It was the day of the party. I wake up tired, my pillow still wet from the tears I had shed...

So the time has come...

Strangely I didn't feel any anxiety...

Like the lamb that knows its about to be sacrificed...

Maybe somewhere deep down, I was also prepared for my fate...

Or maybe the fear of uncertainty has paralyzed me...

My freedom, my life, my dreams everything being taken away from me...

The life that I build so dearly...The small apartment that I used to clean and decorate so cheerfully...

The job that I was so proud of...

Truly did it all mean absolutely nothing to my parents?

Is a woman's worth only decided by her husband and children?

"Are you up Lisha?" I hear my mother's voice from outside.

"Yeah..." I answer and then open the door.

And the first thing she asks is...

"Why didn't you go to the parlour yesterday?" She asks.

"What...?"

"I thought you went but then they had called me during their closing hours saying you never showed up!"

"Oh...I was tired so I fell asleep..."

"Geez...you should be more careful! That was one of the best parlours in the city and its so difficult to get a booking over there!"

"..."

"Anyways after much convincing I have managed to reschedule an appointment today! Make sure to go right now!"

"Okay..."

"Don't miss it!" She says for one last time before leaving.

I let out a sigh...

"I didn't have dinner last night but you never..."

I gulped a lump down my throat...

It was my own expectations...

After brushing my teeth and grabbing my breakfast, I leave for the parlour...

Where they spend hours on dolling me up...

My brown eyes decorated with sparkling eyeshadow, thick mascara and liner...

My lips stained in gorgeous red...

My brown hair curled up into a loose bun adorned with flower pins...

I never had such heavy makeup done to me, I almost looked like a different person!

After reaching home my mother hands me over a gorgeous backless red dress.

"I spent my personal savings to buy this dress...This will look very beautiful on you!" She smiles.

"Mom...why??"

"You need to capture his heart, Lisha! We are placing all our hopes on you! We need to make this marriage work and keep the Leon's under our grip!" My mother says.

Expectations, Burdens, greed...

Is that what a parent feels towards their child?

Do I really not deserve an ounce of your affection?

"What are you doing?? Wear the dress quickly, we'll leave in a few minutes!" My mother rushes me.

"Okay..." I nod.

My mother helps me wear the red dress...

Not used to wearing tight dresses, I feel uncomfortable...

Don't tell me I'll have to wear this for hours???

"I want you to be happy, Lisha..." My mother says softly.

"I want us to be happy. This marriage will be a huge deal for us! The start of a new alliance. You will be the wife of one of the richest men in this country and we will be their in laws! This is exactly what we dreamed of Lisha!" She says.

Happiness? Dreams?

Why don't you ever ask me what I want?

I gulp down a lump in my throat. All the unsaid words, all the desperate cries, screams, I wished to let out...

I swallowed them all...

Just for the sake of my parents...

But how do I live like this...?

No...you have to be strong. For their sake...I must be!

I prepare myself for everything that lies ahead as I get inside the car.

We reach Mr Leon's penthouse in no time. It was a grand party to celebrate their company's year end success.

The ambience was gorgeous and so were the people. Everyone looked like they belonged to high society wearing expensive clothing and jewelleries...

I look at my parents who seems to be very out of place.

But that doesn't last long...

"Hello Mr Walker!"

"Mr Leon!" My father exclaims.

I look up to see a grey haired man shaking my dad's hand.

Turning towards me, "You must be Lisha right?"

"Yes..." I reply.

"You are even more beautiful in person!" He says.

"Uh thank you"

"Where is Josh?" My father asks.

"Oh right! He must be here around somewhere..." Mr Leon says looking around.

"Ah there he is! Josh! Why don't you come here?!" He waves his hand.

An oddly familiar handsome blonde guy walks up to us.

"Hey dad did you call?"

"Yes! Meet them, this is Mr Walker and his wife."

Then pointing towards me...

"And she is Lisha"

As soon as he lays his eyes on me, he freezes in his place.

Unable to take his eyes of me, he keeps on staring with awe.

Mr Leon looks at him and then looks at me again...

"Hahaha looks like your daughter has cast a spell on my son Mr Walker!" He laughs, causing him to blush and look away.

"Well what can I say...let these two decide!" My father says.

"Absolutely! Let's give them their space! Then shall we grab some drinks? " Mr Leon asks my father.

"Yes, sure!" My dad says and nods at me as a signal.

I watch them leave me alone and awkward with the guy...

"Hi...I'm Josh" He says extending his hand towards me.

"I'm Lisha" I smile giving his hand a good shake.

"Glad to meet you Lisha..." he says, his amber eyes staring into mine.

He looks very familiar...Where have I seen this guy???

"The pleasure is mine" I say.

Then just as he was about to say something, I ask him the obvious, "Have we met before?"

He immediately blushes and averts his gaze.

"Yes?"

Then slowly he starts speaking...

"Few months back...our company Elda had a partnership with S&A corp..."

My eyes widen.

S&A is where I work!

"It was the mark of an important deal for Elda. My dad entrusted me and send me over there but in the middle of the way, I realised that I was sick...But to keep my father's word, I pushed myself and reached the S&A office. But due to my bad health, I almost fainted and fell down..."

"Oh-"

"When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the arms of an angel! She helped me get up and accompanied me to the office chambers. She was also the one who gave the presentation. It was a brilliant demonstration, especially the marketing strategy combined with her excellent communication skills! She responded to each and every question patiently and to the point...I was sold!"

"So that was..." my eyes widen.

"Pretty face with brains! That's when I knew it, she would be perfect for our family!" He smiles.

Then turning towards me...

"You stole my heart the day I met you, Ms Lisha!"

"I had no idea that was you, Sir!" I reply.

The client in my office, I had once helped...

That guy is supposed to be my fiance now?

"Its fine...you don't need to apologize for anything" he says.

"Having a great time?" Mr Leon appears with a glass of wine in his hand along with my parents.

"You worked in S&A right?" He asks.

"Yes...I do work there..." I reply.

"Well no need to...Because you would be the wife of Josh Leon here!" He announces.

Some people look towards us curiously...

My parents eyes brighten up...

Only my heart wavers...

"Pardon? But why do I need to..." I ask.

"On my son's words I dug up your company's records and reached out to your parents with the proposal. I am being told that your father was facing some difficulties in his business, it must have been hard for you to work and support your family..." he says.

Damn what? Searching through company records? Isn't that a breach of my privacy?

And who does he think he is to tell me tobquit my job? Even if it was difficult, it was mine!

Moreover how could he go that far? Just because I helped my client...like I was just doing my job?

Just because of that...

It results in this marriage...

"Please take Ms Lisha up to the stage in front, let us announce the good news!" Mr Leon whispers into Josh's ears.

Then walking up to the stage he says, "Ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention please?"

The crowd turns around to look at him.

"As you know, we are celebrating another year of profit for Elda here! I would like to double the celebration by announcing another good news..."

"My son Josh is getting engaged to this beautiful lady, Lisha Walker!" He points towards us.

The spotlight falls over me and Josh...

Josh holds out his arm before me as my parents signal me to take it.

Unable to find any other options, I take his hand and we walk up together to the stage.

"Everyone can we have a round of applause for my son and daughter in law!"

The crowd claps loudly and cheer for us.

That's when Josh bends down on his knees and pulls out a ring.

"Will you marry me Lisha?" He asks.

Overwhelmed and surprised, I look towards my parebts who again signal me to say "yes".

The crowd grows silent coverings their mouth.

Mr Leon narrows his gaze...

Shit there's no way to back down now...

After a loud pause...

"Yeah..." I say slowly.

Josh smiles brightly and inserts the ring in my finger.

The crowd claps and cheers for us merrily.

My parents hug each other in joy.

Mr Leon smiles at me...

Everyone in the crowd seems happy...

Except one person...

My brown eyes wandered across the crowd and stopped at a pair of sea green ones.

They reflected my red dress in them...

And as burning with rage, they turned red...

I recognized them immediately...

Fuck.

What are you doing over here?

Mikhail Ivanov??

Looking at me directly he smirks.