"We cannot keep going on like this, at this rate we are already bankrupt. The creditors are already eyeing to sell the house to pay off the debts." Edward Vale said reluctantly from his seat near the fireplace as he glanced at the burning embers.
"This is all your fault! We would not be in this mess if you had done what I told you. The Vales come from wealth and power. You have ruined us because your constant gambling." Marianne Vale lashed out harshly at her husband, her fingers curling into fists at her side.
"Me! I have given into your every whim and fancy to keep up appearances; all of this is what you wanted! How dare you blame me for this!"
"That is enough!" Syrena said coming in between them.
"Father, Mother. Look at you, arguing like this about the debts that have accumulated. We need to work together and see how we can get out of this mess. Not waste time accusing each other as to whose fault it is. I do not like it when both of you argue and get into a fight."
She kept staring at her parents with pleading eyes. Hoping they would stop fighting.
As luck would have it, Marianne Vale her mother did not comment further instead she took a moment to collect herself. She stared at her adopted daughter, Syrena. Her eyes began to gleam as an idea struck her.
"Edward, I think I have the solution to all our troubles!" She said, exclaiming with glee.
"Alexander Graves, the richest man in this city, is looking for a bride. Perhaps, Syrena dear you would volunteer yourself as a candidate."
"Great idea, Marianne! If Syrena catches his eye, we will be debt-free!" Edward said nodding with approval.
"Marianne, what say you, darling, would you help your family now that we are in a tight spot?"
"When I meant a solution, I meant in terms of finding work to cover all the debts."
"Work?" Marianne asked, laughing sarcastically.
"My dear, we will be slaves our whole lives to cover the cost."
"No this is the only way out of this situation."
"Will you help us or not?" Marianne asked her daughter, pinning her with a look daring her to refuse.
Syrena from her seat on the sofa, reluctantly said, "Very well, Mother."
"That's my sweet girl, always helping out when things go wrong," Marianne said.
The Vales were in the family room, seated in front of the fireplace. It was raining heavily outside, the sky was streaked with lightning and roars of thunder.
As Syrena stared at the window covered in falling raindrops, she could not suppress the tears that were slowly falling down her face. For she had agreed to help her family at the risk of her own happiness. What of her dreams and aspirations, and what she wanted to do with her own life? Did those things matter to them? Of course not, after all she felt she owned them a debt for rescuing her from an orphanage when she was an infant.
Syrena stopped the train of thought that was going through her mind. She looked at her adopted parents. They were the only family she had ever known. Her father was old now, his raven black hair greying at the temples, her mother looked worn through, dressed in her faded pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
The chandeliers over her head were cracked and old, some of the bulbs had long fused out, the hall was full of papers scattered with bills and red ink. Soon they would no longer have a roof over their heads if she did not agree to this scheme.
"Now remember, Alexander Graves is to throw a gala tomorrow night. Dress up and look your very best for heaven's sake. You may ask Elianna to accompany you, I am going to sit this one out. I trust you to catch his attention. Seduce him if you must."
"Mother, I can do my best, but please do not ask me to seduce him. I will not be a one-night stand and then be discarded as an afterthought."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, one can never tell with him." Marianne conceded.
"You are an heiress, my dear, carry yourself like one." Marianne concluded for the evening before she retired to her room for the rest of the night.
"Don't be afraid, daughter, I doubt he will take advantage of you." Edward said he was doing his best to encourage before he too left the family room to retire to his bedroom.
Syrena soon left for her own bedroom, taking the stairs two at a time to get there faster.
Once inside, she locked herself in and fell into bed.
She closed her eyes and firmly told her mind to shut down, as there was no point in worrying about what lay ahead of her. Tomorrow she was going to meet Elianna Sinclair her best friend for breakfast, she might as well tell her friend what her family was up to. Dear God please help me, was her last thought before she fell fast asleep.