Embrace it.

"Aren't you upset?" His milky voice asked while staring at his food. His arm was leaning on the arm rest and held his head by his chin. He looked like the famous sculpture "the thinking man," when he sat like that, his gaze inquiring but directed at his food.

"I'm too exhausted to keep being upset." I admit honestly and elaborate when he turned those solid emeralds onto me, "I have too many other things I need to think about. Why should I keep stressing over the inevitable? We're already legally married, the wedding has already been planned, we have our own place and we work together. While it's not the best case scenario, it's already set in stone. It's not like I didn't try, for years we've fought against it and now I'm tired." The reality is that for years our families have married into powerful businesses to further power ourselves. My family's capital wouldn't be as wealthy today if we hadn't continued the tradition. As rebellious as I am, even I understand that.

I won't ask for him to love me but I will ask for his loyalty. That he respect me as the wife I'll prove I can be. "We're not eighteen anymore, we actually have to adjust ourselves for a bigger battle. This is the real world and it's bigger than arguing against our families." I don't know how to get what I want to say across. We met at a young age and pretty much grew up together. I would see him on the outings my dad took me to growing up and eventually heard that we were engaged but we never took it seriously. It wasn't until we turned eighteen that that our parents really started teaching me the etiquettes of being a wife, husband and leader. I had to learn a lot of things because of him but it was also because of that, that I'm in this very position today.

I wasn't big on dating to begin with, I was never sane enough for a boyfriend. I needed a man by side and had been surrounded by boys so my thirst for a serious relationship was quenched. I did occasionally hit the sheets with random men and women, sometime multiple at a time but they were only one night stands--this was my substitution.

I'd say if it's Arican I have to be loyal too, I could do it. If I am being fairly honest, a lot of my expectations sprouted because of him. He wasn't a relationship type of guy either, the difference being he didn't spend his free time hitting up the bars. But he had criteria a woman must meet before he'd start setting aside time for you. I've heard it from my mother a million times.

"Just like that?" He pulled me back to the focus of our conversation. When my eyes landed on him, he was sitting back in his chair with his head hanging back, eyes looking at the ceiling.

"I don't think they're wrong." With that one sentence, the air in the room thickened. Arican sat up, his posture slightly stiffened.

"Regardless of everything, we're already this far, why don't we lay some basic principles?"

We signed away our freedom yesterday, and technically this should be the honeymoon but I'll save that for the wedding, since it is the biggest coming out party of american history. I refuse to plan the cliche dream of all time but the honeymoon I'll take as vacation, of course I'm planning that. We have a lot of ground to cover from here on out and I'm practically declaring that I want us to work. Being his wife had its perks, although unknown for the moment, I plan to build those perks up.

"What are you talking about?" His mood was all over the place, between anger and denial, he chose to hear me out while he ate his food.

The Chinese food in front of me had long grown cold. "For starters, we accept this--together. Acceptance means mutual support at all times. I will genuinely live this out, faithfully, as your wife and I ask that you do the same. If you have things you want to say, say it in front of me. If you have pent up anger, let's relieve it together. When you are hungry, I will cook for you and we'll go on outings. I am your rock, so I'll do my best to handle your obstacles with you opposed to creating them for you. I married a strong man, but my man married an even stronger woman so let me support you. Do you understand? I'm not saying we'll get a long one hundred percent of the time but I want to try."

My words held all of my sincerity towards him. I never once loathed Arican, it wasn't his fault that we were in this situation. We were criminals in the slyest form and right now we were also the newly appointed leaders--in training.

His eyes narrowed at me, his body language telling me he was ready to spark an argument. "Just hear me out. We can't afford to look weak, not right now. Our parents lead their clans for years and when the oldest child comes of age, they take over. Not only are we of age Arican, but we've conjoined-" I watched understanding filter through his eyes. "We absolutely can not look weak. I am your wife and I need to keep your image strong. We should be focusing on the clan, our enemies, our selves. I'll be your wife and not only on paper, I refuse to act the part-- I have too much shit to do. Instead, like I said before, I will genuinely accept you."

My words were beginning to sound like a broken record. He didn't have a choice anymore, word had been spreading for years that our fathers; Julian and Frank, were planning to put aside differences and build a mafia family unlike any other before. We were now the biggest power family in NY and we will restore the mafia name. That was the whole point of me being sold like cattle to the Monettes.

Everything I said forced Arican to change his views. He was the underboss, the face of his clan and it was the same for me. Now that we conjoined however, my underboss position had been inherited by him. As soon as Julian hosts the commencing, Arican will be the boss of both clans.

He had a lot on his plate and I think it's only right that he starts focusing again. He sighed, giving up trying to eat, and stood to walk around the room.

"You're a commitment Areya. The very last thing I need are anymore of those but you're right. I acknowledge that, at least." His back was to me while I watched him pace.