"You, what is your job?" my father asked the man sitting next to me, my boyfriend, Simon.
"Uh… I… I'm a model," Simon stammered, visibly nervous under my father's cold stare. I glared at my father in frustration. He had invited Simon over, yet now he was intimidating him.
"He's a famous model! Haven't you ever seen his face on TV, in magazines, and on those big banners?" I boasted about my handsome boyfriend with a sweet smile, but my father ignored me and continued scrutinizing Simon.
"How much do you earn? Do you know that Zuri spends a lot of money? She can spend several hundred thousand dollars in a single day on unnecessary purchases. And I've never had a problem with it. Can you be like me? If you can, I'll approve of your relationship." My father spoke with an intimidating tone as Simon grew more anxious.
I immediately grabbed Simon's arm to comfort him.
"Dad, after I get married, I won't be like that anymore. I'll use my husband's money wisely. Simon earns a lot as a model, so there's nothing to worry about," I said sweetly, proudly defending my handsome boyfriend.
"How much do you have in savings? What properties do you own? If you can surpass me, I won't object," my father pressed, his relentless interrogation bringing beads of sweat to Simon's forehead. My father could be incredibly infuriating with his intimidation tactics.
"Dad, why are you speaking like this to Simon? It's my life, and I promise I won't bother you after I'm married," I said, defending Simon.
"Are you planning to find a real job?" My father asked Simon with an unwavering stare. I sat like a statue, feeling invisible.
"Dad… come on, Simon is a model. That's his job," I said, still not understanding my father's reasoning.
"It is not a real job. He needs a stable career for the future. What if his handsome face gets hurt? Or if he breaks his leg? Will he still be able to model and secure your future if 'modeling' is what you call a job?" My father spoke coldly, his sharp gaze never leaving Simon, who remained silent the entire time. If I could, I'd like to swap minds with Simon's so that I can answer all of my father's harsh words.
"Dad! How can you speak so harshly?" I snapped, losing my cool. I couldn't stand to see Simon cornered and put down like this.
My father smiled, a cold smile.
"Let's end this pointless conversation. You," he said, turning to Simon, "stay away from Zuri !" He got up to leave, and I stood up too, feeling angry.
"Dad, you can't do this. I'll stay with Simon no matter what! I love him! He's a good man who doesn't sleep around with random women!" I shouted, not caring about the stares directed at us.
My father chuckled softly and then gave me a sharp look.
"Love without wealth will never make you happy. And I see that your boyfriend is a coward. Look at him, he hasn't said a word, and here you are, brazenly yelling at me. How can you be sure that he's not looking at other women behind your back? Love makes you stupid." my father said before turning and walking away, leaving me standing there, fighting back tears of anger and frustration. Simon remained silent, like a man with a sore throat.
I sat back down beside Simon.
"Honey… I'm sorry for my father. He's always like that," I said, trying to comfort him.
i was actually a little annoyed that simon was silent when my father insulted him so much. he should have fought back and fought for our love. if he had stood up for himself, my father might have given us a chance. But love has blinded me to Simon's lack of courage. I like the way he treats me, so I don't want to lose him.
"Hmm… I have to go. I have a photoshoot later this afternoon," Simon said, standing up to leave. I didn't stop him. Maybe he needed some space.
Three days passed since that incident. Simon disappeared and wouldn't meet me. I tried calling him multiple times, but he never answered.
I stayed at my cousin's apartment instead of going home.
I kept trying to reach Simon until finally, he answered.
"Honey… why have you been avoiding me?" I asked as soon as we started talking.
Simon sighed.
"Zuri… it's over. I can't keep doing this. Your father's words hurt me too much. It's better if we break up so you can marry the man your father wants," Simon said weakly.
I began to sob quietly.
"I love you. Are you really going to give up just because of my father's words? Don't you want to fight for us? Are you such a coward that you're running away just because of what my father said?" I cried out, hoping to soften him.
"Zuri... it's over, I'm tired. Your father is cruel and heartless. I'm afraid if we stay together, he'll ruin my modeling career. I can't lose my career. So I'm sorry. It's better if we go our separate ways," Simon's words really broke my heart.
"But…" Before I could finish, Simon had already hung up.
"Simon! How could you be so cruel to me?!" I screamed into the empty room.
I threw my phone and cried, my heart shattered. I loved Simon so much. He had always been faithful to me. We had been together for two years, and he never pressured me. I was still a virgin, which made me love him even more.
I was completely devastated.
Drinking became my escape from the pain. I spent my nights in clubs with my friends, drowning in my sorrow.
Yesterday, my father approached me again, demanding I marry one of his colleagues. If it's his colleague, it means the man is his age. How could my father give me to an old man? It's utterly frustrating.
He even threatened that if I refused, he'd kick me out of the house and ruin Simon's modeling career. My father had strong influence in the business world, with powerful connections. I couldn't let Simon suffer because of me.
But I couldn't just lose Simon either. he was like a breath to me. with him I felt happiness. it seemed like I had to convince Simon to fight for our love.
I left the club in a drunken haze but insisted on driving, thinking I was still fine.
I drove slowly, tears blurring my vision, drunk and heartbroken. My focus began to slip.
BANG!
I felt a sharp pain in my head after a sudden impact. Darkness began to overtake me, but before everything faded, I heard a voice near my ear.
"Make sure she's dead."