Original Stories Fan Fiction / Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Hostile Engagement ❯ Chapter 2

She stood up and stretched. Class was over for the day finally. She started to pick up her bag and her violin but was startled when she heard a familiar voice scream out her name.

“Sabi!” She stood and stared in the direction of the doorway. She was knocked back onto her desk by an enthusiastic Mari. She caught herself on her hands and realized that they were in quite the provocative position, with Mari sitting across her lap on top of the desk.

“Mari?” She querried. Mari rested her hands on Sabi's shoulders.

“Sabi, we brought the things you asked for. Are you going to come home and visit us soon? It's so lonely without you.” Sabriel couldn't help but being amused. Mari had always had a crush on her, even though she was a girl. That was just how Mari was. Sabriel smiled and patted Mari on the cheek.

“Sure. I'll come home and visit you soon.” She said. Mari sat up and clasped her hands together, smiling.

“I'm so happy Master!” She exclaimed. She unclasped her hands and leaned forward. “Will you wear your uniform? Seeing you in this uniform, you're even more wonderful than usual.” Sabriel managed to sit up by putting her arm around Mari's waist.

“We'll see about that Mari.” She stood and placed Mari on her feet as Vanessa joined them. Usually Mari wasn't quite so enthusiastic, so Vanessa had probably put her up to it. Unlike the very young and cute Mari, Vanessa was in her late twenties and had an allure of danger that to some men, probably made her more attractive than she already was. Sabriel adjusted Mari's dress, since it had gotten a little ruffled in their collision. Vanessa asked Sabriel.

“Are things going well?” Sabriel nodded. Vanessa smiled coolly.

“Good.” That was the friendliest expression Vanessa ever wore. She was dressed in a traditional yukata, but she wore a pair of boots and carried a sword over one shoulder. Her long black hair was pulled up on the back of her head. Sabriel thought she was an incredibly beautiful, if dangerous, woman. Sabriel could hear some of the boys in her class commenting. She felt slightly embarrassed as her teacher joined them and scolded.

“Sabin, you're not supposed to have girls visit you at school.” Vanessa looked at the teacher coldly and then grabbed Sabriel, pulling her close so that Sabriel's back was too her. She wrapped an arm around Sabriel's waist and clasped her arm tightly with the other hand. Sabriel was a little surprised. Vanessa told the teacher.

“I'm one of Sabin's private tutors.” Vanessa leaned close to Sabriel, whispering by her ear as Sabriel pulled away, somewhat embarrassed. “Right Sabin?” Sabriel managed to stutter out.

“Y..yeah.” Her instructor, Mr. Garrick, looked a little embarrassed himself, but he crossed his arms over his chest and asked.

“What subject might that be in?” Vanessa still had her sword in the hand that was wrapped around Sabriel. She released Sabriel's arm and grabbed the hilt of the sword, pulling it out part way to reveal a sharp blade hidden by the dark sheath.

“Self defense. Sabin is my only student, so I'm very protective.” She sheathed her sword and released Sabriel, who breathed a sigh of relief. Vanessa enjoyed playing with people a little too much and her sense of humor was different from other people. Being on the receiving end was difficult. She rested an arm around Mari's shoulder and took a deep breath as Mr. Garrick asked.

“And what about the other girl. Do you both have permission to be here?” Vanessa gave him a curt reply.

“Mari is Sabin's private maid. She came to deliver some things. We both received permission from the school. There's no use in lecturing.” Mr. Garrick looked at Sabin and then turned his back.

“Very well. But please refrain from acting inappropriately.” Sabriel breathed a sigh of relief and then asked.

“Where's the stuff you brought Mari?” She released Mari, who went to the door and picked up a bag, lifting it up.

“It's right here Master.” She seemed to enjoy calling Sabriel that. At home she usually just called her Sabi or Sabriel. Sabriel picked up her bag from her desk and then went to join Mari.

“Hey Sabin.” Sabriel looked up as Verity walked into the classroom, bringing another familiar girl with him. Anita waved.

“Hey Sabin.” She said with a smile. Sabriel smiled back.

“Anita. You came too?” She asked, crossing the room. Their instructor turned and looked at Anita, asking.

“Another girl?” He looked at Sabriel and she froze, not sure what to say. Verity saved her by saying.

“It's all right teacher. My sister had permission to come and see me.” Sabriel breathed a sigh of relief and went to greet her best friend. She and Anita hugged each other and then Anita said cheerfully as they seperated.

“I know we just talked on the phone yesterday night, but I really wanted to come for a visit. It's hard to talk on the phone.” Sabriel smiled.

“I understand. Why don't we go on a date this weekend? That will give us time to talk.” Sabriel heard one of the guys in her class approach Verity and ask.

“Senior Verity. You're really going to let this guy go out with your sister?” Verity covered his mouth and coughed to smother a laugh. Then he said seriously.

“Anita and Sabin are very old friends. If he ever did anything to mar her reputation, I'm sure he'd make amends.” Sabriel glanced over at Verity with a raised brow. As if that was possible. But she didn't say that. Instead she said.

“It's a shame I'm already engaged to someone else, wouldn't you say Verity?” Verity glanced at her and then laughed.

“As if you actually plan on submitting to an arranged marriage.” Anita looked over at her brother and commented slyly.

“If Sabin married into our family, he wouldn't have to worry about an arranged marriage. Don't you think Verity?” Sabriel covered her mouth with her hand as she and Anita both laughed. Verity's cheeks flushed a little. Anita had been trying to get Verity to go out with Sabriel for ages. Sabriel was by no means in love with him. He treated her exactly the same way he treated his own sister. Sabriel said.

“Anita, don't tease him like that. I don't think he really wants to think about that.” Verity glanced at the other student who'd been talking to him and said.

“You see how it is. They're like siblings. They live to torment me.” Sabriel jumped as she heard Mari squeal.

“You!” Sabriel turned as everyone's attention was directed to Mari. She was pointing at Ray, who seemed to be trying to leave the classroom. He looked surprised.

“Do I know you?” He asked. Mari looked pretty excited, like she might jump on him any minute.

“I saw your band playing at the Underground. You're so cool!” Mari grabbed his arm and leaned against him. Sabriel thought it was the first time Ray had ever looked embarrassed. But the band thing did explain his attitude a little. “Won't you introduce me to the band? I want to meet the lead singer. Will you introduce me to her?” Sabriel put her hand to her forehead and sighed. She might never get Mari to leave now. Verity took his sister's arm and tucked it in his.

“I think it's time for you ladies to go home now. If you stay any longer than necessary, Sabin will get in trouble. We'll walk you to the gates.” Mari turned and frowned at him.

“I don't want to go.” She said. Sabriel asked Ray.

“Would you mind taking my things to the club room?” He seemed to snap out of his embarrassed daze and his usual attitude returned.

“Why should I?” He asked. Sabriel told him coldly.

“Consider it as a favor for one of your fans. Unless you'd rather I let her stay like this for a while.” Ray glanced at Mari and then away.

“Fine.” He said. Sabriel turned to Mari and said with a gentle smile.

“Mari, do you want me to give you a piggy-back ride to the gate? And next time I come home, you can sleep in my bed. I'll let you stay with me for the whole night.” Mari looked surprised and then she immediately changed her focus of attention, jumping into Sabriel's arms.

“Really? Are you serious?” She asked. Sabriel nodded.

“Yeah. I promise.” She released Mari and turned her back to her, looking over her shoulder and motioning for Mari to get onto her back. Mari wrapped her arms around Sabriel's neck and Sabriel picked her up. Vanessa commented.

“That was well done. But I hope you can deal with the consequences.” Sabriel told her.

“It's fine.” Anita picked up the bag that they'd brought for her from home an said.

“I'll take this for you, since you have your hands full.” Sabriel gave her a thankful smile.

“Thanks Anita. Let's get going.” Sabriel glanced back at Ray.

“Tell the others I'll be a bit late.” Ray nodded as he turned away toward her desk, where her things were still sitting.

“Sure.”

 

When Sabriel got back to her room after the orchestra club meeting Gabriel was already there. He looked even less friendly than usual, sitting on his bed with a book. He was always studying. She was surprised when he commented.

“Don't you think your fiance would be upset if she saw you?” Sabriel put her bags down on her bed, not answering at first. This was the lead in she'd been waiting for, to talk to him about his fiance. She told him.

“I don't even know who my fiance is. My family refuses to tell me, because they know I intend on making my refusal in person. I heard you're engaged too. You seem to be pretty loyal, do you know your fiance so well?” Gabriel told her.

“It doesn't matter. Our combined assets will create an even larger empire for both our families. And I've heard she has no interest in taking over as the head of the family, so I'll be able to manage everything. She should be pleased, she'll have the time to pursue her own interests.” Sabriel felt slightly uneasy at his description. He couldn't possibly be? She turned away from him and asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“And who is this heiress?” Her heart was pounding. He wasn't it. There was no way. He told her.

“Actually, she's a Selwyn too. Sabriel Selwyn.” Sabriel thought the floor was going to fall out from under her. Her knees felt a little weak. She felt ill. This wasn't real. There was no way this guy was the person she had to convince. She fell to her knees and grabbed onto the comforter on her bed, clutching it tightly as she rested her head against the side of her bed.

“No way.” She said softly to herself.

“Are you all right?” Gabriel sounded just slightly concerned. She replied, trying to get a grip on herself.

“Just, give me a minute.” She told him. He asked.

“Are you sick?” Sabriel told him, not knowing what to say.

“I think I'm going to be.” She was surprised when she felt his hand on her forehead. She hadn't even heard him get up. His hand was surprisingly warm.

“You don't have a fever. Maybe you should lie down for a while.” Sabriel didn't even have the strength to slap his hand away. This guy was her fiance, it was too much. While he was every bit as good looking as she could have hoped, his personality wasn't what she wanted at all. She felt Gabriel reaching for her to pull her up, sliding one hand around her waist and moving to place the other around her chest. She abruptly pushed him away and pulled herself up onto her bed.

“You shouldn't touch me.” She told him, lying down on her stomach. She turned her head to look at him and he commented.

“You're so touchy about that at a time like this?” Sabriel sighed and rolled over, looking up at him. Damn him. She asked.

"What would you do if your fiance didn't want to marry you, but her parents had said she'd be disinherited if she didn't. Would you break off the match?" Gabriel raised a brow.

"You're asking me something incredibly strange all of a sudden. Is that the situation with your fiance?" Sabriel sat up.

"Something like that. So, what would you do?" He got up from her bed.

"Me? I'd still marry her. In my case, I know there has been some difficulty persuading my fiance but I'm sure that eventually she'll come around. " Sabriel asked.

"So no matter what her appearance, no matter what she's like, you'll still agree?" He nodded.

"Pretty much." Sabriel had to wonder if he'd seen pictures of her. Had he been playing with her this whole time? Did he already know what she was talking about?

"You've already seen her then haven't you?" He shook his head.

"No. I don't want to know what she looks like. I'm told I won't be disappointed but it doesn't matter anyways. I'll meet her as soon as the arrangements are finalized." Sabriel could hardly believe her ears. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved that he didn't recognize her or upset that he didn't care. She motioned to him to come closer.

“Come here. I have something to tell you.” He sat on the side of her bed somewhat reluctantly.

“What is it?” He asked, obviously humoring her. Sabriel closed her eyes and told him.

“I'm… your fiance.” She opened her eyes when she felt the bed move. He went to the other side of the room and picked up the phone.

“You must really be sick.” Sabriel got to her feet and dashed across the room, snatching the phone from his hands. She hung it up and he looked pretty surprised. She told him.

“I'm not sick. I came to this school because the only thing I knew was that my fiance came here so I figured that even though my parents wouldn't tell me who he was, he would know who I was, so all I had to do was find out which guys were engaged and ask them about their fiance. I thought you might even recognize me.” She said that all in one breath, so when she was done she had to breath hard just to get her breath back. She placed her hands on his desk and leaned against it. “Why did it have to be you? You're so perfect it makes me sick. I can't tell if you ever feel anything besides familial loyalty. We're the worst match ever!” She looked up at him and found him staring at her. He turned away and told her.

“You have an unusual sense of humor Sabin. This sort of joke isn't appreciated.” Sabriel stared at him for a moment before anger replaced her previous feelings of despondency. She clenched her hands into fists and then turned to him.

“So you think I'm lieing to you?” She asked. He didn't answer, merely opening up his school books and ignoring her, which made her even angrier.

“I'm going out for a bit.” She told him, not waiting for a reply. She knocked on the door to Verity's room, praying he was there already. Verity opened the door.

“Sabi? You need something.” She was so glad to see him she acted without thinking.

“Verity! My life is ruined!” She told him, jumping forward and hugging him. He looked surprised but then he sighed.

“Now, now.” He patted her on the head. “What seems to be the problem?” He pulled her in and closed the door to his room. Verity, since he was a senior near the top of his class, had his own room. Sabriel whined.

“He's so mean. I was praying it wasn't him.” Verity sighed.

“Does this mean you figured out who your fiance is?” Sabriel nodded and clasped Verity's shirt.

“Yes. It's my roommate. And he's so annoying. I told him I was his fiance and he thought I was a liar and started ignoring me.” Verity led her into the room and sat her on his bed, looking slightly amused. “Say Verity, will you run away with me when you turn 18? I'd rather marry you than him. He pisses me off so much.” Verity laughed faintly.

“I'm sure it's not that bad. If he's so determined to marry you, then maybe he actually likes you.” Sabriel shook her head.

“No, he doesn't like me. He's in love with my family's assets. He already said so.” Verity said.

“Well, you do think he's handsome right? If you're only turned off because of his coldness, maybe you should get to know him a bit and see if he warms up. Of course, I'm sure you weren't very tactful in delivering the news that you're his fiance. I'm not surprised he didn't believe you. Why don't you try and get to know him? If you still can't stand him after you've spent some time with him, then you can focus on breaking off the engagement somehow. You still have several years before you graduate after all. That's a long time.” Sabriel took a deep breath.

“I really don't want to like him.” Verity told her.

“Well, that's not his fault. And he is obeying the will of his family so the engagement can't really be his fault.” Sabriel sighed.

“Okay. I'll try. But only because you told me to.” He clapped her on the back.

"Good luck."

 

She opened the door and peeked inside. Gabriel was still studying on his bed. She walked into the room and stopped beside his bed. Without even looking up he asked.

“Do you need something?” Sabriel cleared her throat a little and said.

“You didn't believe me, but since you haven't seen you're fiance you actually wouldn't recognize her even if she was standing right in front of you. You should find out what she looks like.“ He didn`t bother to look up. All he said was.

“I`ll take your suggestion into consideration.” Sabriel glared at him. Too stubborn. He was too stubborn. What an incredibly annoying person. She turned away and went to her own side of the room. She had to do her own studying. She could consider what to do about her annoying roommate-fiance later.

 

She walked into class and was surprised to find herself surrounded by several of her classmates almost immediately.

“Sabin, you lucky guy. Was that girl really your private maid?” Dorian asked her. Ian asked, not even leaving her a gap to respond to Dorian.

“Is that woman really just your teacher? She was so hot.” Sabriel gave them a half-hearted smile and felt a little embarrassed at all the attention.

“Yeah. They both work for me.” She managed to reply. Kirt told her, smiling.

“You know, with you hanging out with Leo, we really thought you were, well, that way.” She didn't have to imagine what he meant.

“I guess things aren't always how they appear.” She told them. She pushed by to get to her seat but was surprised when Dorian said.

“Just a second Sabin. We wanted to invite you to hang out, after our soccer practice tomorrow.” Sabriel turned, a little confused. She hadn't exactly been the nicest person. Why would they want to invite her to do something like that? She raised a brow.

“What are you planning on doing?” She asked. Ian told her.

“Actually, we wanted to go pick up some girls. We thought you were probably pretty good at it.” Sabriel wanted to laugh. She had to turn away and cough before turning to look at them again, a stoic expression on her face.

“Oh, I see. I think you're overestimating my charm. Vanessa and Mari are special exceptions as far as women go. They each think they owe me something, so they're devoted to me. I'm really not all that confident with women I don't already know.” Dorian looked suspicious. Ian looked disappointed. Kirt said.

“Why don't you just come anyways?” Sabriel was pretty sure it would be a bad idea to accept.

“No thanks. I really don't have time for that sort of thing.” Ian commented, turning his back on her.

“See, he's just like the rest of those guys in the orchestra club after all.” Sabriel sighed and ignored the remark as she went back to her own desk. The bell rang as she was sitting down. She'd been later than usual to class that morning. Her roommate had almost let her oversleep. Normally he would have woken her with a cool reprimand but when he'd forced her to get out of bed that morning, he'd been even colder than before. She supposed it was because he thought she'd been playing a very rude joke on him the night before. He'd figure it out eventually though. Maybe he'd be so upset that he'd change his mind about breaking the engagement. That would be perfect.

 

He stared at the picture on his computer screen for a moment and then sat back in his chair, closing his eyes. The picture he'd finally gotten of his fiancé showed her with long hair, but it was definitely his roommate, or his roommate's twin. He sighed. But what the hell was she doing here? She'd said something about her fiancé hadn't she? He thought about it and was able to recall. She said she intended to make her refusal in person. Was that why she was here? Almost as if thinking about it had called the person in question, his roommate opened the door and walked in. Gabriel frowned and looked away as Sabin, or rather Sabriel, went to her side of the room.

“So Sabriel, you came here to break off the engagement?” He asked. There was a moment of silence and then finally.

“So you got a picture huh? Yeah, that's why I came here. But if I'm the one that breaks it, my parents will disinherit me. They already told me so. That's why you have to do it.” He pivoted in his chair and looked at her.

“Well that's a problem, because I have no intentions of doing that.” He told her. She paused in taking off her jacket. She frowned at him.

“What do you mean, you don't want to? You don't like me at all. If everyone found out that I came to a boy's school like this, wouldn't you be embarrassed?” Gabriel supposed she had him there, but even then… He smiled faintly.

“Of course I won't be. I'll just tell everyone that you wanted to be with me. Surely that would seem romantic?” She pulled off her jacket as she turned away from him and he thought her cheeks looked a little flushed.

“As if I'd ever do something that stupid.” She snapped.

“So, what reason do you have for refusing the engagement?” Sabriel glanced back at him as she sat at her desk and started taking off her shoes.

“Isn't it enough that I don't want to get married to you?” She demanded.

“You don't really know that much about me. I can't accept that you don't want to be engaged just because you don't know me. If we got to know each other, you might even come to like me.” Gabriel was finding her reaction extremely annoying for some reason, but he couldn't lose his temper to someone who was acting like a spoiled child. She obviously had no idea of her own responsibilities.

“It's true that I don't want to take over my family's assets, but that doesn't mean that I don't have my own ambitions. I have no intentions of being a good wife and staying home, overseeing servants, and spending all my time socializing with other wives. I want to be a doctor. I don't understand why everyone is so opposed to that.” Gabriel was a little surprised that she actually had a real reason, but was she stupid? She was assuming that he would care if she had a career.

“I'm not opposed to such a thing at all. We don't even have to get married right after high school, if that's the only thing bothering you, although that's the arrangement that was initially planned.” He studied her for her reaction, wondering how she'd take that news. Sabriel stared at him for a minute and then frowned.

“I don't want to get married to a stranger. How can you accept this so easily? What if you meet someone you really like?” He sighed. She really was spoiled. It was going to be difficult to reason with her.

“I don't believe in things like love at first sight, or true love. I believe that a person can come to feel affection for anyone over time.” Sabriel finished taking off her shoes and sat back in her chair.

“You really don't have any feeling about it at all? So are you going to call my parents now and tell them that I'm here?” He'd been trying to decide just what to do about that question himself. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“I had considered it.” He told her, closing his eyes so he could think. She told him.

“Even if I have to leave, I'm not going to stop bothering you about this. I don't think you like me very much and I certainly haven't grown very fond of you while I've been here. I think we're going to have a hard time… living together in the future.” He wondered why she paused. Was she embarrassed to say it? If she was embarrassed about that sort of thing, then he wondered how she was getting by in an all boys' school.

“I haven't particularly been having a hard time, and I don't particularly dislike you. At least no more than I would any other girl with your upbringing. You can stay if you want. I guess we'll see who gives in first. I don't think I'll lose.” He turned his back on what was likely a killer look. She'd give in sooner or later. He had the upper hand anyways, so there was nothing to worry about.