Terry's POV
"Mom, don't lay a finger on her. Don't," I pleaded, my voice shaking with anger and fear.
"Well then, you know what to do. End that thing you have with that maid and marry Tricia. Or, you wouldn't want to hear the other option, would you now?" she continued, her tone icy and unforgiving.
I didn't say a word as I walked out of her room, shutting the door so hard right behind me. Something worse than the worst feeling in the world is what I felt. I couldn't possibly describe it. I couldn't make sense of it.
I wished I was born into a different family. As selfish as that sounded, I meant it in every sense of the word.
I have lived a seemingly perfect life—attended the best high school, graduated from an Ivy League college, completed my master's and subsequently PhD before I turned 28. I have amassed wealth, properties, and stocks but somehow, all of these accomplishments seemed meaningless to me. I could trade everything to be with Betty. But my dad... His life, his health, it wouldn't be fair to him if I ran away. He already has one degenerate son; another one might just kill him. Not marrying Mr. Payne's daughter will surely cause a corporate war and weaken the stance of Aveeno groups in the stock market and I don't think my dad has the heart to deal with all of that. My mom on the other hand threatening to harm Betty seems far-fetched, but I am certain it's something she could actually do if it gets in the way of her family or company. I pondered through so many trains of thought as I sat on a bench close to the field.
Somehow, I found myself near the boy's quarters, fixing my gaze upon the most beautiful creature ever created—Betty.
How did I let this go so far? How did we fall so deep? We knew it was never going to work, but why did we keep going on? The questions were perpetual. Betty was mowing the yard until she finished, turned around, and met my eyes. She stood there for a while because she knew coming any closer would be dangerous. We shouldn't be seen together by anyone; she knew that for sure, so she stayed put and kept staring until she waved with a cute smile on her perfect face.
As she walked away, my heart sank. I lowered my head, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, and held my chest as if trying to contain the ache within. And just like that, tears came rushing out of my eyes, unbidden and unstoppable, as the reality of our impossible situation hit me with full force.
"Hey." Tricia called out my name with a tap on my shoulders. I lifted my head up astutely and wiped away my tears.
"Is everything okay?" she asked curiously.
"Yes, everything is fine," I answered, sniffling and clearing the mucus from my nose.
"You seem off, why are you crying?" she insisted.
With a faint giggle, I said, "No.. No, I'm not. Something got into my eyes, that's all."
"Oh, okay then," she said as she sat right next to me.
"Terry, right?" she asked.
"You don't know my name but you want to get married to me?" I questioned.
"And who says I'm getting married to you?" Her retort was swift, her eyes dance with mischief.
"Touchè..", I grinned, relieved by her playful banter.
"I'm kidding" She said with a giggle.
"We haven't properly introduced ourselves, you know. Before your outburst at dinner last night, I was looking forward to a proper introduction," she asserted.
"Oh my Goodness, I'm sorry. I was, you know cut off by surprise, I'm sorry," I apologized.
"It's fine, I can certainly relate," Tricia said as we both laughed.
"Well, my name is Terry, welcome to my house, technically my father's house," I asserted as we both laughed again.
"Basically your house, you know. You being heir and all that," Tricia countered.
"Errm, how did you know that, I literally just found that out today," I added.
"Well, Terry, you know my dad, he wouldn't just marry his precious daughter off to just anyone, he did some research and apparently you will be heir and not your brother. So, yeah, this entire estate belongs to you," Tricia said with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah, I guess," I replied unenthusiastically.
"I would be lying if I said she wasn't fun to be around; she has a contagious laugh, I'll admit," I thought to myself.
"Why don't we go back in for breakfast," she said.
"It's time already?" I asked.
"Yup, now get up champ let's gooo," she said, standing up and pulling my arm, attempting to pull me to my feet.
"You know, they never told me how handsome you look. I mean they said you looked so handsome but damn those pictures and descriptions didn't do justice. Just take a look at your broad shoulders. Do you spend all your time in the gym?" she complimented, caressing my arms playfully.
Tricia's compliments were non-stop, she had her way with words and as we laughed through our trek to the main house, Betty walked right pass us.
"Good day ma'am, Good day sir." Betty greeted, walking away with unusual speed, Jealousy evident in her eyes..