Ian's POV
I walked down the stairs in a ceremonial way, Dad have been at home for the past 2 months now and he expects me to get married to the daughter of his business associate. We're having dinner tomorrow where I'll be able to talk to her. I've seen her picture once, she's beautiful but I'm not sure about getting married I'm 21 and she's 19. I'm not ready to be in a serious relationship not to talk about getting married at a young age. I'm single but she might not be. I don't even want to think about all this stuffs I'll be able to cope with this.
"Ian".Mom said after descending the last step into our grand sitting room, I wonder what Dad was thinking when he built the mansion of a thing.
"Yes mom". I hardly call her mom but I don't know what actually made me call her mom today.
"I believe you've gotten what you need for tomorrow's dinner".She said not looking at my direction.
"Yes but...never mind".
"Okay".She said, she never cared, I wished I had a better mom. Well,I was the one who asked her not to bother. I walked past her and settled on a settee and waited for lunch. I wasn't hungry, I only got tired of staying inside alone, sitting alone is a thing I enjoy but suddenly I got tired of it. I'm changing and it sucks. My friends avoided me because of my parents or maybe because I withdrew into my shells.
Ned and Ray were the best friends I've ever had not until my fucking parents came back from their foolish three years business trip to Ontario. We lived together and according to what Dad said I have my mansion in Hawaii but I'm not leaving them until I get married and since then I tried to get into a serious relationship but it all ended in disaster. I know I'm a disaster myself.
"Ian's lunch is ready".Mom said as if she's the one who cooked the food and I rolled my eyes.
"Hmm".I stood up and went to the dining table, there's something odd about the sitting position but why would I care. They treat me like I'm 8 I'm 21 for crying out loud.
"Eat up,you look like a refugee".Elise our old nanny or should I say my old nanny said, she's the only one who literally cares and she eats with us.I've known her since birth. She needs to teach mom how to care about a child.
"I'm not that thin".I protested.
"Shut up little boy".Dad barked.
"I'm no longer a boy. I'm all grown, you can't ask a boy to get married".I scoffed.
"Your don't talk to me like that".
"I don't think you deserve something better than that".I replied angrily. I don't want to say anything I just want to eat my food and leave but dad won't let me do that. I stood up and walked away.
"Ian".Mom screamed.
"You're stressing your lungs".I answered.
"O my God, I'm tired of this stress I shouldn't have bothered having kids". I heard mom say...kids? she should have herself checked out.
I got to my room and called Tracy, my... I don't know what to call her she's obviously not a friend. I'll call her a sex buddy. she's probably going to stay over it's not a big deal anyway. After the third ring she picked the call.
"Tracy, I need you. Can you make it tonight?".
"Who are you?". asked a hush voice on the other hand.
"I should be asking who you are not the other way round".
"Well,well,well,I'm her boyfriend and who are you".
"A friend"
"So you are one of those guys she hang out with" he screamed, I didn't answer I only hang up the phone and laid on my recognize my thoughts. I didn't know how I drifted into the dreamland.
JUNE 23RD.
Ariadne POV
It's morning. Wow I'm 19 today. It doesn't seem like my birthday, I sluggishly walk into my bathroom, brushed my teeth, took my bath, combed my hair before settling for a pink tank top that my mom bought for me two years ago. I matched it with my black joggers and my pink flops. I hardly put on pink cause it's babyish but I need to look different today. I rushed down the stairs and I was surprised when I saw birthday cards, cakes, assorted stuffs and gifts, then I saw mom,dad and Audrey. When was the last time we were this much on my birthday. I rushed to hug Audrey.
"Audrey".I wept on her shoulders, she's my dad's daughter and she ran away from home when she was 18 then I was 8 or 9 I can't remember but I can remember her face clearly. Mom couldn't forgive herself she felt that she was a bad mother that couldn't take proper care of someone else's child later we left Texas.
"How are you, the last time I saw you it was a long time ago. You look stunning ". She said checking my out.
"I miss you".I said ignoring all she said.
"Me too darling.Happy birthday".
"Thanks".I looked at Dad and smiled apologetically.
"Happy birthday, come give me a hug".I hugged him but ignored mom.we settled to eat after the birthday wishes. Dad told me we have to go somewhere tonight. Audrey also left as soon as she came. I went to my room to read the cards that was given to me by people I've never met,people I can't see or hear about. I can only see their greetings but one of the birthday cards surprised me as I go through it.
Dear Ariadne,
Happy birthday to you princess,
It's good to know you but I can't
see you. Your dad promised me
that we'll meet tonight but I don't
know how far it's true and however
according to my dad we're getting
married 6 months time and it sucks
to know that. Harry birthday.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Ian.
"What?".I scoffed. I can't believe this rubbish. I went through another one it's from Terence, how did he know that today is my birthday. unbelievable. I glanced at the card until I heard a knock on my window. It's Horace.
"How did you get here?".I asked in disbelief.
"Open the window".He said impatiently. I opened the window and let him in. He came in with gifts.
"Happy birthday".
"Thanks".
"Hilary extends her greetings she went out on a date with Kim".He said dropping the gifts beside the one I'd collected.
"I thought you were going to throw a party".
"No,mom will never allow that".
"What's with so many cards".
"Dad's friends, mom's friends and their fucking business associates sent those".He jumped on my bed and grabbed one unfortunately it was from that bastard, Terence.
"Oh!Terence sent you this".
"Yes,I wonder how he got to know my birth date. I haven't gone through it though".
"The seal is broken".
"Yeah I was just about to read it".I sat down on the bed. He went through it and I tried to hide the one from the unknown Ian. After reading it, he smiled.
"So you guys knew each other before he came to our school". It's more like a question that a statement.
"He looks familiar but I can't remember where I met him".
"He said you really need to recognize him".
"Is that a threat?".
"Sounds more than that".
"Give it to me".I ordered but when he didn't I snatched the card away from him and went through it. 'Wait it's true, he's threatening me. I let out a sigh.Horace didn't say anything he just stood up and went to the window said only "bye"before jumping down. I think walking away is his only way of calming himself down. He has serious anger issues. I only went through my messages and found out that Terence texted me. I ignored it and laid down. someone entered. it was dad.
"Get dressed we're leaving".
"Dad I know you're making me get married for your personal interest. abandoning me for years isn't enough right?".I screamed.
"Ariadne, if you don't like him I'll cancel the arrangement trust me when I say I will".
"Fine".I said I can also use this to my own advantage.
"Get dressed, it's 6pm.