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 calmly "I know I won't celebrate New Year ever again but..what can I do? I can't possibly cry my eyes out or be sad forever. It won't change my fate."

She placed her hand on Aunt Maya's and smiled, "All I want is to be happy before the year is over. I want you to be happy too."

Aunt Maya shook her head, "I can't. You're still so young, Karen. You've always had it rough. Fate has never been kind to you. Your parents died-"

"Aunt Maya please," Karen interrupted as she looked away, forcing the tears back into her eyes. "Let's just be happy."

Aunt Maya nodded quietly and began to cut the turkey. Karen helped her to it and noticed that Zachary was not eating. He was simply staring at her with pain in his eyes.

"Zach," Karen's voice was gentle "Why aren't you eating?"

"Why should I? Hell, we're not celebrating New Year, this seems to be an obvious get together few months before your death."

"Zachary!" Aunt Maya cautioned.

"What, mother?" he snapped as his voice began to break "I'm only being realistic. Karen is sick and the doctor said she can only live with it for two years. A year has passed since then and I can't believe she wants me to eat and celebrate New Year like nothing's gonna happen!"

Silence.

Sighing, Karen swallowed the lump in her throat and said "Just because I won't be here next year doesn't mean things should change. I want you both to celebrate New Year like we've always done. Don't let my death disrupt your happiness, especially now that I'm still here."

Karen gets up and sits beside Zachary, "Look at these sumptous Mac and Cheese, are you gonna keep them waiting and render my effort in vain?? I cooked these with so much love, you know?"

"Doesn't change a damn thing," Zachary grumbled as he began to eat with a frown. Karen smiles as she roughens his brown hair with her hands.

"My New Year resolution is to make everyone happy," Karen said with a grin as she too began to eat with Zachary. Although Karen managed to get her little family to have a sumptous dinner on New Year, she also didn't feel like eating.

Her heart was heavy with pain as she couldn't fathom what exactly brought about her fate. Having lost her parents when she was six and made to live at the orphanage for a year, Karen never really felt loved up until Aunt Maya came for her.

The woman has treated her with much love and so has her son, who has proved countless times to be the big brother she never had. She thought that fate gave her such loving people to compensate her for the death of her parents however this is completely far from the truth. When she was twenty, Karen was diagnosed with cardiorespiratory disorder and she had managed it with her inhaler since then.

Through with the dishes, Karen puts Aunt Maya to bed and eventually walks to her room. Shutting the door quietly, the tears began to fall.

Karen slid down the door and hugged her knees to herself, crying profusely. She didn't want to die. She had dreamt of a steamy romance with her Prince Charming which will eventually lead to marriage and an happily ever after however it seems that even her dream has been taken away from her.

What did she do wrong? Why can't she have a normal life without having to count the seconds ticking away? Karen's sobs becomes thicker and thicker until she felt her heart squeezing behind her chest.

Quickly, she rushed for her inhaler and calmed herself down. She has endured this for a year, perhaps dieing would be the right thing.

.....

At the Kord mansion, somewhere in Willow-ridge, the Kord family are seated on the dinning with varieties of food and wine all over the table. Being the most influential in town of course, New Year would be a big celebration for them.

After dinner, they were served dessert by the servants and the family had eaten quietly until Mr Kord decided to break the silence.

He cleared his throat to get their attention, "Well, it's another year. I can feel it will be a wonderful one as I have decided to leave the company to my sons."

"Since one is blind," he said turning to Kevin and then to Elliot, "And the other illegitimate, I shall make this a fair one."

"To officially earn your post, Kevin you will either get married or lose your inheritance." Mr Kord ended.

"What?" Mrs Kord gasped, "You can't possibly be serious, Edward."

"Oh, I'm dead serious" Mr Kord responded after sipping his wine.

"Edward, Kevin is blind." Mrs Kord explained "Although he has the looks, ladies will only be after his money. No lady will really care for him and love him considering his blindness."

"Tell me something, Marie" Mr Kord began and then with a smirk added "Do I look like I give a f*ck?"

He continued, "The ultimatum has two options- get married or lose your inheritance. It is not that hard."

The man in question acts like though he is not the subject of discussion and quietly continues with his food.

"This is just a plot to give the position to your illegitimate son!" Mrs Kord yelled and Elliot clenched his jaw.

Yes it is true that he is an illegitimate child because several years ago, Mr Kord had an affair and he was the product of this affair. The woman in question, his mother ends her life upon finding out the drastic truth-Mr Kord is infact a married man.

Elliot stares at the blind Kevin with contempt and blames him for his misfortunes.

"How could you be so unfair?" Mrs Kord continued to rant "Knowing how difficult it would to find a good wife for Kevin, you still decided to do this just so you can have an excuse for giving Kevin's rightful position to Elliot!"

"The boy in question is not complaining, Marie." Mr Kord replied "He is okay with it."

Turning to her son, she urges him to speak and refuse however,

"He already made up his mind, mother. Why should I beg? Is he not aware of these things?" Kevin chuckles and says,

"I will get married, nonetheless."