I just stared blankly at papa's face, my mind reeling from his words.
Me, a substitute bride? I'm getting married to that cold and aloof CEO? No, It couldn't be possible.
"What are you talking about, papa?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I said you will marry him, Evelina." Papa repeated, his tone firm.
"Nikolai, you don't know what you're saying," Babushka said. "Go relax and think this through."
Babushka tried to reason with him, but papa was adamant. He had already made up his mind.
"There's nothing to think about, mama," papa responded as he stood up to leave. "I've made my decision and it's final."
I just sat down there after papa left, confused and lost in my thoughts. I felt a wave of despair washed over me.
"Solnyshko." Babushka said softly as she walked up to me, her eyes filled with concern.
"What is he talking about, Babushka?" I asked her, my voice shaking with the tears I was trying to keep at bay.
"Your papa is stressed out, I'm sure he doesn't mean what he just said," Babushka tried to ease me, but I know papa meant what he just said.
"I'm sure he meant it, Babushka." I heard Sana say, her dripping with satisfaction.
"You," I pointed to her, my finger shaking in anger. "This is all you. This was what you meant when you said I wouldn't get what I wanted."
I knew Sana hated me, but damn, did she have to go this far?
"Why do you hate me so much, Sana?" I asked her, my voice barely a whisper. "What have I ever done to you, huh?"
"What is this about?" Babushka asked, looking confused.
"I don't know what she's talking about, Babushka." Sana quickly responded, feigning ignorance.
"Oh I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about, Sana," I said, my voice laced with anger. "When I visited her this morning, she was acting really strange," I turned to Babushka. "She told me that I must be happy now that she's getting married, that I think I'll finally get the attention that I've always been craving for, but she wouldn't let that happen."
"What does that mean, Sana?" Babushka asked her, with narrowed eyes.
"It meant nothing, Babushka. I didn't know what I was saying as I was overwhelmed by what was going to happen today." She said to Babushka and looked at her with hateful eyes.
Fu** this bi***
"Are you even pregnant?" I asked her, my voice dripping with annoyance.
"What?!" Sana exclaimed, her voice raising with anger.
Good, that makes two of us.
"Of course, I am," Sana quickly responded. "Why will I lie about something like that when I know the damage it will cause to our family's name?!"
"Come to think of it, Sana, are you truly pregnant?" Babushka asked her.
"I am, Babushka," Sana responded sharply, her voice filled with anger and frustration. "I even have the test results from the hospital, I'll show them to you." She stormed up off to her room, her footsteps heavy with emotions.
What was she mad about? I was the one marrying the CEO at the end of the day. So she won, didn't she?
We followed her upstairs, our hearts pounding with anticipation. We got to her room and she began searching for the papers, her movements jerky and desperate. When she finally found them, she let out a joyful cry, your face radiant with relief.
Who would have thought being pregnant was so exciting.
"Here it is, Babushka," she said, walking up to Babushka and holding up the paper with trembling hands.
Babushka took a look at the papers and let out a sign. I guess she really is pregnant.
"There is no need arguing about what is already done," Babushka handed the papers back to Sana and turned to leave. "We need to think of the next step now."
"What is there to think of when papa has already made up his mind." Sana said as she followed us out of the room, her voice filled with sarcasm and bitterness.
I think I might commit a serious crime before the end of the day, because Sana is starting to get on my last fu***** nerve!!
"Be quiet, Sana," Babushka said as she gave her a sharp look. "Let's go see your papa."
We walked up to papa's office, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. We already knew that's where he would be, and knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in." His cool voice answered from inside.
We went in and saw him buried in his work, acting like this was just a normal day and he hasn't just declared a big decision that will change my life.
Babushka sat at the chair in front of his desk, while Sana and I remained standing.
"Nikolai, we need to talk," Babushka said as soon as we were settled.
"Mama I am not changing my decision," Papa said, his voice firm and unwavering. He rubbed his forehead, a gesture that betrayed his inner turmoil.
"Think about this, mama," he continued, "After Sana has just disgraced our family in front of all those people,if we just end up giving up this opportunity it will be a travesty. If Evelina gets married to Dmitri Petrovich, we will be able to walk with our heads up high again,mama. And it will be a boon for our company."
That's all he thinks of, our pride and company, but what about our feelings? Doesn't he care about them?
"Nikolai, Evelina is only twenty years of age, she is too young," Babushka said to him, her voice filled with concern.
"You got married to papa when you were younger, mama." Papa answered her.
"That was back in those days, the world is changing, Nikolai, don't do this." Babushka pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I'm sorry mama, but my decision is final." Papa declared, his voice cold and unyielding.
My fate is sealed.
"I called him already to tell him, you would be meeting him in 2 days." Papa turned to me, his eyes devoid of any warmth or affection.
Was this the same man I grew up to love? What happened to that person?
I turned to look at Sana and I hoped she could see the pain and desperation in my eyes. Then I walked out the office, my heart heavy with dread.
I knew I was going to be married off, but I just didn't expect it to be so soon.
I had my life planned out. I wanted to do things, I wanted to live life a little. But now it's all gone.
I walked inside my room and threw myself on my bed, the weight of papa's words heavy on my heart.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked over to mama's photo sitting on my bedside.
"Hi mama," I whispered with tears in my eyes as I picked up her photo.
"I'm getting married. Before you start asking me why I'm overreacting when I've always known I was going to be married off, I just didn't expect it to be so soon.
I had plans, you know, I wanted to travel, explore nature, experience all that life had to offer and do so many things when papa finally gave me freedom, but it's gone now, mama, it's all gone. I'm going to get married to a man I don't know, a man who looks so cold and void of any emotions, I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with a person like that.
I want to experience love, mama. I want to experience the type of love you and papa had, but that dream is gone now, mama"
The dam holding my tears back finally broke, and I just let the tears flow freely.
I only read things like this in books, but now, it's my reality. I thought I had more time. I'm not ready to enter that phrase of my life yet.
I don't want to get married but I don't have a choice. Papa has made up his mind and nothing is changing it.
I cried for so long I didn't know when I fell asleep.
**********
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping at my window. The sun was already high up in the sky.
I slept really well last night despite everything that happened yesterday. It felt good to just let all those emotions out.
I stood up to get ready for the day and whatever it had planned for me.
I got ready and headed downstairs, the aroma of freshly baked food filled the air, reminding me that I barely ate anything yesterday.
Descending the stairs, I walked straight to the dining room and everybody was already there. And by everybody I mean papa, Babushka and Sana.
I greeted them and took the seat close to Babushka.
"Did you sleep well dear?" Babushka asked while she filled my plate.
I nodded slowly, my voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Babushka." I didn't feel like talking today.
We ate our breakfast in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The only sound was the gentle clicking of silverware against china.
The tension in the room was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
When we were done, papa cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"You'll be meeting your husband tomorrow," he said. "It will be a small crowd this time around. We will decide when and how the wedding will be tomorrow."
I loved papa but I just wish he would keep this mouth shut! I know, I know, he's my papa but this man is provoking hell out of me.
"She just woke up, Nikolai," Babushka said, her voice sharp with disapproval. "Let her have some time to herself before you bore her with your talks."
I am in love with Babushka. Like truly madly in love with her. She just gets me. Her presence alone is like a comforting blanket wrapped around me.
Papa stayed silent, and I was grateful for that. I glanced at, catching her smiling at me, a knowing smile that I hated.
I looked away, not in the mood to engage in her nonsense today.
"I'll be in my room," I said to no one in particular as I stood up to leave.
I stayed in my room all day and no one came to bother me. Just me, the world and my thoughts.
***********
The day I'm meeting my so-called fiance is finally here, and it's overwhelming.
As soon as the sun rose up, my room was swarmed with servants sent to prepare me.
I was bathed like I couldn't fu***** bath myself. I was given a makeover and had my hair styled. All the while, I felt like a puppet, being dressed up and moved around against my will. But there was nothing to do but follow along.
Was this how Sana felt? I think I'm beginning to understand her.
After all the primping and preening, I was finally left alone.
I walked up to the big mirror and I didn't recognize the woman in front of me.
Draped in a long, flowing blue gown that swept the room, the color making my blue eyes sharp. My hair, elegantly styled in a loose bun, and my makeup was just light and perfect, enhancing my features.
I looked like a Disney princess.
As I completed my final checks in the mirror, I made my way downstairs, anticipation building with each step.
The house appeared calmer than it was two days ago, a blessing because I wouldn't have been able to stand the crowd.
I strode to the main room, my heart racing in my chest. Standing in front of the door, I paused to gather my courage, talking in a deep, calming breath.
When I was ready and confident that
I wouldn't throw up all over my dress, which was why I didn't eat anything this morning, I opened the door and went inside.
And the first person my eyes landed on was him, my husband to be.