Rude Awakening

KAREN

"If anyone asks why you passed out, say it's because of the food. Don't embarrass me." Jason says coldly as he leads me into the five star restaurant which is possibly owned by his family. 

And by anyone he means reporters. 

I'm not going to hear the end of this for a very long time. He'll keep letting me know that I embarrassed him by passing out on the night he decided to pity me and propose finally. 

I turn my head to the side and roll my eyes. 

Like I even wanted him to propose. 

I don't want to marry Jason and I have to find a way to call off the engagement. 

It wasn't part of the arrangement. 

The huge chandeliers twinkle beautifully as we walk into the lobby, immediately a man dressed in a crisply ironed black suit walks quickly towards us with hands outstretched and a big smile plastered on his face. 

"Mr Daniels!" He said quite brightly with a bow. 

Yup.

They own this restaurant. 

"The soon to be Mrs Daniels," He bows and smiles at me. 

I almost want to correct him that I didn't get any proposal but I swallow my words. 

I don't want to upset Jason in public. 

"How can I be of service?" The man asked humbly. 

"I made a reservation last week for the VIP booth."

Jason told him with a smile that's meant for the public alone. 

Always putting up a show, I'm sick of it. 

Henley isn't the type to pretend like his brother and the rest of his hypocritical family. 

It's no wonder I am attracted to him. 

"Right this way please," The man turned and led us to the elevator which required a special password that will be granted to anyone who can afford to pay for the VIP booth. 

We don't say anything to each other as the elevator climbs up swiftly. 

There's nothing to say. 

I wonder how this man is able to keep his smile plastered on his face, it's beginning to get creepy. 

"Thank you for patronizing us," He stepped to the side to let us pass as soon as the doors slid open. 

Like he's not being paid. 

I'm tired of dealing with all these pretenders. 

I shake my head as we walk in the direction of his mother who is already seated with two other people whose profiles I have seen all my life. 

My parents. 

"Karen darling!" My mother calls out as soon as she sees us coming. Immediately I forget Jason is beside me and run to her leaving him to walk to the table alone while my mom and I meet in a warm hug midway. 

"I missed you, when did you get back?" I laughed happily. 

"We flew in late last night as soon as we heard the news." Mom said as she led me to the table. 

"What news?" I ask, perplexed. 

"My future daughter," Mrs Daniels called fondly. A fondness that I know is forced. 

I smile anyway and go to hug her before getting enveloped in a bear hug from my Father. 

"How's my princess doing?" He asked gruffly in my ear. 

I wish I could tell him the truth. 

I look up at his homely, adorable face and give him a wide smile. 

"I'm so happy to see you too."

"That's my girl."

I catch Jason staring at us, his expression unreadable. I end the hug and go to sit by his side. 

"Aw, you two look so good together," My mom says with stars in her eyes. I really want to tell her that these people aren't worth the respect they get from her and my father. 

Jason takes my palm in his and gives her his best smile. 

"I can't wait to be family," Immediately he says that my mother gasped in happiness. 

She must have practiced it before today. 

They all laughed happily. 

It's fake. 

I struggle to keep my frown away for peace to reign. 

"Karen my love," Mrs Daniels coos softly. 

"How are you feeling after what happened last night?" 

I hurriedly swallow the lump of food in my throat. 

"I'm perfectly fine, the doctor confirmed it." 

I assure everyone at the table as my parents were beginning to question me with their eyes. 

Quite uncomfortable. 

"The shock must have been too great," Mother told Mrs Daniels with a nervous laugh. 

"It's not everyday one gets engaged to the most handsome man in the world," Mrs Daniels looked fondly at Jason and they all laughed. 

Gosh! Can everyone stop laughing and really listen to me for a minute?!

Has anyone asked me how he actually proposed?

Because he didn't fucking propose!

I let the knife and fork drop to the plate with a clutter. I try to calm myself down and not do anything drastic as I feel the primal urge to escape rise up so fast I fear I might pass out again. 

"I'm sorry," I offer a smile to the peering eyes staring at me questioningly. 

"Mom, I need your help in the ladies room," I whisper to my mother and as expected she gets up and leads me away, her palm splayed across my lower back as she holds my arm softly. 

"What's wrong my darling? Do you feel dizzy again?" Worry is written boldly on her face. 

"No, no Mom."

"Then whatever is the matter?" She asks, confused. 

"I don't want to get married." 

I wait for her response but none comes and so I carry on. 

"This engagement, it's not real. Jason didn't propose to me and it's fine by me because I don't want to marry him and so I am going to call it off and end things with him. Will you help me talk to Dad?" 

I take her hands in mine pleading with her to help me. 

"What do you mean?" All traces of that happiness disappeared totally from her eyes. 

"I.." I stare at her confused. 

"You what? You want to ruin us just because you want to run around with other men? Is that what this is?" 

I would have sworn my heart stopped beating for a moment. 

I can't believe what I am hearing. 

My mouth falls open in shock. 

"No that's not-" I begin.

"You said it's not a real proposal, don't you think it's your duty to make it a real one for your family at least because it seems you haven't been doing your duty enough."

"Getting married to him wasn't part of the arrangement we had, Mom." I am struggling not to shout at the top of my voice. 

How can she say that to me?

It's my duty to do what?

"Well now it is. Don't you see it's a good thing he announced your engagement out of the blue? It means he wants to be part of our family and that means well for our family." 

She caresses my cheek with her index finger. 

Tears began to sting the back of my eyes as I stared into her eyes searching for understanding, I found nothing. 

"No, no. I'm not going to marry him, mother." I shake my head. 

She frowns. 

"You must and you will. I'll make sure your Father hears of this." 

"Clean up your face, there are people watching." She turns around and leaves without sparing me a glance. 

I look down at the short, flowery lunch gown I have on and I really want to tear it to shreds. I'll get pleasure from it I'm sure. 

"Family? I should do it for my family?" 

What else have I been doing this whole fucking time?

"I endure insults and abuse all because of my family and she said I'm not doing enough," I said to my reflection as my voice cracked on the last word. 

A sob escapes and I double over holding it in. 

I'll cry to my heart's content when I get home. 

I'm disappointed.

If they refuse to acknowledge all that I do for them, for my family. All I sacrificed just so my family can get to the top and yet no one seems to consider my feelings.

I take in shaky breaths and sniff loudly. 

"It's no use crying." I say out loud as I wipe the tears from my face. 

"It won't solve anything," I dab delicately at the corners of my eyes to remove any trace of tears. 

It's time to take charge of my life and if there's anything the Daniels family has taught me, it's how to pretend and that's exactly what I am going to do. 

I am done putting my family first, they don't deserve that position in my life anymore. 

It's time to put myself first. 

I turn my head to the left and to the right and nod in approval. I'll still have that cry when I get home tonight but before that, I have to get through this boring lunch. 

I plaster a smile on my face as I walk out of the ladies room.