4 A deal with the devil

"Father please release me!"

My head started spinning as my father spun me around. A tall elegant woman dressed in a silk red dress and a fur coat walked in the room. Her brown hair formed into a sophisticated bun. A second later she opened her mouth.

"YOU SHAMELESS MAN. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF OUR DAUGHTER'S IN LAWS. LET HER GO."

My father released me as I plopped on the floor. I covered my mouth in fear of throwing up all over the tatami mats. Haruto came to me and said.

"Are you okay Astrid?"

I did a thumbs up and stood up. My father walked over to the woman who I assume is my mother. He then hugged her close to him as he looked at Haruto.

"Listen kid. My daughter is the most precious thing in this world. Her brothers mean shit to me."

My mother slapped the back of my father's head. He winced and said.

"I'm sorry honey."

"Stop embarrassing us Luciano. Talk to our son in law respectfully. Honestly why did I marry such an idiot like you?"

My father hugged my mom close and kissed the top of her head. She blushed and turned her face away. I tilted my head. Oh. She was some type of tsundere. The only thing that amuses me about the situation was that both parties were agreeing about the fact that I was going to marry this man. I clenched my fists. I need to state my position right now.

I scooted forward and touched my forehead to the ground as I bowed to both Haruto's father and my own.

"Please listen to my condition of this marriage. I understand that I'm in no position to say something as this is a deal between our clans but may I propose a better solution?"

My father and the old man stayed silent before my mother said.

"Go ahead Astrid."

I nodded and raised my head.

"I propose that instead of a marriage we make a business deal. I can provide the product while Haruto can take care of the distribution. Both of our families' businesses have declined as a result of the prohibition. Why don't I propose an idea of a new type of drink that will have similar properties to alcohol but once exposed to the police will appear as if it isn't?"

My father stared at me like I was crazy. The old man smiled. My mother chuckled. Haruto glared as he looked at me and lit another cigarette. I coughed. It was his fucking third cigarette. Just how stressed is this mother fucker?

"Haruto dear pass me a cigarette."

I watched Haruto pass my mother a cigarette. I snatched the cigarette from Haruto's hand. My mother looked at me confused.

"Stop smoking mom. It's really bad for your lungs. I'm doing this because I love you."

My mom chuckled nervously before nodding. My dad then sat down on the tatami mat and asked me.

"What is the nature of this product Astrid?"

"It will be our regular wine yet we will add another additional chemical. Sake and wine are both made using the chemicals of hydrogen peroxide, sulfur, and isinglass. Isinglass is a compound element that allows for wine to be finer. Red and white wine traditionally have their color due to this. The sulfur is used to ensure that the wine doesn't go bad."

Everyone in the room stared at me like I was some sort of alien. Tears of shame fell down my cheeks. Ladies and gentlemen I don't know why I'm here either. This is my flaw as a chem major. And this is also why I'm still single.

The old man stroked his beard before saying.

"With that in mind Astrid, what is the additional product that you will add to make the sake or wine not appear as it is to the cops?"

I chuckled.

"Simple. We reduce the sulfur content of the wine by diluting it and adding flavors. By diluting the drink we are adding the oxygen content which allows for the wine to rot after a couple of days. To the cops it will appear as some sort of apple cider when in reality it is still alcohol."

Haruto laughed as he commented.

"I didn't know that my future wife was this smart."

My father smiled as he said.

"She's my daughter after all."

All of the elders smiled as I stood up and bowed.

"So please let me not partake in a marriage with Haruto. Instead I will provide a more beneficial option with this product."

My parents and the old man laughed. Haruto whispered.

"Do you not want to marry me this much?"

I whispered back.

"It's nothing personal. It's just that I want to be an independent woman who doesn't have to ride on your coat tails for money."

Haruto burst into laughter as he whispered.

"Oh dear, when you talk smart like that to me, I won't be able to let you go."

I flipped him off behind my back so that the others wouldn't see me.

The old man then turned to my parents and said.

"Well. I agree with her proposal but under the condition that she stays engaged to my son. I'm afraid that she might enamor another man with her beauty and mind."

My mother clapped as she said.

"What a wonderful idea! We wholeheartedly agree!"

My father nodded.

Wow. So this was a way to limit my interactions? I sighed. Whatever. As long as I don't marry the fucker I can break off the engagement later. Once I'm rich from this business I won't need this asshole. But for now I still need the support of his family.

I turned to see Haruto look at me. It's as if he knew what I was thinking of. He then smirked and whispered.

"You will always be mine. Don't even think of running away."

.....

Thank you so much for reading my luvs❤️Stay safe😍😷