Yours Truly

YARA.

I sighed for the umpteenth time tonight. I shouldn't be here, I reminded myself yet again. Nights like this were rare for me as I wasn't the poster child. I was used to being in the background; the brain behind the work. Not the face.

Father had called me from work and instructed me to be present at this function. He'd never done that before. Everyone was fine with keeping me in the shadows.

I wondered what was so different now.

Defeated, I left the large hall where the celebration of a politician who'd just won a campaign was being held and wandered away. It was obvious the mansion had a rooftop, from where I stood before. I walked the stairs leading to the rooftop with a glass of red wine in hand.

The night was eerily silent and the wind was graceful. It was like I had wandered into a different dimension. The hall had been disturbing with annoying faces and the fake smiles they plastered on. We all knew the drill.

No one was really friends with each other. We were all just mooching off each other. It was similar to a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. We each benefited from the other. Money, power, connection, you name it.

I took in the sight before me. The view from up here was amazing. The corners of my lips curved up in a smile.

Suddenly, I became aware of my surroundings. I could see a shadow cast of a giant looming behind me. The hairs on my skin rose.

Impulsively, I turned around and did the one thing I shouldn't have done. I emptied the glass on the intruder.

Except, he didn't move.

He didn't even act like something had happened. He sized me up, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I'm so sorry.” I watched his left brow quirk up, “Why the hell would you creep on me like that?” I rambled. His impeccable silk shirt now had a red stain on its fine material. The shirt, no doubt, was deluxe.

I searched my bag for a napkin to clean off the mess I made. I wiped what I could, even though it wasn't helping.

Firm palms grasped my wrist, forcing me to a stop. I stared at the giant towering over me. It was then I noticed it. Blue, steely eyes. They held no emotions whatsoever.

“That's enough” He growled. Without as much as another word, he walked out.

What the hell just happened?

My purse vibrated with a buzzing sound. It was a call from my sister. Gigi never called. All she ever did was send annoying, malicious texts. I answered, “Where the hell did you run off to? Always seeking attention.” She let out a low hiss before ending the call.

I couldn't even be bothered about her tone because that was how she'd always been. Father was probably looking for me. I dusted my red fitted dress and left the rooftop.

“Come, come, Yara.” Father waved me over immediately after he saw me strutting into the hall. My eyebrows raised in suspicion.

“Yes, Father.”

“My sweet girl, I want you to meet one of our biggest investors, Luca King. He's been one of our solid ones forever. Luca, meet my pretty daughter, Yara.” Father introduced the middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard to me.

“Lovely to meet you.” His voice pulled me out of my train of thought. I stared at his outstretched hands and exchanged a handshake.

“Likewise,” I said, sending a little smile his way. He exchanged some words with Father, while I left them.

What was going on?

My mind wandered back to blue, steely eyes. I couldn't help but wonder who he was. I had never seen that face, I'm sure I would remember if I had. His physical features were hard to forget.

I shrugged off thoughts of the handsome mystery man with cold eyes. Why had my father been extremely nice to me? Not like he was always mean to me, but it seemed a bit much.

Fake.

That night during dinner, Father confirmed my suspicion. My whole family acted like there was something they all knew that I didn't. It made me queasy.

“Yara, we have something to tell you.” My mother finally broke the awkward silence that had been lingering since the dinner started.

Dinner with my family was always this way. Silent. Awkward. Like we all couldn't wait to leave and continue with our lives.

Or maybe it was just me who couldn't wait to leave.

I wiped the corners of my mouth with my napkin before facing my mother. I looked between the uneasy look on my father's face, the nonchalant one on my mother's, and the satisfied one on Gigi's.

I just knew nothing good would come out of this discussion.

“You'll not be going to the office tomorrow.” I watched the expression on his face as I tried to control my facial expression. I was confused.

“What do you mean? Why?”

“Because,” he paused, sipping from his glass of Chardonnay and studying me before replying, “we'll be having a special guest over for lunch.”

I sent him a look that read seriously because I didn't understand what having a guest over had to do with my appearance at the office. I waited for him to continue but he didn't.

“I still don't understand. You have guests all the time, what is so special about this one and why does it affect me?”

Gigi groaned from her side on the table. Her eyes were locked on her phone but I knew that annoyance was for me. I did what I did best; ignore her.

“Yara, if your father says you shouldn't be at the office tomorrow, you should know it would be because of something relevant.” My mother spoke up. She hadn't said a word since we began dinner.

“Don't I at least deserve to know why I should rearrange my schedule for this ‘special guest’?”

“Can you stop being fucking dramatic for a second? Acting like you're the only one with a busy life-” Gigi was cut short by my father.

“The guest is your future husband.”

YARA.

“The guest is your future husband.”

Silence ensued after the statement was made. They all knew about this.

“Father, I explained to you the reason Christian and I planned on taking this relationship slowly. We're not ready for the big deal yet.” I reminded him. Father had never been a fan of Christian and he never bothered to hide it.

A deep chuckle resonated from Father as his shoulders shook in laughter.

“Who is talking about that low life?” He inquired. I'm very sure my confusion was prominent on my face at this point.

“I don't understand. I am in a relationship with Christian, what other man could I possibly have?” I asked in a shaky voice, hoping it wasn't what I thought it was.

“Oh, a lot better. I have arranged for you to be married to the most sought-after bachelor in this city. Maybe the country. A lot better than that riffraff you're seeing. A lot richer and more successful.” He poked a piece of beef on his plate and put it into his mouth.

My gaze swept over my entire family on the table. They'd connived against me. Gigi was having a blast with how teasing her smile was. They were in on the matter all this while. It suddenly felt like they had a private meeting to discuss me and now they were just letting me know the outcome.

“You don't have that right over my life. To choose a man I'd likely spend my life with? That's impossible.” I shook my head.

“It is possible,” he paused to look me in the eye as if daring me, “as a matter of fact, the arrangement has been concluded. It's just left for you both to sit and have a hearty discussion while sipping tea.”

“I-” I started but stopped to glance at Mom who couldn't even be bothered by what was going on. She has never been bothered. “This is not some kind of business deal, Father. This is my life we're talking about here.”

“I'm well aware. I am your father, don't you think I would want the best for you? I had your best interest at heart when I made the decision.”

I couldn't take it anymore.

“Don't tell me about my best interests. I'm in a relationship with a man and you want me to marry another because of your selfish-”

“Yara! Don't ever speak to your father in that tone again. Ever.” Mom cautioned me. I heaved a deep sigh.

I bowed my head down in remorse, “I am sorry, Father.” He waved me off.

“Now, it's been settled. Make yourself available for lunch tomorrow.” Father drew his chair back before exiting the dining room. Mom followed suit.

Gigi sighed heavily, “Nothing makes me happier than seeing people being put in their place.” She hinted while staring at her phone.

Seconds later, she got up and walked out too. I sank into the chair and forced back the tears that threatened to fall.

I needed to talk to at least one person I knew would be on my side, and Christian was that person. I attempted calling him about four times and the call declined every single time. I gave up and decided to go for a ride.

The entire house suddenly became suffocating. It felt like the walls were closing in on me. I needed an out. A breather.

I picked up my keys and purse and left the house. As big as the house was, it never felt like home. At least not to me. Never felt like I belonged here. Maybe Gigi was right. I needed to be put in my place.

After driving aimlessly for an hour, I made a quick stop at my fiancé's apartment. Christian was as nice as they could get. He loved me and I loved him so much more. He was the only person I could say saw me. As a person and not an object incapable of emotions.

He proposed to me about four months ago and I said yes because I couldn't imagine my life with any man other than him. We both agreed to take the marriage process slow as that was the best thing for both of us. We were both busy with life and work.

I knew the passcode to his apartment so I inputted it and let myself in. His place was warm and homely with his soft scent lingering around.

It was empty so I knew he was probably not around. His home was always neat and spotless each time I came around.

Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder why Father resented him so much. He was hardworking, caring, and genuine. He might not come from a generation of wealth but his personality was his biggest suit. He was an attorney in the legal team at the company.

Father has always been mad that I settled for an employee who was on his payroll. I didn't care about wealth or luxury. I've seen what those things have turned people into. I just wanted love and a simple life with a common man. That's it.

Is that too much to ask?

I heard a thud coming from a corner and decided to go check it out. Was someone here?

I let my hearing lead me. I ended up at the door of his bedroom. Maybe he was home after all but probably exhausted. I turned the knob and the door flew open.

My smile faded.

I couldn't comprehend it, yet I remained rooted to the spot. I was frozen. My heart was too. It literally stopped.

I almost lost footing but caught myself. My skin lost all color, becoming chalk-white. I still couldn't comprehend it.

It doesn't make sense. I kept reminding myself.

How I was still standing watching was a surprise to me. I should drop dead at the sight before me.

My phone pinged, pulling me out of my trance. I needed a distraction so I stared at it. It was a message from Father.

FATHER: Meet me at my study tonight.