Chapter 005
1119 Words
Mason
I pulled into the mansion's parking lot, my foot hesitating on the brake pedal. The thought of stepping out of the car and facing the uncertainty within those opulent walls filled me with dread. I let out a deep sigh, frustration and desperation mingling in my chest.
The events of the day replayed in my mind like a broken record – the shock, the anger, the crushing disappointment. My futile attempts to reach Annie had left me drained, emotionally battered. I felt lost, alone, and bewildered.
As I sat there, paralyzed by indecision, I reached for my phone and played "I Miss You, I'm Sorry" by Gracie Abrams. The melancholy melody wrapped itself around my heart, squeezing tight. Memories of Annie flooded my mind – laughter, whispers, stolen glances. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I relived the moments we'd shared.
The song's haunting refrain echoed my own emotions – regret, longing, and a deep, abiding sorrow. I let the music wash over me, a cathartic release of the emotions I'd been trying to keep at bay.
“Nothing happened in the way I wanted
Every corner of this house is haunted
And I know you said we’re not talking
But I miss you, I’m sorry”
I sang every line of the song as I felt every single word hit me like a lightning bolt, “I miss you Annie” I said my voice merely about a whisper .
I sat there until the two minutes song elapsed before I finally found the courage to come out of the car. I got into the house and met dad pacing frantically in the living room with anger written all over his face. I clutched my tuxedo jacket over my shoulders as I stood there waiting for what he had to say.
“Where the hell are you coming from Mason, and why did you leave your bride behind?” He fired at me
I stared at him in disbelief, wondering how he could even say a thing like that after what he and mom did to me. I wasn’t sure yet but I knew they were involved in it one way or another.
“Bride?” I repeated, a scoff escaping my lips in disbelief
“Did you just say bride, dad?” I asked with a stern voice and anger brewing inside me.
“Dad, my bride is nowhere to be found, and whoever you and mom arranged to be my bride certainly doesn’t fit into that space for me,” I said, my gaze piercing into his.
“Mason, she is your wife now and there’s nothing you could do about it.” He said
“No dad,” I replied calmly, “my wife? Is still out there missing or kidnapped maybe, and I’m going to find her,” I said sharply as I was about to take my leave but his next words made me stop.
“No Mason, she ran away,” he said in a cold and menacing tone
“What?” I asked my voice above a whisper
“You heard me right Mason, she fled a few hours before the wedding, and guess what?” He paused, his voice filled with malice “she took your gold jewelry with her.” He said his words dropping like a time bomb in my head making my lips heavy as I was short of words.
"My warnings about gold diggers fell on deaf ears, Mason," my father said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You were too blinded by love to see reason. Now, look where that's left you – alone and humiliated on your wedding day."
I bristled at his words, my defenses rising. "That's not true! Annie would never do this!"
My father's smile was a cold, calculating thing. “You seem to be very confident about someone you met just six months ago, son,” he paused. “Believe what you want, Mason. But the fact remains – Annie's gone, and Freya's the one wearing your ring. You should be grateful to your mother and me for having a backup plan. And to Freya, for saving you from embarrassment."
His words stung, but I refused to back down. "This isn't over," I spat. "We didn't sign any legal documents, so technically, Freya and I aren't married. I can still find Annie and make things right."
My father's expression turned glacial. "Listen, Mason. As the company's owner, I still hold the reins. You need to impress the board to prove you're worthy of the presidency. And that means keeping Freya by your side."
His words hung in the air like a challenge. I clenched my jaws, my mind racing. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away – not when I'd worked so hard to reach this point.
"Dad, are you serious?" I asked, my voice low and even.
My father's raised eyebrow was all the answer I needed. I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine.
My mother's voice cut through the tension like a knife, her words dripping with venom. "Your father is right, son. It's either you stay with Freya or forfeit your claim to the presidency and chase after that gold digger." Her eyes flashed with disdain, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
I stared at my parents, my mind reeling with the impossibility of the situation. "But I don't like Freya, mom," I protested, feeling like a trapped animal.
My mother's expression turned sarcastic. "You don't have to like someone before marrying them, Mason. I didn't exactly adore your father at first, but look at us now." Her voice was laced with bitterness, and my father shot her a warning glance.
I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration. "Not every love story has to be like yours, mom. Yours is... complicated." I searched for the right words, but they seemed to get stuck in my throat.
My father intervened, his voice calm and measured. "Here's an option, son. Stay with Freya for a year. If you can convince the board of your capabilities by then, we might be able to... reevaluate the situation." He paused, his eyes locked on mine. "What do you say, Mason?"
I let out a sigh of relief, the weight of the decision momentarily lifted. A year seemed like a manageable sacrifice, a small price to pay for the presidency. I could tolerate Freya's "excesses" for that long, couldn't I? I pushed aside the doubts creeping into my mind and nodded. "Okay, deal."
I just wished she hadn’t grown worse over the years. Oh lord, please help me. I prayed under my breath.
- Writer
