HIS HEART IS MINE

Ashley's POV:

Rage. Pure, raw, and utter rage was streaming through my veins as I stomped toward my room. Over the swooshing sound of my boiling blood and the clipping of my sandals against the marble floor, I could hear nothing else.

Reaching the end of the hallway, I flung the door open and stepped into my bedroom. The words of Mother, so horrendous and heart-wrenching, were still revolving in my mind. At my sides, sharp nails were digging into the soft skin of my palm but surprisingly, I felt no pain other than severe heartache.

Fuming, I paced the room hastily. Ridiculous, it was all so ridiculous. Would there be any end to this nonsense? They have always controlled every aspect of my life and I have never questioned them. But what more do they need from me? After snatching away my whole life, now they want to trade my soul? Their own freaking daughter's?

Teeth gritted to the point I was sure they would snap at any moment, my brain recalled the events of the day. The memory was still fresh in my mind about how I was rooted to that spot in front of a full-length mirror with half a dozen of beauticians working on me. My mother, sitting on an Italian royal chair, scrutinized me with her hard and judgemental stare.

The high chirping sound of Mother pulled me out of my haze, "Ms. Jane, take out that midnight blue dress. Ashley is going to wear that today." Ms. Jane immediately started moving around the piles of fancy, jeweled, and designer dresses surrounding the room.

Turning towards my mother, I inquired curiously, "Why? Is today a significant day?"

She threw me a disappointed look, "Only if you would poke your nose out of your books then you would remember any other thing. I told you today is a big day. Your father has arranged a dinner for top-notch businessmen in the hopes to find a new business partner."

It felt like the carpet was slipped away from under my feet. The day I had been dreading all my life has finally arrived and I was absolutely not ready for it. Even though I knew the answer I still asked her, "What do you mean by the business partner, Mother?"

She stood up and wiped her hands down her dress, "You are a grown-up now. We, as your parents have invested a lot in your upbringing. Now, it's the time for you to pay back." With that, she turned around, indicating that the conversation was over. Her next words were directed toward Ms. Jane, "That silver diamond necklace would go well with her dress. Make sure she would be ready by 7 pm. I don't want her to be late."

I heard her heels clicking on the marble floor as she made her way toward the door. I was stuck at my spot, staring at the door she just left. The blood that was frozen in my veins just a few moments ago was boiling now.

Still glued to my spot, over the bubbling of my blood, I heard the distant chatter of Ms. Jane, "Here is the dress. Oh, Ms. Ashley, you'll look elegant in this one." She stepped closer with the dress draped over her arm and I instantly took a step away. Ms. Jane shoved the dress towards me and announced, "Beauticians will be here at 5 pm. Don't be late."

When I made no movement at all, she looked down at her wristwatch with indifference, "It's 12:30 pm now. You have almost 4 and a half hours to come to terms with the situation. 4 hours are enough to mentally prepare yourself, I guess."

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Now, back in my room, just those horrible flashbacks resulted in the adrenaline coursing through my veins and taking hold of my senses. Somehow, my body as well as my heart knew that it was the moment of fight or flight.

I neither had the energy nor the resources to fight off those monsters. So yeah, the flight was what I chose. Lunging around, I jogged toward the closet with rapid steps. Reaching the rack, I grabbed the most spacious handbag out of the infinite options.