Eva's long, hair slowly fluttered behind as she walked through the boutique, her tall, well-curvy figure turning heads. But her expression remained neutral. Her fiance, Michael, chatted amiably with her mom, who seemed to be enjoying the attention.

Her eyes fixed on the array of gowns before her. She spared a forced smile for Michael, but her eyes lacked the sparkle that usually accompanied a genuine smile.

"Eva, darling, you have to try on this one!" her mom exclaimed, holding up a lavish yet elegant gown. "It'll look stunning on you!"

Eva nodded, taking the gown from her mom. "Okay, let me try it on."

After a few minutes, as she emerged from the dressing room, Michael's eyes widened in admiration.

"Wow, you look like a million bucks in that dress, baby."

He walked closer to her.

"You know, I've seen you in a lot of dresses, but this one... this one makes me want to rip it off you. Slowly... Very slowly."

he whispered in her ear, in a low husky tone, his gaze roving over her curves.

Eva again forced a smile, she couldn't help feeling a spark of annoyance at his flirting.

She took a deep breath. He made her twirl to get the complete view of her in that gown.

Her mom clapped her hands together. "I knew it! You two are going to make a gorgeous couple."

Michael's face flushed, he thanked her mother and winked at eva. Eva turned her head not wanting to show her disgusted face to him. Her mother starts to spare a look for another gown, just to give them a little moment together. As Eva returned to the dressing room to change into another gown, Michael followed closely behind her.

"Hey, can I help you with the zipper?" he asked, his voice low and flirtatious.

Her heart sank, a shocked expression took place over her face. but she nodded politely. "Thanks."

As Michael stepped into the small dressing room with her, the air seemed to thicken with tension. His six feet tall figure stood closer to her. His hands brushed against hers as he reached for the zipper, sending shivers down her spine.

"Thanks," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Michael's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. He leaned in, his lips grazing her cheek in a gentle kiss. "You look stunning, Eva," he whispered, his breath sending tingles down her neck.

Eva's face grew hotter, but she couldn't help feeling a growing sense of discomfort. Michael's hands began to wander, his fingers tracing the curves of her body. She felt a surge of anxiety, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Michael, stop," she said politely, but firmly. "Everything after marriage, okay?"

Michael's eyes sparkled with amusement, but he nodded, his hands reluctantly dropping away from her body. "Okay, okay. I can wait."

As he left the dressing room, Eva let out a sigh, a disgust expression taking over her face. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful to be free from Michael's overly flirtatious behavior.

Her mom's voice echoed from outside the dressing room, "Eva, darling, how's the dress? Do you need any help?"

Eva took a deep breath, composing herself before responding, "I'm fine. Just need a minute."

As she stood there, her heart still racing from the encounter with Michael, Eva couldn't help but wonder what she had gotten herself into.

*****

Packing the dress and settling the bill they walked out of the boutique, Michael chatting with Eva's mother about their next location. Eva walked along with them like a toy in her own deep thoughts.

Someone passed walking beside her. She closed her eyes inhaling the smell of lavender. Her eyes widened in wonder as she looked around, her eyes meet a guy on a motorcycle. He is wearing a black jacket, face is covered with a mask. Her eyes locked on him. Before starting the bike his gaze turned towards her, only for a second.

**************

In the heart of the city, at an luxurious resort, Eva sat confined in a lavish room, her thoughts consumed by the impending engagement. The sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and soft music drifted from the grand ballroom, where her parents' company success party was in full swing. The engagement celebration, a carefully crafted facade, masked Eva's true emotions.

Her parents, a successful business couple, had orchestrated the union with one of their shareholders, a man Eva despised. The arrangement was a calculated move to strengthen business ties and secure their company's future. But Eva's dreams lay elsewhere.. The thought of pursuing masters in MBA in the United States, as her mother dictated, suffocated her.

As she gathered her thoughts, the door swung open, and Michael, her fiance entered, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. "You look stunning, Eva," he said, his voice laced with flirtation. "I must say, I'm eager to make this union official." He reached out to touch her, his hands slowly traveled down from her hands to shoulder, looking into her eyes with desire. but Eva recoiled, her voice firm. "Please, leave. I need a moment."

His ego bruised, it is the second time she stops him. His fist clenched, but without doing anything departed, leaving Eva to collect her thoughts. She took a deep breath, attempting to calm the turmoil within. The sounds of the party, now a distant hum, seemed to mock her. The lavish decorations, designer attire, and exquisite jewelry on display only highlighted the superficiality of the event.

Eva's thoughts drifted to her family - her step father, mother, and stepsister, all of whom seemed to support this arranged marriage. Her mother's words echoed in her mind: "This is for your own good, Eva. This will secure your future."

But at what cost?

As she sat, lost in thought, the festivities outside continued, oblivious to her distress. The weight of her parent's expectations threatened to suffocate her. She finds it's hard to have the courage to defy her mother and forge her own path. The pressures of her privileged life silence her dreams forever.

The luxurious resort offered breathtaking views of Lake, but Eva's gaze remained inward, her heart torn between duty and desire. The evening wore on, with guests mingling, champagne flowing, and music filling the air. Eva's world, however, had narrowed to a single question: would she ever find the freedom to write her own story?

The door swung open, revealing a middle aged woman. A smile plastered on her face.

(To Be Continued..)