I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for my ride to arrive, My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen."Your ride is 2 minutes away," the notification read, I exhaled but sighed since I was already running late.A sleek, silver sedan pulled up to the curb, its tyres humming on the pavement, The driver, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, leaned over to open the passenger door."Hi, Aries! Hop in," she said.I slid into the seat, buckling my belt as she pulled away from the curb, The sedan glided smoothly through the streets, the air-conditioning a welcome respite from the afternoon heat.As we drove, my phone buzzed again, and I glanced at the screen, A text from Emily my best friend flashed on the display:"Hey, Aries! The lecture starts in 20 mins, and you're nowhere to be found! Where are you?"I frowned, anxiety creeping in. "Stuck in traffic," I typed quickly."Estimated time of arrival?" Emily replied."10-15 mins I believe I can make it in time," I estimated."Okay,
Since my fate is to be doomed in the hands of my father and his new wife (My stepmother).As I dismissed some thoughts I know will only do more harm than good to me, I quickly packed my things into my bag pack, l looked at Emily who was already staring at me for the moment, her eyes filled with Anger."Hey Emily try to calm down, don't be angry at me" I paused for a while recollecting my thoughts. "I would love to stay but I have some family problems I have to face alone. Please understand.""Did you just say Alone?" Emily asked in anger."Yeah Emily" I walked close trying to calm her down but she retaliated."Aries you seem to have taken me for a fool" Emily spoke her voice shaking as she tried to hold back her tiers."Emily, what have I done wrong?" I asked."Don't play dumb with me Aries" she said as she walked closer to me. "Aries I know you too well, something has been bothering you but you choose to hide it from me why?" Emily said. Tires rolled down her eyes.I felt pity for E
I sat at the cushion with my father looking at Sofia who was still looking at me, after a brief silence. My father cleared his throat as if something was choking him."Hmmmm" he cleared his throat. "Aries dear you will be get married."At that moment I felt like I didn't hear what he was saying."Dad please I don't hear you" I said politely not to make him angry."Aries dear I said you are getting married" he repeated but this time his voice was loud and clear."What??" I exclaimed."How? Am I getting married to whom?" "I am too young..... to get married am just twenty-one years old" I pleaded as tears rolled down my eyes.I slumped back into the cushion, my eyes wide with horror and disbelief. My mind raced, refusing to accept the words echoing in my ears. "Married?" I thought. "How can this be? I'm just 21!"My gaze drifted to Sofia, still watching me with an unreadable expression. Her presence made me feel like a pawn in a game I didn't understand."Aries dear I know this would
Time flies, and it is already my engagement day. Everything was perfect. As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my diamond necklace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. The woman staring back at me was a stranger, a puppet dressed in a designer gown, ready to be presented to the world. My father, beaming with pride, entered the room. "Aries, you look stunning. Leon will be thrilled." I forced a smile, my heart heavy with the weight of my situation. "Thanks, Dad," I replied in a calm voice. As we descended the staircase, I was immediately struck by the opulence of the decorations. The entire ballroom was transformed into a fairytale-like setting, with intricate details and lavish adornments. I started asking myself why Is everything so flashy it's just an engagement. The walls were draped with floor-to-ceiling white and cream-coloured silk, creating a sense of elegance and sophistication. The tables were set with fine china, crystal glasses, and crisp white li
As the night wore on, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider. Leon's family seemed to be sizing me up, their smiles and congratulations laced with insincerity. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, with no control over my destiny which I hated to feel that way.As I stood there, pretending to be the happy bride-to-be, I caught a glimpse of a figure watching me from across the room. It was a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She was dressed in a stunning red gown, and her presence seemed to command attention.As our eyes met, I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was something about her that seemed familiar, yet I couldn't quite place her. She smiled at me, a sly, mischievous smile that made me feel like she knew a secret I didn't.I turned back to Leon, trying to focus on the celebration at hand. But my eyes kept drifting back to the mysterious woman in red. Who was she, and what did she want? But I pushed the thoughts away sinc
I woke up the following morning feeling so weak and tired. I was having serious back ache that morning, but I could not understand why I felt so much pain.Then, immediately, my mind remembered Emily."Oh my, let me quickly call Emily and know how she is doing", I said in a low tone.I quickly got up to look for my phone, after searching for it in my room. I remember I kept it inside the bathroom when I went to bath yesterday. I quickly rushed to the bathroom as I sited my phone on the sink."There you are," I said as I took it and walked back to the room and sat on the sofa; then I scrolled through my contacts and saw Emily's number, and I dialled it.Then my phone started beeping, "Tone!! Tone!!"Before it could beep for the third time Emily on the other side picked up the phone,"Hello, Aries!!!" Emily's voice was calm and warm."Emily, how are you doing? Good morning" I lowered my voice."A......m fin..e" she started crying as she managed to reply."Emily, don't cry, please take h
Since some things in life are better silenced waved my conversation with Sophia.Then I walked up to my room quietly without even saying a word to anyone.Hugh!!! I exclaimed, taking a deep breath and relieving myself of the worry."Let me sort out the clothes I am going to wear to Emily's parents' funeral tomorrow", I said.I walked over to my closet and began browsing through my outfits, searching for something suitable for the occasion. As I scrolled through my clothes, I decided on a simple yet elegant black dress that I had worn to a funeral before. It was modest, respectful, and fitting for the sombre occasion.I took the dress out of the closet and laid it on my bed, making sure it was wrinkle-free. I then moved on to choose a pair of shoes, settling on a pair of black heels that would complement the dress nicely.As I was getting everything ready, my mind began to wander back to Emily and the pain she must be going through. I couldn't even begin to imagine how difficult it mus
Mum please don't leave me" I cried beside my mum who was lying helplessly on the hospital bed, I kept crying and crying.Suddenly a man in his late twenties entered my mum's private room. The man who entered the hospital room was tall and lean, with a athletic build that was evident even under his white lab coat. He stood at around six point two inches with broad shoulders and a strong jawline, giving him a confident and authoritative presence. His dark brown hair was neatly styled, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled with compassion as he approached the hospital bed.His white lab coat was crisp and spotless, with a name tag that read "Dr. Ryan KEAL" in bold letters. The coat was slightly open, revealing a hint of a tailored white shirt and a slim black tie. His dark blue jeans fit perfectly, accentuating his toned legs.As he moved closer, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with kindness and concern. His smile was warm and gentle, putting me at ease despite the chaos of emotions
Since some things in life are better silenced waved my conversation with Sophia.Then I walked up to my room quietly without even saying a word to anyone.Hugh!!! I exclaimed, taking a deep breath and relieving myself of the worry."Let me sort out the clothes I am going to wear to Emily's parents' funeral tomorrow", I said.I walked over to my closet and began browsing through my outfits, searching for something suitable for the occasion. As I scrolled through my clothes, I decided on a simple yet elegant black dress that I had worn to a funeral before. It was modest, respectful, and fitting for the sombre occasion.I took the dress out of the closet and laid it on my bed, making sure it was wrinkle-free. I then moved on to choose a pair of shoes, settling on a pair of black heels that would complement the dress nicely.As I was getting everything ready, my mind began to wander back to Emily and the pain she must be going through. I couldn't even begin to imagine how difficult it mus
I woke up the following morning feeling so weak and tired. I was having serious back ache that morning, but I could not understand why I felt so much pain.Then, immediately, my mind remembered Emily."Oh my, let me quickly call Emily and know how she is doing", I said in a low tone.I quickly got up to look for my phone, after searching for it in my room. I remember I kept it inside the bathroom when I went to bath yesterday. I quickly rushed to the bathroom as I sited my phone on the sink."There you are," I said as I took it and walked back to the room and sat on the sofa; then I scrolled through my contacts and saw Emily's number, and I dialled it.Then my phone started beeping, "Tone!! Tone!!"Before it could beep for the third time Emily on the other side picked up the phone,"Hello, Aries!!!" Emily's voice was calm and warm."Emily, how are you doing? Good morning" I lowered my voice."A......m fin..e" she started crying as she managed to reply."Emily, don't cry, please take h
As the night wore on, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider. Leon's family seemed to be sizing me up, their smiles and congratulations laced with insincerity. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, with no control over my destiny which I hated to feel that way.As I stood there, pretending to be the happy bride-to-be, I caught a glimpse of a figure watching me from across the room. It was a woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She was dressed in a stunning red gown, and her presence seemed to command attention.As our eyes met, I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was something about her that seemed familiar, yet I couldn't quite place her. She smiled at me, a sly, mischievous smile that made me feel like she knew a secret I didn't.I turned back to Leon, trying to focus on the celebration at hand. But my eyes kept drifting back to the mysterious woman in red. Who was she, and what did she want? But I pushed the thoughts away sinc
Time flies, and it is already my engagement day. Everything was perfect. As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my diamond necklace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. The woman staring back at me was a stranger, a puppet dressed in a designer gown, ready to be presented to the world. My father, beaming with pride, entered the room. "Aries, you look stunning. Leon will be thrilled." I forced a smile, my heart heavy with the weight of my situation. "Thanks, Dad," I replied in a calm voice. As we descended the staircase, I was immediately struck by the opulence of the decorations. The entire ballroom was transformed into a fairytale-like setting, with intricate details and lavish adornments. I started asking myself why Is everything so flashy it's just an engagement. The walls were draped with floor-to-ceiling white and cream-coloured silk, creating a sense of elegance and sophistication. The tables were set with fine china, crystal glasses, and crisp white li
I sat at the cushion with my father looking at Sofia who was still looking at me, after a brief silence. My father cleared his throat as if something was choking him."Hmmmm" he cleared his throat. "Aries dear you will be get married."At that moment I felt like I didn't hear what he was saying."Dad please I don't hear you" I said politely not to make him angry."Aries dear I said you are getting married" he repeated but this time his voice was loud and clear."What??" I exclaimed."How? Am I getting married to whom?" "I am too young..... to get married am just twenty-one years old" I pleaded as tears rolled down my eyes.I slumped back into the cushion, my eyes wide with horror and disbelief. My mind raced, refusing to accept the words echoing in my ears. "Married?" I thought. "How can this be? I'm just 21!"My gaze drifted to Sofia, still watching me with an unreadable expression. Her presence made me feel like a pawn in a game I didn't understand."Aries dear I know this would
Since my fate is to be doomed in the hands of my father and his new wife (My stepmother).As I dismissed some thoughts I know will only do more harm than good to me, I quickly packed my things into my bag pack, l looked at Emily who was already staring at me for the moment, her eyes filled with Anger."Hey Emily try to calm down, don't be angry at me" I paused for a while recollecting my thoughts. "I would love to stay but I have some family problems I have to face alone. Please understand.""Did you just say Alone?" Emily asked in anger."Yeah Emily" I walked close trying to calm her down but she retaliated."Aries you seem to have taken me for a fool" Emily spoke her voice shaking as she tried to hold back her tiers."Emily, what have I done wrong?" I asked."Don't play dumb with me Aries" she said as she walked closer to me. "Aries I know you too well, something has been bothering you but you choose to hide it from me why?" Emily said. Tires rolled down her eyes.I felt pity for E
I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for my ride to arrive, My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen."Your ride is 2 minutes away," the notification read, I exhaled but sighed since I was already running late.A sleek, silver sedan pulled up to the curb, its tyres humming on the pavement, The driver, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, leaned over to open the passenger door."Hi, Aries! Hop in," she said.I slid into the seat, buckling my belt as she pulled away from the curb, The sedan glided smoothly through the streets, the air-conditioning a welcome respite from the afternoon heat.As we drove, my phone buzzed again, and I glanced at the screen, A text from Emily my best friend flashed on the display:"Hey, Aries! The lecture starts in 20 mins, and you're nowhere to be found! Where are you?"I frowned, anxiety creeping in. "Stuck in traffic," I typed quickly."Estimated time of arrival?" Emily replied."10-15 mins I believe I can make it in time," I estimated."Okay,
After an hour of cooking, Mrs. Jenkins and I finished preparing a delicious meal of roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, and fluffy rice. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was tantalising, and my stomach growled in anticipation of lunch. "Just in time," Mrs. Jenkins said, glancing at the clock. "Mrs. Victoria will be pleased." I nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Let's get everything set up in the dining room." We carefully transferred the dishes to the dining room, where the table was already set with fine china and crystal glasses. Just as we finished arranging the food, Mrs. Victoria swept into the room, Sofia trailing behind her. "Sofia's starving," Mrs. Victoria announced, her eyes scanning the table. "I hope lunch is ready." Sofia's eyes widened as she took in the spread before her. "Finally, something decent to eat," she said, her tone dripping with entitlement. I bit back a retort, remembering Mrs. Jenkins' words: "Don't let those people get to you." Mrs. V
I slept only to wake up the next morning; I brought out my phone to check the time. It was around 9 am."Oh no!!" I exclaimed as I saw the time; I quickly got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom, washed my face; since I woke up late and there was no time for me to take my bath, I walked out of my room.As I hurried out of my room, I nearly collided with Mrs. Victoria, my stepmother, standing in the hallway. Her piercing gaze scrutinized me, her expression a mask of disapproval."Good morning, Mrs. Victoria," I stammered, trying to sound cheerful despite my rush.But instead of a warm response, her face contorted in anger."You call this morning?" she spat, her voice venomous. "You're over two hours late! Your father explicitly told you that you'd be taking care of household chores from now on, and this is how you start?"Her eyes flashed with indignation. "Do you know how much work needs to be done? The laundry, cooking, cleaning... and you're still lounging in your nightclothes?"S