Complicated Bliss

Chapter 2

Mabel ran down the familiar path that usually led her to the house of her childhood friend. Her heart plunged deep inside her with heavy pounds. This desperation had clung more or less like a second skin, and with every step, she felt a frantic attempt to get away from the cold dread that gnawed at her soul.

Rose, her childhood friend, a sort of refuge where she ran whenever life pressed in upon her. And now, more than ever, Mabel needed that comfort.

She wrapped her hand in Rose's door, each tap of her shaking hand feeling like an eternity between the seconds. The door opened, and Rose stood in the doorway, a warm smile lighting up on her face in sharp contrast to the turmoil in Mabel's stomach.

"Hi, Mabel!" Rose exclaimed cheerily, her bright amber eyes dancing with joy.

But Mabel didn't smile back. She pushed past Rose, shutting the door with a thud as she collapsed onto the couch, her chest heaving with the weight of her breath. "I'm not alright!" she blurted out, her feelings spilling over in a torrent of tears that coursed down her face.

In an instant, Rose's face turned from cheerful to concerned. She walked over to Mabel and sat beside her on the couch, placing a cautious hand on her shoulder. "Mabel, what's going on? You're really scaring me. Who hurt you?" she asked with a tone of worry.

Mabel wiped her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, but before she could hold it all in, just the words came bursting out "Love... love should be the foundation of marriage, not some business transaction!" she cried, her hands shaking as she buried her face in them.

Rose looked away and blinked, her eyebrows furrowing. "What? Marriage? What do you mean, Mabel?"

Mabel inhaled deeply and lifted her head, as the words tasted bitter on her tongue. "My father, he has arranged for me to marry Williams, the billionaire."

Rose laughed shortly, clearly thinking Mabel must be pulling her leg. But as Mabel didn't join in, the smile fell from Rose's face. "Are you serious?" she asked, her eyes wide with incredulity.

Mabel nodded, her vision smeared by fresh tears. "Yes, he made a deal with Williams. My father's company lost five billion dollars on a bad investment, and he couldn't pay his staff. Williams agreed to help but only if I marry him."

For a moment, Rose seemed stunned, her face paling. Then, she reached out and took Mabel's hands in hers, her grip firm. "Oh, Mabel. I'm so sorry. But you can't really blame your father, can you? He was desperate, and the company is everything to him. It's your future too."

Mabel threw back her head, her frustration boiling over. "But what about my future? My happiness? I don't even know Williams!" Her voice cracked with emotion.

Rose wrapped her arms around Mabel as she sobbed, rubbing her back. "I know, Mabel. I know. But sometimes, life doesn't give us many options. Maybe this won't be so bad. Marrying someone like Williams. Your life could change for the better. Think about it."

Mabel fought free from Rose's grasp, looking up at her with brimming eyes. "A life without love? Without passion? I'd be a prisoner in a gilded cage. Is that really what you think I should do? Marry him and give up on the idea of ever being loved?"

Rose stood up, paced around the room, and started combining her fingers as she rubbed her chin. "Not saying it's fair, but maybe that would've been different if you gave him a chance. Why don't you meet him first, huh?"

Mabel groaned, falling back against the couch in defeat. "I have no choice, Rose; it was all arranged by my father, and even at that, he threatened to cut me off if I didn't agree. How am I supposed to marry a person I have never met, someone who obviously doesn't care about me?"

"Then at least meet him," Rose suggested softly. "Perhaps speaking to him will shed light on things a little."

Mabel hesitated a little before slowly reaching into her bag, dragging out her phone and trembling as she dialed the number her father gave her for Williams. It only took a few rings before a deep, husky voice spoke up at the other end.

"Hello?"

"It's Mabel. Hi," she stammered, her heart racing.

"Yeah, I know who it is. It's 7 p.m. What do you want?" His tone was sharp, almost as if he was irritated by her call.

A large swallow moved in Mabel's throat as her stomach began to twist into nervous knots. "I...I was thinking maybe we could meet on Friday. You know, to talk. Get to know each other."

A moment of silence passed, then Williams spoke again. His voice was laced with disdain. "You don't decide when we meet. I'll text you my address. Be there at 8 a.m. sharp."

The line was dead before Mabel got to answer, and she just sat in a state of disbelief as the anger fired up in her chest. "Can you believe this guy? He's such a jerk!" she exclaimed, then hurtled her phone onto the couch in frustration.

Rose laughed at how fun it had all turned out, but the whole thing was nothing to laugh at as far as Mabel was concerned. "Well, he's a billionaire, Mabel. They really don't care about good manners, I suppose."

Mabel flashed a withering glance in Rose's direction, her anger simmering just below the surface. "I don't care how rich he is. That doesn't give him the right to be so rude. I've never even met him, and already he thinks he owns me!"

Rose shrugged, a teasing smile upon her lips. "Well, soon enough, he technically will. You're marrying him, remember?"

Mabel sprang from the couch, clutching her bag. "I was hoping that you could at least help me get out of this muddle, but it seems you are enjoying it," she spat, venom dripping from her voice.

"Mabel, wait!" Rose hurried after her, her eyes wide with concern. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to lighten things up. I know this is serious."

"Forget it, Rose," Mabel growled, snatching at the door. "I'll do it myself."

"As she flung open the door, Rose called out one last time. "Mabel, meet Williams! It’s the only way to—"