THE WEIGHT OF A DEAD MAN'S AGREEMENT
(Still Binding)
Shadow_vee
"You said you knew my father," she began carefully. "From where?"
Andre did not look at her immediately his gaze remained forward, thoughtful.
"Ten years ago, your father saved my life."
Orabella frowned slightly,
"There was an incident, he didn't let me repay him i even offered money."
Her voice barely above a whisper. "That sounds like him."
"I suggested something else," Andre said. "Something that would bind both families together bring us closer "
A slow realization dawned on her "Marriage," Orabella murmured.
"Yes marriage and we agreed on one condition that it would only proceed with your acknowledgment and you were never to be forced."
She swallowed. "Then why am I just hearing about this from you now?"
"The agreed time had not yet come."
"And when exactly was that?" Her tone sharpened.
Andre did not answer immediately.
Her fingers curled slightly on her lap. "When he died? He's dead now, you know."
Andre kept silent.
The confirmation sat heavily between them.
"What makes you think I would marry your son?" she continued, her voice now steadier "I don't even know him."
Andre turned to look at her not offended just observant."That is a fair concern," he said calmly. "You are being asked to consider a decision that affects the rest of your life i do not expect blind agreement."
She blinked, slightly thrown off by the lack of pressure in his tone.
"Then why come to me now?" she pressed. "You could have just… left it. My father isn't here anymore to insist on anything."
"He never insisted," Andre corrected gently. "Your father agreed on one condition that the choice would always remain yours."
Orabella's chest tightened.
"So this isn't an order," she said slowly.
"No," Andre replied. "It is an offer. One based on a promise I made to a man who once saved my life."
She looked away toward the tinted window, seeing nothing but her own faint reflection.
"And your son?" she asked after a moment. "Does he even know about this?"
A brief pause.
"He knows," Andre answered. "Whether he accepts it willingly… is another matter."
That made her brows knit together. "So even he doesn't want this?"
Andre's lips curved just slightly. "My son is a complicated man."
"That doesn't reassure me."
"It shouldn't," he said honestly.
Silence settled again, heavier this time but not hostile.
"I'm not asking you to give me an answer now," Andre continued. "I only came so you would hear the truth directly, not from someone else"
Orabella swallowed, her guard still up but now tangled with something more complicated.
"I still don't know your son," she said again, softer this time. "And I won't walk blindly into something just because it involves you or my father."
Andre gave a single approving nod. "That is exactly why your father trusted you to choose for yourself."
"So," he added calmly, "take your time, think about it carefully. This is not a decision that should be made out of pressure… or sentiment but from a clear mind."
She exhaled slowly, her thoughts anything but calm now.
The car was silent again before Orabella finally spoke. "I think I should get going now."
Andre gave a small nod. "Of course."
She pushed the door open, one foot already on the ground when his voice stopped her.
"Orabella."
There was a gentle tone in the way he said her name, a quiet warmth that contrasted with his demeanor.
She turned slightly.
"I have a good feeling about you,you carry yourself the same way your father did… quiet, but firm and it's hard to ignore."
Orabella blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.
"You remind me of him," he added, more softly "that alone makes me trust that whatever decision you make, it won't be a careless one.Thank you for giving me a listening ear."
For a second, she didn't know what to say then she offered a small, polite smile, the kind she used with customers who lingered a little longer than usual "You're welcome, sir."Then she stepped out fully and closed the door.
The moment she was a few steps away, Andre leaned back against the seat.
"Let's go," he told the driver.
Inside the cafe, the bell above the door chimed softly as Orabella walked in.
Claire was already staring at her with a thousand unspoken questions that finally burst out the moment Orabella reached the counter.
"Who was that man?" Claire asked in a rushed whisper. "Why did he want to speak to you? Are you okay?"
Orabella placed her hands on the counter, steadying herself before answering. "I'm fine."
Claire narrowed her eyes. "That is not an answer."
Orabella exhaled slowly. "He said he knew my dad."
Claire blinked, caught off guard. "Your dad? How?"
"My dad saved him years ago."
Claire's expression softened a little. "Oh… that's actually nice."
Orabella gave a faint, distracted smile. "Yeah...Nice."
But her fingers tightened slightly on the counter.
Claire noticed immediately. "Okay, no. That smile means something else is going on. What aren't you telling me?"
Orabella hesitated, then leaned a little closer and lowered her voice. "Remember when I told you I discovered my dad's journal?"
Claire nodded slowly, curiosity sharpening.
"Well… he's the man."
For a second Claire just stared, processing, and then her eyes widened dramatically. She slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Ouuuuu"
Orabella blinked at her reaction.
Claire's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. "But hold on… he looks good like, really good but no doubt he's older than you."
Orabella frowned. "I know. That's the father."
Claire froze for a beat… then her grin stretched even wider.
"Oh. My. God." She grabbed Orabella's arm, barely containing her excitement. "If the father is looking that good, how will the son look like? Girl, you're lucky."
Orabella rolled her eyes immediately, trying to ignore the heat creeping up her neck. "Claire, please."
"What? I'm being serious!" Claire whispered loudly. "You mean to tell me mysterious, handsome wealthy looking father, and there's a son involved? This is literally the beginning of every dramatic love story."
Orabella gave her a flat look. "This is not a love story this is confusion."
Claire chuckled. "Confusion that looks very expensive."
Orabella shook her head, though a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."
"And you," Claire shot back playfully, "are suspiciously calm for someone who might have just met her future father-in-law."
Orabella groaned softly and buried her face in her hands for a moment. "Don't even say that i don't even know the son, Claire."
Claire wiggled her brows. "Yet."
Orabella dropped her hands on her waist and glared at her,"You're not helping."
"I am helping," Claire insisted, grinning. "I'm emotionally preparing you for the possibility that he's ridiculously handsome."
Orabella rolled her eyes again, this time turning back toward the counter to hide the small smile she couldn't quite suppress.