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THE GOLDEN CAGE

Chapter 1 — The Golden Cage

The first thing people noticed about Lushan's life was how beautiful it looked.

She lived in a mansion surrounded by tall gates, perfectly trimmed gardens, expensive cars, and enough security to make anyone believe she had everything a girl could ever want.

And in a way, she did.

She had designer clothes hanging neatly in her enormous wardrobe, beautiful jewelry, shelves filled with books, expensive perfumes, and shoes she could probably wear a different pair every day for months.

Whenever she wanted something, all she had to do was ask.

Except for the things she actually wanted.

Those were usually the things her father said no to.

Lushan sat on her bed, staring at the invitation in her hands.

It was pink with tiny silver stars around the edges.

YOU'RE INVITED!

The party was going to be held on Saturday evening at the home of one of the girls from school.

Everyone was talking about it.

There would be music, food, dancing, games, pictures, and people her age.

For once, Lushan wanted to be part of something.

She wanted to dress up and take pictures with her friends.

She wanted to laugh until her stomach hurt.

She wanted to stay out late and come home with stories to tell.

Most importantly, she wanted to feel like a normal nineteen-year-old girl.

She looked at the invitation again.

Maybe this time would be different.

Maybe her father would say yes.

With a smile on her face, Lushan hurried downstairs.

She found Raphael in his study, sitting behind his large wooden desk while reading through some documents.

"Papa?"

He looked up.

"Yes?"

Lushan walked into the room.

"I got invited to a party."

Raphael's expression immediately changed.

"A party?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

She gave him the address.

"Who is hosting it?"

She told him.

"Who will be there?"

"People from school."

"Which people?"

Lushan sighed.

"Papa, I don't know everyone who will be there."

Raphael put the papers down.

"Lushan, you know my rules."

"I know."

"Then why are we having this conversation?"

"Because I'm nineteen."

He stared at her.

"I'm old enough to go to a party."

"No."

Her excitement disappeared.

"Papa, please."

"I said no."

"Everyone is going."

"I don't care what everyone else is doing."

Lushan clenched the invitation in her hand.

"You never let me do anything."

"That's not true."

"It is."

"I give you everything you need."

"I know!"

Her voice cracked.

"You give me everything except a life."

The room fell silent.

Raphael's expression hardened.

"Lushan."

She immediately regretted raising her voice, but she was tired of swallowing her feelings.

"I just want to go to one party," she said more quietly. "I'll take security with me. I'll come back early. You can even send the driver."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

She stared at him.

"That's not an answer."

"It is the only answer you're getting."

A tear threatened to fall, but she refused to let him see it.

She turned around and walked out.

"Lushan."

She didn't stop.

She hurried upstairs, entered her bedroom, and closed the door behind her.

A few minutes later, there was a gentle knock.

"Lushan?"

She recognized the voice immediately.

"Come in, Gracie."

The door opened.

Gracie walked in carrying a small plate of chocolate cake.

"I brought you something."

"I'm not hungry."

"You weren't hungry yesterday either."

Lushan looked at her.

Gracie smiled.

"You can be angry and eat at the same time."

Lushan couldn't help laughing.

She took the plate.

"Thank you."

Gracie sat beside her.

"I heard what happened."

"He won't let me go."

"I know."

"Why does he have to control everything?"

Gracie was quiet for a moment.

"Your father worries about you."

"He worries too much."

"Maybe."

Lushan stared at the invitation lying on her bed.

"Do you know what everyone at school thinks?"

"What?"

"That I'm lucky."

Gracie smiled softly.

"You are lucky in many ways."

"I know."

Lushan looked around her room.

"I have everything."

She paused.

"But sometimes I feel like I'm living inside a beautiful cage."

Gracie's smile disappeared.

Lushan walked toward the window.

"I can't go anywhere without security."

She pointed toward the driveway.

"Every morning, there are cars waiting for me. Guards follow me everywhere. If I want to visit a friend, Papa has to know where they live, who their parents are, and what time I'll be back."

She shook her head.

"Sometimes I just want to walk somewhere without someone following me."

Gracie looked at her sympathetically.

"What would you do if you could?"

Lushan smiled.

"I'd go to school alone."

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"That's all?"

"No."

She laughed.

"I'd walk around with my friends after class. We'd buy snacks. We'd sit somewhere and talk about stupid things. I'd go shopping without security standing behind me."

Gracie laughed.

"And you'd probably come home late."

"Definitely."

"Lushan."

"I'm serious."

They both laughed.

For a few seconds, the room felt lighter.

Then Lushan's smile faded.

"I don't want to be treated like I'm five years old."

"You aren't."

"Tell Papa that."

"I've tried."

Lushan turned back toward the window.

"I just want to live."

That evening, Lushan sat across from her father at the dining table.

The room was quiet except for the soft clinking of cutlery.

Then Raphael spoke.

"Your security arrangements are changing."

Lushan looked up.

"What?"

"Starting tomorrow, you'll have additional security at school."

Her expression fell.

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Is this because of the party?"

"No."

"It is."

"Lushan."

"You won't even let me go to a party, and now you're adding more guards?"

"I'm doing what I believe is best for you."

"You always say that."

Raphael looked at her.

"You'll understand one day."

Lushan lowered her eyes.

Maybe she would.

But tonight, she didn't.

She pushed her plate away.

"I'm not hungry."

She stood and left the table.

Later that night, she stood by her bedroom window, watching the city lights glitter beyond the tall gates.

Somewhere out there, people her age were laughing, making friends, going to parties, falling in love, making mistakes, and creating memories.

Lushan wanted that life.

Not the mansion.

Not the expensive clothes.

Not the endless gifts.

She wanted the freedom to decide things for herself.

She wanted to be nineteen.

She wanted to live.

She closed the curtains and climbed into bed.

Tomorrow would probably be just like today.

And the day after that would probably be the same.

At least, that was what she believed.