Not A Gift, A Message
1433 Words
"Hello daddy..... but daddy I thought we talked this through......no daddy, I'm not okay with this.........daddy please don't do this, I'm not ready yet........ no I don't have anyone yet.......... I'm only twenty-three daddy, I'm still young. Okay
how about I come over and we talk this through..........I'd pass by during the weekend. Okay daddy, see you soon"
"What did he say?"
"He wants me to come home this weekend. I don't even know why he's doing all this. He keeps complaining about how I'm wasting my life."
"Was your mother around?"
"No she traveled to LA last week."
"I just wish he'll respect my decision and allow me to plan my life myself."
Silence engulfed the room as they were both left to their thoughts.
*****Saturday*********
A red Toyota RAV4 pulled up Infront of a house that stood like quiet royalty, tucked behind a private gate and shaded by whispering trees. Though it's grandeur was undeniable — from the sprawling marble foyer to the floor to ceiling windows — every detail invited comfort. Plush throws were draped over velvet sectionals, golden light pooled from custom fixtures and the faint smell of sandalwood lingered in the atmosphere.
Taking a deep breath, she got out of her vehicle and walked into the house. The living room was just like she remembered.
Soft leather plush cream cabriole armchair which had spring green patterned cushions faced the modern fire place set in polished stone. Thick rags muffled footsteps and books lined built-in shelves like old friends. It exuded ancient luxury with the glowing stone fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and warm natural light from the arched windows.
A dark oak coffee table and soft wool rug completed the space, giving it a personal, inviting and elegant feel.
"Welcome Miss Morvain." the butler greeted.
"Thanks uncle Ashford."
" The old sir is in the study. I was to inform you on your arrival."
"Okay, thank you"
She knocked lightly and his voice, rich and sonorous answered from the study — not loud but with strength that settled over her like velvet and stone.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped in.
The study exuded quiet sophistication with mahogany bookshelves, packed with acts of renowned philosophers from various parts of the world, a polished walnut desk, a leather army green vintage high back armchair and warm lightning. A Persian rug and garden view window added charm to the study.
"Have a seat" her father said motioning her to the sofa opposite him.
Four pictures were passed to her.
"I thought about what you said over the phone and realized you were right. It was wrong of me to force my choice on you. Here are four other guys I think would make a perfect matching for you."
"Dad, we talked about this. Why are you not considering my opinion. I'm only twenty-three daddy, if I don't get married now, I would later" she groaned.
" Dora darling, I understand where you're coming from. But this marriage can really benefit the business. It could help us in so many ways. Please think this through."
"Why not make Dara get married instead. She's also twenty-three daddy, she's also old enough to get married."
" You still hold a grudge against your sister for what happened don't you? It's been years Dora, you have to forget what happened. She was just a kid and mistakes are bound to happen and besides you're the oldest Dora, I can't make your little sister get married before you."
"This has nothing to do with what happened five years ago. I may have not forgotten what happened but it doesn't mean I'm trying to get back at her. And who even cares about who marries first in this generation daddy. I'm only older than Dara by three minutes, it's not that big of a deal who gets married first."
" How about this baby girl, just do this for daddy and I'll grant every wish of yours no matter how absurd it is." Dora was silent for a while.
" I need some time to think it through daddy."
"Okay, I'll have to give you four months though, I'm a little tight on time."
*******************
"What did he say, where you able to convince him, is he finally off your back." Aanya bombarded Dora with questions the second she got seated.
"There's no way out Aanya, daddy's hell bent on marrying me off."
"What about your sister?"
"He claims I'm the eldest daughter and thus needs to marry before my sister follows suit"
Aanya screwed her face. " That's a very archaic mentality. What about your sister? Can't she get married?"
"I did suggest it to him but he thinks I'm trying to get back at her for what happened back in school."
"He can't be serious. Why would you pay her back by making her end up in possibly an unhappy marriage for the rest of her life just to get some cheap revenge thrill." Silence engulfed for a while until Aanya finally asked the question they were both avoiding.
"So what are you going to do about it"
" I told him I'd think about it and he said I have a maximum of four months. I'm starting to think it's not a bad idea after all. Daddy even promised to fulfill any wish I have if I did consider it."
" Don't tell you're actually buying the ideas. This is your life we're talking about here. You don't even know the guy you're being married of to."
" I know but this would also be a great opportunity for me to ask him to help you."
"You don't really have to do this. I don't want to end up feeling guilty if things go south."
" I've already made up my mind. You don't have to feel entitled to my decisions."
*************
The hallway was silent, save for the distant hum of a flickering exit sign. Aston Volvo stood in front of her door like he had every right to be there, dressed in charcoal slacks and an expensive coat that made him look more like a guest than an intruder.
He glanced once down the corridor, then pulled a slim black case from his pocket. Precision tools glinted under the dim light—cold, metallic, and just as efficient as the man holding them.
The lock wasn’t complex. She was careful, but not paranoid. She should’ve been.
Aston knelt, fitted the tension wrench into the keyway, and began working the pick with quiet patience. It was almost surgical—the way his fingers moved with calm purpose, feeling for each pin, coaxing them into place like secrets waiting to be spilled.
One click.
Another.
The last one gave with a soft metallic sigh.
The door unlocked.
He didn’t smile. Just slipped the tools away and turned the knob like this was always the plan.
He stepped inside, uninvited but unapologetic, letting the door whisper shut behind him. The air was still warm from her presence, the ghost of her perfume lingering like a dare. He inhaled the lavender scent, here felt like home.
She wasn’t home.
Good.
He had time.
The door clicked shut behind him with the hush of a secret. Aston didn’t bother turning on the lights. He knew the layout—had studied it the way men like him studied blueprints before destruction.
Her home was soft. Feminine. Too warm for someone who played with fire. A throw blanket carelessly tossed over the couch, a half-read novel on the coffee table with a lipstick-marked mug beside it. She had no idea how exposed she was.
He moved with quiet calculation, brushing his fingers along the edge of her vanity as he passed. A bottle of perfume caught his eye—the one she wore when he met her at the restaurant.
He took it, lifted it, inhaled.
Then put it back.
This wasn’t a visit to take. Not tonight.
From the inner pocket of his coat, he drew a small black box—matte, velvet-lined, perfectly square. He set it down on her pillow, right in the center of her made bed. A ring sat inside, silver and dark, not meant for proposals but promises.
Not a gift.
A message.
You’re not invisible. You’re not untouchable. You’re mine.
He stood over it for a moment, watching the way the city lights kissed the metal through her bedroom window. Then turned and left—quiet as he came.
By the time she returned, she’d know.
He didn’t knock.
He never had to.
- Writer
