A Paradise Called Us

"Look, it's Mac and Cheese," Karen said with a smile as she dropped the plate in front of Zachary."Here's yours, Aunt Maya." planting a soft kiss on the woman's cheek she said, "Your favorite, spiced turkey. I made it just the way you like it."Karen stared at the table filled with food however Aunt Maya and her cousin, Zachary were not eating. Instead they had a forlorn look on their faces.Aunt Maya said, "There was no need for this, Karen""Why not?" Karen chuckled "It's the New Year and this is how we celebrate it, remember? I make your favorites each year.""This is different," Zachary lifted his gaze "Why are you pretending, Karen?""Pretending?" Karen gave a sad chuckle "I'm not pretending.""Should I remind you that this is your last New Year celebration?" Zachary said with clenched jaw "You have only eleven months left and, God, you're so happy. How can you be happy?"Finally found out, Karen took her seat quietly beside Aunt Maya who began to weep."I know," Karen replied c

The Wilsons, Kords, the paparazzi and even the crowd gathered were thrown into shock. Their disappointment reverberated in their unexpected gasp. Elliot smiled.Selene was about to turn around and leave when Kevin got up on his feet and grabbed her wrist just in time. He twirled her around."Selene," his voice cracked "Why..why won't you marry me? Did I say or do something wrong?"Selene jerked her wrist from his grip."You're blind, Kevin." she replied "That's what you did wrong! You're blind and you want to use me to cover up your weakness!""Selene, why would you think so? I'm not using you," he paused and added "I'm marrying you because I love you.""No, don't lie to me! Do you want to deny the disgrace that accompanies marrying you-a blind man! You speak of fulfilling my dreams, Kevin but this is not my dream. I don't dream of getting married to a blind man who walks around with a stick to find his way."Kevin opened his mouth to speak and then shut them again, hurt by her choice

"Dangerous?" Aunt Maya hissed slightly "Ha! He's blind, Zachary.""Mum, Kevin's blindness is his only disability. Without his eyes, this man is arrogant, cold and vicious! Despite the fact that he cannot see, he wields much power, he has this..manipulative aura around him and all of this is a great contrast to Karen's innocent and naive nature. That is why he is dangerous.""Zachary, you don't know him.""But I have heard of him," Zachary replied quickly "Just few days ago he got rejected by the woman he truly loves. Why is his mother here to seek Karen's hand in marriage?""They might be poles apart on the social ladder but my friendship with Mrs Kord has earned Karen her life-long dream." she lets out a sigh and adds "It has always been her dream to get married to a responsible man.""Maybe you've forgotten that she added love. Karen has always wanted to marry a man she loves. She has, most certainly never crossed path with Kevin. She does not know this man and without her permissio

"Zachary, how..how could you?" Karen's voice cracked."I know right," he replied casually and closed the distance between them. His tall frame hovered over her as he stared down at her with grey glistering eyes."I couldn't stop myself despite knowing that it's not possible.""I...I don't know what to say right now.""Nothing," he ran his hand through his hair "Don't say anything. Forget I ever said this.""But Zach-""Don't marry him, Karen."Shaking her head, Karen walked out and slammed the door behind her...."Mr Kord, Mr Lyons asked to meet with-""I'm not available," Kevin answered his secretary with a cold voice."Okay, sir. How about the scheduled meeting with the manager of the company's resources?? The meeting has been delayed for-""Delay it again."The secretary nodded as she scrambled to read up all the CEO's pent up schedules."Mr Kord, there's a complain about the increasing-""Take it to, Elliot.""Mr Kord, you had twenty-five extended interviews last weekend. Would y

Karen jerked her hand from his grip while Kevin cleaned his palm against his coat, as if he just held dirt. Karen scoffed softly, "Too much pride for someone who got reject-"Raising his fingers to the air, he warned "Don't you dare say that!""Mr Kord, not all women want you" Karen proceeded to say "If it were up to me I wouldn't be here speaking with you, I just..I just have to do this because of my aunt.""Baseless excuses," Kevin dismissed her words "You've no reason to marry a rich, blind man save for his money.""I know your dream girl rejected you because you're blind, Mr Kord and this has led you to believe no one can accept you just the way you are but you're wrong." Karen saw a muscle twitch in his jaw but did not stop talking."I don't know about other women, but I'm not looking for perfection nor am I looking for something to increase my status on the social ladder or even money to embezzle,"Kevin went suddenly quiet as he listened to her.Karen continued, "Hell, no mat