A Bride Worth Billions Read online

  I walked through the front door of my parents’ home and the whole of my family was gathered there. My Ma and Da, all of my sisters and their husbands and children. The children mobbed me as I entered, hugging me around my knees and calling my name. I was so preoccupied with their attention that I didn’t notice my father standing in front of me along with his guest, and his guest was none other than Robert The Bruce. On seeing him standing there right in the home of my parents, my eyes almost wanted to pop out of my head. Yes, I was his sworn enemy at the moment, but Robert The Bruce was largely recognized as the true King of Scotland and I was overwhelmed by his presence.

  “Erin,” My father said, his voice a low grumble, “we be needing to have a word with you in private.”

  The two then turned and wound through the mess of gathered relatives and I followed close behind into Da’s study. At the time, I had no idea what they wanted to speak with me about? The only thing I could think of was the patrol we had chased off of our lands, and even though they flew the crest of the Bruce, they seemed to be nothing more than brigands, so I seriously doubted our little Malay with them would have warranted the attention of the Bruce himself. But, then again, stranger things have happened.

  After we were all seated next to the fire, I sat squirming in my chair with the anticipation of what they wanted to speak with me about. I almost felt like a small child who getting ready to be chastised for getting into the sweets before supper. Finally, it was Da who broke the silence.

  “Erin,” He said as he cleared his throat. “I’ve decided to join our clan to the Bruce’s cause. In fact, we’ve come to the decision to bind our two clans permanently…”

  I practically jumped out of my chair with the news. It had been far too long since my blade had tasted English blood and it was thirsty.

  “That’s fantastic news, Da! When will we be marching with the Bruce against the English?”

  “As soon as your wedding to the Bruce has been finalized.”

  A wave of confusion passed through me. My marriage? To the Bruce.

  “Excuse me?” I asked with an edge of panic rumbling through it.

  “The people need to be united, Erin,” The Bruce said, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “And the people also need a queen. If we marry, our people will have both, and with our combined strength, I know that we can drive England from our shores.”

  “I’m flattered … “I said, my voice sputtering. “I truly am … But, no. No, I mean, I don’t even know you.”

  “It doesn’t matter if you know him or not, Erin!” My father’s voice was at a near shout. “Your mother and I didn’t know each other, either! But we married for the sake of our clans! We married out of survival! And look at all we’ve accomplished together!”

  “But, Da, I don’t love him! I love—!”

  “I don’t care who you love or don’t love, Erin! This is for the good of our people! For all of the people of Scotland! So for once in your life, you will do as you’re told!”

  I felt my world collapsing around me as my mind filled with thoughts of Derrick. My poor Derrick! He was not set to return for another day! How would I break this horrible news to him! My heart sank to my stomach and I suddenly felt as if I was going to sick up right there in front of the King of Scotland, and, apparently, my soon to be husband. But I rushed from the house before it could happen and I vomited on my boots the minute I stepped out of doors and I began to weep.

  How could I have been so selfish? Why did I make Derrick wait so long in declaring our love? I should have been satisfied just being with him and given up my old life. If I had only just succumbed to my true feelings, there’s a better chance than not that I would be fat with our second child by this point and I wouldn’t be a bargaining chip for my Da to use in his negotiations with Robert The Bruce.

  Derrick and his war party returned when they were expected and as Derrick dismounted his horse, I pulled him to me and kissed him. I had never done so in public and both Derrick and the entire village was shocked by the display of affection, especially considering that I was now betrothed to Robert The Bruce. I pulled away from Derrick, my eyes brimming with tears.

  “Erin,” His face had been lit in a smile, but once he saw my tears, it crumbled. “Lass, what’s wrong?”

  I then led him away, back to the spot where we had first made love and I told him.

  As I left him sitting in our clearing, he would not face me, and his entire body wracked with his sobs.

  ***

  I would not see Derrick again until the day my family and I was to leave with the Bruce in order to prepare for our wedding. I was feeling truly downtrodden because of Derrick’s sadness and all of the regrets I harbored and the doubts I felt about my forthcoming marriage to this complete stranger. Was I truly the one person who could unite all of our people, or was I merely a pawn in a power mad game my father was playing? My thoughts were so angry and confused that I was practically paralyzed by it.

  As we rode out of the village with both the Bruce and me at its lead, Derrick stepped in from of our horses carrying a long dagger and then threw it at the hoof of the Bruce’s horse. It did not strike the beast but instead stuck in the ground.

  “What is the meaning of this?” The Bruce asked calmly of Derrick.

  “I am issuing you a challenge, Robert The Bruce, as my right as a highlander!”

  “Get out of the way, you damn fool!” My father shouted from behind us.

  “And what, may I ask, are you challenging me for?” The Bruce’s voice was cool and there was a slight lilt of laughter playing about it.

  Then Derrick, his jaw set, his teeth gritted, pointed at me with a shaking finger.

  “I challenge you for the hand that does not rightfully belong to you! I challenge you for the love of Erin.”

  The Bruce looked over at me, a smile playing across his lips and he saw my tears coursing down my face which erased his smile completely.

  “Very well, then,” The Bruce said as he stepped down from his horse and drew his long sword. “I accept your challenge.” The Bruce then did something that caused the entire gathered village to gasp. He laid his sword down at Derrick’s feet and bowed before him. “I concede to you, good sir. The lady Erin is yours.”

  The Bruce then turned to my father: “Obviously, you don’t know your daughter as well as you think you do. Come, we have much more to speak of.”

  I did not follow my now downtrodden family, but instead leaped off of my horse and threw myself into Derrick’s waiting arms.

  ***

  Aye, you’re probably wondering if Scotland ever found its queen, right?

  It did, but it would be several years later after The Bruce’s revolt and he would marry his queen out of love.

  Derrick and I, of course, soon married afterward, and my father forbade us to be a part of the war parties any longer. I’m sure he thought of it as punishment. Which, if it had been several years earlier, his decision would have devastated us both.

  And as far as my father’s plans with Robert The Bruce, those did not disappear, our clans still untied and we joined the rebellion. But all the same, it would be many years before he forgave me entirely, and I don’t believe he has yet to forgive Derrick, but so be it, I’m sure he’ll forgive him eventually. Especially since he’s helped provide him with all of these half-wild grandsons who seem to want to do nothing but fight.

  For that, I’m sure he forgives just a little bit.

  THE END

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  LOVE BITES

  It was yet another day to get busy for Leila Thomas inside the fairly lit coffee shop which was just across the centre of business offices in the city. She looked around the place and saw that a long line of caffeine drinkers had started to stretch over near the entrance door. She sighed while mixing the order from the woman standing behind the counter. The tip jar was still empty though it felt like she had already taken too many coffee orders within the
first two hours of her shift, contrary to the past regular working days when customers had been very generous.

  Leila tossed aside the gloom building up inside her and forced a smile for the next customer.

  “Can I take your order?”

  This time it was a man, probably in his late twenties, who wore a gray business suit and a blue checkered tie. He was tall, almost towering over her and he had broad shoulders that added to his aura of manliness, the sight of him made her want to shiver. And his eyes, a shade of blue, almost took her breath away. He was looking at her intensely.

  “Your order?” She had to clear her throat to prevent a gasp from ever escaping her mouth.

  “Just black, and make it extra strong please.” He said smiling.

  Leila blinked twice while punching in the order on the monitor in front of her. Her other hand had to grip the edge of the counter for support. There was something in the way he smiled, something unexplainable, which made her a little wobbly. It felt strange but she had to brush off the weird sensation and proceeded with making his order.

  “It’s steaming hot and extra strong. Enjoy your drink.” She forced another smile but decided not to look directly at his eyes, which were fixed on her.

  “Thank you, Leila.”

  It made her jump a little out of surprise. She looked at him with questioning eyes, wondering how he knew her name. The man pointed at the right side of chest, his gaze never leaving hers. A silent “oh” formed on her lips realizing how silly she had been. Of course he would know. The small silver pin on her chest had her name written on it in bold letters.

  “And I have a feeling we will meet again.” It was close to a whisper.

  She backed away a little feeling light-headed all of a sudden. He was leaning a little bit towards her and she felt this invisible yet subtle force radiating off from him. It was very light but the feeling of being pulled towards him was there, steady and effective. She held her breath as she leaned over to him, succumbing to the invisible force.

  “We will meet again. Very soon.” He whispered and left.

  The moment he turned his back, Leila felt the pulling force instantly broke and all her senses went back to normal. The sound of the hushed gossips and quick chatter from the patrons of Blue Bottle cafe all seemed too loud to hear ears. She had to shake her head a bit because she was beginning to feel dizzy.

  “Leila, is something wrong?” Kara, her partner for today’s shift tapped her shoulder.

  Leila looked at her friend and shook her head. Kara had started working in the cafe later than she did but they bonded right away and developed a real friendship. They cover each other’s back whenever one was in trouble or having a hard time with a certain customer. And Kara, though a bit older than her, was childish at times which make it much easier to work on her shift.

  “No.. I don’t think so.” She answered while shaking her head again.

  The odd encounter with the man earlier seemed a bit blurry, making her confused all of a sudden and as she tried to recall what had just happened, it became more confusing as though the memory was fading away from her mind.

  “Why don’t you sit down for a minute and let me take over?”

  Kara pushed her with a little more force than necessary and took over the counter.

  “Geez, it’s not even lunch break and you’re already slacking off.” She playfully rolled her eyes.

  Although her friend had said it to make her relax a bit from whatever was going with her, Leila couldn’t manage to laugh it off. With quick steps, she headed towards the back of the coffee shop desperate to breathe in some fresh air.

  Dark clouds greeted her outside and a cold brush of air made her long, black-dyed hair sway. What was happening to her? She’s getting dizzy again making the less busier street at the back of the coffee shop look as though the cars were racing to beat the traffic lights. She leaned on the wall with fading white paint while massaging her head and took in some more of the not so fresh air, hoping to ease away her discomfort.

  The honking of the cars didn’t help, it only worsen her condition and gave her a splitting headache, which made it difficult to remain standing. She opened her eyes when she heard soft footsteps heading her way but saw no one. The big green trash bins where the only objects around her, however the sound of the footsteps seem to get closer.

  Leila started backing away and headed for the door when a huge, dark brown dog came out from one of the trash bins. It didn’t look like ordinary pet dogs because its eyes were sharply looking at her and, its large and spiky fangs were clearly visible. It was growling lowly but she knew the dog, or what seemed like a huge dog, was ready to strike at her.

  She stopped at her tracks just a few steps away from the door when the hound rushed forwards, with its jaws wide open. Leila couldn’t even scream in horror as it launched at her. Instinctively, she covered her head with her arms and curled on the pavement and heard a loud thud. Shutting her eyes firmly, she waited for the fangs to pierce through her body, but nothing happened. There was an increasing sound of growling and thudding.

  The beating of her heart was so erratic her chest felt like it was about to explode. She remained in a curled position for a moment as the noises of what seemed like dogs fighting continued on. But it wasn’t just the fighting that added to the noise on the street, the ground felt like it was shaking. Then, suddenly the fight had stopped and all she heard was a whimper from one of the dogs.

  She took the chance to take a peek from the arm that was covering her face and grew shock at what she saw. Aside from the trash and the broken trash bins, there were no dogs, just a familiar looking man standing with just his pants on. His wavy light brown hair was dripping with sweat than trailed down his shirtless chest.

  “I know I said we’d meet again soon. But this isn’t what I had in mind.” He grinned.

  “You!” It was all Leila could yell out before a shot of burning pain rushed throughout her body and she slowly fell into the darkness.

  The loud buzzing of the alarm had woke Leila from what seemed like a nightmare. Looking around, the soft yellowish light from the early morning sun had filled her tiny room. She smiled. This was exactly the decision breaker for her when she was looking for her own place after getting the job at Blue Bottle cafe a year ago. It only had one window but it was huge and it gave her an overlooking view of the several street blocks around her apartment. And she loved waking up in mornings greeted by the morning sun.

  She stretched her body for a few seconds before lying flat on her bed. For some odd reason she felt a little sore and tired, the same feeling she usually got when jogging for more than an hour. But she hadn’t even jogged yet. Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall what had happened last night, but nothing came. She shrugged it off and went on with her morning rituals.

  The cafe was unbelievable packed today. All the tables are filled and the line had already piled up. She eased her way through the crowd and into the counter. An unfamiliar face was at the cash register, punching in the orders and greeting the customers with a happy smile on her face, which was so unlike her forced smile. She sighed feeling a lot more tired than she had felt when waking up this morning.

  “Leila!” Kara waved frantically at her with a bit of worry on her face.

  As soon as she was inside their small storage room, Kara held her shoulders and shook it lightly.

  “What’s going on? You had me so worried.”

  The worry and anxiety on Kara’s face made her panic. For one, Kara wasn’t one who took things too seriously since she would often shrug and laugh on her troubles saying stress would only give her wrinkles. And two, she had no idea what her friend was talking about.

  “Don’t look so damn lost and answer me!” She said with hysteria.

  “But I am lost. Why are you being so cranky?”

  Yeah. Why was her friend acting a bit odd. And coincidentally, she was feeling a bit odd too.

  “Who wouldn’t be? First a ra
ndom guy just rushed through the back door with an unconscious you in his arms. Second, you went MIA for five days. Third, the manager was fired and the cafe is under new management. And lastly, you, who seemed to be connected to all of this, is looking genuinely surprised.” She fanned herself with her hand looking frustrated.

  “So, where were you?” Kara asked again.

  “I don’t understand, Ker.” Leila shook her head in frustration. The throbbing of her head had started and was becoming bothersome as she try to process the information in her mind.

  Kara said she was gone for five days. Five days? But how? Again, she tried to remember what happened last night but all she could think of was the nightmare she had about a huge dog attacking her. She tried harder to recall how she spent her night but it only worsen her headache.