“You understandthe terms of the contract that your mother signed?” I hear what Alex said, but I’m still trying to make sense of why my mother, the woman who birthed me and cared for me, would do something like this.
“Can you please reiterate the last part for me? I’m not sure I understand what this all means,” I ask looking at them both.
“Yes, of course,” Jeremy says, his eyes crinkling with the hint of a smile, attempting to reassure me.
“You and your siblings are to remain in this house under the custodial guardianship of Mr. Alexander Grant until your eighteenth birthday. Upon your eighteenth birthday guardianship of your siblings will turn over to you only if you follow the rules established in the preceding document.”Jeremey looks to make sure I’m following along before continuing, “Would you like to go over those documents again?”
Glancing at him and then Alex, my now guardian, I nod. “Yes, please continue.”
Alex hands me a copy of the stipulation documents. My focus is on the first page, where there are nine rules that will govern my world until I’m twenty-five or I’m married.
Jeremy begins to read, but I tune him out and read the words for myself.
You must follow all rules pertaining to the guardianship documents or you will lose custody of your three siblings.
You must dress accordingly, meeting all Edgewood societal function standards (see appendix for required dress code).
You will have a driver and bodyguard with you at all times when leaving the house.
You will receive a monthly stipend and will not seek outside sources for money beyond this stipend.
You will not behave in any conduct unbecoming of being an Edgewood resident.
You must participate in all Edgewood high society events.
You must maintain a 3.5 G.P.A. in both high school and college.
You must attend Lincoln-Wood University.
You must marry within the Edgewood elite.*
*All rules outlined must be followed and your guardian may institute any rules that he may see fit, as long as they do not conflict with the previously agreed upon rules.
They even made number nine in bold. How the hell do they expect me to do all of this? I laughed at the dress code one.Good luck getting me to give up my Docs, Chucks, and band tees.Obviously, the glaring issue here is the bullshit marriage clause. How could my mother be on board for something as fucked as an arranged marriage? I want to rage out. The protest sits on the tip of my tongue, fighting to be freed, but I haven’t kept us safe this long by acting stupid. I know there’s no way out of this. My mother’s signature seals my fate and guardianship to Mr. Grant. I’m stuck. Fear racks my body, creeping up my leg like vines, attempting to hold me hostage, and I try to regulate my breathing to ward off another panic attack. I’m supposed to be showing that I can handle all of this, so no one attempts to take my brothers and my sister away from me.
Get your shit together Riah! Whatever you need to do, you’ll do it. You promised them we wouldn’t let anyone separate us.
Groaning, I take one more deep breath and tune back in, hearing Jeremy reading more legal jargon. It doesn’t really matter what he’s saying though. My mother already signed and once I turn eighteen in a few weeks, I’ll sign whatever is necessary too.
“Ariah, did you hear what I said? Do you understand the requirements and what is expected of you?”
“Yes, I’ll do whatever is needed. You won’t have any issues with me,” I say to him. Facing Alex, I ask my next question, “Will we be able to still live here or will we have to move in with your family until I’m eighteen?”
“No, you will all be able to remain here. I have put together everything you may need and you will have my direct line if you need to reach me, at any given time. I only ask that you come to our weekly family dinners, which are every Sunday evening,” Alex responds with a small smile.
I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding and then respond, “We can handle weekly family dinners.”
Now, I just need to figure out how I am going to handle the rest of this mess my mother has knowingly left me in.
26
ARIAH
Wednesday comes quickly. Between the incident at school, which I haven’t whispered a word to Thomas about, the meeting with the lawyer, and discussing our pending move with the kids I don’t remember my head hitting the pillow of my new Alaskan King bed. Why the hell I would need a bed that big was beyond me.
The kids took the move far better than I expected. Once I told them they would still be able to go to the same school, they were excited and wanted to move right that very moment. I haven’t given them much else and I won’t. They don’t need to worry about any of the fine print.
Thomas picked me up this morning and went over some of the protocols I’ll have to follow. After listening to him go over a very exhaustive list of rules, I’ve decided it’s time I get to know my new shadow a little better.
