Nina looked at her father then the woman besides him.
"Nina come here" He told her.
Right after he said that he lead the woman to sit besides him on the couch. Nina obeyed and sat on the couch opposite to them. With respect Nina greeted the woman and immediately felt a little comfortable cause she had a vibrant and cheery smile. Her voice was sweet and her eyes where loving. She dressed respectfully. White and red hanfu with her hair let down, fancy accessories adorned her outfit and hair and by the look of things,she seemed to be a woman from a high class family. Nina's father introduced her as Ms Gao Ming Yue from the Gao family. Nina was awestruck. The Gao family was a prestigious family. Very known for their technical company. They were rich but not as rich as Mr Zhang but close. Their technology was great and very very impressive.
"It's nice to meet you." She exclaimed.
"Nice to meet you too dear." Ms Gao responded with a smile.
"I really love your family production in technology! You are amazing. I am a fan of science and would love to join your company."
"Oh really. So what's your major?."
" I major in computer science, Art and music."
"Wow,those are great career choices."
"Yes."
Nina's father was very happy hearing their little conversation.
"But Nina you could join in their company really easily."
Nina looked at her father confused. "Huh,how? Lot's of people tried to get in but it isn't that easy."
"But it will be for you ."
"Dad, stop dreaming too big and putting false hopes in me . That can't possibly happen."
Mr Zhang just smiled and turned his head to Ms Gao and intertwined his fingers with hers and Nina's heart began thumbing loudly. 'This isn't how it looks like. Maybe he just accidentally put his hands their,you know....' Sadly nothing she told herself could properly explain what was happening.
"Nina, you need a woman and a mother in the house who could lighten this place and make you happy.
This is why I'm marrying Ms Gao ."
" W - Why?" She forced that question out with a hesitant breath. Her heart was dropped at the bottom of her stomach and all she could hear where loud heart beats occupying her ears.
"Marrying her will make things easier. You'll easily get into your dream company in just a few seconds with her around."
"I'm sorry father but I don't think i can ever accept this woman."
As much as she would like to get into that company, she just never will have the heart to replace her mother. She meant everything to her . She took care of her , she lightened up this gloomy mansion and the thought of someone else doing all that pained her.
"And why not." Her father's voice was deepened.
"Cause she's NOT my mother, never was and never will be. "
"Nina! talk with respect."
" Not until you respect my feelings."
"Enough!" At the uproar of his voice, Nina kept shut but soon her bottom lip quivered and she was deeply hurt. She didn't want to show it but her eyes let out a few tear drops. She quickly wipes them hoping that they didn't see but that completely defeated her reality. She immediately got up and shakingly tried to speak.
"D-Dad , the problem you have is that you never allow me to express myself. I can't even live my life privately at least for some time but no. I'm constantly eyed on and I'm never expected to cry for the sake of publicity. You might have gotten over mother and buried her but for me she's still my mother and I'll never replace her. So please respect my wishes. I don't think I'll be comfortable to be with another woman apart from my mother." Letting out her half expressed feelings ,she marched to her room, not before giving Ms Gao a last intense glare.
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Mr Zhang was very surprised at Nina's behavior. He immediately escorted Ms Gao not after apologizing for Nina's misbehavior. Ms Gao tried telling him not to be harsh on Nina cause she was no longer a child nor a teen.
That night , fuming with anger, he knocked at Nina's door but she didn't answer. He tried opening it but was unable to do so cause it was locked. So through the door , he yelled out to his daughter that regards to her behavior she portrayed today , she was therefore grounded for a whole year till she's done with school. Not until she accepts Ms Gao. Knowing full well that she was hearing him.
Meanwhile, Nina was on her bed , half opened eyes with silent tears flowing through her cheeks . Her nose turned red from sniffing too much. Her head began throbbing in pain and her eyes were swollen from crying. She missed her mother and the hole in her heart keeps getting deeper day by day as times goes by. She stared deeply at the picture displayed on the screen of her phone that's of her mother. The urge to cry out everything she's felt for years hang on her throat like a ballon filled with water ready to be popped and pour all the water out. Even if she tried to be strong she felt lost. She felt out of place. She no longer walked in line with her self. Everything was confusing now.
A lost character she is.
She got up and sat on her desk. She took out a purple diary. With a white Pen and began jotting down all her emotions on paper like she always does. She's been doing this for years to help herself clear her mind and she's been scared to tell anyone maybe it's because no body would listen. No one will ever hear her out or understand her or get criticized . It's just the pen and her book. They won't make faces at her every word and allow her to express herself. A book , it was, that held dear to her. And not once has she ever thought to let anybody else know of them.
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Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse , Nina was no longer allowed to see Wei Guang. Somehow he found out about their little date and was very angry at her. And whether she liked it or not he was going to marry Ms Gao. The wedding was to be held in two months time. In those two months Ms Gao tried her best to be nice to Nina. She treated Nina very kindly and did nothing to upset her but for Nina she hated Ms Gao to the very core cause in her mind it was her fault why Nina's relationship with her father was weakening. And besides this kindness leaves the moment they get married.
At school she tried her very best to ignore Wei Guang. Everytime he asked her what was wrong, she just assured him that she was okay and that there was nothing for him to worry about. She knew very well that even though he chose to stay silent and give her space, he was more than unsatisfied with her behavior and answers. She appreciated him for not forcing her to say much.
One afternoon at school, Nina was sitted on one of the benches in the cafeteria at lunch hour, when wei Guang showed up and sat next to her. He sat there with his food and didn't say anything. He dearly missed her and it was sickening to his heart and soul and mind cause he really wanted to hold her again and feel her , take her scent with him and play with her hair. He didn't understand the reason why she suddenly dropped in behavior.
Unconsciously, he lead his hands and dropped them in top of hers but she flinched and took away her hands. She looked him in the eye and saw wei Guang's eyes filled with sadness, worry and longing. She immediately felt regret.
" Wei Guang - I "
"It's okay my love." He smiled to hide his pain but full well that couldn't hide from her.
"I'm really s-sorry , Wei Guang."
" Hey I said it's fine."
" I'll tell you when I'm ready."
"Okay." He wanted to do more than just wait. To reassure her in a comforting hug, whisper to her how much he misses her and much more but he knew that if he did , he will scare her.
"I need to go to class." Nina stood up.
"But we only have 30 minutes left."
"I know but I have something to finish before classes resume."
Before he could say anything more, she walked out the bench and left the cafeteria. Wei Guang sighed and combed his hair back in frustration. He really didn't know just what to do.
Guess he'll just leave it to time.