It was a dull Saturday morning. Kyrie lazily opened her eyes and stretched on the wide four-poster bed. Her feet touched the soft carpet and she briskly walked to her table. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and frowned when she noticed the dark circles around her eyes. "Mother would never approve," She thought. She walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. She wore a peach-colored gown and white sandals. She walked back to the table and applied her makeup on her face. When she was done, she smiled at her reflection and pulled her blond curls into a ponytail. She hurriedly left the room. She heard her parents' shouts and screams. She knew they were arguing. She sighed and went to her brother's room. She knocked briefly and in a while, he opened it.
"Kyrie what are…"
"Mom and Dad are at it again."
He sighed and let her in the room. She sat on the bed, trying to contain her tears so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. He patted her back softly. She hugged her brother briefly, a smile appearing on her face. They waited till the quarrel subsided. He held her hand and they slowly walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. There, they saw their parents seated on the couch as though nothing had happened.
"We'll be going to Hathaway estate in a while," their father Julian said briefly.
"Why are we going there? I thought we would…"
"Laurent and Tracy are getting engaged," He said in a dull tone.
"Come to think of it, isn't Tracy your age Kyrie? She's getting engaged but you…"
"Kyrielle is fourteen for crying out loud, Lorraine! Shouldn't you be more concerned about her welfare than getting her engaged to some guy?"
"I am concerned about her, that was why I made that comment! Why do you talk as though you care? It's always one business trip to another…"
"It's fine Dad," She said, raising her head to speak. "I know mom has my best interests at heart," She continued, "That was why she made that comment."
Julian rubbed his forehead and said, "Whatever you say…"
He got up from the velvet couch and left for his room. "Can you believe that? I suggested my daughter's well-being and all he does is chastise me because of it. He acts as though he cares but he doesn't!"
"It's fine Mom," Kyrie said, moving closer to Lori.
"He always acts like that! Sometimes I wonder if I'm his wife because he treats me like a servant," She spat.
"Dad loves you a lot Mom," Kylian said, also moving closer to her.
"No, he doesn't! He never treated me like a person! He abandoned me on our wedding night, not caring about how I felt! He's so inconsiderate," She cried. They both hugged their sobbing mother, trying to console her. She sniffed and said, "I feel so alone at times, there's no one to share my burdens with. Candy's been so busy with her daughter and Laurent's engagement that she barely has any time to ask about my well-being, my sister abandoned me because of one silly mistake, Mom and Dad didn't care about me anymore after your dad and I got married. I feel so lonely!"
"Who says you're alone?" He warmly said.
"We'll always be here for you Mom," Kyrie said, still hugging her mom. Lori pulled her children closer to her and said, "I'm so happy you two aren't like the rest of my family. It's so nice to know I'm not alone. You both are so dear to me."
They remained in that position for a while before Lori said, "You should both get dressed. Maybe at the engagement, you can both find suitable spouses."
They looked at each other for a while before nodding their heads. They walked slowly to their rooms. Kyrie looked at the mirror and frowned when she saw her smudged makeup. She cleaned her face quickly before twirling around in her peach flower-patterned flared gown. She giggled and picked up her bag. She left the room and joined her brother and parents in the garage. They stepped into the Lincoln Limousine and in a short while, had left for the ceremony.
"I'm so glad you're here Kyrie!" Tracy squealed. Her hair had been made into a thick bun and had glistening hair pins with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds studded on them. Her makeup was light and natural, making her look more angelic. She had worn a purple gown that hugged her body. She almost jumped at the sight of Kyrie but decided against it, she didn't want to break her heels. They talked for a while but were soon separated, the ceremony was about to start. Tracy's bright face went dull once she heard it. "What's wrong Tracy?" Kyrie said concernedly.
"I don't want to get engaged to Laurent Kyrie!" She cried, "He's nice and all but I don't like him. Mom thinks he and I are a perfect match and Dad agrees, simply because he's Mr. Hathaway's friend. Laurent doesn't like me either, so what's the point?" She cried. Kyrie pondered on what she had said. "What if I don't like the guy Mom says I should get married to?" She thought, "What if we fight and argue all the time like she and Dad do? What if he abandons me? Will she listen to me if I say I don't like him?"
She shook her head and said, "Your parents have your best interests at heart Tracy. I mean they've taken care of you. The least you could do is to listen to them. They wouldn't want to hurt you."
"I'm the one who's getting married not them! They take care of me because they gave birth to me! They shouldn't decide what I should and shouldn't do!" said the infuriated Tracy.
Tracy felt a pat on her back. She turned and saw it was her friend Courtney.
"Your parents are calling, the ceremony's about to start," She said in a gloomy tone. Tracy felt her pain. She knew that Courtney liked Laurent and seeing them get engaged broke her heart. She pulled her in for a hug and patted her back as she sobbed on her shoulder.
"Don't cry Courtney, you'll ruin your makeup. Maybe if Laurent sees how pretty you are, he'll change his mind and the engagement will be called off."
Courtney nodded and wiped her tears. They held hands and walked towards the Alvarez villa where the ceremony was to commence.