Emerald's Core
"I refuse to marry, Father," Emerald told her dad with something of disgust, sitting at the dining table.
For some families, a dining table is meant to be a symbol of togetherness and family shared—serenes of laughter, chatter, and sweetness are meant to be the foundation of the dining experience.
Alas, where family members come together not just to eat and drink, but to make conversations and gestures that portray a family. Emerald's dining table was the solid foundation for business topics. Topics her father forced. Topics of contracts.
She knew why he summoned her from her room, and to a bet she wouldn't be part of it.
"I never said you had a choice," her father, Louis, said with striking eyes. He was at one end of the dining, and Emerald at the other, and his demeanor was so commanding, she could spot a tremble in her hands.
"But Father…" Emerald swallowed and tried to build up the last ounce of confidence in her chest.
Ever since her mother died, she had to take all her father's ruthlessness. And even though they were related by blood, she began to ask if truly he was her father.
"Listen to me, Emerald." He paused his culinary habits to look straight at her.
"You will wed the son of Bruce. You will walk down the aisle with the man I choose for you." He took a bite of his salad as he continued.
"He's best for you."
"Best for me—or for your contract?" Emerald had enough. All her life she had been taking in all her father's wrath, all the mental abuses, thinking she must be the perfect daughter. She had never complained, never cursed, never shouted—but always submitted to all her father's requests, even the ones that made her take a risk.
But selling her off?
She expected it—but never this soon.
"How dare you!!" A hardened flash of rage dominated her father's eyes.
"Oh, I beg to differ, Father. I am not that 17-year-old you could control by scorn or a whip," Emerald lashed back.
"If there's anyone you should be grateful to, it should be me," her father responded with heavy brutality.
"And a thank you I would say, Father—for bringing me into existence alongside with ma, for training me—yes, thank you for giving me a life of luxury, a world pictured with authentic credit cards and a black card exclusive for Maldives.
"Still—
"I will not stand here and watch myself marry a man I do not know—a man I do not see." She lamented to her father, knowing fully well that no matter how many times she stands up for herself, her father's orders will prevail.
"If that is all you have to say to me, I will take my biddings upstairs." Emerald got up with her tray to leave. She was on her way to the stairs with her mistress, until she heard a slam on the table.
"Alex should be doing just fine at training league."
At that, Emerald turned her gaze to face her father. Fear gripped her chest so tightly, she thought she would die from a panic attack.
Louis saw that fear—and held on to it. He took a sip of his wine and confidently crossed his legs, leaning his back on the silhouette chair.
"Look at the time… I'm sure by now he would have received another combat medicine." Her father checked his watch triumphantly, knowing full well his words had an effect on her.
"What are you?" Emerald questioned, trying to understand that this man—who she saw in front of her—was so blinded by fame, he could use his children as collateral. He found joy in expanding his children's weaknesses.
"Alex is your son," Emerald said to him, losing every bone in her body to call him Father again.
"A bastard son," Louis answered, "and a useless one at that," he added.
"The boy is nine, Father." Tears dropped out of Emerald's eyes, agony holding her chest, trying to make the pain settle.
"I have never for once begged you for anything, Father. I have obeyed you even at times it didn't make sense." Emerald's legs dropped. She lowered her height, begging on her knees with her hands pleading as her hair dipped tears from her chest.
"Father, do not use Alex as a weapon to sabotage me. Do not use his condition to ruin my life." She begged, even though she knew who she was begging—and how spiteful he could be.
"Looks like we are on the same level of understanding," her father pounced on every word.
"Like I said, you will wed Master Simeon, the son of Bruce. You will become the daughter-in-law of the Marears." He uttered each word with authority and power. His tone cut deep like a knife.
"And if you so wish to be adamant, then Al—"
Just when he was about to complete his words, Emerald interrupted.
"I will wed."
She was now standing. Her tears not seen anymore. All there was to see was the aura of a girl who had no need for life—a girl who was choked by intimate characters.
"On the condition that you leave Alex alone, and all his welfare be passed to me," she spoke momentarily.
"I have no objections. It's not like he held importance to me. But you, Emerald—
You are my one-way ticket to success. A bridge to a whole new world of A.I.
Do not disappoint me."
He said it, then got up with his coat and went straight to his master's bedroom, leaving Emerald alone to hollow in darkness.