"So, what's your name?" Mrs Bellamy asked as they ate. The rattling of forks and knives provided a rhythmical background to their meal. Adira knew the question was directed at her. She gulped down some water before looking up at the woman. "Adira, ma'am. Adira Ravenswood." she inclined her head. "Adira. Pretty name." Adira felt so relieved that the woman liked her. She had been so scared that she'd get rejected, just like she had been rejected by Lancelot's family. "Thank you, ma'am" she beamed a smile. "You're welcome, honey. So, as you must already know, I am Lancelot's mother, and this is my husband," she placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "These two titans over here are my sons - Vesper and Finn."The younger one - Finn - flashed a smile at Adira, while the older one maintained a strict face. The older one had been the one giving her cranky stares. So, he must be Vesper. "A pleasure to meet you all," Adira beamed. Silence descended upon the table as they savored their meal. Adira noticed their father looked much older than his wife. It was more like Mrs Bellamy had gotten married to him as a trophy wife. Vesper suddenly asked: "So, why are you getting married to her, bro?" His question rose brows at the table. Even Adira felt a lump in her throat. Why was he bringing it up? Nikola's hands halted for a few seconds - a few seconds - before they continued working with the cutleries without him looking up at his brother. "I mean, for all we know, you just met this lady and all of a sudden, you want to get married to her? Do you really think she's worth joining the family?" "Vesper!" Mrs Bellamy called out. "What, mother? I'm the first son, anyway. So, I don't think it's wrong to inquire who my brother's soon-to-be wife is." Adira was more piqued by his last statement. He was the first son? She always thought Nikolai was the first son. Well, if Vesper was the first son, then how was Nikolai the one in charge of the company? Quite confusing. "Vesper," Nikolai called, his voice cold and piercing as an arctic wind. He still had his gaze on his meal while he tried to cut his meat into serveral parts. Even if he took his time, everyone - including Vesper - watched out for what he had to say. Then, with a tone devoid of any warmth or emotion, he added: "Get my name out of your mouth. I think you have better things to worry about." "Really?" Vesper chuckled. "Better things like what, little brother?" He let the 'little' sound demeaning enough. For the first time, Nikolai looked up at him. "Better things like not losing your life, same way you lost your position as the first son." Nikolai's response was like a betrayal to Vesper. His face went blank as vengeful rage crept into his eyes. "How dare you?" He muttered. "How dare you make a mockery of me when you clearly stole my position!" He slammed the table raucously, causing some of the meals to spill. "Vesper! What is wrong with you?" Mrs Bellamy shrunk back in fright. Nikolai didn't flinch, neither did he act like someone was yelling at him. "You," Vesper pointed a finger at him. "You're a snake who took everything from me!" "Stop it, Vesper!" Their father interjected. "How dare you say such words in front of a guest? Moreover, I've told you countless times - Nikolai stole nothing from you. I chose to take the company from you 'cause you were a drug addict! Have you forgotten you almost ruined my reputation few years ago when you got arrested?" Vesper's eyes melted as he looked at his aged father. "But that was only once, dad! And it was a mistake, alright? Besides, I've stopped doing drugs, and you know it! I'm clean! How can you keep punishing me for the sins of my past?!" "Well, until you prove yourself worthy, I'll never think you're clean. You could start with controlling this rabid attitude of yours." Vesper's countenance fell. He had a mix of anger and pain in his eyes. Drawing back his chair, he got to his feet. "Just admit it, father - Nikolai has always been your favorite son. He's always been the smart and intelligent one, while I've been the dumb one, right?" He chuckled and added. "It's fine. I think I totally understand." Then, exited the dining. "Vesper!" Finn stood up and ran after him. "What the hell!" Mrs Bellamy tapped her forehead. Adira was awed. She couldn't even take out her next breath. What just happened before her? What sort of drama was that? The Kensingtons had so much war going on between them? She lowered her gaze, feeling like she had caused the fight. It made her feel guilty. "Come with me, Nikolai," Mr Vincent suddenly stood up. Huh? Why was he requesting to speak with Nikolai? This made Adira more nervous. Slowly, Nikolai stood up and walked out of the dining with his father. Mrs Bellamy reached for Adira's hands on the table and touched it. "I'm so sorry you had to witness this. Everything will be fine, alright?" she cooed, and Adira responded with a nervous smile. ...Mr Vincent took his son to his bedroom and stood face - to face with him. "Nikolai, what's going on? A week ago, you never mentioned a word about getting married," he began. "That's because she just gave me her approval today," Nikolai responded calmly. "But... you were never a relationship with this lady. Why are you bringing her in all of a sudden? And... you know you can't get married to anyone else. What about Na-ri? She's your potential wife, Nik, and I've been saying this for years. You know the agreement we had." Nikolai said nothing. So, his father continued: "You can't disappoint Na-ri, not after everything. Moreover, she's pretty, educated and is also very nice to you. You two were..." "My marriage with Adira will only be for two years," Nikolai interrupted. "At the end of two years, I'll divorce her and get married to Na-ri." This got Mr Vincent more confused. "For two years? Why two years?" Nikolai sighed. "You need to trust my decisions, father. I've never disappointed you, have I?" ****†****†****†****†****† Back at the dining, Adira felt really nervous as she ate with Mrs Bellamy alone. She kept wondering what conversation Nikolai was having with his father and hoped it didn't have to do with kicking her out of the family. Mrs. Bellamy suddenly broke the silence. "You know, dear, I was so excited when Nikolai called and told us he found a bride. It had sounded so strange coming from my son." She laughed. "But it was the best statement I've heard from him in the last ten years. Please dear, try all you can to change my son. Make him a better person," Adira watched her countenance become sad. "You know, my son has become hardened. He doesn't like being touched in any way." Mrs. Bellamy added morosely. This got Adira thinking. He didn't like to be touched? Was that the reason he was always on gloves? And always on clothes that covered him to his neck? Even when his mother tried pecking him a while ago, she had noticed how he pulled away. But why was he that way? "He wasn't always like this," Mrs Bellamy continued. "My Nikolai used to be a very sweet boy - until ten years ago when he was kidnapped. He was kidnapped alongside his girlfriend, but while he came out alive, his girlfriend didn't." Adira's jaws dropped. What? Something that terrible happened to Nikolai?! "The devil responsible - Jagger - is being wanted by the police and has gone into hiding since then," her eyes darkened as she mentioned the name. "It's been ten years, yet those dumb authorities are yet to catch him. But my Nikolai - my boy has never remained the same. He won't even tell anyone what happened - what that beast made him go through. You know, his girlfriend's body was not even found and Nikolai wouldn't tell anyone what happened. He only kept insisting she was dead. That monster traumatized my son so much and for ten years, he's never been himself," she paused and drew a deep long breath. Adira could see her eyes glistening with tears. "But with you, Adira, I have confidence that you'll get my son back. At least, for the first time, he found a bride. It's a good start, isn't it? So, please, make it worth it." Adira was flummoxed. How could she tell her it wasn't possible 'cause their marriage was based on an agreement alone? How could she tell her they'd only be married for two years, and showing the slightest affection towards him would terminate the contract? How exactly? She was short of words and just stared blankly at the woman. Just then, Nikolai returned with his father. His gaze slided between Adira and his mother before settling finally on Adira. "Let's go. Goodnight, mother." He started walking towards the door. "Oh! You're leaving already?" Mrs Bellamy stood up and followed him out. Adira did same. Getting to the car, Mrs Bellamy pulled Adira into a hug. "Goodnight, dear" she whispered. "Thank you, ma'am," Adira added and they disengaged. Then, she walked into the car where she joined Nikolai at the backseat. As soon as they got in, Nikolai handed a bank card to her. "While we're working on a new account for your, as well as your business classes, you can use this to get anything you want for the meantime. It has a deposit of fifteen million dollars already. This should do for now." Adira's eyes grew bigger in shock as she took the card from him with shaky fingers. Her heart pounded heavily. Fifteen million dollars?! Did she just hear him correctly?! She had fifteen million dollars all to herself?! And it was just for a start?!