ADAMANT

I drive my Lamborghini through my father's series of gates until I park at the parking lot at past eight midnight.

This place's security is awful! It sucks!

One reason I moved out a year ago was because of this. I'll admit it: this place is a real heaven. The castle has consistently been stunning and glittering with so much beauty and liveliness with blooming flowers in shades of green and yellow decorating the lovely garden. As I became older, I stopped making it difficult for my mother to pursue me around the flowers the way she used to when I was a child. Instead, we spent our evenings here talking and occasionally, my father would join us. We would stay here for hours under the stars just talking and laughing only.

An exquisite yet painful recollection. It's been years, but I am still not over her horrible and sudden demise. Presumably, there are pains that just never go away.

As I sigh in remembrance of her, I divert my attention to the pool's turquoise waters. Oh, how I miss being in those waters—not necessarily swimming, but simply laying back and relishing the tranquillity of it while sipping my lemonade.

I really lived like a real Disney princess in this castle, flanked by a team of nannies and bodyguards everywhere I went - to the school, the malls, my father's gatherings, and even my outings with my friends. I loved it at first. I enjoyed the sensation of being a real princess born into a royal family. Even though I was small, I had a lot of influence even ordering the guards who were supposed to guard me. But sadly, I never experienced such influence in making decisions about my own life.

As I grew older, that lifestyle began to suffocate me, and I realised just how much freedom I was being deprived of. I envied my friends who lived in modest circumstances since they were free to do and go anywhere without a throng of obtrusive bodyguards keeping an eye on them.

I grew more and more desirous of freedom as the years passed by. A personal life. I was curious about what it would be like to wake up on my own without nannies banging on my door to remind me that I needed to be at the table. Compared to the fixed mealtimes I had here, my ideal existence would allow me to eat breakfast at night and dinner in the morning. I ached to be independent. To make my own decisions about what to wear and what type of styling would look well with it, and to be able to handle life on my own.

The life I wanted is now what I have. With my trousers, hoodies, T-shirts, and sneakers, instead of those annoying floral Cinderella gowns. Meh! I lead a basic life. Being able to wear, however, I darn well like. I desired this kind of freedom.

"You seem to be pondering something, my princess, what's the matter?" I'm startled as my father lifts my face and places his finger under my chin. I was deeply engrossed in thoughts that I didn't notice his arrival.

My eyes fall on his face.

He has aged a great deal. Even his black beard is being dominated by white hair. His face is starting to crease, and his chiselled jaws now appear more angular than they previously did. His eyes have a thin film over them that I've never noticed. When did my dad get so old? Considering that we see each other frequently, I wonder if we've been distant for me to miss all of his changes. Despite being 65 years old, he still appears young and energetic but...

"Wait, you're not okay. What happened? You were just fine when you earlier left the office?" He queries.

Everyone would be able to tell that I have sobbed uncontrollably even under the not-so-bright moonlight. Thanks to my crimson nose and eyes and the velvety eyeballs.

"It's nothing, papa. Let's talk?"

I staple past him and lead the way inside, the serene aura welcoming me right away. I was about to start savouring the beautiful aura before my eyes fell on this piece of trash perched at the dining table next to her mother and acting as if she didn't just come from fucking my boyfriend. But this rotten shithead just ruined the aura!

I should have brought the surprise I had planned for her, but I decided it would be more rewarding to see her reaction in the light of day rather than at night. I can already picture her face turning pallid and her big eyes popping out of their sockets. I'll so deal with you, bitch!

"Let's go." This bitch tenses when she sees me as Papa leads me towards the dining area where she and her mother are perched -the witches!

As usual, I settle down next to my father on the right. The empty chair on his left was and still remains my mother's. I warned his witch he married as his second wife to never dare sit her butt on it if she doesn't want me to cut it off. Well, they, she and her daughter, these two witches, secured themselves a place opposite to me and my father across the table. They belong there because they and I are never getting along. Not even in the afterlife.

I'm always baffled by what my father saw in this ostrich across from me, though. In contrast to the sterling heart and wonderful sense of humour that made my mother the noblest person till her demise, he had to replace her with this skinny, bitter-hearted witch. And that too, barely a year after we lost our mother? What exactly did he see in this ostrich? Her big round eyes? Is it her trim body? the long neck and legs? This witch in disguise who resembles a skeleton...

"Will you not even greet us, Ellie?" She mumbles while shifting in her chair, acting as if she owns the entire castle. Or as if she merits such a title. Beh!

"I can tell you two are doing okay. But if it brings you any joy, then, hello!" I say this in a sarcastic manner.

"We're doing fine."

"Exactly why I didn't bother asking. Why on hell wouldn't you two be okay, huh?"

"We were worried you wouldn't come." She shoots, and her miniature ostrich gives her a fleeting glance.

Ooh, they were so worried? Poor creatures! Fuck them! Are they trying to start a fight with me? Well, they know who the fuck usually wins, and that's me, miss Riccaford!

"And what on hell made you perceive that, Gracia? Or you meant to say, you two wished I wouldn't show up?"

"And why would we wish that?" The wrinkles on her face, huh! They should become permanent. Maybe then my father will lose interest in her and kick their annoying asses out of our lives.

"Enlighten me, Gracia. Or better yet, Nelly can." I fire back.

"Huh...m...e! Oh, Please! Leave me the hell out of this!" The way she appears uneasy, huh? She seems to have taken a shower, but sadly, she did not rinse off that disgusting scent. She still stinks with the same richly sex aura!

Given her discomforts, she may not have had the courage to confess her sins. Much better! It will make my small surprise more enjoyable.

"I don't understand why you would think I would let my father down, Gracia, unless any of you had a specific reason to want otherwise. Furthermore, this is my home. Regrettably, you can not say the same."

With that, I zip their mouths. I nailed them.

She serves herself a full bowl of some f*cking garbage-stinking noodles while shrugging her shoulders.

"If you are done pokering at each other, can we get down to the issue at hand?" His wife passes him a bowl of noodles and chicken curry while his rich domineering voice echoes through the area.

The food appears to be more-or-less delish, however...

"I'll just have a glass of juice." I say as I pour myself some. "I'm here now, Papa. What did you want us to discuss?" I inquire while I savour my bland drink. Is this still my favourite del Monte pineapple? Crap!

"Are you certain you have no idea what we want to discuss or are you just acting dumb?"

Heck! Can this witch spare me her crap?

"I would prefer if you would simply allow me to explain things to my daughter, Gracia." My father exclaims, putting everyone to stillness with his composed but icy and bulky tone.

"Does this have anything to do with tomorrow?" I politely ask as I turn to face my father. I really know the answer, but...

"Yes. It's time for me to honour my end of the bargain. Tomorrow you will meet your fiancé, and the wedding preparations will commence."

Clear as the day! Plain and simple! No riddles nor parables! As if it were as simple as the way it just came out of his mouth.

"But papa, you already know how I feel about this. I have often, always, stated that I object to this arranged marriage. Can't you do something?" I beg.

He shakes his head.

"Ellie, there is nothing that we can do. I can't break my word."

"And you are so pleased with this, Papa? Trading me off? Your only child, papa? You're not even going to think about how I feel or what happens to my life after that ridiculous marriage?"

"Oh, please! Quit acting so dramatic! It's a marriage, not a death sentence! What a crying baby!" Nelly fires.

Who invited her into this discussion? I already have a handful with papa, and She, she is not even a Riccaford, that much is certain. What is the source of her rage anyways? I am the only child of my father and that too is known all over the world. The sooner she processes that, then the better for her and everyone.

"We should talk in your study, Papa. Anyhow, this is between father and daughter." I mutter as I stand on my feet, my father doing the same.

"You two will be in charge of tomorrow's function- from the furnishings to the cuisine. Make sure everything is readied by four. The visitors will start to arrive at that time." Father says to these two slackers before we walk out.

All they do is consume food like a herd of buffalos, acting high-and-mighty like queens. It's high time they put their lazy asses to use.

"What? That should be the work of the event planners, right? What will they be paid for if we still need to supervise?"

Look at this lazy idiot! Man-snatcher! This fucking bitch!

"Can you at least make yourself useful for once, Nelly? For heaven's sake, prove that you are worthy of the title that you bear." I scream at her, and she reclines in her chair and, like her mother, turns her back on me. "Ooh, and by the way, I'll drop a package for you in the morning. Something to keep you motivated all day long."

Incredulous at my words, they both snarl at me.

"What sort of package?" Her mother asks as they both stand on their feet beside each other.

"Nothing much. Just some garbage that is making my house stink!"

"And you think my daughter is a dumping can?" Her dangerous demeanour never scared me ever. Not even now. Besides, her miniature is almost peeing on her pants.

"Isn't she?" I challenge them, and she looks at her daughter questionably.

I tap my feet on the floor and walk over to my father's study before he starts interrogating me and Nelly about our dispute.

"Isn't there any chance that you three will ever try to get along?" My father implores as he closes the door to his study and walks to the adjacent swivel chair.

"I'm the only child you'll ever have, and my mother is gone as far as I know. Those witches are not my family, Papa. They will never be. Nonetheless, just for you, if only they can stop behaving like witches, I might consider getting off their necks."

"My dear, you constantly set them off, and that's why they act that way. You constantly telling them that they don't belong here makes them insecure. Insecurity is what brings about their reaction and attitudes."

"They ought to understand their exact place in this family." I retort.

"What's the deal with you and Nelly? Those are not your typical picky picky games."

"I accidentally bumped into her with her fake mask off. Papa, the sooner you understand how detrimental these people are to your reputation, the better. That aside, I am aware that I lack the authority to make decisions for you." He gives me a dubious glance, and I return it with a serious one that reads, "My honest opinion".

"Back to business. so.. "

For the first time in my life, I cut my father off.

"My decision is final, Papa. I am not marrying him."

I furiously stand up, while he crosses his hands across his chest and leans back on his swivel chair.

"You have no choice."

"You don't feel sorry for me, Papa? Not even sympathy for your own daughter can make you change this?"

"I have told you from the start, Ellie, and you have always known that this was bound to happen. We can not do anything. You have to do this."

"Well, I do not want to. I am not going to."

"My dear, Ellie, don't rile me up. I beg you, don't make this any more difficult for me; everything is on the line."

"I know. But tell me, Pa. What is more important to you? Your daughter's life or your reputation and company?"

"You know that if I had to choose, Ellie, you would be the one I would choose. However, that is not the case. This is about me keeping my word and fulfilling my pledge to a unique individual." He stands up and walks to me. "Damian Riccaforte is a good man, I'm sure of that. At some point, you'll come to adore him."

"How could you possibly have such faith in someone you know nothing about, Pa? What if he turns out to be a psycho, a crazy maniac, a drug addict or a pusher, what then?"

"I know the Riccarfortes way from childhood, dear. What you are thinking is an insult to them."

As usual, there is no chance of me winning this argument against my father. There is no point in begging.

"I suppose there is no other way to go about this, Papa?"

The irony!

"Sweetheart, there is none. My hands are tied."

However, mine are not, Papa! I will do whatever I possibly can to save my ass. There is no way I am risking my life merely because of a ridiculous agreement. If you can't end this absurdity, then I will, Papa.

My heart is racing as I collapse into his arms for a hug, launching a plan for my next move.

"I'll leave to get ready, Papa. I'll see you then!" I say as we pull away.

"Alright. Be careful on the road, my dear. See you. I love you."

"I love you too, Pa"

I turn my back to him, and tap my feet on the floor and walk out.

Someday, Papa, I hope you will be able to forgive me for what I am about to do.

It's your hands that are tied, not mine!