Parents' jobs are always to provide for and protect their children. No matter what the cost, the children should come first. Understanding that being a parent is difficult, however, putting your child in a tough position breaks their hearts. Sometimes things are not what it seems.
"What's wrong mama?" she asked, voice filled with concern as she reached out to hold her mother's trembling hand.
"Bebe" her mother started
"No, not now Kamilla" her father scolded, her mother nodded as she wiped her tears.
The last time Kyra heard the bad news, was when her cousin passed away a couple of years ago. The house was gloomy and everyone was in mourning, she didn't know what to expect this time.
"Tell me what's wrong mama?" Kyra insisted
"Mi corazon (my sweetheart), how have you been?" her father asked, trying to change the topic. Kyra was reluctant at first but she decided to entertain her father. She told him about classes, and how her life was in California, she beamed about her past results and her plans for the future. She even opened up about Isaiah, she told him about her having feelings for Isaiah but assured him that nothing happened.
Her parents listened to their daughter tell them about her life. Kyra's voice bounced off the walls of her father's office and echoed through the silent house. She knew that something was wrong, and she waited for her parents to tell her what's wrong but she knew that she had to be patient.
Soon dinner came, Kyra sat at her usual seat at the dining table, next to her father and in front of her mother. It was just the three of them, their tiny little family. The dining area was dimly lit, with mirrors on one side of the wall making the dining room appear bigger than it actually was. The dining table was long, made out of maple wood it fit up to twelve guests.
Kyra could see that something must have happened that caused such a big impact. The house was quiet, and it was odd. Growing up the house would be filled with music, specifically Spanish songs played throughout the house. Her mother loved music and was once a salsa dancer back in the day.
Chef Jasmine was quiet, it was very unusual being that Chef Jasmine was quite the chatterbox when given the opportunity. Her father would usually be telling his dad jokes or even recalling his childhood stories, while her mother would be singing and dancing throughout the house. Despite always being away from each other, she was close to her parents. When they were home with her, they would ensure that the time they spent together was well spent before returning to their hectic jobs and lifestyle.
Chef Jasmine served the food, and it was her favorite; turkey meatballs and eggplant lasagna. Her father dug into the food, while her mother pushed the food around the plate. Looking up at them, she remained silent knowing that it wasn't the time to ask questions. She looked around, and she spotted Jasmine in the kitchen preparing the dessert. Jasmine looked stressed, with her brows furrowed and face scrunched as she did the icing on the cake. Kyra sighed, wondering why everyone was in a bad mood.
"Mi corazon, we have to tell you something" her father started. Kyra placed her cutleries down as she paid attention to her father. Her father had a hard look on his face, she has only ever seen this look once and it was when she walked in on him in a meeting. Her father was a different person at home and in the working world. To outsiders, he was harsh and ruthless while at home he was as warm as a fluffy teddy bear.
"Remember a few years ago, mama and I were in Dubai settling some business?" her father asked, Kyra curtly nodded her head as she looked between her parents wondering where the conversation was leading.
"We had some troubles, and our companies were drowning because of some stupid lawsuit that held no merits. And in a rush, I got into business with someone I shouldn't have" her father said, stopping to take a sip of his whiskey.
"Bebe" her mother called, Kyra looked over wondering what all this had to do with her.
"Kamilla, we don't have a choice. Kyra needs to know what's going on. We've kept this for far too long and we are running out of time". Her father scolded
"Es injusto, no podemos dejarla hacer esto (It is unfair, we can't let her do this)" her mother argued
"Long story short mi corazon, lo siento (I'm sorry)" her father reached over to grab her hand. Her eyes glazed over her mother who was balling her eyes out.
"We only have two options now Kyra" her father stopped, it was difficult for him to say it and it was difficult for her.
"What is it papa?" she asked, feeling like she was about to vomit. She didn't know what to expect but she knew she needed to expect the worst.
"Lo siento (I'm sorry), our first option is to find another person who could cover our debt in order for us to not fall into bankruptcy and our second option is to sell away all our companies to pay off the debt, and pray to God that we have enough for ourselves" her father explained. She noticed her father was having a hard time as he gripped tightly on the glass of whiskey.
"Option one will be a better option papa, at least you won't lose what you've built so hard for" Kyra convinced, not understanding why was this option not being taken already
"Mi corazon, the family that is willing to help ours is a near and dear friend of mine but the conditions are atroz (atrocious)" he sighed shaking his head
"Tomas, no" her mother cried. Kyra couldn't understand what was going on, she looked around to see what she wasn't understanding. Jasmine looked at her with sad eyes, Kyra's eyes widened. "Papa, mama what are the terms?" she asked, voice quivering with fear
"The Rossi's are one of our oldest friends, you've met their family right Kyra?" mama asked, she nodded her head remembering the lovely family she met many moons ago.
She has met the Rossi's quite a few times in her life, she was too young to remember the first time meeting them but she has met them multiple times on different occasions since. The Rossi's had one son and seven daughters, she has played with the youngest one however she barely has any memory of the other siblings. Their mother was beautiful, she was Egyptian Kyra remembered.
"The condition is, if the Rossi's pay off our debt they would want their eldest son to marry you. So it will bring the companies together, and you will automatically inherit our companies and it would be a union" the father explained.
Kyra's world came crashing down in that instant.