CAGED BY DESIRE

The Sum Of My Fate

Kyra’s POV

I pushed the door open, and there she was standing in front of her tall gold-framed mirror, admiring herself like nothing had happened. She was always like that. Ariana believes she's the most beautiful alive, and in her mind, nothing and no one can challenge that belief.

My heart was still pounding from earlier,my palm sweaty, my fingers trembling slightly, still I forced myself to move forward. I couldn't afford to look weak, not in front of her. If she caught even a hint of fear, she would use it against me.

She caught my reflection in the mirror and turned back slightly, her lips curling in a smirk.

“What are you doing here? She asked, voice dropping with arrogance. “if you think I'm going to cancel the marriage you're deceiving yourself".

I didn't answer, instead I stepped closer, closing the gap between us, my eyes fixed on hers.

“What if I give you five hundred dollars?” I asked quietly, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me.

Ariana let out a sharp, bitter laugh.

“You? Give me five million dollars? Her tone, thick with mockery. You wretched fool have you forgotten you've been a slave to us all your life? Where in the world would you get such an amount?” She waved her hand dismissively. “Get out of my room and stop talking nonsense.”

Her words sliced through my heart but I was used to them. I had heard worse.

“What if I really did give you five hundred dollars?” I repeated, my voice slow and steady, making sure every word was clear.

Her laughter faded. She narrowed her eyes trying to figure out if I had lost my mind.

“Fine”. she said. Her voice, casual but her eyes, sharp. “Go and bring it, then I'll decide what to do next”.

“Decide what to do next? No, I said firmly. You will have to cancel the marriage. Since you're marrying me off for money, you'll have no reason if you already have it”.

Her lips tightened, and her expression hardened. She stared at me with a stern face for several minutes without speaking. Then she finally broke the silence.

“Fine if you bring the money, I'll cancel the marriage”

“Is that a promise?” I asked.

She gave me a glare so intense I had to figure the urge to look away. As if she could crush me in a heartbeat. Still, I held my ground.

“It's a promise” Ariana said at last.

A strange mixture of hope and sorrow washed over me. One side of me whispered this was my way out, my chance at freedom. Another side reminded me of the impossible–where in the world was I supposed to find a huge sum?

I turned to leave, but as I reached the door, I heard her mutter under her breath, “let me see how she's going to get the money".

I ignored her words and left her room.The moment I stepped out, a wave of relief passed over me. I could breathe again . I could feel the cool air on my skin.

I walked back to my room and sat on the edge of my bed, thinking of possible ways to make money. Then, suddenly the thought of my mother's death crossed my mind. My heart became heavy, tears dripped down my cheeks.

I was only five when she passed away, but I could still remember how she told me on her deathbed not to miss her too much–to study well and make her proud. She died on her birthday, I woke up very early that morning to wish her only to find her dead. My whole world came crashing down. I couldn't even cry.

A year after, my father brought my stepmother home, she had been maltreating me ever since, always threatening me not to tell a single soul. The worst part is my father knew about it but he kept quiet.

Seven years later, I discovered that my father had been seeing my stepmother before mother died. That killed that last respect and love I had for him. How I found out is a story for another day.

I pulled myself together, wiped my tears and tried to think of other things–thinking about my mother would only break me. Then, again I thought of the man I ran into at college. Even after hitting him he didn't utter a single word; he kept looking at me in a dangerous way. Who cares? He deserved it, I told myself.

Morning came quickly, I hadn't slept a wink. All night,I kept thinking of how I was going to get the money to give Ariana.

I bathed, dressed and was about to leave when I accidentally bumped into her in the hallway.

“Hey watch where you're going”. Can't you see? She screamed.

I'm so sorry. I didn't see you coming.

“Keep your useless apology. Anyway I need you to help me with some things and wash my clothes before you leave for college”.

Anger burned inside me. I couldn't refuse her, even if I wanted to. She could have told me yesterday–why wait until today.

“Go on. Why are you still standing there? Didn't you hear what I said, or you're pretending not to hear”. She yelled again

“I'm going now”. I replied quickly

I hurried to do the chores she had given me.When I was done, I prepared to leave again, silently hoping she wouldn't stop me this time.

I peeked around the corner to see if she was near the door. Fortunately she wasn't.