He did not even flinch. He was as calm as he could be. It was like our family was falling apart and my whole life did not even matter to him. "Get ready to go meet him because you two are going to be for life " he said, like he was reading from a script or something.
My throat got tight. I opened my mouth but I had nothing to say. There was silence. I grabbed my bag. I needed to get out of there. I needed some air or something.
I drove to this cafe on the side of the road. I do not even remember driving. I just parked, walked in and ordered a coffee. I sat down by the window. I tried to think. I tried not to cry. I tried to scream.
"Can I sit down?" This guy asked in a polite voice. His eyes were dark like something was hiding under his calm face. I nodded before I even thought about it. He sat down. I could not look away. He was handsome and strong. It was just ridiculous. My brain was all over the place.. He did not even notice me at first.
"Hi, are you okay? You look worried. Is something wrong?" he asked.
"I am fine just thinking " I said, blinking fast and my heart beating really fast.
He smiled a little. It felt huge. "Anyway you look beautiful."
He got up and left just like that.. Of course I could not stop thinking about him. His smile, his voice, it was all nonsense. I do not even know him. Yet I wanted to know him. I wanted everything. I watched him leave until he disappeared.. He was still in my head laughing or maybe smiling and making life feel not so heavy for a moment.
Hours later I drove home. My hands were tight on the wheel. My mind was spinning. I was thinking about the cafe, the stranger, dad and my little sister Amelia. There was too much on my mind and I could not process any of it.
"Welcome back sis. Where have you been? I called you a lot of times. You did not answer. Dad is really down and we had to rush him to the hospital " Amelia said.
My chest sank. "What? How? He was fine hours ago."
"He just slumped and stopped talking " Amelia whispered.
I felt my knees get weak. "Which hospital?"
"The one on company road."
I drove off as fast as I could. My heart was. My leg was trembling. My hands were shaking too.
"Doctor, doctor I am Freya Williams, dads daughter. Where is my father? I need to see him " I said.
A man in a coat appeared. "Can we talk in my office? It is better " he said gently.
My legs almost gave out. "Doctor what is wrong?"
"Miss Freya, please be strong for your family. I am sorry we lost him " the doctor said, with pity over his face.
"No." My voice was. Almost disappearing. Tears blurred everything. I buried my face in my hands. I was broken, helpless and lost.
I gripped the steering wheel as I drove home. Tears were slipping down my cheeks and this voice in my head was echoing. How could I break the news to Amelia?
"Is dad okay? Did he say anything?" Amelia asked.
I could not answer her. My mouth felt heavy. The tears would not stop. A minute later I finally composed myself and broke the news.
"Dad is dead. He died even before I got to the hospital."
I felt her pain immediately. My little sister was broken. She cried all night without stopping. I tried to console her. The grief was just too heavy.
Days turned into months. After our fathers funeral in the evening I went to his room to look for some documents related to the family business. While I was going through his wardrobe I came across a letter. I was curious. I had to know what it was about.
Inside the letter I found an agreement that I was not ready for: "If you fail to repay $1 million in two years your first daughter will be given to my son in exchange for the debt or I will take over your company." It was signed by His Majesty Ethan Arthur and my dad Dr. Williams Harry.
I froze. We only had two months left. My chest twisted and breathing became difficult. Why did dad not tell me about this? Why did no one tell me? Was that why he pushed the marriage?
The few nights I wandered around the streets. Thoughts were bouncing through my mind. Dad, stranger, Amelia and the company. The clock was ticking fast and loud. I could not marry a man I did not know.. The thought of keeping the company alive and protecting Amelia felt like a trap tightening around me.
Yet sometimes I could not help but think about him. The stranger at the cafe, his smile, his voice. I hated myself for it.
Amelia asked me many questions at the same time. "Freya, what do we do? Can we save the company? What about me?"
I do not know yet I held her tight. Whispered, "We will figure it out together."
That night staring at the ceiling I thought about the life dad had planned for me. The one I did not want. The world suddenly became huge and scary. I let it swirl with fear, anger and grief.
And then a small stubborn voice echoed in my head: "I will not be anyone's pawn not now, not ever."
I repeated it over and over again. I tried to feel it in my bones, tried to mean it and tried to plan it.. The thought was still there much stronger than the little voice in my head.
Some minutes into the night I called my friend Chloe to tell her that I would be moving in with her along with Amelia to start a new life. I was scared of this decision. I was also working towards it. Chloe was happy to hear that because she had always wanted us to live together under the same roof.
I wandered out the morning, my hands shoved in my pocket, my legs moving automatically and my thoughts kept looping. My brain kept insisting on the stranger even though I did not know him.
Before afternoon I called Amelia to get her things ready because we would be moving in with Chloe in one week's time.
A black SUV had just driven in. Two hefty men and a man dressed in royal attire. Tall dark intimidating face and athletic body. His men looked mean with strict faces and muscular bodies moving like they owned the place.
"Freya! dads friend, His Majesty is here " Amelia said.
Amelia had been with dad since day one so she was familiar with anyone who came to the house. She knew all of dads friends and business associates better than I did.
The king!
I felt like disappearing when I heard that word but I could not. Standing to face whatever he had to do seemed like the option rather than running away.
"Hi, Freya. Hi, Amelia. How are you both doing? I am sorry I have not come since the loss of your father, my friend. I have been busy with palace matters and business. Please forgive me, my children, " the king said.
"We are doing fine, Your Majesty. Though we miss him much there is nothing we can do about it. I understand how busy you have been and trust me we are not angry at you. Thank you Your Majesty for coming. We really appreciate it."
"Freya, can we talk outside?" the king asked.
My pulse hammered against my ribs. I kept glancing over my shoulder. Okay Your Majesty I followed him immediately.
"Freya, I want you to come to the palace this weekend. I want us to talk about something. Is that possible?" the king asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. By what time should I be there?" I mumbled.
"By 4 p.m. On Saturday. Please be there.
Amelia looks worried when I entered inside
"No, Amelia , do not worry. We are okay. Nothing bad is happening. The king just wants to see me on Saturday at 4 p.m. He did not send anyone to hurt us." I explained to Amelia.
I was awake all night. I wanted to sleep. I could not. My mind was thinking about a lot of things.
* Maybe we should leave tomorrow
* Maybe I should go see the king
* Maybe I should ask the king for time when I see him.
I got up. I picked up my phone at 4:50 a.m. I called my friend Chloe. The phone rang. She did not answer. I did not think she would answer because it was very early and she was probably sleeping.
My phone rang again at 7:00 a.m.. This time the number was not a number I knew.
The king was the one who wanted to see me. Now I was wondering who was calling me on the phone. I was curious and my hand was above the screen of my phone. The king and his request were still on my mind.
/1/120017/coverbig.jpg?v=22dc6ea2a88a3a8c1c8ea37fe3b3338b)
View More Comments on App
