Chapter 1 - The Start Of Everything
1271 Words
Chapter 1: The start of everything
Alouette slammed the door in her room, full of rage. Her mother wanted her to marry the “mysterious” nephew of her multi-billionaire friend, Mr. Cato Caesar. A person she hasn’t met even once. Heck! She doesn’t even know the name.
“Young lady, that is not how you will treat your mother! You better get out this instant.” Her mother, Keva, shouted.
“No! You didn’t think about how I’ll feel!” She responded, clenching her fist in anger.
“This is for your own good!” Keva defended. She wanted her daughter to have a successful future.
“You can’t always decide for me, mom! I am already a grown-up woman, I know what to do with my life.” Alouette expressed, tears streaming down her face. Her mother always does this, deciding for herself and never even asked for her opinion.
Keva sighed, slowly walking forward, “I am still your mother and I know what the best for you is.”. She rested her palm on the door.
Alouette felt the presence of her mom, nearing her. She leaned her head on the door, eyes closed, “You don’t understand.” She replied in whisper, enough for her mother to hear.
Keva sighed heavily. She knew at this point that it is pointless to talk further, “Fine. Think about it for today, Alouette.”, she said as she walks away.
Alouette wiped the tears on her eyes, disappointed with her mom. She doesn’t want to get married yet. She is just 27 years old. Her mind is still full of many things she still wants to do. Travelling around the world, meeting new faces, trying new things and to overcome those she is afraid of.
“Who wouldn’t get mad when you find out you’ll be getting married in two months?” She scoffed, laying down her bed, burying her face on the pillow.
“Argh!” Shouting in despair. Few minutes passed and she still couldn’t get it out of her head. She must think of a way to stop her mom. She promised herself before, to only marry the man she truly loves.
“What should I do? Should I tell mom that I am in love with someone else or maybe a boyfriend will work?”
A familiar tone started to play. Her eyes looked around to find where the sound is coming from, realizing that it is from her study table. Ah, then she remembered, that is the ringtone of her phone. She stared for a couple of seconds, contemplating whether to answer or not.
Sighing, she got up and hastily grabbed her phone. Without looking at the caller, she placed it on her ear.
“Hello?”
“Oh! Did I wake you up from a bad dream?”
“Huh?”
“You sound angry.”
“No, Elise… I was just doing some thinking.”
“And it made you angry?”
“It was nothing, just a couple of things I have to do today.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Of course.”
“Did you forget that I’m your best friend, Lou? I know something’s up. Come on, spill.”
Sighing heavily, “I’ll tell you when we meet.”
“You better.”
“Why did you call?”
“Well, to invite you for lunch. I know you haven’t eaten yet.”
“Sure. Where to?”
“Do you want Korean or Italian?”
“How about Japanese?”
“I knew it. Something’s up with you. Get ready, Lou, I’ll pick you up in an hour and a half.”
“Got that.”
“Alright, bye!”
“Bye!”
She started to get ready, looking around for clothes in her walk-in closet, wanting to wear a casual but 90’s retro vibe outfit. An oversized black shirt that she could tuck in on a high-waist boyfriend jean, matching it with her white Chanel sneakers.
“Perfect.”
All set, Alouette walked down the stairs quietly, silently hoping that her mother has gone to work. To her dismay, Keva seems to be waiting for her. Sitting primly on the sofa, holding a cup of tea and flipping through a book. Alouette sighed, walking towards the door, “I’m going out for lunch.”
Keva looked up from the book, “Who are you going with?”
Without looking at her, she replied, “Elise.”
Keva knew that Alouette is not in the mood to continue the conversation but she must understand. She stood up and faced her properly, “I know you’re upset.”
“Not now, mom.” She pleaded. Keva reached out to her hands, holding it gently but firmly.
“I’m sorry if I made you angry.” She finally looked at Keva, eyes softening. “I shouldn’t have surprised you.”
“I’m… sorry for shouting at you, mom. I was just so mad.” Keva slightly smiled.
“Well, it’s my fault for breaking it to you that way. I totally understand.”
“Hear out my thoughts as well, mom. Don’t just decide, please.” Alouette expressed.
“Alright. I understand.” Her eyes widened in happiness.
“Does that mean you won’t force me to marry his nephew anymore?”
Keva smiled, “No, sweetheart, I still want you to marry Mr. Caesar’s nephew.”
“What? I thought you understand?”
“I understand that you want me to hear your thoughts as well. So, I will.”
“I don’t want to marry someone I just met, not with an arranged marriage. I will not marry Mr. Caesar’s nephew.”
“You have two months, Alouette. Two months to get to know him, I think that would be enough. Plus, I’ve heard news about him a few times and he’s a good man as per Cato, very independent and he’ll give you the best life.” Alouette shook her head slowly.
“You know things about him, mom. But I don’t. And I don’t want to!”
“He will be a good husband.”
“Exactly. My husband, mom, not yours to decide.”
“I just want you to be happy.” Keva stressed greatly.
“I am happy, and I am living the best life now! I have work that I love, I have friends, I have you. Why can’t you understand?”
Keva shook her head slowly, looked straight at her. Arms crossed. Both has been staring at each other with the same intensity for a few seconds now, room is completely covered in silence.
Dingdong.
Dingdong.
“That’s Elise, mom, I have to go.” Breaking the silence.
She’s about to open the door when, “Alright. Then let’s do it this way, young lady.”
She looked back at her mom, blinking, waiting for what she has to say.
“Introduce to me a man you think more suitable than Mr. Caesar’s nephew. You have a month and two weeks. Don’t disappoint me."
What?
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- Writer
