4. Love & Facade

Valarie's Pov

After taking freshening up I styled my jet black hair into a neat pony tail and let my bangs fall freely on my face" I applied some light make up that matched with my skin tone and green eyes

After fixing myself I chose to wear a neavy blue pensil skirt with a white satin blouse and black high heels" I looked at myself in the mirror feeling confident" and as always I looked elegant" my whole look screamed powerful' dominant Boss lady

After getting ready I headed downstairs" Isa helped me push my wheelchair into the elevator" not that I needed any help I could do it myself but that would make her sad" she likes helping around and when I refuse her she always insists it makes her feel useful

I looked at the golden elevator as it closes' it brings back many memories both sad and happy" I was so happy five years ago when I came back from the hospital and found out my parents had installed an elevator for me" my heart was touched by the efforts they were putting into making me comfortable and happy

When I found out I would never be able to walk again" there are no words to describe how I felt' I was beyond dejected' I felt like my whole world was coming to an end" I even stopped eating and because of that I became sick" losing all will to live"

What broke me the most was Mason's betrayal" it hit hard more than anything, making me feel I wasn't worth anything" I was depressed, I cried night after night some days I wanted to end it all" all of the the pain and suffering" I won't lie there were many times I almost did

But when I thought of my parents I couldn't bring myself to do it" seeing their love and support and how much they were trying to make me happy' It made me realize that there were many things worth living for in life' than ending my life for a scumbag like Mason who wasn't even worth my love to begin with

From that day I told myself one thing" and that is" there's no such thing as love' only back stabbing betrayal

Getting betrayed by the person I loved and trusted with my life only taught me one thing and that is" people will love you at your best and leave you at your lowest" and that is when you need them the most" so from that day onwards I promised myself one thing and that is" no matter what I wouldn't repeat the same foolish mistake of letting someone inside my heart "

Love is nothing but a facade that people will use to hurt others" I always made sure to remind myself of that' everyday

The smell of fresh beacon and pancakes hit my nostrils as the elevator opened" thank you Isa I can take it from here I said placing my hands on the hand rims of my wheelchair

Okay then" I'll go help out in the kitchen' if you need anything just call me she said before leaving

I pointed my thumbs forward grasping them to the hand rims and pushed evenly with both hands heading to the dinning room where my parents sat"

Good morning I greeted with a smile as I parked my wheelchair on the side of the table"

Morning my princess" how was your sleep asked my father sitting at the head of the table

Perfect how was yours I asked smiling at him back"

Amazing my princess I hope you're ready for the award ceremony tonight he asks looking at me' applying more butter on his bread

Is that your way of asking me if I'm going I say slicing a croissant on my plate" passing him a calculated smile that told him he couldn't play games with me

Of course not your mother has already clarified that' you'll be there he says taking a sip of his coffee

I turn and look at my mother who seats next to him with a sneaky smile on her lips" I sigh realizing it was their plan from the begging.

I know what you're thinking" you must be thinking about what you're going to wear tonight" trust me you don't have to worry about anything I got everything under control' I'll make sure that no one is able to take their eyes off you" you'll be the most beautiful tonight she says beaming with excitement

Mommy.. I say looking at her

What' can't I make my own daughter look beautiful, who knows when I'll ever get another chance like this it's not often that you agree to attend a social event like this she says stubbornly

Daddy" come on back me up a little I say looking at him"

I totally agree with your mother on this one" this is your time you must steal the spotlight sweetheart he says brushing her hand gently causing her to smile

I smile looking at their love" not everyone is lucky to find love like theirs some of us get betrayal" I guess it is easier to accept that love isn't meant for everyone" for some of us it wasn't written in our stars" it is what it is

I heard there will be many handsome young man from respected families tonight says my mother with the same hopeful smile she always gives me when she starts this topic" I sigh knowing were this conversation is heading

Valarie honey' I also heard William your childhood best friend"  you know the one you had a secret crush on will be there" he's one of the country's top ten bachelors now" you should see how handsome he has become" the last time I talked to his mother she told me she was looking for a wife for him, 

Why don't you take some time to catch up with him who knows maybe you two might end up falling in love she says with a hopeful tone

Mom please..not this again' I have already told you that I don't need love in my life I'm perfectly fine the way I am, you have got to stop matchmaking me it isn't going to change anything" I say frustration building up inside of me

Are you fine' or you're just afraid" ever since that boy broke your heart you have never been the same again she says her voice cracking' her eyes red as tears threaten to leave them

Mother" I have told you many times before I don't like talking about this I say angry dropping the fork on my plate as I lose my appetite

Valarie how long will you go on like this" can't you see this isn't the way to live!! she shouts finally breaking down into tears my father holds her hand comforting her" I can see how much it's paining him too" but I cannot give them what they want

I know they want to see me married and happy" but I do not believe in love' it's a lie

Valarie honey" at least consider what your mother is saying" you cannot give up on living because of" him' he says with coldness feeling too disgusted to utter the name by his lips

Mom' dad you know I love you but my answer still remains the same" I'm sorry I can't be the perfect daughter you want me to be" I say emotionlessly

I'm going to work I say pushing my wheelchair towards the door" I shut my eyes hearing my mother's loud sobs as I leave

We don't want you to be perfect' we just want you to be happy!! I hear her shout between her sobs as I leave but I do not stop

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Cynthia & Walter's Pov

Walter I'm worried about our daughter she cannot continue like this, she's becoming more and more cold everyday" I fear she's becoming heartless, we're losing her Walter says Cynthia with tears in her eyes

Don't worry my Love we'll find a way to make her happy again"  don't lose hope says Walter reassuring her as he wipes away the tears on her face even though he himself cannot help but question his own words" he too is deeply worried about Valarie

The happy and cheerful daughter he once knew was slowly fading away in front of his eyes and there was nothing he could do to stop it" he blamed himself for trusting his daughter's precious heart with that monster of a man" if only he had refused when he came asking for her hand in marriage

He wonders if things would have been different today" if  only he had said no" he wouldn't be drowning in so much desperation to see her happy again