She always knew this day would come.That eventually she would have to take her place within the Coalition.From birth, the wealth and privileges that came with being an upper tier family hung like an albatross around her neck.A vortex she could never escape.
Her only hope was that she would be able to tolerate her husband.
Showering, Kleya took extra care with her appearance.Washing and styling her hair.Her make-up a nude palate that gave her eyes depth in a subtle way.She decided to wear a dark blue dress that dipped just low enough to hint at her cleavage without being vulgar.
A little before 7:00, her father’s driver, Richard, arrived and helped her into the back of the black Cadilliac sedan.Night hid a lot of Kaneera City’s faults.The desperate, the poor, the hungry.Not to mention those who would take advantage of the weak.She saw the people who needed help, which was why she volunteered at the food bank and shelter.Being born wealthy didn’t mean one had to turn a blind eye on someone who was not.
They moved out of the downtown area to the more affluent part, then eventually into the Wellington district where the majority of the Coalition families resided, including her own parents.She’d grown up in Wellington with private tutors and every luxury bestowed upon her.Her older brother had followed into their father’s shoes of being a figurehead in the tech business they owned.Kleya had always known her only valuable contribution to the Dane family was the alliance she’d form with just the right husband.
All she wanted was the wedding and mess to be over with quickly, so she could return to her apartment and her life.She had no plans to live as someone’s trophy wife.
When she arrived at her family’s house, or mansion might be the more operative word, the driveway lights illuminated the portico.Richard helped her out of the car, and she walked up the steps to the front door and knocked.A moment later, it opened and the butler, Jeremy, greeted her with a smile.
“Welcome home, Miss Kleya.”
“Thank you, Jeremy.”
“Your family is in the den.”
She nodded and headed that way.As soon as she got to the threshold, she paused to assess everyone.Much to her surprise, she identified James Roarke, who held a glass of amber-colored liquid while he stood with her father and his grandfather.
Was James her fiancé?At least he was far better than Landry Sessions.
“There she is,” her mother, Ellen, said loudly and headed her way.“My beautiful daughter.”
Ellen took hold of her hands, kissed both cheeks, and then led her into the den.Of course, her mother was spouting her virtue as loudly as she could.All she had eyes for was James.She couldn’t take gaze off him, and he likewise did the same.
“James,” her father loudly addressed in a very annoying tone.“May I introduce my daughter, and your future wife, Kleya Dane.”
He took a step closer to her, and she studied him as he studied her.Black hair and chocolate eyes, he was a sinfully handsome man, but she knew almost nothing about him.
“It’s my pleasure,” he said.
She gave him a faint smile.“Likewise.”
“Yes, my daughter will make you a fine wife,” her father continued in his nasally condescending tone.“She’s been taught everything needed to become your asset at social functions.She’s a natural hostess, as well as—”
“You don’t have to sell me on her attributes,” James interrupted.
Her father blinked, and Kleya fought not to smile at his uncomfortableness.There was a reason why she no longer lived in her childhood house.It had never been a home.
“Is there a place we can talk?”he asked her.
She cast a quick look at their family and nodded.He held out his hand and after a short pause, she took hold of it to lead him to another room down the hall.Her father liked to call it his office, but he never did any work in there.The door closed behind him with a click.
“You were quiet back there,” he said.
“Sometimes you find out more information if you don’t say a word.”
“You’re right.”He studied her for a moment.“I wanted to say thank you.”
Kleya raised an eyebrow.“For what?”
“Agreeing to this arrangement.”
“Did I have a choice?”she asked.“I know how this works.”
“You have a choice,” he replied.“I would never force you into something you don’t want to do.”
