Unsavory Redemption

...If you are a rose, then I want to become a thorn so that I can protect you from all the abhor of this world...

A smile crept upon my lips when I read the sweet note in my book. I lift my sapphire gaze while tugging a strand of my raven hairs behind my ears searching for the one who wrote it.

"Who could be kind enough to send me this?" I asked myself.

It's been six months since I have been receiving these notes. Like every once in a week, there's a note in my book with something sweet written on it.

I have been searching for that guy ever since the first day but I couldn't find him. He just left the note magically in my book and left without leaving a trace behind.

"Why did you do it when you don't intend to reveal yourself huh?"

'But, these are my salvation, the only other thing which made me feel loved after my sister Marianne.'

I sighed deeply and shook my head.

"Just where are you?" I mumbled to myself as I stood up from the garden of my university.

I'm Rebecca Morris, I'm 25 years old. After completing my Masters, I enrolled in a hotel management university because I'm really looking forward to a life in hotels.

My father, Dayle Morris is a successful businessman owning Garnet Enterprises, based upon the name of my dead mother.

'Well, actually 'my' empire is labeled as his.'

My father never wants me to get a degree in Hotel management, he wants me to learn Business Finance so that I can help him in business but I prefer jobs over business so I pursued my dream.

But, none of this would be actuality if it wasn't for my beloved sister Marianne Morris, she is 28 years old, with the same looks as me but height a little taller than mine and having hazel eyes, A supermodel living in California.

She always supports me and loves me dearly and I love her too.

'If it wasn't for her I may have died with Jane, she gave me hopes for a better tomorrow or else I am still imprisoned in my nightmares.'

As loving sisters we are and how my sister made me feel that even if you stumble on your path, some act of kindness will always pull you up.

And at the same time my father, he who made me face the bitter reality of the world that if you fall others will crush you even if that person is your own father.

"Pathetic..."

Being nothing but a contempt to my father, is something I never want to become but after 'that incident' I felt scared to be number one.

When I lost my strength, he left me all alone in the dark. Trampling over the empire I built from the shadows at the age of 18 and owning as his.

'But. I am not complaining, I am never the one who cares for money so I don't mind but where were you when I needed someone's support? When I tried to halt the toxicity rushing in me?'

"Where were you when I needed you? When I was alive?" I asked in a dejected whisper.

Back again to the reality that hit me hard that I couldn't find this secret admirer for the past six months.

"Goddammit, what good hiding will you do? At least show me, I hold the ability to connect, prove me wrong for being an uncaring bitch." Muttering, I got up.

I even left notes in my books so that he could see them and show me his face. I waited for him countless times and at countless places but he never came.

I looked down and murmured a 'thank you for evoking emotions I lost' to myself and left for my classes.

On my way, I called Marianne.

"Hello." I heard her voice and replied.

"Hey, Marianne, When are you coming home? " I asked.

"Uh, Who knows? Whenever my sister calls me. " She said sweetly as a smile crept upon my lips.

"Papa is going out of the country. Can you come home and stay?" I asked.

"Rebecca, I am saying this again and again, move out of that place and live somewhere alone or maybe share an apartment with your friends, it's better than living there." She sighed.

"You will lose your sense of reality and become more emotionless than you already have. Just get out of there."

'It's not like I chose this behavior.'

She lectured me and I know she is right that I need to start my life but I don't think I can.. Not after it has ended.

"I can't. Can you please come? I truly don't wanna talk about it." I almost pleaded with her.

"Fine. I'll be there tomorrow. Until then, stay strong and you know it, what to do if you get scared, don't you? "

"Mari-Jane-Acca. " I said our spell to vanish our fears.

"Good Girl, Now wait for me til then. Love you. Bye. " She said.

"Love you too! Bye. " I said in glee and cut the call. I am so exhilarated she is coming, my only reprieve. I have missed her a lot.

Ryan POV:-

I watch her from a distance, her raven hairs swaying with the wind. Eyes blinking while holding my heart captive in them. Her thick lips making a pout elicit the desire to kiss them in me.

'How can one be so exquisite?'

She put a hand on her neck while giving a beguile look but it wasn't the arrest but the innocence I had never seen before.

She seems so powerless, a weak-hearted person I wanted to protect. My heart flutters in happiness when I look at her. Just like a fascinating angel having an angelic name, Marianne.

'What secrets do your eyes conceal?'

I leaned on the wall watching her from afar as she was photo shooting for our new campaign as our model.

I continued to watch her from afar with a faze of how someone can be inexplicably beautiful.

I'm Ryan Knight, An American with Indian heritage and culture my parents needlessly strictly follow.

'What's the point of doing what is done there but not here?'

I have gray eyes along with my pitch-blacks combed backward perfectly, a fair buildup body and a tanned complexion enhanced by my tattoos starting from the right side of my neck to all the way to my right wrist.

I'm 32 years old and tired of hearing my parents wanting me to settle down.

'Which era am I living in huh? Victorian age?'

I always shrug them because the person whom I want to spend my life with doesn't seem like she has any interest in me. I even told my father about it and he gave me advises too but to comply with them is so difficult.

"Beautiful!"

My mother, Sarah Knight and my father Xavier Knight had a love marriage.

I also want to marry the person I love like them but thankfully they didn't force me that much. After my father's retirement I came back to California and took over business even if I don't want to.

After the shoot, I invited Marianne for dinner because every moment I spend with her is cherished deeply.

"I am glad to have you as our model again." I said to her, She just chuckled in her melodious voice and replied with a 'thank you'.

"By the way, Marianne, what are your plans for tomorrow?" I asked.

I just loved how her name rolled on my lips, after watching her from afar for the past 3 years.

"Oh, I am going back to my hometown, my sister is home alone and she is afraid of being alone. " She replied.

'There she goes, talking about her weak sister Rebecca again.'

"Don't you think she is old enough to take care of herself and what about your father? Would he be present for her?" I asked.

"Fears don't come with age, Mr Knight. Only they are etched, they are difficult to remove."

"And My father is going out of the country so I am going back with the next flight to Boston. I need to stay by her side, she cannot bear loneliness nor darkness." She ended sorrowfully.

"I am in no position to ask what made her like this. I hope she overcomes it... her fears, I guess." I mumble, not knowing what to say.

"And I am in no position to tell so it's okay, you don't have to sympathize with her condition anyways, she did this to herself. " She replied and turned her attention to her food.

"To herself?" I questioned.

"A lost tale, forget it." She mumbled. 'I don't care about your sister, tell me about you'

After a silence our sweet dinner came to a halt.

"When is your flight?" I asked her, dropping off at her place. She lives in California but her family lives in Boston.

"At 3 am. "

"If you say, I can drop you off..? " I offered. she passed me her usual smile and said/

"You don't have to Mr Knight. You have done enough, thank you very much." She said and went away.

I took a deep breath and went home, only to see my parents sitting in the lounge while looking at our photo album.

I gave Father a side hug and kissed Mother's forehead and sat in between them.

"Ryan, Look how cute you are looking!" Mother squeaked as I asked.

"Am I not cute now?" I asked with a teasing smirk.

"No, Now you are handsome like me. " Father said proudly. I chuckled and looked at my childhood picture, noticing how adorable I looked.

"Mom.. Dad... " I called them, dragging them out from those sweet memories. They both looked at me and I blurted out.

"I have found a girl for me and I would like you guys to go to her place and ask for her hand in marriage. "

'Since you will kill me if I break your old traditions of proposal.'

It took them a few seconds to register my words and when they did, they burst.

"What's her name? Who is she? Since when are you guys dating? Why did you never tell us about her?"

I paused at their series of questions and responded impassively.

"Her name is Marianne Morris, the top supermodel, the daughter of Dayle Morris, the Garnet Enterprises owner. We are not dating, she is not the type of a girl who would date guys and as if you will allow me to." I mumbled.

"At least that's what I think, so I thought... Maybe we can ask for her hand in an arranged marriage. I know the chances of it are rare but her Father is a materialistic man, his response depends upon our status and money but don't worry. Marianne is not like her Father.'' I said, telling them everything.

After working with her, I know this much. For someone with no dating experience, arranged would be the only option for her.

Mother remained silent upon hearing it but Father began to say.

"Look Son, We will do it but don't you think you should ask her about it beforehand? Marriage is a great commitment, you'll spend the rest of your lives understanding each other, supporting each other, loving each other."

"Like dating-" I was about to ask happily but-

"No."

"But a quality reassurance. And since you don't know her thoroughly, you have to be prepared to accept her good and bad habits and no matter what happens, you'll never regret your choice as you'll hold her hands tightly with the intention of never letting it go." He explained.

"And I am not telling this to you for just this but to whoever the girl that will become your bride. Do you understand me?'' Dad's words of wisdom never fail to teach me good stuff.

"Do not worry father, I'll try my best to fulfill all my obligations as a husband."

"They may be obligations but do not forget to not make your marriage a mere bond of responsibilities. It's a sacred bond and you should respect that. "

"I understand this much, Father." I said sincerely.

"I agree we want you to get married but since we are going in for an arranged marriage, you'll have to be ready to face rejection, anything can happen." He shrugged.

"It was your idea."

"Your call, son." He smirked.

"Do I even have a choice?" I asked, arching a brow.

"They are rare nowadays. I doubt anyone would agree." I said, frowning and they knew my distress.

"You should be prepared for everything, Okay? " Father explained as my heart skipped a beat in dread just by thinking about it but I know asking her will be meaningless.

"Or I could just date-" And he poured water over my dream.

"No." I wanted to argue but stopped, sighing deeply.

"I have thought about it for quite a while. I've mentally prepared myself for the worst case scenario but I will try my best to assure her." I said proudly.

'But little do I know, I wasn't ready for the upcoming affliction as it's worse than any situation I could have imagined...'

Rebecca POV:-

I sat in the corner of my room while hugging my knees close to my chest, all the servants went to their quarters and I am all alone filled with extreme anxiety. I hid my face in my knees and began to shake.

"Please, Marianne, come soon. Please. Please."

I repeated that like a chant so that I could give my scared form any consolation but, to no avail.

"Please don't leave me alone, please, Please..."

I know the only thing that can eradicate this fear of being alone is to have someone by my side, someone who loves me and the only person who loves me is Marianne.

"Mari-Jane-Acca."

"Mari-Jane-Acca."

"Mari-Jane-Acca."

I repeated those words as if my life depends on them.

When father knows I can't spend a second alone, how could he leave me all alone?

How much of a burden does he think of me?

I, who made him who he is today.

"Please.. Anyone.." I put my head on the bed while sitting on the ground and shut my eyes wanting to receive a lull from it. Cold sweat formed on my forehead as my breath became heavy.

"No, not you. It was not me." I clutched the sheets tightly and buried my face in the sheets and before I knew it, I found myself losing in that dread.

"Rebecca!" My eyes fluttered as I was greeted by Sunlight penetrating through the window, igniting my room.

"Rebecca." My eyes narrowed as I could barely open them because of the lack of sleep.

"Hey, Hey, I am here." I rub my eyes and comprehend the slender figure before me and the scent was enough for me to know that it's Marianne.

"Please don't leave me alone." I hugged her tightly, never wanting to let it go. She ran her hands in my hair and kissed my forehead.

"I am home, Sweetie. You don't have to be afraid anymore." she said in her sweet voice. I smiled widely and wiped the tears pricked in the corner of my eyes.

"Welcome home. " We smiled and pulled away. She caressed my cheeks and asked, "How are you? "

"Now that I have seen you, I am better."

"Me too." We stood up as I asked, "Breakfast?"

"Come downstairs, We'll cook together." I grinned and hugged her tightly and beamed in blithe. She chuckled and patted my head.

"You get ready. I am waiting. " I nodded and quickly freshened up and walked down.

We began to make pancakes for ourselves and do random funny stuff like decorating each other's face with flour and eating Nutella with a spoon instead of applying it on the pancake.

"Stop it! You need to maintain your figure." I said sitting on the counter while eating Nutella.

"Come on, a single spoon won't do that much, give it to me." I clicked my tongue as she sighed and took the jar and used her own spoon to dig in. We began to laugh as the kitchen was in a mess.

"Don't go soon... Please. " I said sadly to her.

"I have no new shoots, rather I canceled all of them. So, I am free for the rest of the week and I am staying with my sister." She smiled and my face lit up in happiness.

"My attendance is also quite good so If I take a week's day off, it wouldn't affect my studies that much. "

"And what about notes and lectures?" she asked.

"Do you think 'I' need lectures? One reference is enough for me." I replied, getting down from the counter.

"I know, but do not forget you are not what you used to be. You'll deliberately score low." She said, eyeing me.

I just hummed in response. She turned her attention towards me and held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze and began to say,

"Look Rebecca, You are a gifted child, if you don't use those skills and let them rust, it would be fatal for you in future. You cannot hang up on something that happened years ago. Please even Jane wouldn't want it."

"Marianne, Jane took her life right in front of me just because I was the most loved child of the family. Do you think I want to be who I am after what happened?" I snapped.

"She was my twin, my talent ignited the fire of envy in her and took her life. How can I use it again?" My voice softened in dejection, lowering my head.

"And even Papa left me alone when I needed him just because I can't help him grow Garnet Enterprises anymore. He is just an insensible guy who loves money and you." I said coldly. Marianne remained quiet and lowered her head.

"What did you just say?" A growl can be heard and it's enough for me to know it's Papa.

"Age took its toll on you, Papa. Do you want me to repeat my words?" I asked- mocked, closing my arms at my chest.

"Ungrateful Kid." Papa hissed. I took a step forward and gave him an icy look.

"It's clear who is the 'ungrateful' here."

"Get out of my sight."

"I have no intention of ruining my day. " I said emptily and took my plate of pancakes and passed Marianne a smile and left.

I ate my food in my room and after eating I washed my plate and passed by Papa's studies and heard him saying, "I just want to settle that disgrace."

And the word 'disgrace' is enough for me to know he is talking about me.

"For God's Sake, Father, Stop calling her this, she is your child. Did you forget what she has done for you? For us?" Marianne defended. A smile crept upon my lips to know that at least I have some support in my life.

"Who she was died long ago, talk about what she is now. What is she? Can't even spend a second alone." Papa argued, clenching my heart.

"She was a gem. Someone who can dominate everyone but that idiot shut herself out from the world!" I sighed and shook my head.

You would never understand.

"Have you ever tried to understand what she felt? "

"Can she even feel? I have decided I'll arrange for her in a marriage. " My eyes widened when I heard it.

Am I that useless...?

"Don't do this to her." Marianne pleaded.

A silence fell upon the room and I lowered my head and walked away to my room.

Later, Me and Marianne are watching a movie but then Papa came looking stoic as usual.

"Both of you. Be ready tonight. We are having guests."

"Tell them you have only one daughter, others died. You surely don't want them to meet your disgrace. " I said coldly.

"Shut your mouth for once. Be ready." He said and left. The look of horror on Marianne's face is enough for me to know that it's about me.

I should be angry, sad or maybe happy about it but I am feeling none of it. As if my heart can't feel. I do feel sorry for my future partner for having a toxic person like me in his life.

"What's up with that look, Marianne?" I asked, sitting up and being oblivious.

"I don't want to marry... and I don't want you to marry too... for now. Why am I so weak? Why can't I speak for any of us?" She said worriedly, pulling her hair in frustration.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I blinked.

"Father told me some people are coming to ask for my hand in marriage. I refused but still he invited them for dinner. "

All my feelings aside, if it's about Marianne, I will not tolerate anything. She is so fragile and innocent, I don't want anyone to taint my sister.

"No one is forcing you. I will see who would dare to do this." I hissed and took a hold of her hand and took her with me to see Papa.

"Rebe-" She tried calling but the strict expression on my face shut her mouth.

I burst in and glared at Papa, the insensitive asshole who does care about anything.

"What the hell do you want from her, when she doesn't want it, you cannot force her and if you dare you, I will become your downfall myself." I growled, warning him and he knows I can do this.

He closed his book making a 'thud' sound as he stood up and walked towards us in pure bewilderment.

"Care to tell me what you are talking about?" He asked.

"About that marriage ordeal." I hissed.

I know it if he'll force Marianne, she'll agree but I know she doesn't want it and I will never let her.

"It's 'your' marriage, Rebecca. "

"It's 'your' marriage, Rebecca. " He said derisively.

I narrowed my eyes in perplexity, registering his words for a few seconds and asked, "What are you talking about?" He took a step back and turned.

"You see Rebecca, Now that you have become nothing but a disdain, I no longer need you." He said.

"I knew that long ago. Come to the point." I scoffed.

"They will come to ask for Marianne's hand in marriage but the one who will marry their son would be you or else I doubt anyone would want to marry a burden like you." My eyes widened in disbelief when I heard those ridiculous words.

'What a way to throw me out.'

"So now you have decided to be degenerated?" I scoffed. Honestly, I don't give a damn about myself, I don't care.

"Don't fall that low." Marianne spoke faintly.

"And who the fuck asks for hand in marriage by using his parents in twentieth century?" I argued, frowning deeply. Pissed at the guy who cannot handle his marriage himself.

"Everyone has their own tradition, it's theirs. They are a people of culture." He defended him but I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah right. And you will smear it under your feet by changing the bride. Wow, I can only imagine the worthwhile drama." I chuckled dryly, putting my hand on my waist.

Why is it not hurting me? Why am I not feeling anything? Am I so dead?

"Ah, I feel sorry for the man." I let out a hollow smile, holding my forehead but Father sighed deeply.

"He is the only man who can handle you. Someone as lifeless as you need someone with life." He replied coldly, looking away, facing his back to me.

"Only he can help you." He breathed out but I slammed my hand down.

"I don't need an outsider's side."

"Or what? Therapy is useless, Me and Marianne can't do anything. No one can help you need an experience to end this stubbornness because you made yourself like this!" He yelled, slamming his hand on the table.

My lips parted to argue but he was right. I let this happen to me.

"None of us are going to marry him. I don't need anyone to be my redemption." I scowled, narrowing my eyes in ire.

"Fine then. I'll make Marianne marry him and make her quit her career. She will be deprived of her dreams because of you." He declared, earning a gasp from us.

"Is your age eating your mind as well? How badly is your mind functioning?" I asked in disbelief.

"Please don't... " Marianne whispered while holding on my shoulder. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she was about to fall.

"I will not let anyone destroy the life Marianne spent years to build." I said sternly.

"Then do as I say. You will marry Ryan Knight." Father announced.

"For her, I will do it." I said firmly.

"Don't Rebecca.. Please don't ruin your life for me.. " I turned to Marianne and smiled at her.

"Marianne, my life is already in ruins but you have a long and successful life ahead of you. Please live your life, I don't want you to end up like me." I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Tears rolled down her cheeks as I continued to smile,

"Rebecca, none of us have to do it. We will run away. We will go back to California, I can bear your expenses. We will be together." She said desperately, holding my hands.

"We will live our lives together and never return here. You also have your life to live. You have dreams, you can do it. Please don't sacrifice yourself for me." She pleaded.

I wiped her tears and turned to Papa and spoke with venom laced in my voice.

"You see that man standing there. He will never let you live your life. He will make a show of the scars you are hiding behind these layers of makeup." I said making her recall the torture of her abusive ex-boyfriend.

"And a tainted beauty can never become a model, your dream of working with Mr Black will be ruined." I whispered, curling my lips upwards.

"Watch your mouth." Papa snarled.

"Shut. The. Hell. Up. " I said threateningly. My raised voice is enough to shut everyone in the room.

"I have lost my will to live long ago. Believe me, I am not feeling anything, Not even compassion for that man." I said, nibbling my bottom lip, resenting myself for being like this.

"Please.. Don't.." She cried, she was the only sensible person here. Me and Papa were only having a glaring competition.

"Rebecca is right. Just to throw her away, I will do anything including what she just said." He said with his devoid tone.

"You are the worst form of a father! Why can't you throw her out of the house rather than binding her life with a stranger!? Why are you doing this to her?!" Marianne shouted, sobbing, lowering her head, tears streaming down her face.

She doesn't deserve us. She is too pure to be stained with fights and toxicity.

"Only if I could. But, that will affect my name. That's why I need to make her leave using this way." He said with a shrug.

"Leave him, Marianne." I said, narrowing my eyes and I hit where it hurts the most.

"That man has proven that money has blinded him. He has proven that he is the worst form of a father. I hope no child gets a father like you." I said and walked out and went to my room with Marianne following me from behind.

Assaulting his sensitive nerves but he deserved it, if he gets a heart attack from my words then so be it.

"Please don't do this, Rebecca. It will drown me in guilt. " I stopped in my tracks and turned to her.

"Then don't let it. Look, You have to live your life. You have a long path ahead of you. Don't waste it, don't let people around you manipulate you, Marianne." I said tenderly, hoping to make her understand.

"And what about you.. Your life..?" She asked.

A hollow smile crept upon my lips as I replied, "It ended the day Jane died." and left.

***

"Oh, both of your daughters are beautiful." Said Sarah, Mrs Knight.

"We deeply apologize if we caused any inconvenience by the proposal. We actually have an Indian heritage and there, parents talk first, let it be arranged or love marriage and I firmly believe that marriage not only binds two people but two families as well." Mr Knight said, that explains it.

Well, I never thought about it in this sense. In fact, I never thought about it.

"Ah, what a beautiful thought." Father agreed, faking a laugh. Arse, I bet he disagrees but acting if he is going along.

"Well, most couples do meet the parents of their partner, there's nothing new or innovative about it. But, that being said, there are a 'couple', era of arranged marriages is rare nowadays. Don't you think so?" I asked, almost ridiculing them because the looks I gained were enough.

"I don't think Indian heritage has anything to do with this. That is another matter if you want the marriage to be traditional. That would be understandable if you mention it then." I smirked emptily, leaning back and they were only staring at me with a gaped mouth.

"Please don't mind Rebecca, she is only curious to know." Marianne spoke up with a nervous chuckle.

"She doesn't know, it was hard for her to sink all this." Father said as well and they sighed in relief.

"I don't want to say this but I agree with Rebecca." My groom himself said, looking up at me with a sweet smile.

"It's normal, Father but it would be another matter if we want a traditional marriage, don't you think?" His voice was so tender but surely an assertive presence.

He was handsome to the core yet I didn't feel anything. His presence was warm, possessing everything a girl desires but I felt a void in my chest- not even pity.

"Now you said it... Yeah, you are right." Mr Knight nodded and they all laughed in the end.

We continued having dinner with our special guests, whose reactions I am looking forward to seeing when they find out that their bride is the younger daughter, not the elder one.

Ah, the sight.

An empty smile formed on my lips when I raised my gaze and looked at Ryan, who was looking at Marianne at the corner of his eyes with so much love and affection.

But no matter how much he loves her, Marianne doesn't want to get married. Marianne passed Ryan a smile and tugged a strand of her hair behind her ears.

Only we sisters can feel the awkwardness of the situation.

"So, How did you guys meet, Mr Knight?" I asked Ryan. He turned to look at me with his silver eyes. He passed me a smile and replied,

"Three years ago when she became our model for the launch of our debut in the cosmetic field."

"Ah, Ruby Cosmetics." I said and he nodded.

"By the way, I have heard a lot about you from Marianne. She told me you are a genius. I was looking forward to meeting you." He complimented me.

"Was. " I corrected him which made him raise an eyebrow at me.

"I left all those behind. I am just a simple woman now." I said taking a bite of my food.

"She told me that too. Since I have heard a lot about you, I wanted to meet you and you showed that you truly are an intriguing person. I think we will get along." He said with a chuckle and I looked at Marianne from the corner of my eyes.

I almost choked on my food when he mentioned we will get along. Oh dear, we will never. Now I am feeling bad.

She is just eating her food in silence.

"Well, now you did. But, don't you think you should talk to the person you came for? Our Marianne is surely silent that you are not talking to her." I said in my usual cold voice.

Ah Ryan Knight, Your heart is going to break terribly in the end.

"Yeah, You are right. I humbly apologize." He laughed and turned his head to Marianne as I excused myself and left.

....What fate has in store for me is truly fascinating...