The sun slowly goes below the horizon. Birds flying back to their homes. Buses and vehicles on the busy streets.
I'm savoring the refreshing breeze of the cold wind that touches my bare skin. Watching people walking back and forth from my balcony view with a glass of wine in my hand.
I raised my left hand in the air as I watched our engagement ring on my ring finger. My chest gets tightened. I bite my lower lip to hold back the emotions that's growing inside me. But I can't. I intently closed my eyes, allowing the single drop of my tear to stream down on my face.
It's been two months already since the day he left me. It's also been two months that my freedom was being taken away from me.
Two months yet I can't still make myself to fully accept the truth. My mind keeps on saying that I must let him be at peace and move on but my heart won't sympathize with my brain.
I still want to hold his hands, feel his embrace and savor his kisses. But he's not here now, he left me. And he will never ever come back to me.
"Miss Avriella, madame Violent is looking for you."
I automatically wiped the tear on my cheek when a maid approached me. I heave a deep breath before I gave a nod to the maid.
Why is she looking for me this time?
Silence filled the air after my oh-so-good stepmother informed me that I'm getting married in two days time. Like, what the hell? I didn't even know who I'm marrying with and I didn't have any ideas about this said marriage beforehand. Is she kidding me?
Can't they understand that I'm still grieving?
It's just passed two months since I lost the man I really love, and here they are, inducing my marriage to whoever idiot they want me to marry with. Can't they consider my feelings?
"I'm sorry but I can't marry who's this man you're talking about."
"Oh yes, you can, Avriel. You're not getting any younger anymore. You're capable of marrying now and build your own family. Aside from you close to have your own family soon, this marriage will also be helping me and your dad in our bussinesses. Big time."
She's sitting comfortably infront of her white vanity mirror while putting on her gold necklace.
They never changed huh? Until now they're still up to using me for their own benefits.
"Don't act as if you're in the right position to decide whether if I'm in the right age of marrying or not. You're not even my real mother to start with. So, stop making decisions for me in my behalf without my consent, Auntie." I coldly said before I turned my back at Auntie Violet.
Call me rude. I don't care. You didn't know Auntie Violet as much as how I knew her.
"Watch your words, young woman. Had you forgotten that your mom is already dead and that I am now the wife of your dad? And there's nothing you can do that will change that fact, Avriel. If you don't see me as your new mother, well, don't worry I'm not seeing you as my daughter anyway."
"Fix yourself. We'll be having your soon to be husband's family tonight for a dinner. Bear in your mind that the man you love is dead already and he won't come back anymore." Auntie Violet added.
I gave her a dagger look before I stormed out from her room as I wiped the tears on my face again.
Is there a need to remind me again and again that he's dead already?
I clearly knew it. I just can't... can't accept it.
Dinner time came and I just can't sit still comfortably on my seat. My palms were sweating and my heart is beating fast.
The fact that I didn't know this man who's going to be my husband just got me feeling more nervous.
"Behave yourself, Avriel. They're already on their way here. Surely they will arrive any minute from now." Dad stated as if the things were going to happen now is just something not so important.
"I'll have to use a bathroom, Dad. I'll be back quickly." I didn't wait for my dad's response. I stand up from my seat and downcast walk through the kitchen's door.
I'm not yet ready for marriage. I'm not yet ready to have a man in my life after him.
"It's fine, mom. I'll be fine." I instinctively stopped from walking when I heard an unfamiliar voice of a man and it looks like they're heading on my way.
My heart beats vigorously when his scent slowly engulf my nose. This can't be happening. Why didn't they just call off this marriage?
I don't know what to do. Should I run? Or should I hide?
"Hello there, sweetie." But it is too late to run nor hide, because they're already here infront of me.
He's already here infront of me. The man I'm going to marry in two days time. More dashing than ever but his cold stare sends shiver to my spine.
Seeing him this close to me makes me wanna hide. Of all people in this world, why does it have to be him?
He was a bit shocked when he saw me but he is fast enough to compose himself.
"Avriel." He coldly said.
"C-cai."
"Wait. Did you two knew each other already?" His mom asked with a hint of amusement in her eyes. Well I assumed its his mom.
"She was my bestfriend's fiancee. And she's also the reason of his death." He naturally said while intently staring at me as if he's waiting what could be my reaction is.