The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars

by Linda S. North

  Ariel put her head in her hands and shook it in apparent disbelief.

  "Oh, since I am required to have an heir within the next two years, you will agree to be impregnated with an ovum, which contains both of our DNA, within one year after we're married."

  Kiernan heard the shuddering breath Ariel took before she said, "Yes."

  "I'll have those things put in the contract. However, this won't go into the contract, but will be part of an oral agreement between us. You will have no further contact with Mysha Leavill."

  Ariel stared at her in disbelief. "You can't do that. She has a right to know!"

  "She has no rights! Not where you're concerned." For some reason, Ariel's statement infuriated her. She took a moment to calm herself and continued, "You may contact her by telecom and tell her you're breaking it off with her, but you will not see her, and you--"

  "God damn you to hell, Kiernan O'Shay!" Tears rolled down Ariel's cheeks. She wiped them away with her hand.

  "Ariel--"

  Kiernan started to say more, only to have Kelly interrupt her by announcing over the desk-com, "Ms. O'Shay, Mr. O'Shay is here to see you."

  "Tell him to wait a few minutes. I'll tell you when he can come in."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Kiernan walked to the other side of her desk, opened a drawer, and withdrew a box of tissues. She handed the box over to Ariel, waiting while she dried her tears.

  When she saw Ariel was composed, she said, "Did you tell anyone of my proposal and the reasons for it?"

  "I only told my mother," Ariel glared pointedly at Kiernan "after your false accusations."

  Kiernan didn't let her irritation show at that last remark. "Was there anyone else?"

  "Ian Broxton, my mother's attorney."

  Ian Broxton was reputed to be honest and wouldn't reveal what was an attorney/client confidence. "Caution your mother if she tells anyone the reasons behind my proposal it won't only embarrass me, but you as well. I don't want people thinking you're a gold digger, or that I bought you. I'll create a story of how we met and fell in love, and you'll go along with it."

  "My mother will know why I'm marrying you. That you're a vindictive bitch!"

  "I may be a bitch, but I'm not vindictive, at least not where you're concerned. This is about me getting Stellardyne. I know these are unusual circumstances. And as such, I don't want to make a big social event out of this. As I'm sure, you don't either. We will have a private ceremony at Crestview, attended by immediate family, and my household staff. I'll arrange it for the Saturday following this one." Kiernan wanted it soon so Ariel wouldn't change her mind.

  "But--that's only eight days away."

  "That shouldn't present a problem, unless you have something more pressing to do," Kiernan said in a tone of voice that said she knew Ariel had no plans, pressing or otherwise.

  Ariel exhaled. "I guess that day is as good as any."

  "I want you to come out to Crestview tomorrow morning and get acquainted with your new home and the staff. I'll come by your place at nine to pick you up."

  Ariel glared at Kiernan, her voice indignant. "Crestview will never be my home."

  "That might be how you feel. However, it'll be where you will reside for the foreseeable future. I'll also talk with your mother when I come out to pick you up."

  "Don't expect a warm welcome."

  Not commenting, Kiernan leaned over her desk to push a button on the desk-com. "Kelly, send in Mr. O'Shay."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Kiernan returned her attention to Ariel, not saying anything further, but noticing she was still upset.

  The door opened and Theodore entered. "Kiernan, what's--Ms. Thorsen?"

  "Ms. Thorsen--Ariel--has agreed to marry me, and we need the prenuptial agreement drawn up as soon as possible. I need you to clear your calendar today so I can get with you and go over some of the details."

  "I can arrange to have it done, but what's the rush?"

  "The wedding is going to be held a week from tomorrow in a private ceremony at Crestview."

  Brief surprise passed over Theodore's face. "I'll be able to have it done by next Tuesday for you and Ms. Thorsen to go over."

  "Very well. We won't be pressing charges against Joanna Thorsen."

  "I'll take care of it," Theodore said.

  Kiernan said to Ariel, "I'll arrange for David to take you home. I don't want you on your motorcycle--not while you're upset."

  "I'm perfectly capable."

  "You don't need to be taking your bike out on the road--"

  "Dammit! Don't tell me what I need, or don't need! I'm riding it home!"

  Noticing Ariel's flushed face and frown, Kiernan decided not to press the point and make Ariel more upset.

  Ariel stood. "If that's all?"

  "Uncle Theodore, please give us a few minutes alone."

  Theodore exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

  Kiernan walked up to Ariel, searching her face and eyes, before softly saying, "Ariel, we can make this work. We can make this into what a marriage should be. I'm willing to try."

  Ariel lurched back, disbelief on her features. She met Kiernan's eyes with a glacial glare and said contemptuously, "Get this straight, Ms. O'Shay, I hate you, and that's not going to happen. Not in a million years." She pivoted and stomped out of Kiernan's office.

  Kiernan watched her go, thinking the five years the will was consigning her to could very well feel like a million years-- especially if Ariel held on to her resentment. Then she remembered that old adage "Time changes everything." She would have to wait and see whether it would apply to this marriage.

  "WHAT? YOU CAN'T be serious!" Joanna was beyond shock, feeling she had entered some surreal world.

  "I'm very serious," Ariel replied. "I've agreed--"

  "No! You're not marrying her. I forbid it!" Joanna sprang from her chair to gape at her daughter, who sat on the edge of the sofa.

  "I've agreed. If I go back on my word, there's no telling what she'll do."

  "I don't care, you're not doing it!"

  Ariel stood, placing both hands on her mother's shoulders. "It's my choice, and the only choice."

  Joanna broke out of the grasp, agitation in her movements. "No, Ariel, it's not. I won't allow you to do this--not for my sake."

  "It's not only for your sake. Think of the twins. Ms. O'Shay was prepared to press charges against you. If you go to prison-- what then?"

  "That's a chance I'm willing to take."

  "No, Mom. You can't take that chance. Sit down. I want to tell you some details of what I discussed with her."

  "I'll not hear them."

  "Please, Mom, listen, that's all I'm asking."

  Silence stretched for a good ten seconds until Joanna sighed and said, "Fine, but I'm not changing my mind about this. And what about Mysha?"

  Ariel's eyes ghosted over with pain. "I'll handle things with Mysha. But for now, listen, and please don't say anything until I finish."

  Joanna took a seat on the sofa, and Ariel sat beside her to fill her in on the main details of the agreement. Joanna bit the inside of her mouth to keep from commenting. Finally, Ariel finished and searched her mother's eyes as if hoping for some understanding.

  An oppressive sadness pushed Joanna near to tears. "Sweetheart, what you're doing is sacrificing yourself, and the child you'll have, and you know it. I don't care if she gives us a billion dollars a year, it's not worth it, and I won't accept her money." She put her hands on either side of Ariel's head and searched her eyes. "Sweetheart, please don't do this. We'll fight her."

  "We can't take that chance. Think of the twins and how you being imprisoned would affect them. I have to tell you truthfully, Mom, I'd have a hard time taking care of them without you."

  "It's worth a try."

  "No, it's not. I'll not risk it and neither should you. Even if you're found innocent, you'll still have a reputation in shambles, and people will know the details. It'll be all over th
e news. You won't be able to get a decent job, and this could jeopardize Seth and Leigh's chances of attending the best colleges. Your trial could stretch out for months, even over a year, and the legal cost would be exorbitant. I can't allow this to happen. Not when there's a way out."

  "Sweetheart, marrying her will ruin your life."

  "It's my decision and nothing you can say will change it now."

  Joanna searched her daughter's eyes. Ariel had a decidedly stubborn streak. Once she made up her mind, you stood little chance of changing it. Oh, she would listen to whatever advice Joanna offered, and often she saw the logic in the advice and might choose another course of action, but hearing her daughter now, Joanna knew Ariel was set on this course. Nothing she said would change it--not on this, maybe the most important decision Ariel would ever make in her life. Not only the most important, but also one that had far more serious consequences for now, and the future. Joanna couldn't protect Ariel from the consequences she would reap, only offer advice her daughter might or might not follow. "I want you to contact Ian Broxton before you sign any agreement."

  "I'll do that."

  Joanna started weeping, drawing her daughter into a close embrace.

  Ariel's own tears fell as well, but there was one thing about which she was certain: no sacrifice was too great for her family.

  JOANNA RETIRED EARLY from exhaustion and grief, leaving the twins in Ariel's care when they got in from school. Ariel told them their mother didn't feel well and to let her rest. She didn't feel like cooking dinner, so she let them decide which Pop-hot to eat. When they retired to their respective rooms to do their homework, she went to her own room.

  She reached for her IMP on the nightstand by her bed and checked to see whether there were any calls. One message was from Mysha. She'd called Mysha early yesterday morning to update her on the polygraph test. Mysha was sympathetic and supportive, even volunteering to fly home right away after the awards ceremony on Friday night and not wait until Sunday. Ariel informed her not to do it, that at this point nothing could be done.

  With shaking hands, she ordered the IMP, "Play message."

  Mysha's image appeared on the screen. "Hello, babe. I miss you and I hope your mom is doing well. I know this is tough on you, and I wish I were there to help. I'll be home a week from Sunday to help out any way I can. I know Beijing time is fourteen hours ahead of you, but don't hesitate to call at anytime. I'll try calling you Monday at seven in the morning, your time, before you leave for work.

  "The workshop is going great and almost everyone here has read my paper and thinks it's wonderful. Well, I had better go. Give my best to your mom. See you Sunday. Bye bye."

  Ariel dropped the IMP on her bed and smothered sobs into her pillow to keep the twins and her mother from hearing. How was she going to break the news to Mysha that she was marrying Kiernan O'Shay? Oh, God, why now? she thought. This is one of the most important times in Mysha's life--receiving recognition for her work--and how could Ariel ruin it for her? She would have to explain when Mysha got back. Ariel didn't care what Kiernan O'Shay wanted. Mysha deserved to know why.

  Her thoughts shifted to Kiernan, rage engulfing her, and she screamed into her pillow, her words muffled, but the anguish behind them was understandable: "I hate you! I hate you!"

  Chapter Eleven

  THE BLUE SEPTEMBER sky promised a good day. The sunlight had that certain slant giving everything a golden sheen portending the change of the season from summer to fall. Kiernan exited her silver BMW, smoothed down her chocolate brown jacket over her camel pullover blouse and straightened the waist of her chocolate brown trousers. She surveyed the modest residence of her fiancée and saw a slight movement of a curtain in the living room window.

  On the stoop she reached out to push the doorbell, but before her finger touched the button, the front door opened. Joanna Thorsen stared at her with disdain.

  "Ms. Thorsen, may I come in?"

  Joanna moved aside, allowing Kiernan to enter. She said nothing, and Kiernan glanced around before directing her attention to Joanna expectantly. "Is Ariel here?"

  "Yes, she's in her room. I understand you want to talk to me," Joanna stated in a chilling voice. "I also have some things I want to say to you--in private." Joanna led her into the living room. "Have a seat, Ms. O'Shay, it doesn't matter which one."

  Kiernan sat at one end of the sofa and Joanna sat in a recliner at an angle, facing Kiernan. They stared at one another for a few uncomfortable seconds before Kiernan said, "Ms. Thorsen, I can imagine how you feel. Your--"

  "Don't dare presume to imagine how I feel," Joanna said in a voice shaking with rage, her face livid. "You have no idea how I feel. You've destroyed this family--destroyed my daughter's happiness. For what? For your own selfish ends, that's what. I hope I live to see the day you pay for this!"

  Kiernan locked her eyes on Joanna's. It was all she could do to keep a straight face. The unmitigated gall of this woman to pretend she was the wounded party, when she brought this on her family by stealing from Stellardyne. She knew whatever she said had little chance of being well received, so she decided to get right to the point. "Ariel and I made an agreement. I didn't force her into doing this--"

  "Yes, Ariel informed me she approached you. But I think you falsely accused me knowing my daughter would do this. Had she not gone to you first, you would have sought her out and made the offer not to prosecute me if she entered into this agreement."

  Kiernan couldn't believe what she was hearing and had to fight back her anger. "I'll not discuss this anymore. What I have come to say is the reasons for this marriage--both my reasons and the reason Ariel accepted--must be kept within the family. It could cause problems down the road if those reasons were ever made known, with not only me, but with you, as well as with Ariel, our child, and your family."

  "Rest assured, Ms. O'Shay, I'm aware of that and have no intention of disclosing the reasons."

  "Thank you."

  "Another thing--I don't want your filthy money. My daughter isn't for sale."

  "I never intended it like that--"

  "I don't care how it was intended. I don't want it. Give it to a charity."

  Kiernan kept her expression stoic, but inside she was seething, thinking Ms. Thorsen should get an Academy Award for her act. She wouldn't refuse the money. "I'll leave that up to you to do. Please, tell Ariel I'm ready to go."

  Without saying a word, Joanna rose from the chair and left the living room.

  Kiernan let out a frustrated sigh, and mumbled, "Ha! That sure went well."

  Hearing a rustling sound, Kiernan glanced up to see Ariel walk partway into the living room, stop, and regard her with wintry eyes. Kiernan stood and surveyed her, taking in Ariel's pink, button-down long-sleeve dress shirt, tucked into a pair of dark red dress slacks with its thin black belt encircling her waist. "You look very nice."

  Ariel ignored the comment, her voice bland. "I'm ready."

  Kiernan walked to the door and Ariel followed. Joanna didn't make an appearance.

  Once they got into the car, Kiernan ordered, "Ignition on. Destination, Crestview Estates."

  THEY RODE IN silence for a few blocks. Ariel studied the interior of the car, noticing the wood inserts on the dash and the light gray seats. She stealthily moved her right hand down to the side of the seat, feeling it. She bet it was real leather and not Teflahide or any other of the faux stuff. Expensive cars never impressed her. She felt a glimmer of amusement when she thought if Kiernan had ridden up on a Harley Road King, she might have been impressed.

  The silence was broken when Kiernan said, "I didn't see your brother and sister. I'm eager to meet them."

  "They spent the night with their friends."

  "I'm assuming you've told them you're getting married."

  "Yes, last night. They weren't informed of the reason why, and were instructed to keep quiet about the--wedding, until after the ceremony."

  "How did they take it?"

  "
They were surprised." Both had asked her why she wasn't marrying Mysha. She told them she and Mysha were now only friends and she wanted to marry Kiernan. It made her even angrier with Kiernan that she had to lie. Much to her chagrin, the twins thought it was "Mega Supreme" as they were sure she could persuade Kiernan to take them on a tour of Celeste.

  Kiernan said, "I have my chef preparing something for lunch I'm sure you'll like." She glanced at Ariel. "How do grilled chicken breasts on homemade sourdough rolls and a garden salad sound?"

  "Okay, I guess," Ariel said in a disinterested voice.

  An awkward silence ensued. Ariel watched the scenery out the passenger window.

  A few minutes later Kiernan said, "I arranged a trip for us to the Caribbean after the wedding."

  Ariel remained silent, continuing to stare at the view out the window while thinking, oh yeah, this is just peachy. A honeymoon. I hope she doesn't expect anything. That's not going to happen.

  "Have you ever been to the Caribbean?"

  Ariel shot her a sideway glance, keeping her answer flat. "No."

  "I think you'll like it. We'll fly down on my strato-jet two days after the wedding and stay for a week. I own a villa in Saint Thomas where we'll stay. I also have a yacht I keep there. The Virgin Islands are beautiful--white sandy beaches, snorkeling, even fishing if you want."

  Ariel returned her attention to the passing scenery, pointedly avoiding any comment, and thinking she needed to plan ways to keep from interacting with Kiernan while on this--trip. Maybe she would take a selection of e-books to read, and say she didn't feel well.

  They drove on in silence, Ariel's thoughts on Mysha, who had called right at seven o'clock that morning. The beep of the IMP woke Ariel from a sound sleep, which she had slipped into around three a.m. after an exhausting bout of disturbing dreams.