Abstract：Natalie's POVA solemn tear fell down my cheek; my body looked calm compared to how tangled my mind w Stop It or I'll Kiss You

Natalie's POV

A solemn tear fell down my cheek; my body looked calm compared to how tangled my mind was.

“Dad,Stop It or I'll Kiss You you can't just marry me off like that. I am not a commodity to be traded. I have feelings of my own and dreams as well”.

My dad stood there, his face impassive, as he listened to my outburst passively. With the look in his eyes, i knew he had already made up his mind.

“Natalie, you know this is beyond me. This marriage is the only way to save your motherl”. My dad replied calmly.

“What if this person is an old man?”.

“Nat darling, this is best for everyone” Her dad replied. “And he is not an old man”. He added.

“I won't do it, I can't do it, I will never marry someone I don't love. Did you even think about my feelings?” I screamed, my voice breaking.

I have been a dutiful daughter, but this time I would not sacrifice my happiness for anyone.

“Natalie,  you will love him, just give it a shot”.my dad spoke calmly.

“Natalie, you're being selfish.” A voice said behind me, I  turned to see my stepmother by the door. My eyebrows shot up, forming a high arch of astonishment.

“Baby, your dad and I made this decision to ensure you do not have to suffer again”.my stepmother  said as she walked slowly towards me.

She looked very thin, I knew her health condition was gradually draining her and every member of the family. 

“Dad, have you asked Sasha? You know she has always dreamed of marrying into a prestigious family”.

“Natalie, Sasha is too young to get married”. My stepmother replied, her voice was shaking due to her health condition.

“And I'm old enough to get married?” I felt anger building inside me.

“My God!” I  screamed. My lips trembled as I cried.“What about my career?My job, my happiness, any consideration?” I said with my hands on my head, as I walked out of the room, deeply hurt.

…….

“Do I really have to get married? Can I run away tonight?” I said to myself, I could not believe I was getting married to someone I  had no feelings for.

“I have not even started my career, I'm still searching for jobs and now the pressure to get married”. I said amidst tears.

My door opened and my sister Sasha walked in.“Congratulations darling sis, thank you for helping mum”. Sasha said sarcastically.

“Sasha, did you reject the proposal?” tears filled my eyes, as I looked at her smiling face. I was the only one feeling heartbroken in the family.

“What proposal? I'm just hearing about it today”. Sasha feigned ignorance. “I heard your husband is serving jail term”. She laughed as she added.

“ This is not the best time to make jokes, my dreams are falling apart before me and you are joking about it”.i stood up from my bed.

“Sasha, don't you have feelings?” I asked sobbing.“My world is tearing apart, I'd be with someone I don't know for you to enjoy wealth and happiness”.

Sasha looked at me with so much disgust, “oh please, stop this emotional drama”.

“What have you really done for the family? My mum accepted you as her daughter when your mother ran away. Is that not a good reason to do this for her?”. Sasha asked.

“This is just a little sacrifice, I'm heading to my room”. The squeaking sound from the door made me realise Sasha had gone out of my room.

A great sob escaped me, as I covered my face with shaking hands, I  sat on the floor and I couldn't believe my ears, “What's wrong with everybody?  Sasha seemed happy about this marriage”.

I knew Sasha never liked me, but she was happy my life would be completely ruined.

I stayed in my room throughout the day, I lost appetite for food, the world was dark before me. My life is ruined, no dreams, no career, just me with an unknown man.

“What a cruel world?

…….

I got dressed, no makeup just a gloomy face. I went downstairs and met my dad and stepmom waiting for me. I had a dinner date with Richard.

“You can add a little smile to your face, it's not a funeral”. My stepmom broke the silence, I looked at my dad, he forced a smile.

It was a funeral dinner for me, I was going to bury my whole life and dreams for my family. No wonder I wore a black outfit.

Outside, Richard's family sent a ride. I got in and throughout the long ride it was quiet inside the car. 

“We're here,ma”. The driver said. I looked outside and it was an expensive restaurant.

The driver got down to open the door for me, and he handed over a little card to me.

“You'll need it to be allowed inside”. He said with a smile on his face. I noticed he was in his mid-forties, yet he had a striking smile.

I walked in and showed the card to the security. I was allowed to enter, the restaurant was a bit empty, it was an elite restaurant. Freshly made food was all I could smell, I salivated.

“Hello”. I turned to see a beautiful lady, smiling at me. “Can I see your table reservation card?” I handed the card to her.

“Please, follow me”. She led the way and I walked behind her. When we got to the elevator, she pressed the button. I was just admiring her professional skills. She was probably following her dreams and I was here.

We got out of the elevator and walked towards another hall. The door opened and my face brightened. This was more beautiful than the ground restaurant.

I looked at the decorations and the table settings. I stood for a while to admire the hall.

“This is your table”. The lady said, “I'd be serving your table”. I nodded and thanked her.

I sat down and noticed this particular hall was empty, it was just the waitress and I.

“Why is it empty?” I asked. She looked at me and gave me a smile.

“This is for the elite of elites”. My eyes widened. They had a thing like that in society ranking.

“What would you like to have?”

“Just let me have a glass of water, I'd order when my date arrives”.

She came back with a glass of water. I drank a little and I continued to take a closer look at the hall decorations.

I waited for hours and Richard never showed up. My phone beeped, I looked at it and ran out of the hall. I rushed into the elevator, pressed the ground floor. I stomped my feet while waiting to reach the ground floor. 

I got to the ground floor and just when the elevator opened, “”Ahhh, look where you're going to”.

“Natalie?”