Almost a Fairytale

I stared at the city lights from my glass window. My condominium unit is on the top floor and so I can see the whole city up from here. I let out a sigh as I watched the tiny figure of vehicles, the buildings, and the streetlights. Why does it seem that there's no peace in the city?

It's past midnight but I’m wide awake and I can't sleep. Maybe because, there's a lot of things going in my head right now. I tried to calm myself by watching the city, but I just can't. This place is chaotic, how can I find tranquility here? I planned on going in our house in the province where the mountains and trees might bring serenity and peace in my mind but it’s pretty late so I decided not to go and also, I still have classes tomorrow.

Today, I heard the news that I expected since I was young. But hearing it from my parents during our family dinner made me sad and rushed. I didn't think that they will be looking for a man that I will marry this early. Actually, they already found a guy that is, according to them is 'suitable' for me, but I still don't know who.

I haven't finished my studies yet and I still have two years before I graduate in college. I don't really have any problem with marrying someone my parents chose because I have read lots of stories where they found romance in the arrangement but I still wanted to do lot of things and my 'fiancé' can possibly be a hindrance to it.

Arranged marriage is common and normal in our family. My grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and even my parents have been arranged. Our whole family own many businesses in different industries all around the world. My great grandparents are the one who started and worked hard for this. I am really privileged that sometimes I felt guilty. We are bound to marry who our parents chose, because we must marry someone who will be beneficial in our business. To be honest, many families who are friends with us are doing the same thing.

Just like what I have said, I don't have problem with it, but I don't want it to be this early. However, I can't fight my parents and relatives. They are scary when I don't follow them, so during dinner I just nodded and agreed. I don't have any choice.

I stopped staring outside and walked to the bed. I removed my silk robe before lying down. I covered myself with my comforter and stared at the ceiling. My room is only illuminated by one of my bedside lamps. It's almost two in the morning and I have a class at 8 o'clock so I need to sleep. I forced myself to sleep by thinking that everything will be alright and that many people has some more difficult problems, and I can't be stressed out with this.

I woke up because of the knocks and gentle calls from outside my door. I can barely open my eyes because of sleeping late last night. My head is aching a bit as I removed the comforter that covers me and left the bed to go to the door. I opened it with my eyes closed and looking so sleepy.

"Good morning, Miss!" I tried hard to open my eyes to see who it is, and I saw one of our uniformed maids. I only nodded at her because I still wanted to go to bed and sleep.

"Miss, we already prepared your breakfast and it's time for you to take a bath or else you will be late to your class" I nodded again not understanding what she said. I turned my back and tried to go back to bed but I felt a hand stopping me.

I looked back and saw the maid holding my arms, "I need to sleep" I complained with my forehead creased.

"Miss, you have a quiz today. You need to take a bath for you not to be late. Your breakfast is ready, and your driver is waiting on the parking lot. I will prepare your clothes while you are in the shower" she explained that to me while pushing me somewhere.

I barely understood what she said but I still managed to hear her saying that I have a quiz today. I am still feeling sleepy, but the maid gently pushed me to enter the shower. I stood there not knowing what to do. I am staring on the wall and thinking what I should do here.

"Miss Maureen Annaliese, do you want me to remove your clothes ?" I looked back and recognized who the maid is. She was one of the maids who took care of me since I was young. I stared at Priscilla wide awake now.

"No, I can manage. Thank you" I smiled gently, embarrassed on how I acted. I always acted like a spoiled brat every morning and it take few minutes before I wake up completely.

Priscilla bowed gently before leaving the shower room maybe to choose on what will I wear. My parents have assigned three maids for me since I was young, and they are still with me until now. They are staying in our family mansion, but when I go here in one of my condo units, my parents sent them here to assist me and to wake me up because I am not really a morning person, because of that they should know the password of my unit so they can enter every morning freely. I sleep her alone every night but when I wake up, not anymore because the maids are here.

The cold water woke up my nerves and now, my brain is functioning completely. Minutes ago, my senses are working but my brain isn't, so thanks to the water for unlocking my nerves.

I spent a long time in the shower and I don't think that I will be late because knowing Priscilla, she will wake me two hours before my class and will rush me saying it's already late when it's not.

After taking a shower, I did my skin care before going out to go to my walked in closet. Priscilla is not here anymore but she prepared variety of outfits that I could possibly wear. I am really into fashion but when I go to school, I wanted to wear simple outfits since I go there to study not to model.

I chose to wear a white fitted cropped top, black skinny jeans and black ankle boots. I also wore some accessories and put some light make-up. After getting my things, I went out to go to the dining room and have a quick breakfast.

Priscilla and two other maids, Bernadette and Cassandra, are cleaning the unit as I leave for school, "Bye! Don't forget to eat on time" I reminded them because sometimes when they are so busy, they tend to forget to eat their lunch and dinner.

I took the elevator to go to the lobby. Dino, my personal driver, opened the door for me and bowed as I went in. I smiled at him before thanking him. He went to the driver's seat, asked me if I'm all good then we drove off.