt me again. Next time, nothing your mother says will stop me.” He pulled away from Margaret, returning to his chair.
Charlie let out the breath she’d been holding. “What’s the point of this confrontation? You already know we weren’t Compatible, or this would be a very different conversation.”
A smug expression crossed Richard’s face. “No, you were Compatible. That’s why we’re having this conversation.”
The few pieces of fruit in her stomach threatened to make a reappearance. “I don’t understand.”
“I wanted you to know.” He took a sip from his coffee, savoring the flavor before going on. “You and that boy were Compatible, but it didn’t matter. It will never matter. I always get what I want. Even you, my obtuse daughter, won’t stand in my way.” His expression changed, turning what Charlie could only describe as deadly. “I don’t care what laws I break or who I have to manipulate. I always win.”
Charlie saw no point in arguing, but couldn’t control the rage she felt. “How did you do it?”
“Charlotte, are you that stupid?” When she didn’t respond, he just chuckled. “I wrote the program for the chip, the program for the Determining, and the program to test compatibility. The only thing I need is a computer and I can control every outcome. Do you see now, how pointless your rebellion is?”
Angry tears burned the back of her eyes. She blinked, refusing to show any weakness. “So you did all this to gloat?”
He shook his head. “I did it to prove a point. I want you to marry Novack and you will marry him.”
“I won’t do it,” Charlie vowed.
“Charlotte.” Margaret spoke up. “Think of the power and prestige you’ll gain by aligning two Council families.”
“Don’t you mean the power and prestige he’ll gain?” Charlie pointed an accusing finger at Richard.
Margaret remained impassive. “Everything we’ve done was to give you the best life possible.”
“No, it was to give you more power. I’m just a bargaining chip to you!”
“Richard stood up from the table. “No amount of arguing will change the fact that you’re marrying Mason.”
Charlie’s clenched so hard her fingernails cut into her palm. “I’ll fight this.”
“There. Is. No. Point,” Richard yelled. “The contracts will be signed any day now. Within a week, we’ll announce your engagement. You can’t fight this.”
“I’ll find a way.” Charlie pushed her chair back and stormed out of the room.
“Dying is the only way to get out of this,” Richard called after her, but she didn’t stop.
“I guess I’ll die trying, then,” she shouted back.
~
Time was running out. Two days had passed since the breakfast with her parents, but she’d come no closer to finding a loophole. Hoping inspiration would strike if she changed her routine, she left the townhouse with no destination in mind. All she wanted to do was walk.
The air held the sting of the coming winter. Stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets provided some relief from the bitter wind that whipped around her. The longer she walked, the less she felt in her extremities. She’d almost decided to hail a cab and go home when the scent of coffee reached her nose, filling her with the desire for something to warm her icy fingers. Following her nose, she spotted a coffee shop ahead.
The cold weather had enticed a number of people inside the shop. Patrons crowded around tables or stood in line waiting for their caffeine fix. Charlie joined the back of the line that almost reached to the door. Unfortunately, this meant that every time it opened, a bitter gust of wind stole the heat from her body.
Charlie watched the other customers while she waited for the line to move her into a warmer section of the shop. A couple in the corner caught her attention. Their heads were close together, deep in conversation. They were too absorbed in each other to notice the people around them. As she moved closer, Charlie noticed the couple’s hands twined together under the table. She felt a stab of longing and regret. It wasn’t too long ago that she and Drew had sat together like that. She looked away when frustrated tears stung the back of her eyes. She wouldn’t cry. Not here.
The Determining Page 10