*3 Weeks ago*
• Freya •Legs straight out on a convertible sofa-bed. N*****x on my tablet with black pepper potato chips.Perfect setting to kill my time and to avoid my Mom's high-pitched ever complaining voice.I laugh my ass off on the stupid, funny punch lines of comedies. Life seemed great like this as if I had no care in the world."You started again."The same voice. Argh."At least for once act like an adult." Her voice became clearer and louder as she came closer to me.I shifted my eyes from my tab's screen on her, pushing my snacks away and groaning. "Mom, please not right now. I'm not in the mood."If there would be competition about who is the most derisive among all. My mother would have won first place, I swear."When you're in the mood to listen to me? Tell me the time and date, Freya." She appeared in front of me in her fancy outfits, crossing her arms on her chest. She was for sure coming from one of her social gatherings.I bit the inside of my cheeks, controlling my outburst. I stuffed my mouth with chips.The voices I was hearing through my airpods were now sounding like background noises. She disrupted the flow of the rom-com I was watching."Just stop eating that junk. You'll get fat and unattractive." She snapped. I flinched.Angrily, I put aside my snack this time, paused the movie and rose to my feet, "You've problem with everything I do.""Because your lifestyle is crap. Tell me when you're joining the office? How much more time do you need to think about work?"I was sick of this. I didn't know how to make her understand that I don't like the serious, formal, cold environment of our office. I felt trapped there. I knew once I would join the company, there would be no escape. There would be no colors left in my life, but files, papers, suited-booted people and indeed, a lot of stresses.Being the first heir of Howard Constructions was a burden, as huge and heavy as a bulldozer and honestly I wasn't yet ready to take this burden."Is there any end to your non-serious attitude? It's been six months since you got your college degree and look at you no plans about what you are going to do ahead. You should be setting an example for your younger sister. She'll follow your footsteps."I had heard those words a million times. They weren't new. "Mom, it's just six months not six years. I'm tired of you pointing out my flaws. I'm this. I'm that. You should end this too."Her eyes narrowed, forming V between her brows, "Watch your mouth. You're talking to your mother."I tightened my jaws, "Fine. I give up." I raised my palms in defeat, "I'm getting out of here."I collected my things. I would resume my netflixing in my room."I'm blocking your credit cards. You're totally spoiled." She said in the ultimatum.I contorted my face in disbelief, "Not again, Mom.""You leave me no choice. Join the office, make your own money. I can't believe I and your father are feeding a full-fledged adult."She had done that several times. It was a punishment I received for rebellion. She knew I was spendthrift and won't live long with empty-pockets. I loved spending, okay? It's not like my careless spending lessened their patrimony. We had been multi-millionaires for generations."That's my money too." I whined. She got me. My precious pride!No cards mean no eating out, no clubbing and even I had to be a beggar too. I begged for money from my friends during these phases. This was cruel. This was a crime. I will call the police.Only that police won't do any harm to my parents. My parents had big connections. I sighed defeatingly."Then come and get it from the office through learning and working." She repeated the same demand, then left."Mom, come on." I called her, "Mom, listen please..." She ignored me.I let out frustrated screams. Office. Office. All she talked about was the office. I won't be joining the office. I would never join the office. I didn't want to be boring and dry like my family....The waiter brought steamy hot food, our lunch on the table -- Our meant me and my boyfriend Benjamin. This lunch was on him. I was grateful because my pockets were empty. However, with Benjamin I didn't have to worry about money. He always insisted on paying for our dates."Do you like this place?" Ben put a clean, empty plate in front of me."It's great." I balanced the crispy, spicy piece of meat between my knife and fork and shifted it on my plate.Who cared about the place! My complete focus was on mouth-watering, juicy Swiss steak. Ever since my cards were blocked I had to adjust with plain, home-cooked food by our chefs. Mom gave strict orders to keep health benefits on top while selecting recipes.Frustrating! No cards, no good food."This place looks a bit cheap if I think about the kind of talk I want to do with you."I looked at him, putting my fork down, "Ben, I told ya' many times not to feel insecure about this stuff. I love everything about you. In fact you don't have to impress me with money and fanciful places."Ben had this annoying insecurity that he didn't match with my non-existing high standards since I was filthy rich and he was just an artist who was trying to get some recognition (his words, not mine). And he expressed his insecurities in different ways at regular intervals."Don't say this. Money I'm spending on you can't be called wasted." He protested.I only smiled at him. He thought I had everything in life. I didn't explain to him my situation, but if he looked it through my eyes, his life was better than mine. He didn't have to live with a strict family setting and customs.He had freedom -- something very precious that I didn't have; freedom to choose your own career, freedom to live the way you want and freedom to date anyone without a fear of getting your family's approval. I had never enjoyed such freedoms."What's wrong? What are you thinking?" Ben waved his hand in front of me.I shook my head, plastered a smile on my face and started digging my fork into my food. "Nothing. You go on. You said you wanted to ask me something. I'm waiting to know."He chuckled and my heart melted. Damn, his quirky dimples. Ben had boyish looks; almond brown hair, dark eyes, pointed nose, sand skin tone and cheery smile. His soft ambiance allured me. However, he didn't remain soft all the time. He gets angry especially when it's about his career and passion. Moreover, he didn't like it when I hid something from him. Sometimes I get irritated, but let it pass."Wait a sec." He moved his hand behind his pocket and pulled something out. He hid it under the table for some seconds then placed it right in front of me, "Here it goes. Tada."A sparkling diamond in that black box froze me. My eyes widened in full circles, "Ben?"A smile slowly spread on his face, causing dimples to appear, "I want to marry you, Freya. I've been thinking about this. You have everything I would want in my wife and if you think that I possess everything you want in your husband then accept my proposal."I was out of words. I put the fork down.I was not expecting this. "I'm...is this..." I swallowed the food down my throat forcibly."What? Are you about to refuse me?" He got worried."No." I prompted, "I'm just overwhelmed." I fought the urge to say 'aww' out loud. No one had asked me for marriage before.I didn't know Ben was planning to propose to me. Not that I mind his proposal. Ben was perfect for me and we had good chemistry. But starting a new relationship with Ben was like sitting on a new ride and leaving the old one.Ben puts his hand on top of mine, "Say it. Say whatever is in your mind.""It's nothing." I moved my other hand on his and squeezed it, "My answer is yes. I think we'll make a good couple." I said without much thought.He laughed, "Then it settles." He pulled out the ring from the box and put it in my finger.My stomach fluttered. I stared at the ring, twinkling in my finger. It was simple, just had a single diamond in the middle. I smiled. I wouldn't mind sitting on a new ride if Ben was the one who was going to drive it. What was there to worry about? It had been a year and half since we were dating and Ben had all those qualities I would want in my spouse. He was my ideal type."Thank you." He held both of my hands.I was excited. Maybe I should break this news on my college W******p group and let my friends know that I just got engaged.ENGAGED.This sounded weird. My relationship status changed all of a sudden.I should tell this news to my friend Rafe first that I got my engagement ring.Yes I should start with him. I decided I would call him right after my lunch date.• Rafe • "I have talked with nearby localities and collected general information about the area and my analysis says that it would be profitable for both of us. . ." I crossed my legs, leaned back on my leather chair, causing it to stretch back further. The person who was addressing us right now was the representative of a construction company, interested in working with us. He was explaining his proposal with the help of power point slides.I was sitting in a large conference room at my office. It had a large oval-shaped glass table, surrounded by chairs. Father was here too with his few board members. In his presence I couldn't even crane my neck because he would think I was not giving my full attention. I needed to at least pretend through occasionally nodding my head at the presenter (whatever his name was). He was also stopping his gaze on me after every few minutes. Obviously he knew who I was. I was an important person in this construction company. I was the son of my father
• Rafe • It had been a year now since I was trying to learn and understand each and everything about my family business. Recently I had just one definite goal and that was I had to prove myself responsible and eligible for a CEO position of Eastmond Builders. This would sort out some of my problems for instance Father and Mom would stop dictating my life. Even I would be fully independent to run the company according to my ways. I would be a free man and even powerful.From a young age I was told by my family that I was the only heir of Eastmond, that I had a responsibility to keep our family name alive. My parents made sure this thing should literally run in my blood and they tried every method like reminding me about my responsibilities on and off, sending me to a renowned business school. After years of struggles now it felt like I was at my final stage. Once I would take over the CEO position, I would be there where I should be. I stopped my Miata sports car right in front of H
It is an apartment.My new home is a spacious, ornate and impressively expensive apartment.The walls are painted with soothing colors, windows are floor-length, flicker sunlight all day. It has a separate swimming pool area, decorated with greenery and fully grown trees.And then comes the terrace which is of lounge size and fully furnished. It shows the sea of high-rise buildings and the skyline of the city at night. I wonder whose choice is this or who's idea was that to get us this beautiful apartment. I at least got something good in the swamp of misfortunes. Though I'm isolated with shame and guilt. I unlock my phone and read Benjamin's last text for the millionth time, the text I received after my so-called wedding ceremony."Happy Marriage. Hope you will live well."This explains that he has planned to forget about me and move on. My stubborn heart still doesn't want to accept this. Throwing away the phone, I rise from my bed. It's twelve o'clock in the afternoon. I have ke
I take a quick hot bath, wear my clothes and come out of the bathroom. Rubbing the towel against my wet hair, I grab my phone and go through the recent alerts. "I've heard some rumours about you and that woman who is your family friend. What was her name?...Fay-Freya Howard, yes. That you both are into each other." Mona speaks. My jaws harden as I fume at the mention of Freya's name. I tighten the grip on my phone and throw away the towel somewhere on the bed. "What's going on, Rafe?" Mona continues.I restrain myself though, "You yourself called it rumours so you should ignore rumours." I flatly answer while still focused on my phone's screen. She's clueless about the direful wedding event that took place more than a week ago. Mona doesn't have any link with the business or construction industry that turned out to my advantage."Rumours can't be baseless." She comes in front of me, "Why are they attaching your name with Freya Howard when you said she's only your friend? If there
Her bizarre appearance confounds me for a second. I lift up my brows. Hairs are covered with a small scarf, tied on the top of her head. Her lips are dry and eyes have dark circles. The plain tee shirt and crop pants are clinging to her body as a second skin, that makes me think that she's skinnier than I thought. "You're here." She says with a remorseful smile. A feeling of worry trickles up in me for a second after witnessing her disoriented self. Then I remember what Matteo said about her so I dispel that feeling. Her appearance is explaining that Matteo was right.She's tiring out herself with household chores, that's a reason behind her disorientation. I don't want to get involved in it. I ignore her as my rage takes over me. There is a strong odour of detergent coming from her. I again turn towards the closet to find my office file. This time I turn aggressive in my search. I want to do it quickly and get out of here."Talk to me, Rafe." Her voice sounds pleading, "You can't a
• Freya • Dad suddenly entered our television room where I was sitting, switching channels of the LCD, too zoned out to focus on the screen. I had celebrated my moment in every way possible, but one problem kept bugging me and that was how I would convince Mom and Dad for Ben. Let alone tell them about me dating him. I had been hiding about him because I knew they would create a fuss if they found out he was nobody like he didn't own any business nor he was the inheritor of some massive patrimony. I knew they would never make it easy for me. Ben didn't know about all this crap. He had no idea that my parents expectations about my husband were beyond his imagination. He would get hurt and I didn't want this. I couldn't let him feel low about himself. "I've come to tell you something." Dad sat in front of me, giving me a brief smile. I muted the TV and put down the remote. "Yeah?" "I and Eastmond have signed a new, big joint venture today. The project is based in Seattle." "That's
• Rafe •Fay had asked me to see her at the Le Bain club in an hour so I thought to come home and reply to some pending emails -- home means; Eastmond's private residence. My small family lived in this big bungalow. Father and Mom didn't let me have a separate house because I was their only child. They said we had a big house and our family was very small so we didn't have to live separately. That's exasperating. They didn't ask for my opinion. They didn't see it my way that I needed my own space and privacy. That's why I was desperate to be a CEO as soon as possible so I could live my life like I wanted to. Mom and Dad won't be able to dictate me after that. I had already bought an apartment where I planned to shift. I spent some nights there in a month or two when I wanted to escape from my family, when I wanted to have some time alone. Anyways, I continued replying to my emails. I was sitting in the living room with my laptop on the center glass table and pile of files I brought
On monday afternoon I drove to Eastmond's office building anyway despite my reluctance, despite the fact that I shouldn't be going there after learning Rafe's feelings for me. I was just worried that if I won't go our families will doubt us. I'm still not sure what I should do with this new, uncomfortable marriage relation.I put on a printed midi dress and arranged my hairs loose on my back. I took help of some makeup to hide my weary face and shadows under my eyes which has become quite prominent. All my tiredness and grief can be seen on my face. But makeup has done a good job. Doing household chores is not childplay. Pain and acute tiredness has spread all through my body including my joints and ankles. Even right now I'm drained to the point that if I get to sit somewhere I will instantly fall asleep. I can sleep the whole day today if I just wouldn't have to be here. It's been like four days, I've been continuously doing labour work and I haven't decided to stop....not yet.I re