Something Like Gold

Chapter 11

Ria Anderson at 26 years old had everything anyone could dream of. She was now the only child of Mr Fred Anderson and Mrs Avril Anderson, one of the wealthiest families in the country. Her father owned a large empire of companies while her mother was a renowned philanthropist.

Ria had grown up in luxury, surrounded by expensive cars, grand mansions, and all the finest things money can buy.

However, despite all the riches. Ria felt something was missing. People around Ria always seemed more interested in her family’s fortune than in her as a person. She had friends, but overtime she realized they care more about her lifestyle than who she really was. The men she dated were the same- interested in her wealth and status but never her heart.

Ria longed to be loved for who she really was, not for her family’s wealth. One evening, after a particularly shallow conversation with a man her father introduced her to, Ria knew something had to change. This man, like so many others, was more interested in impressing her with his wealth than learning anything about her.

She wanted more. She wanted a life where she could be herself and find love not base on their family’s name, but on who she truly was. Ria decided that she need to leave her life of privilege behind, atleast for a while. She wanted to experience the world outside her bubble, to live simply and discover if she could find love in a place where no one knows her background.

Before she made any drastic decisions, Ria sat down with her parents to discuss her plans.

“I’ve been thinking about something for a while,” Ria began, her heart racing, “I want to leave the city for a while, I need time to find myself away from everything here.”

Her mother, Mrs Avril immediately frowned. “Leave? Ria, you are a young woman, the world outside is harsh, especially for a girl like you. You don’t need to go anywhere. We can find you a good husband here, someone who would love and care for you.”

Ria sighed, knowing her mother wouldn’t understand. “But that’s the problem, Mom. The men I meet are only interested in what I have, not in me. I want to live a simple life for a while, away from all this. I want to find someone who loves me for who I am.”

Mrs Avril shook her head, “it’s not safe out there for a girl like you. What if something happens? How will you survive without the comfort and protection of this home? You don’t need to struggle when everything you need is right here.”

Ria looked at her father, hoping for support. Mr Fred, a stern but thoughtful man, had been listening quietly.

“I won’t be gone forever,” Ria said turning to her father. “I just need some time to figure things out. If I don’t find what I’m looking for, if I don’t find love on my own, I will come back. I’ll agree to marry the man you want me to marry.”

Her father raised an eyebrow, “you mean the tech billionaire, David, who you have adamantly refused to meet?”

“Yes,” Ria nodded. “I’ll meet him eventually but first I need to do this. I need to know if I can live a life where people see me for me, not for our name.”

Mr Fred leaned back on his Chair considering his daughters words. He loved Ria dearly and as much as he wanted her to marry someone powerful like David, he understood her need for independence. He had seen her frustration over the years, trying to find someone who valued her more than her wealth.

Mrs Avril, however, was not convinced. “Fred tell her this is a bad idea. She’s a girl. She can’t just wander off on her own. The works isn’t kind to women, especially one who has never known hardship. It’s dangerous.

But Mr Fred gave Ria a small nod of approval. “If this is what you need to do, Ria, then I’ll support you. I don’t want you to regret not finding your own path.

He turned to his wife. She’s strong Avril, we have to trust her.”

Mrs Avril sighed still uneasy. “Fine but promise me you’ll be careful, Ria.”

“I’ll, mom,” Ria said with a smile, “ I won’t be gone for long. I just need time away from all the troubles here.”

And with that, Ria’s plan was set. She packed a small suitcase with only simple clothes, leaving behind her expensive dresses, jewelry, and the life of luxury she had always known.

The next day, with her father’s reluctant blessing and her mother’s worried gaze, Ria left the city. She boarded a bus to a faraway place, hoping to start fresh.