It was Monday morning—the day all the invited young women from elite families had been eagerly awaiting. Raya, however, woke up feeling less than thrilled. This "bride trial" event didn't sit right with her, but she reminded herself that it was supposed to be for her own good.
Her sister, Amaya, was already up and gone. Raya got ready in silence, determined to finish before the chauffeur arrived. In the bathroom, as she brushed her teeth, she stared at her reflection in the mirror, reciting her mantra softly.
"I'm strong. I'm brave. And I'm beautiful."
And beautiful she was. Raya was a striking young woman with piercing hazel eyes, full lips, and a cascade of dark hair. Her New Jersey roots shone through her sun-kissed skin and warm smile, exuding a confident, American beauty.
After she finished getting ready, Raya remained in her room, avoiding the rest of the household. She couldn't bear to face her father after yesterday's argument; the atmosphere would be tense and suffocating. So, she busied herself with double-checking her luggage, making sure she had everything she needed for the contest.
Just as she was finishing up, the family maid, Stacy, knocked softly and announced, "Miss Raya, the chauffeur is here."
Raya quickly gathered her things, casting a final glance around her room before heading downstairs. In the living room, Stacy helped carry her luggage to the car as Raya prepared to say her goodbyes.
Her mother hugged her tightly, shedding a few dramatic tears. "Be safe, my darling," she murmured. Her sister's eyes were glassy as she clung to Raya, whispering, "Don't forget us, okay?"
Her father, notably, was absent.
After the tearful goodbyes, Raya turned toward the door, ready to leave. But as she was about to step out, her father's voice thundered from the hallway.
"Stop right there, Raya, or there will be consequences!"
She froze but quickly turned back, meeting his angry gaze.
"What consequences, Father?" she replied, keeping her voice steady.
"Do not test my patience, Raya!" he warned, his voice sharp. "If you walk out that door, I will disown you."
She looked at him, a sad smile touching her lips. "I thought you already did that yesterday. Your daughter is leaving, and only God knows when or if she'll return. And here you are, threatening her on the last day you'll see her."
"I don't care," he snapped. "I am your father, and I said you will not be part of this ridiculous contest."
"I don't know and care if you're my father or not " Raya replied, "but on this matter, I'm afraid you're out of luck. Goodbye, Mr. Carson. Don't bother missing me."
With that, she walked out of the house, ignoring his shouts echoing behind her.
Despite the tense exchange, Raya tried to lift her spirits as she boarded the car, waving goodbye to her mother, sister, and Stacy, who had all come out to see her off.
As the car pulled away, Raya studied the man behind the wheel, curious but unsure where to begin. Finally, she asked, "Excuse me, what's your name?"
The chauffeur glanced at her in the rearview mirror and replied with a polite nod. "Austin. Austin Michaels."
Austin, the chauffeur, was a dashing young Brit with piercing blue eyes and a charming smile. He possesses a humorous yet polite personality with his chiseled features and stylish hair.
Raya smiled. "Nice to meet you, Austin. Would it be all right if I call you that?"
"Of course, Miss," he replied, his British accent lending a formal air. "Whatever suits you."
"Thanks, Austin. So… do you know much about the Ackermans?"
Austin shook his head slightly. "Not much, I'm afraid, and even if I did, I wouldn't be at liberty to share it. They're quite… private people."
Raya frowned, intrigued. "But don't you work for them?"
"Only just recently," Austin explained, "and from what little I know, they value their privacy highly. Sharing details might… cost me my job."
Raya let out a small laugh. "Sounds like difficult people."
Austin chuckled softly. "Yes, that's one way to put it. But if there's anything else you'd like to know—apart from the Ackermans—I'll do my best to answer."
"Okay, then," she said, leaning forward slightly. "How old are you? You look a bit young to be a chauffeur."
"Before I answer that," Austin replied. "You'll need to tell me your name."
"Fair enough, I'm Raya… Raya Carson," she replied.
"Okay, Miss. Carson," Austin said and beamed a smile.
"Raya is just fine," she corrected.
"I think I prefer Miss. Carson," he insisted.
"So, your age?" Raya pressed on.
He smiled. "I'm twenty-nine. And you?"
"I'm twenty-four," she answered, then hesitated. "Why did you decide to become a chauffeur?"
"I didn't exactly choose this job out of passion," he admitted. "After graduating with a first-class degree in business administration five years ago, this was the only work I could find."
Raya's expression softened. "I'm sorry. That must have been tough."
He shrugged, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "It's all right. It's a good and well-paying job now, and in a few years, I hope to save enough to start my own company."
"Well, that's something to look forward to!" she said, smiling. "It sounds like things are going well for you."
Austin glanced over at her. "Forgive me if I'm intruding, but… I heard someone shouting when I arrived. May I ask what that was about?"
Raya sighed, looking out the window. "It was my father and it's about this bride selection contest. He doesn't want me to participate."
Austin raised an eyebrow. "Why
not?"
Raya rolled her eyes. "He thinks it's a ridiculous event. Doesn't think his eldest daughter should be involved in something like this."
"That hardly seems fair," Austin commented. "And it sounds like you feel the same way."
She nodded, feeling a bit lighter talking about it. "Exactly! His reasons just don't add up… or maybe he's hiding something."
"Only he can answer that," Austin replied. "But you're here now, which means…"
"Yes, I disobeyed him, and he disowned me," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I guess we're even now."
"Hey," Austin said gently. "Cheer up. You can't change what's already happened, but you can learn from it and apply such wisdom in the future. So your father disowned you, I know it hurts but look at the bright side of things."
"What bright side?" Raya asked.
"You've been invited to a unique opportunity, one that countless girls would dream of."
Raya gave a small shrug. "Maybe, but I wasn't the only one invited. There are a hundred of us, and some are way more important than I am—like the president's daughter."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Miss Carson," he replied with a reassuring smile. "For the Ackermans to choose you, there must be something remarkable about you. And from what I know, they're fair people who value justice and equality."
Raya took a deep breath, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thank you, Austin. I think I needed that. I'll give it my best."
"That's the spirit," Austin said, nodding toward the windshield. "We're almost there."
"Oh, really?" Raya looked out the window, surprised.
As they approached, the Ackerman family estate slowly came into view. The imposing gate and sprawling grounds were impressive, but Raya was taken aback by the understated elegance of the entrance.
When they reached the gate, security asked for proof of her invitation. Irritated by the scrutiny, she pulled out her phone, flashing them the message she'd received, and they were finally allowed inside.
Her earlier skepticism faded as they drove deeper into the estate. The simple exterior masked an opulent, fortress-like interior, with grand buildings nestled among perfectly manicured gardens. The drive to the main house took nearly ten minutes.
When they arrived, Raya stepped out before Austin could open her door. He helped her with her luggage, then turned to say goodbye.
"Miss Carson, it was a pleasure meeting and talking with you."
"Same here, Austin. I hope we'll cross paths again soon," she said warmly.
"Likewise." He smiled and walked away.
As Raya watched him go, she realized she was suddenly alone. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and walked toward the main door, feeling the weight of the journey ahead.