Chapter 7 Modern royalties

"WHAT? NO!!" She immediately shouted upon hearing Mr. Revis' response.

"Aside from you not wanting it, give me a better reason." Mr. Revis coldly uttered.

The tension between Attila and Mr. Revis began to arise as they exchanged vexed gazes. The rest of the family remained silent but they sure also want Attila to agree because if not, they will go along on the losses of their corporation's wealth.

"This shouldn't be something where you would argue, sister." Said Denice who's not even glazing up at Attila. "It's the only and the first one you would be helping this family. Afterall, you are the one who ruined the union of our family and the Venli." She added, pertaining to the family of Michael.

The words of Denise triggered Attila. She looked in disbelief. "Are you kidding me right now?!" She exclaimed. She closed her eyes deeply as she took a loud sigh, then she faced her family again. "Listen! Ever since then, I tried to keep up with my academic because father- Kalil said he doesn't want to stain the reputation of the family, I've been doing things that was never for myself because of this family's sake and the image you've been trying to maintain!" She voiced out.

"Now you're counting things you've done for yourself and-"

"Shut up Vania! I'm not done talking! I said listen!" Attila yelled on the face of her sister, Vania. Her teeth gritted "I sacrificed my happiness. My freedom, my passion, everything because of you, Kalil! Because I thought I would find the love and care I yearned from a father! From a family!" Her voice began to crack, but she kept it round and tough as she gulped and prevented her tears.

"You keep slapping on my ears, telling me 'Don't do there and that, don't go there and that because cameras are everywhere! Our reputation is at risk and'-Name all the shits!!" She took a break and chased her breath. "And I defied! Look who found her first happiness after not following every single of your command! But yeah, I ruined that happiness again because as 'ALWAYS', I am a 'DISGRACE'! After what?" She emphasized, then she pointed at her father.

"You kicked me out of the family! I left. And there I found my true happiness. I was having a lovely, enjoyable, free life there, Kalil. Then you called me because you want me to marry someone just because you shitted your business? Fuck off!" She shouted at in front of her family.

As her voice echoed on the dining area, Attila felt as if a heavy burden was lifted out of her chest. She finally took out all her pain caused by this family. But it's still aching her... The truth hurts her.

And it's not the end, she knows that. Perhaps a new problem is now arising, and might be worst.

Her eyes began watering. The befalling tears started blurring her sight and she had to blink and took a deep breath to prevent the tears because she doesn't wanna show her vulnerability to this family. For sure, they wouldn't care a bit. They will only see her as being dramatic and all just not to consider her feelings.

Afterall, this family is about financial, but never the feelings.

"Are you done?" Mr. Revis asked as if he didn't care a bit about Attila.

Attila gave him a death glare. "Yeah. I'm done. I'm done of your shits!" She said as she stood up.

"You're not leaving. Not tonight, Attila!" Before she could even walk away, Mr. Kalil uttered in a very dominating tone.

Attila faced him with a smirk as she sent the 'so what' look. "What are you gonna do, chain me?" She dared.

"If necessary, yes!" Her father answered unhesitantly.

Attila stared in disbelief as silence began filling the room.

Mr. Revis stood up, and as his throne-alike dining chair moved, the scraping noise reverberated around the dining room.

"You will stay here, Attila. You will save the family's wealth!" He yelled. The round, authoritative, and overpowering voice of Mr. Revis echoed throughout the dining area, creating a chiming noise on Attila as the terrible past flashed back.

"Honey, take a breath. Your lungs won't take it." Said Grace, the second wife of Kalil. She stood up to assist Mr. Revis to seat again.

"Attila, your family is begging you sincerely. If there is something you want, please tell us. We will do as we can, just so you will agree on this settlement. This is the only way we see to save the corporation." Levia intervened. She looked at Attila with pleasing eyes, but it was never the eyes of a mother for Attila.

Attila is having a conflict deciding whether to help or not. But she can't just sacrifice her freedom once again just for this 'family' that's never been a family for her. She can't see a reason for herself why she must. Is she obliged?

Not definitely, but she does care still. Why can't she never bring herself to keep hating on this family forever? Because the moment she sees them asking for help whatever it is, the wall she built to protect herself is just not tough enough.

Should she really care for this family again? She already have family ... Real family! And it's Trevor, the one who truly loves her.

She will lose nothing if she won't help this family. But she for sure will lose a lot for helping them again.

She decided not to!

Attila took a deep breath and looked up. She gave gazes to each of her family as her chin raised, and her posture contained confidence. "I am married." She uttered as she showed the ring on her finger which was given by Meghan. "And we already have a son!" She confidently answered with pretense as she pinched her index finger with her nail from her thumb due to nervousness and Dubiousness.

Mr. Revis' chill broke upon hearing that. He leaned back on his chair to calm himself.

"Then, I will get rid of them." Mr. Revis answered, his cold tone made Attila almost shiver. He meant it, and Attila knows what this piece of gaddamn shit is capable of.

"Right, get rid of Travis Williams." She answered back.

That froze Mr. Revis and the rest of the family here... He gave a questioning look to his daughter. Is she for sure? Or maybe she is just bluffing.

"L-Listen, Mr. Revis..." Attila gulped as she began lying. "T-Travis is the one who impregnated me. H-He was actually the guy who I had an affair with before my wedding. Although our - uhh ... Marriage was not united by love, we do love our child, Trevor. And he will do everything just so Trevor won't be heartbroken. That includes destroying everything you've got, mr. Revis if you lay your hand to my son or to me. Trevor love me the most and I may sound like a pawn for Travis but I am important as Trevor's happiness!" She bluffed, full of confidence. Or so she thinks she's actually lying.

"Then call your Travis Williams." Mr. Revis challenged. That, Attila could not do.

"H-He's busy..." Attila reasoned as she looked away.

Mr. Revis burst out, laughing. The laughs sound so like a devil for Attila. The family joined too as they began mocking Attila, thinking that Attila is actually lying.

"Of all the lies you would pick, you actually chose that one? That tyrant Travis Williams will never have an affair to someone like you even if he's very drunk! That man is even higher than my accomplishments, Attila. If any case, he will never like someone like you!" He mocked her, deeply! The family continuously laughed at her. Every laugh, every giggle, every chuckle seems like a pin stabbing on Attila's skins. She hated it very much!

"I met him once on a bachelor party. I ran naked toward him and we were the only people in a room. He wouldn't even touch me. He's GAY, Attila! Wake up!" Said Mila, her sister.

Attila's heart is broken again, as if this humiliation from her own family is not new to her.

But alright! She is caught for real! Will she keep playing along with it? Doesn't matter at all, but she wouldn't do what her family wants to.

"I-I am telling the truth!" Her voice cracked. "I... I will call once I get the chance. But it's not possible for now because he is out of the state."

"I heard he just came back from London." Mr. Revis answered.

"Y-Yeah... We took the same flight..." Attila responded, almost whispering.

"Same flight? With his own private jet?" Mr. Revis questioned, smirking to show his mockery.

"S-Same flight schedule..."

They laughed again. The teasing laughs echoed all around the room.

"Attila, Attila, Attila! You are trying so hard, my dear daughter!" Mr. Revis continually laughed. "Ahay!" He chirped as he stopped laughing. "Dear, you see you have been a disgrace to me my whole life. The moment you embarrassed me when you had a relationship with your teacher when you were just like eleven years old-"

"That was not a relationship! It's an obvious harassment!" Attila exclaimed.

"Alright, name it what you want! But that doesn't change the fact that you were a bad daughter, since then, till now!" Mr. Revis answered.

The realization that Attila will never... not even a single love will be given by her father to her completely broke her into pieces. It's even more painful now realizing that her father never took her side even once. To Attila, Mr. Revis must be worst than a father who went to buy milk and never came back.

Right, she just hate this man so much. She hated him, and not just him but all the men she met as she grew up. That teacher who sexually harassed her, the policemen who didn't believe her, the principal who sued Attila for staining the reputation of that teacher and for kicking her out of the school, the cousin who almost raped her, the media who framed Attila, her father who never took her side, that Michael who never gave her second chance, EVERYBODY of them!!!

She questioned it again. Why must it be her life? She really wished she was born on a loving family.

"Now, I don't know if I can expect something more to you or I am completely hopeless in this father-daughter relationship of ours. But I am asking- no, I am begging you for the last time Attila... Agree on this marriage and I will give you whatever you want." Mr. Revis' tone changed immediately upon stating what he wanted. Although, he is still prideful.

Attila didn't want to be irrational. She wants to critically judge the situation despite being misunderstood and being unappreciated by these people.

"So... Why not my sisters? You've got like three daughters you are so proud of. Why not marry them instead of me? You don't want to sacrifice them?" She questioned.

The laughters, the mocking, the noise that gets into nerves of Attila faded in an instant because of that question. Mr. Revis looked at her before he answered.

"They are all married, Attila. REAL married. Although I have a son from grace, he's still 4 years old." Mr. Revis answered, almost avoiding gazes from Attila. Mr. Revis took a loud sigh as he completely faced Attila. "Attila. I understand that you think this family is the most imperfect one, but trust me! The one who's been holding all of us together is the corporation. Without that, we will be nothing! Believe it or not but I spent my days and my nights building up an empire so I could protect you all wherever you go! I never made these things just for myself" He declaimed. It was with honesty and sincerity but the way he does things are just not right for Attila.

Attila looked at Mr. Revis in awe. She couldn't figure out if she wanted to mock him for kicking out his daughter who can only help him now or understand his situation because maybe, this man can still be vulnerable at some point. Maybe he was just misunderstood. Maybe he was just broken by his parents too that made him to be alike other evil people and he just had to be healed. Or is she being stupid again for believing that thoughts of her? Because she is also like those people who are always been broken but she never attempted to do something that will cause other's misery.

Before she could even respond, everybody's attentions were caught by the tappings of footsteps that are getting closer.

"They are here!" Said Mr. Revis with traces of worries. Attila gave him a questioning look.

"Who's here?" She asked.

Before anyone could answer, from the entrance of this fancy dining area, a man being escorted by big men entered in. His every tapping of his footsteps from his expensive shoes echoed around the area.

He's tall and even with that coat, it's obvious that he have a voloptous body. His hair is pompadour. His long hair is tied up but with a shorter on sides.

Mr. Revis stood up, so did the entire family here to greet this man.

"Simon Kennedy! Welcome! Y-You didn't inform me that you have arrived to my Villa. I could have escorted you." Mr. Revis said with a smile.

The tyrant looking lips of this Simon guy curved up, but his eyes remained blank as if it does not have any emotions at all.

"I think I should make myself feel at home in this house since I am about to become your son in law, Kalil." Simon answered. His voice is very deep but his tone was teasing.

Son in law? Attila's eyes widened a bit. She understood it immediately. So this Simon guy who just arrived is the one she is being set up with.

She got intimidated. She doesn't know what power and influence does this Simon Kennedy holds but she shouldn't let him took over her freedom at any cost!

Kalil laughed at Simon's response. "I am happy that you accepted the offer." He uttered.

"I am just returning the favor, Kalil. If it wasn't for your father, my dad wouldn't reach success at all." Said Simon as he sat down on one of the dining chairs on the left side where in he faces the chair of Attila.

Attila stood still, watching everybody. She doesn't want to seat back.

Simon's gazes dropped on the standing Attila as the two of them began scanning each other.

Base on Attila's assumptions, Simon is in the mid 30's. He has tattoos on his neck part and currently, it's being covered by his polo that's very tight on his wide body. He looks handsome if based on the standard of society; His eyes are round, he has thick eyebrow, perfect nose, perfect jawlines, and adding that very cold look. but the real handsome for Attila is someone like Michael used to be when they were still together.

To Simon's eyes, Attila is just an average woman who doesn't wear make up. Is she being a 'pick me girl' that's always like "I'm not like other girls who wears make up"? Is she trying to catch his attention by acting unique and different? Either way, he's impressed of Attila's body. It's perfect and obviously natural, it's his ideal. D cup, curvy waist, big butt, long hair. The face is fine and he wouldn't really mind. He's thinking of Attila as a mere woman being exchanged for money and salvation for a business.

He gave a smirk to Attila, but whatever Attila does, she couldn't veil the disgusted look on her winces.

"So... Simon, I would like you to meet my daughter, Attila. Attila, this is Simon. He is the man who you are going to marry." Mr. Revis started.

Denice looked seductively at Simon and when Simon glanced at her, she winked. Simon just gave of a silly smile before returning his eyes to Attila.

Attila took a loud sigh, but before she could even speak, Mr. Revis intervened.

"I really hope this union and alliance will save the legacy my grandfather had given me." Said Mr. Revis.

"For sure it will, Kalil. But I heard that the reason why your corporate had a big loss is due to corporatial attack from a powerful conglomerate?" Simon mentioned.

"Up until now, I haven't figured out why my recent investment was a total failure despite of a perfect outlining. But I won't let it cut off the charity, donations, and scholarship that my company has given and only it will be kept by your help." Mr. Revis explained.

Simon nodded as the maid served him one of the food on his plate. He then faced Attila who's still standing. "Aren't you a hero for those who are suffering from poverty, miss Attila? Your father is a real angel and savior, isn't he? So are you. Just by marrying me, you get to save millions of people from poverty." He announced. Although he is smirking, his eyes showed no emotions at all. He is very veiled and Attila couldn't read even a clue of his real motive.

Is he mocking? Is he being sarcastic? Is he bragging? Is he complimenting or what?

"Wow. You are now taking the job of government. Why not run for a president?" Attila insulted.

"Business, economy, government- Name it. But they are all connected. Government is nothing without economy. Economy goes down there and get crashed without us, the businessmen! The financial players. It doesn't have to be government for you to act and help others, Attila. Seems like you're failing to be my wife already just by showing your views when it comes in helping." Simon declaimed. His tone is very cold yet impactful. The way he delivered every phrases were in mono, yet each contained meaningful statements.

"Failing as your wife? I'm not trying to pass. And I just want to make things clear that I haven't agreed on the marriage yet-"

"Attila!" She was about to say something, but her father called her name to send her a sign to stop.

Attila stood still. She never took even a bit of step to go back on her chair. But she's starting to realize that Simon is right. Now she has to choose again, herself or these people that her father helped?

She's not really obliged, but choosing herself means choosing Trevor as well. Her son is just irreplaceable. She is capable sacrificing anything for her son's happiness.

Silence filled them for a couple of second, and Simon never took off his gazes to Attila.

"Alright! Let's settle things up about this marriage tonight!" She uttered as she sat again on her chair. "I want to make things clear first that I have a son."

Mr. Revis immediately intervened. "No! That's a lie, Simon. She's just making-"

"I know that already." Said Simon, cutting up the words of Kalil and silencing Attila. Mr. Revis gave another questioning look. So did the family. They are convinced that it's true that Attila really have a son and the only lie she said is the Travis Williams part.

Simon kept his usual cold look, but that hunter alike eyes is almost melting Attila due to pressure. He leaned over his chair then he crossed his long legs. He sat like a king. "But he doesn't have a father, correct? That's why I agreed on this marriage even when you carry that bad news. It doesn't matter how many children you have, Attila. So long as you don't have a husband then I'm totally fine. I honestly would marry any of Kalil's daughters only if they are single." He added. His answer put relief in Mr. Revis.

"How did you know?" Attila questioned. She acted tough but she knows she is not powerful enough against anyone in here, specially Simon.

"You think I'll just agree on marrying someone else without checking up on them first?" He questioned back.

"You are a very considerate, fine man, Mr. Kennedy. I hope you will take good care of my daughter." Said Levia.

Daughter? The last time Attila saw her mother was when Levia despised her as her daughter. Now look at her saying that shit.

"I sure will!" Simon's lip curved up, but the eyes remained glaring. The Expression Simon showed made Attila shivers in intimidation, but Attila sat still holding herself together and acted tough.

"If you are really willing to return the favor on my father, why not just help him build up again his company rather than marrying me?" Simon was about to eat his food, but Attila questioned and so he put down his utensils. "We could have done that and this and other available methods, honestly! Joint ventures, Alliance, merges, name it. Why must it be contracted marriage if it can be done through contracted agreements? You people are just making things very complicated."

"This is not a mere entrepreneurship, Attila." Mr. Revis answered.

"Let me explain this to her, Kalil." Simon intervened, then she faced Attila, oddly looking at her. "As your father said, this isn't a mere entrepreneurship. Your father's and my corporates are family-run companies built by our great grand parents who left legacies in history. This is the modern royalty, princess. Our empire is our own companies. Our weapon is our money. The whole business world is a big battlefield. It's full of competitions and it's even more chaotic in terms of me and your father because we are affiliated with politics, we have a reputation to uphold and to maintain it clean. Adding that we couldn't trust anyone in the world where you must center yourself. One single mistake, one single betrayal and everything will be gone! For a family-run company like these in the world of business, marriage is the strongest partnership, not any contract." He articulated as he gestured only his fingers. His eyes remained emotionless, but his cold voice carried a very gentle tone.

"Thank you for that, Simon." Mr. Revis uttered in relief as he digged in on his food.

"You don't have to love me in this marriage Attila. I'm not going to control you either. You just have to sign and everything is gonna be fine. So long as you won't have any other men by your side. It's almost a win win situation. I'm honestly giving you and your family a big favor here out of indebted morally." Simon added as he looked at Attila. His gazes might be unreadable but he purposely gave her a leering look.

"Then... Give me enough time to think about this. I am just half convinced." Attila practically said.

Simon just nodded. "Is two days enough?" He asked.

"It is." After Attila answered that, Mr. Revis could finally eat his dinner in peace. So did the family, but Denice kept flirting with Simon through winks and gazes which Simon responded to as if he agrees on it.

"If it is then. May I leave now? We will meet again after two days." Said Attila as she stood up to prepare to leave.

"Be it." Mr. Revis answered.

"Just for clarification. Things are still up to me. If so I decide not to sign, you won't do anything." She declaimed.

"Us doing things are up to us too." Simon answered back. Attila didn't say anything. She just stared at him and left the dining area.

The moment Attila left, Mr. Revis took out a sigh of relief.

"You got a tough woman here, Kalil." Said Simon as he followed Attila through his gazes.

"She is very difficult to handle." Mr. Revis responded.

"I heard that she had an affair during her marriage and she had son from that cheating? Is it true?" Then Simon questioned.

"From whom did you got this information, Simon?" Mr. Revis asked.

"From everything. So is it true? Do not worry, I'm not gonna cancel our alliance just because of that past. As I said as long she doesn't have anyone, we are totally fine with it!" Simon replied.

"We never talked about that ever since that incident to avoid any issues in media. But yes it is." Kalil answered, followed by his sip from his champagne.

Simon just nodded and then he faced his food as he let out an evil smirk.