Once, my paranoid love

Mr. Obin remarked, with a smirk, “I heard you and my boss made a deal in which your daughter was a business item. Isn’t it, Mr. Robert?”

Mr. Obin’s words, delivered with a smirk, cut through the tension in the room like a knife. His insinuations about a supposed deal between my dad and Mr. Huston, where I was reduced to a mere business item, stung like an accusation.

I furrowed my brows, a mixture of frustration and indignation coursing through me. It was true that there had been discussions about this marriage for the sake of our family business, but the reality was far more complex than Mr. Obin’s words implied.

‘Yes, but it isn’t the entire story. He’s accusing my dad for no apparent reason. I want to marry his boss, and that is my decision,’ I thought, silently reaffirming my commitment to this union.

As Mr. Obin’s words hung in the air, I couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Mr. Obin,” I spoke up, my voice steady and resolute, “I was the one who showed an interest in marrying your boss. My father was opposed to the marriage you saw a while back.”

I wanted to make it clear that this was not a transaction or a deal made without my consent. My father had initially been against this wedding, and it was my choice to pursue it for my own reasons. The complexities of our family situation extended beyond what Mr. Obin had assumed.

Mr. Obin’s response was a mixture of surprise. “Okay, ma’am. Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience,” he expressed, his demeanor shifting from smugness to a more understanding tone. It seemed that he had misjudged the situation, and my clarification had given him a different perspective.

“However, Mr. Robert just lost a precious gift like you because of his deed,” he added, his words carrying a note of joy. It was a stark reminder of the consequences that this decision might have for my dad.

Anne’s exasperation was evident as she sighed and rolled her eyes in response to my words. It was clear that she held a deep-seated animosity towards me, and my attempt to clarify the situation seemed to only fuel her disdain.

‘Now the little bitch started blabbering, and this man was engrossed in her sweet talk. Say whatever you want, but you’ll never come back here after this,’ Anne’s inner thoughts.

Feeling the weight of the situation and the unresolved tensions in the room, I decided to take action. I turned to Mr. Obin, eager to bring this uncomfortable encounter to a close. “Can we leave, Mr. Obin?” I requested it, hoping to put an end to this distressing exchange.

Mr. Obin, while agreeing to my request, felt compelled to convey a final message. “Ma’am, of course. But I need to say something,” he began, his tone serious.

I nodded, signaling my willingness to hear him out. The room seemed to hold its collective breath as we waited for his words.

“You will not be able to meet with Mr. D’Souza after your marriage,” he stated, his voice carrying the weight of finality. “But as per the contract, my boss will take on every responsibility.”

The implications of Mr. Obin’s statement hung in the air like a heavy cloud. It was a stark reminder of the irrevocable nature of the choices we were making. The prospect of not being able to meet my father after my marriage was a bitter pill to swallow, and I could see the anguish in my dad’s reaction.

“What? Mr. Obin, she is my only child,” my dad reacted, his voice filled with concern and sorrow. The thought of being separated from me, his beloved daughter, was undoubtedly painful for him.

As I smiled, a mixture of emotions welled up within me. This was the moment I had been preparing for-the ultimate goodbye to the life I had known. From now on, I will step into a new chapter, one filled with uncertainty and change. The weight of my choices and the responsibilities that lay ahead were undeniable, but I was determined to face them with strength and resilience.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, I made a decision that seemed to take everyone by surprise. “No problem, I’m not going to do it. But I’d like to take her along,” I stated, gesturing toward Pom, who had been by my side throughout this tumultuous encounter.

Mr. Obin, in his capacity as a representative of his boss, responded with a degree of flexibility. “Yes, ma’am, you are free to take whatever you want,” he affirmed, his tone carrying a hint of agreement.

However, Anne, who had been a source of contention and hostility throughout this encounter, unexpectedly spoke out. “What? Elena, how are you going to take Pom?” Her words were laced with incredulity and thinly veiled skepticism.

Before anyone could react, my dad’s response was swift and unexpected. He abruptly smacked Anne, causing her to fall to the ground. Anne’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at my dad, softly calling his name, “Robert.”

Dad, ever the voice of reason in this tumultuous situation, added his support to my decision. “She has the right to everything,” he declared, further solidifying the choice I had made.

Anne, still reeling from the sudden slap, couldn’t help but feel a mixture of confusion and resentment. ‘What exactly is his problem? He smacked me for no reason,’ she thought, her gaze locked onto me, her animosity undiminished.

As the room continued to reverberate with the echoes of this unexpected altercation, I realized that the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. My decision to take Pom with me was a reflection of my desire to preserve some semblance of familiarity as I embarked on this new chapter. It was a small comfort in the face of the upheaval that lay ahead.

As Mr. Obin and I prepared to leave, there was a sense of urgency in the air. I couldn’t afford to delay any longer; the events of this tumultuous morning had already put us behind schedule.

“Mr. Obin, we’re going to be late,” I reminded him, my tone carrying a sense of urgency.

“Yes,” Obin acknowledged, his demeanor professional as he readied himself to depart.

With that, Mr. Obin turned and began to walk away, and I was ready to join him in this new chapter of my life. But before I could leave, my dad’s voice called out to me, stopping me in my tracks.

“Elena,” my dad’s voice was filled with a mixture of emotions concern, love, and a touch of sadness.

I turned to face him, our eyes locking in a moment of unspoken understanding. I knew that saying goodbye to my father was not easy for either of us, but it was a step I had to take in pursuit of my own future.

“Dad, take care of yourself,” I said softly, my voice filled with affection and reassurance. “And I’ll call you on time.”

With those words, I left our family home, leaving behind the life I had known for a journey into the unknown. As I walked away with Mr. Obin, I couldn’t help but carry a heavy heart, filled with the weight of the decisions I had made and the uncertainty that lay ahead.

**

Back in the room, Elena’s father was overcome with emotion. His tears flowed freely, and he murmured through his sobs, “She abandoned me and will never return to me, my princess. I’m in shambles.”

The pain in his voice was palpable, and it pierced his heart. Elena had always been his source of strength and support, and now she was taking a step that felt like abandonment. The weight of her choices and their impact on her father was a heavy burden to bear.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“My baby!” cried Robert, his anguish echoing through the room. The realization that he had played a role in the circumstances that led to my departure weighed heavily on him. The thought that his actions had harmed his own child was a crushing blow to his spirit.

Anne regained her footing and approached Robert with reassurances, her voice soft and conciliatory.

“It’s all right, Robert,” she said gently, her words carrying a sense of understanding and empathy. “We’ll meet her again.”

However, Robert’s reaction was far from what Anne had expected. In his distraught state, he yanked his wrist free from her touch and locked his gaze on her with intensity. Anne took a step back, her eyes wide with surprise and a growing sense of fear, fearing that he might lash out at her once more.

“Don’t get too close to me!” Robert yelled, his voice filled with a mix of anger, sorrow, and frustration. It was a stark departure from his usual demeanor, and Anne could feel the tension in the air as his words echoed in the room.

Anne couldn’t help but be taken aback by the sudden outburst. She had never experienced such a reaction from Robert before. It was the first time he had not only smacked her but also yelled at her in such a manner. Her face bore a look of shock and apprehension as she processed the unprecedented turn of events.