As I began foolishly to espouse my theories on true love, my parents saw the shift in me. My father tried everything that he could to get me back in line. Nothing helped. I stood firm on my beliefs. I wanted to marry a man who loved me and made me happy, and my father felt that I could have all of that in an arranged marriage. I knew better.
So, he used the one thing that he knew would bring me back in line. His company. The only thing I’d desired since I’d learned to talk more than I desired true love.
Settling into the idea of an arranged marriage almost took the life out of me. Especially after I returned home after a ten-year absence to learn about business management at the helm of a leading company in the country.
Unsurprisingly, it would be Lake Chambers who breathed life back into me again. But I never expected his simple suggestion would change me in ways I’d never expected. Or lead me down a path that I could not turn back from, changing and revealing my heart’s true desire hidden underneath years of persuasion at my father’s hands.
CHAPTER 1 – XIOMARA
“HONEY, ARE YOU READY?”
“I guess, Mom. What about Dad...is he...is he okay?”
“He’ll be okay, yes. The doctor gave implicit instructions that he could not return to work in the capacity he was in before. But you know your father.”
“But didn’t they say that once before, Mom?” I asked, tossing a few things into my suitcase.
She sighed, and it didn’t sound too promising.
“Yes, they did. I hope one day he’ll listen. He’s so stubborn about so many things. Maybe your return home will be precisely what he needs to adhere to this time. With you taking control of the company and all.”
I sat down on the side of my bed with a nightgown resting across my lap. Tucking one hand underneath my armpit, I clutched the phone tight in my other hand.
Closing my eyes, I practiced breathing in and out. There was no reason to worry Mom beyond what she already was. Letting her know about my misgivings and concerns wouldn’t help things; it would only delay the inevitable.
He’d had a heart attack three years ago, and I’d assumed that it was time for me to return home then. But after visiting him in the hospital and seeing how well he was faring, I wasn’t so sure. Two days later, upon his release, he was back at work as if nothing had happened and insistent that I return to New York.
Knowing that it was a battle that I would never win, I followed my father’s instructions and returned home to New York City.
“Can I speak to him?” I asked, reaching down to fiddle with the nightgown on my lap.
“Sure, baby. But please...try not to upset him, okay?”
“Yes, Mom.”
I could hear the phone shuffling and then muffled voices in the background as I tried to shore up my emotions. The last thing my father needed was to hear me breaking down on the phone.
“Hello?”
His gruff voice sounded a bit tired, winded even.
“Daddy?”
“Sugar Pop,” he said and wheezed out a bit of laughter that caused a frown to settle in on my forehead.
“How’re you feeling?” I asked.
“Oh, well. You know how everyone is around here. Everybody gets all worked up for nothing.”
“Is it really nothing, Daddy?”
I could hear him blowing out a breath on the other line.
“Well, you know, my old heart just doesn’t quite work how it used to. I’m fine...and I’ll be fine, but I guess they’re right. It’s about time for the old man to take a step back. Time to relax and enjoy what I’ve worked hard for. That’s all. And I’ll do that once you’re here and settled in again. Married to Russell.”
I smiled. Leave it to my daddy to always put a positive spin on something for the sake of one of his girls. He wasn’t just that way with me, but even with my mom and sister, Senait.
“Sugar Pop, have you spoken with Russell?”
“Yes, I spoke with him yesterday evening. He and his family are expecting me and have planned a dinner for me upon my return. His mother will call mom to finalize the details.”
“That’s great news. Do you have everything in order?”
My eyes dropped, and I forced a smile to my face so he would hear it in my voice.
“Yes, I’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning. I’ve already booked my flight, and I’m packing as we speak.”
“And your job? Is everything in order with that? Do you need me to call Cathy?”
“No. No, I’ll be fine. She and I have everything in order. I have finished up all of my duties, and I’m free to go. And as it relates to my replacement, well...let’s just say that we’ve been preparing her for this for some time now.”
“That’s my baby girl. You’ve always got all of your ducks in a row.”
“Like father, like daughter. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” I remarked, paraphrasing and quoting old sayings.
“Well, your Mom is standing beside me telling me I need to get off the phone now.”
“Okay, Daddy. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Sugar Pop.”
“Mara, do we need to send a car service for you, or do you want me to send your sister?” my mom asked when she returned on the line.
“You can send a car service. I don’t trust Senait’s driving, and besides...I’m sure she has better plans than picking up her big sister from the airport.”
Laughing, my mom said, “I wish we could settle that one down.”
“Yeah,” I mumbled, the smile dropping from my lips.
“Okay, then we’ll see you in the morning. Text me the details of your flight, and I’ll make sure that someone is there first thing tomorrow.”
“Sure, Mom. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I sat on the edge of my bed staring at the nightgown for several minutes with
