Ashley
I was ready to accept everything, only if Lara was allowed to be here. But now? I mean… I don’t even have a choice that I can’t accept everything, I have to. But this isn’t right, is it?
I was laying on the bed, but of course, I couldn’t sleep. How is everything gonna be? I am gonna marry him… tomorrow. That is too early for me to even plan any escape. I have to be really careful because my steps decide I step hell or heaven.
I heard the door opening and I tried to act as if I was asleep, but then I heard the voice of a girl. I woke up and she smiled at me.
“Mam, here is your food” I saw someone bringing a big tray and they kept it on the side of my bed. “Boss told us that you may be hungry; he is not used to taking care of people, so he forgot. He wants you to eat this before sleeping”
“Thank you, dear. Thank him too” I smiled.
“Uh… we don’t speak to him. If you need to thank him, can you say it when he meets you?”
“Yeah, sure,” I said and she left, smiling.
I was confused. Is he a good man or bad? I know that he told me, he is neither. But why is everyone so afraid of him? I am too; he isn’t allowing me to meet my only family. But I have a reason. Is that girl also away from her family, is this because of that? The girl looked just 15-16 years old. Why is she so afraid? He told me he is bad only with people that are bad to him; what bad could she have ever done to him?
I sighed and uncovered the food. It was my favorite food, and I was not shocked. I ate it and stood up when I was done. I started going down the stairs and came across the same girl.
“Hey” I smiled at her and she looked at me. I noticed she always looks down. “What’s your name?”
“Aliniah”
“You have a beautiful name”
“T-Thanks”
“Don’t be scared” I bent down and met her height. “Okay?”
“You… You are not like him, right?”
“Like who?”
“Like--”
“What the fuck is going on here!?” I stepped back as I heard his voice echoing through the room. I could see Aliniah almost shivering in fear.
“In the kitchen, Aliniah”
“Y-Yes, sir” she ran to the kitchen, and then I was just there; standing.
Chris
“So?”
“Boss… she…”
“Heather didn’t do it, okay?” I calmed down and explained it to Bain, my new assistant.
“But, boss--”
“First, I think sir is better, secondly, do you know her better than me?”
He looked down. “I am sorry, sir”
I got up. “Okay. out”
He went out of my office and I sighed standing near the window and looking out. The state was so beautiful. I can see so many buildings from this place, and they all look so beautiful. I put my hands in my pocket and smiled.
How can Bain be so stupid to think that Heather compromised that security? She doesn’t even have the papers with her anymore; I asked her.
I trust her, if she says she didn’t, then she didn’t.
I still have to find out who did it. After I came to know Ashley’s reality, I am sure she could be the one who did this. I can’t believe she was in front of me, and I couldn’t know her reality.
Well, it is over now, thanks to Heather, for opening my eyes. Or I would have been with that fake right now and doing nothing but some real love to someone so fake. Thank you, Heather.
I heard a knock on the door and I said come in, still looking out of the window.
“Christopher”
Hearing the voice, I turned around and ran to her. I hugged her, she hugged me back.
“Mom? How are you here after so much time?”
“I just missed you, and I came to know that you and Ashley broke up, so I thought you’d need me…”
I smiled at her. “Yeah mom, right”
She smiled and cupped my face. “How are you, my son?”
“I am a fine mom. I am stronger than this, right?”
“Yes. And I am proud of you”
“Aww mom”
“But she looked to be the perfect girl for you”
“Well, looks are deceptive, aren’t they?”
“Mhm, maybe”
“Come here, mom!” I showed her the seat and she sat down.
“So mom, how are you?”
“I am great as always, Chris”
“That is good news”
“Why did you two break up, Christopher?”
I fell quiet listening to her question. How can I tell you the truth, mom? It is heartbreaking, it is really the worst truth. It is like the proof of the proverb ‘Truth is bitter’. How can I tell you that the girl who you almost took as daughter-in-law was a complete fake? How, mom?
“Chris? Son… don’t cry!”
She wiped my tears. cry. Why am I crying for someone like her?
“Tell mom everything. I have been here for you always, right? You know that you can tell me everything” she cupped my face and wiped my remaining tears too.
I took a deep breath. I also need someone to take this weight off my chest. I need someone to talk to, to know this pain.
“Okay, mom. I will tell you”