Fionn rode to a remote neighborhood west of the city centre. He came to a stop at an isolated glass building, which looked deserted but yet well kept. He checked the time on his watch; it was 10:10 am.
"He'll scold me for being late." He gave a sad sigh.
He got off his bike and moved straight into the building, where he came to a door with a digital screen. On the screen, he pressed a code, and the door opened to reveal a lift, which he took to the basement.
The lift came to a stop, opened, and revealed a well-set-up room, a clear contrast to the outside of the building. It contained luxurious couches, tables, bookshelves filled with books, a pool table, different board games, and two tables with computer setups. All well arranged to depict the luxury.
"Why do we have to meet here?" Fionn frowned.
"You are ten minutes late," Silas said. He was wearing a laboratory coat as he mixed some chemicals at a simple lab setup on the corner table. He spoke to Fionn nonchalantly without breaking his focus on what he was doing.
"The hospital was crowded. That's why I came here." He said as he stole a glance at Fionn.
"So why are you late? This girl you talked about, who is she? And why are you zeroing in on her for marriage?
Fionn laughed shamefully, guilt painted all over his face. He couldn't understand why and how Kiara was able to have such an effect on him. But he couldn't care less, though, for as long as she agreed to marry him.
"It's all thanks to her." He said as he walked to a couch and sank into it.
"You mean her?" Silas asked.
"Yeah," Fionn admitted. "I'm late because I had to drop her somewhere." He sighed. "About why I think she's the best candidate for my wife. I don't really know." He smiled. "Anyway, you'll get shocked when you find out who she is."
Silas was compelled to stop whatever he was doing.
"Is she someone I know? Silas asked. He put off the coat and walked to the couch, sinking into it just beside Fionn.
"Yeah."
"I wonder who she is," Silas said calmly. "How did you two meet? Tell me everything."
"She came around last night with. She thought it was a Fionna, but she met a Fionn. Turns out we had to share the house." He gave a deep sigh.
"Surprisingly, the house belongs to her." He chuckled.
"But I kicked her out." His tone sounded regretful.
Silas listened in silence, trying to process everything before he spoke again. "What a fool you are. If I'm to ask, why did you kick her out?"
"Yeah, I admit I'm a fool," Fionn replied.
"Good thing you know that. We've already wasted enough time. Get a way of having her back in that house, tell her you're ready to share it." Silas said.
"I'm afraid that may not happen," Fionn replied with a worried tone.
"Why? Don't tell me you are still being rigid." Silas snapped.
"It's not that I'm being rigid, but she's so bent on filing a lawsuit. So very soon I may have to leave the house."
Nothing was said between the two for a moment.
"We need Tom." Silas broke the silence. "If she's suing you, then we have to get prepared. We can't lose her, being that we've finally got someone you are willing to marry."
"I promise next time we meet. I'll try to convince her to reach an agreement. And actually, I've already talked to her about marriage." Fionn said.
"That would have been your priority in the first place, but you only worsened the situation."
---------
Kiara stepped out of the courthouse and headed straight to the car waiting outside. One of her dad's drivers, whom she'd called earlier, greeted her.
"Are we heading home, Miss Miracle?" he asked.
"Not quite yet," she replied.
Kiara needed to pick up her luggage first, then they had to stop by Dorshan Blue Flats before heading home. The drive to the guesthouse was smooth, and after collecting her luggage, their next stop was set.
"Wait here. I'll be back soon," she said as she stepped out of the car.
"Sure, you won't need my assistance, Miss Miracle?" he asked, as if he sensed danger ahead.
But there was nothing to worry about, not like Fionn would kill her. Hurt her? Probably. She thought he could be capable of hurting her, but killing was only far-fetched.
"It's alright. No need to worry," Kiara reassured him, and thankfully, he bought it. He didn't insist on escorting her.
She walked to the building and took the lift to the third floor. Midway down the hallway, a sudden urge made her want to turn and leave. Was she really ready to face Fionn again?
With her emotions tangled, part hate, part something else, Kiara had no idea how she'd react once she saw him.
Unaware, she was already standing at the doorway. With a deep sigh, Kiara pressed the doorbell.
---------
Fionn and Silas sat on the couch in the living room. Silas was busy on his phone while Fionn typed on the laptop.
Nothing was said, there was nothing to be said, until Tom and Ethan arrived. All attention remained glued to the screens.
"Check this out," Fionn extended the laptop to Silas. Breaking his focus from the phone to the laptop, Silas read through the contents of what was displayed.
He huffed. "Really, is it necessary?"
"Of course, if I can't talk her into marrying me, I think a marriage contract is the best solution. I've made sure to include terms that favour both sides." Fionn said.
With a simple chuckle, Silas replied. "Don't you think a contract will make it worse?"
"Why are we here?" Tom asked immediately after him, and Ethan got in.
"Take your seats first," Silas instructed.
The two settled in, each making themselves comfortable, eyes bright with anticipation for whatever was about to be said.
"Why are we here? I'm getting impatient, and if it's an emergency, why not meet at the Pearl?" Ethan asked.
"We decided to meet here because we are waiting for someone. This is the only place she could go to." Fionn replied.
"What's so special about this she that needs us all to be here?" Tom asked.
"That she is so special simply because my little brother is in love with her," Silas teased, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Love!!" Ethan jumped off the couch in shock. "Impossible!"
Fionn's brothers knew him better than anyone. The very idea of him being in love was like a lion giving up meat for grass, utterly impossible.
"That can never happen. Not the Fionn I know," Tom spat.
Fionn looked at the three of them, his body burning with a mix of rage and frustration. He couldn't admit he was in love, but he couldn't deny the truth either; he felt something for Kiara.
How could this happen? Do I actually have feelings for her?
"Anyway, I'm kidding," Silas chuckled. "Fionn met a girl whom he's actually willing to marry. But at the moment, things are complicated between them. So…"
"To cut a long story short," Fionn interrupted, "this flat belongs to her, but I kicked her out, and now she's suing me."