Frustrated

'You have to get married, and take over the family business, Alicia' her father's deep baritone voice echo in her head for the umpteenth time as she pulls over at the roadside. She can't help the scoff that tears through her throat. For the first time in her twenty-nine years of existence, she feels so empty and like the whole world is against her. She never imagined that her dad who loved her so much and would do anything for her, would go to the extreme length of asking her to get married before she can have access to the family wealth, knowing that she detest the word 'marriage' let alone getting herself involved in it. 

The sound of her ringing phone pulls her attention, and she reaches out for it lazily. 

"You have one more week to present your boyfriend to us, Alicia," Again, her dad's deep voice sounds through the phone as soon as she answers the call. It's just like she dug her own early grave by telling her dad earlier that she has a boyfriend. What was she supposed to do when the man was hell-bent on frustrating her to death? 'When are you getting married, Alicia? You're twenty-nine already, and still not thinking of marriage. Are you planning to stay single for the rest of your life?' Her mom's everyday frustration would wake her from sleep, and also send her to bed every night. 

"I know, dad. I will do that. I told you he traveled to Asia and will be back in a few days," She lies to the man over the phone, while having a grimace on her face. 

Dropping her phone on the seat with a deep sigh escaping her throat, she rests her head on the headrest as she closes her eyes. Being born into a wealthy family and the only child of her parents, Alicia has so many responsibilities on her, and also, her life has been planned before she grew up.

She was supposed to get married at the age of twenty-one, at most, so she could take over the family business. However, she failed as her first boyfriend whom she was supposed to get married to eight years ago, dumped her on their wedding day, after he stole ten million dollars from her. Ever since, she has developed this hatred for men and never thought of getting married again. Although she still has some male friends, but getting involved with any man is just what she doesn't want. Her parents have kept up with her decision for seven good years, and she was happy until they started pestering her about marriage one year ago. She thought she could handle the pressure from her desperate parents, but she was mistaken and she eventually had no choice but to lie to them that she has a boyfriend she would introduce to them next week. 

She couldn't have stayed at the roadside forever, so she just turn on her car ignition and hits the road afterward. Maybe going to a bar to chill out won't be a bad idea. Besides, she needs to clear her head and have breathing space for some time before she returns to the hell of a house she lives in. 

Pulling over in front of the bar a few minutes later, she hops out of the car and catwalks to the entrance door, walking in afterward. The smell of alcohol welcomes her as she walks in. The bar is filled with many people as always, so she just walks over to the counter and knocks on it, getting the attention of the male bartender behind the counter. 

"A glass of tequila, please," She says to the bartender as she flips her blonde hair backward and sighs briefly. 

"One minute, please," The bartender says to her before going to get her order, and in less than two minutes, he drops a tall glass filled to the brim with tequila. 

"Thank you," She mutters as she grabs the glass and empties the content into her mouth in one shot. 

"Another one," She pushes the glass to the counter and runs her fingers through her hair frustratingly. Her life is so messed up. 

"Here," Grabbing the glass again, she gulps down the content in one gulp and requests another shot, while the bartender stares at her for a few seconds. 

"Hey," A deep baritone voice speaks from beside her, and she tilts her head to see a young handsome-looking man, graced in a black and orange outfit standing with a smile dancing on his lips, revealing his perfect dentition. For a minute, she checks his perfect figure out, his pair of deep blue eyes, raven hair, pointed nose, and his broad chest that has a portion of it revealing through his button-down long-sleeve shirt, which has the sleeves folded up to his elbow level.

"Hi," She replies casually, turning her attention away. She's going through a lot already, and having a stranger bother her now is the last thing on her mind. 

"My name is Ren Houston, may I know your name?" He asks politely like a gentleman. 

"No," She replies bluntly. 

"Come on, I don't mean any harm. I..."

"I don't want to talk to you. I hope you get that?" And with that, she drags herself up from the chair and drops some dollar notes on the counter for the bartender before she walks elegantly out of the bar, while Ren stares at her until she's out of sight. 

Stepping out of the bar, she walks over to where her car is parked and hops in. She drives out of the place afterward. 

The sound of her ringing phone pulls her attention just as she drives down the road, and she reaches out for it lazily after she parks her car at the side of the road. 

"Hey, baby girl," A feminine voice sounds through the phone as soon as she slides the answer button. 

"Yeah, what's up?" She replies in a low tone. 

"Hey, are you OK?" The feminine voice sounds worried over the phone. 

"Yes, I'm fine," She replies lazily as she rests her head on the headrest. 

"Do you want to hang out later?" The voice asks her. 

"No, I have something to take care of," She can't possibly hang out with her friend, knowing that she has something to figure out, right? 

"Alright, see you later then," The call drops dead and a deep sigh escapes her lips. About to drop the phone on the seat, it rings again, and this time, with a strange number displayed on the screen. 

"Who's this?" She asks as soon as she answers the call. 

"This is Ren. You forgot your purse at the bar, so I picked it up for you," Hearing the guy's voice, she can't help the deep sigh that tears through her throat. Turns out that she has to see him again. If she didn't have anything important in it, she would not have bothered to take it back, but that purse has so many important things to her. 

"Thank you. I'll come and get it later," She ends the call almost immediately and drops her phone on the seat, running her fingers through her hair frustratingly afterward...