Arianna’s pov
I let out a groan, my body stretching in protest against the waking world.
Just as I was about to succumb to the drowsiness, the buzzing of my phone snapped me back to reality.
I reached for my phone, wondering who could be interrupting my peaceful morning.
With one swift swipe, I unlocked my phone, revealing a string of missed calls from my parents.
I furrowed my brow in confusion, my hands nervously ruffling through my hair as I desperately tried to piece together what I was overlooking.
And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me!
Today was the day of my wedding, panic surged through my veins.
I was still in a trance when I felt a hand over my thigh causing me to turn in shock.
I jumped from the bed when I saw a half-naked man by my side.
He was lost in sleep with his face buried in the pillow so I could not see his face.
"Oh, Ariana what did you do." I bit my lips pulling out the side of my hair.
I couldn't believe I had spent the night with a total stranger.
"I had a one-night stand," I said with my eyes popping at the realization. "My virginity," I muttered with my eyes nearly popping out from their socket.
I quickly scanned my eyes over the room to find my clothes.
I hastily got dressed, but the pain between my thighs was on another level.
I winced in pain as I struggled to put on my clothes but I did not dare make any sound so I wouldn't wake up the man that was sleeping.
I swore in my heart never to drink alcohol after this experience.
I wanted a distraction and indeed I was distracted.
Last night was the hottest and the most peaceful night I had ever had since my mother died.
Though I lost my virginity to a stranger, I didn't care. At least I experienced what it felt like to be wanted by a man.
They weren't dating but the way the man in front of me cared for my body was something George had never done even though he declared numerous times that he loved me.
Sometimes I would make the first move but he would use the line that he wanted our first time to be special but it was clear now that I was never the one he wanted.
Memories of our hot steamy night flooded my mind and I was almost tempted to go under the sheet with the stranger but I pulled myself together.
"It was just a one-night stand." I reminded myself after taking a deep breath.
I left the hotel room without a single thought. I boarded a taxi while my phone kept buzzing in my pocket.
Although I was scared I held a smile on my face just to picture my father and his family tensed up in the hall waiting for me.
All these years I lived in the shadow of my family but now for the first time in forever, I was going to be herself.
I was scared of this new change but it was my only opinion because my father would kill me for missing my wedding.
The fate that awaited me if I went back home was not going to be pleasant so what was the use?
I clenched my phone in my hands fighting back the tears with the determination in my eyes.
This was my chance for a new life and I was not going to risk it.
I finally summoned the courage to answer the phone call and my eardrums nearly exploded.
"Ariana! Where are you? Mr George has been waiting for you for hours." My father yelled.
"I told you, I'm not getting married to him, and since my sister is good at stealing property she can have him," I replied.
"This Insolent child, is this how you are going to repay me for taking care of you for all these years." My father yelled harshly but suddenly, he softened his tone.
"Jessica is already engaged so she can't marry George you know we need investors for the company and what better way to do that than to do it through marriage? Ariana your father is already old do you want me to die early?"
I shook my head as I noticed my father was trying to play the pity party.
This was the tactic he used to corner me Into a difficult position and he would manipulate me to get what he wanted.
"Dad, Jessica loves George so much she should get married in my place. Since she is so obsessed with taking what is mine. I don't mind." I said and Pressed the phone against my ears.
"If you wish to die early I can't stop you besides. You drove my mother to the edge until her death. Don't you think it's only fair if I give you the taste of your own medicine?" I continued.
"Arianna how dare you say such words to your father. I can't believe I raised such a child like you."
I chuckled in between sobs, though I called him father he never for once played that role in my life.
When he was married to my mother he was barely around although he said it was work then but now I knew that it was because he had another family and he was very devoted to them.
After the divorce his family moved in and I became an outcast, abandoning me to the likes of my stepmother and sister.
"You're not my father you're just the man that gave birth to me." I gritted my teeth.
The line was silent and I almost felt bad for saying such harsh words but when I heard his words my heart dropped Instantly.
"You wench you're just like your dead mother, do you think I wanted you? You are a burden, a stench I've always wanted to get rid of. You should be lucky I'll let you live." He erupted.
"I'd wish you died with your mother but since you didn't it means the creator wants you to be of use to me. I'll give you ten minutes to come to the arena for the wedding or you'll be in serious trouble." He said harshly then ended the call.
I let the tears pour down on my face when I reflected on the words of my father.
I knew he didn't love me but hearing him say it hit differently and I felt my heart shattered into pieces.
All my years I did everything my stepmother and sister wanted just to please my father but he never was.
Other kids had their parents watch them during their performances but he never came to see me present during high school but he always came to see Jessica's.
Even with everything I did, they were never satisfied, so why was I supposed to give my happiness to people who didn't deserve it?
Going back was not an option so the only thing I could do was to escape this complicated cursed reality.
"Ma'am I've been driving in circles for hours. Please where are you headed?" The taxi driver asked with concern.
I quickly wiped the tears from my face with a sniff then I took a deep sigh to calm my nerves.
The pain was choking and I found it hard to even breathe.
"Take me to the airport," I muttered leaning on the side of the window.
"I want to leave this world," I muttered slowly.
***