The bed was filled with roses, and the room was scented with vanilla and a sweet fragrance, reminiscent of air freshener. He couldn't determine what was arousing him more - the woman standing before him or the room's ambiance. Cherish was the blessing he had always dreamed of. Although it may not have been love at first sight for Cherish, he had won her over with his masculine charm. As a mafia king, he was accustomed to forcing his way, but this was different.
Chapter 1 Cherish's Dilemma
Cherish's trip to Bora Bora, French Polynesia, in the South Pacific, was a dream come true. But before she embarked on that journey, her life was far from paradise. As she sat up in bed, the noise from the street outside filled the air. She gazed out the window, watching the daily hustle and bustle of life, lost in thought. On her mind was everything that could make her leave home to find peace - not just because of the noise, but also to have the privacy she deserved. At 22, Cherish had always thought about being alone and leaving her parents to themselves.
She felt suffocated by their overprotectiveness. Just then, a call from Kelly broke the silence. "Hi Cherish, why don't we hang out for a bit?" Cherish agreed and headed to the cafe to meet Kelly. Over tea, Cherish confided in Kelly about her frustrations. "I feel like I'm treated like a child, and my parents make all the decisions for me. I hate being the last child; I never get to make choices without interruptions." Kelly listened attentively. "I know it's tough, but have you talked to your parents about how you feel?" Cherish sighed. "I've tried, but they just don't understand. That's why I've decided to take matters into my own hands. I'm not going to college, and instead, I'll work and save up to travel and take care of myself. My dream is to visit Bora Bora." Kelly's eyes widened. "Wow, Cherish, that sounds amazing! But are you sure your parents will agree to this?" Cherish nodded determinedly. "I'll make sure they do. I want to earn my own money and make my own decisions. Working for myself will give me the satisfaction I deserve." As Cherish returned home, her mind wandered back to her dreams of independence and adventure. The Downey family, a middle-class household, took immense pride in providing education to all seven of their children, giving them the freedom to make their own decisions as adults. However, Cherish, the youngest, received special attention and was overly protected. In her second year of college, Cherish had a transformative experience. She made numerous friends among the new students in her hospitality management program. Initially, she was reluctant to study hospitality management, viewing it as a local course. Her true passion was mass communication, which would allow her to travel the world, search for news, and appear on TV shows. Unfortunately, her father had other plans. He preferred hospitality management, believing it would lead to a more stable career for women. He disliked mass communication, considering it a risky job. Cherish was heartbroken. "Why can't I have my dream course?" she cried out in her room. However, as she progressed in her studies, she discovered interesting aspects of hospitality management, such as the opportunity to travel as a flight attendant or work in the beauty section. One day, Nacho, a classmate, approached Cherish with a part-time job opportunity. "Hi, dear. I got these flyers yesterday, and I thought you might be interested." Cherish was intrigued and decided to consider the job. After school, Cherish called Kelly to plan a girls' outing to Napex Beach. She then visited her boyfriend, Michael, to invite him to join them. However, Michael declined, citing a prior commitment to host a party. Cherish felt hurt that Michael didn't invite her to his party. "You could have at least told me," she said. Michael apologized, but Cherish expected more. She tried to seduce him, but Michael avoided intimacy. "What's wrong, Michael? Don't you love me anymore?" Cherish asked, her voice trembling. Michael reassured her that he did, but Cherish was unconvinced. She left, feeling frustrated and confused. As she walked away, Michael called out to her, but Cherish didn't respond.
Other books by Kelechi
More