“Oh, hey, honey. You surprised me. Come in.” He smiled at me and I wanted to turn back around but I wanted my own love. I know that I don’t love Casey at all. Did I have a crush? Yes, but years ago. Now I don’t feel anything. I closed the doors that were my only way out and sat down. I felt I could melt at any moment from how much I am sweating.

“H-hey, d-dad, how are you?”

“I’m good, honey. Why do you look like you are about to pass out at any moment?” He put down the papers he had on his hand and focused only on me.

I am twenty-four, I can do this.

“I-I need to…” I had to take a breath,” I need to talk to you.” I sat down and he looked at me with worry.

“What is it? Are you okay”

I nodded.

“Well, you are scaring me, come on, talk.”

“Dad… I don’t want to get married, I can’t do it and I won’t do it. I want to find my own wrinkly person.” his face went from worry to serious.

“Wrinkly person? You what? Never mind, I don’t want to know, and I’m sorry but you can’t back down from this.” he grabbed his papers again.

“What? But I don’t want to marry. If you are worried about the business, just hand it to me. You know that has been what I wanted.” I was trying not to yell.

“ you are not ready. When you started the shop, you were so scared and you were not confident at all. I have to protect you and people in businesses compete and have to go through tough times. That is why I arranged the marriage, you won’t have to worry about your living expenses or anything. You have a small shop too so you will be good.”

Yeah, well being called names for being chubby does not help at all.

“That is not fair, I am not a child anymore. I have seen what a business is about. If you just start teaching me, I will learn. Little by little I will be able to handle it. The arranged marriage does not have to happen if you just pass it down to me” He let out a sigh.

“Lily, I promised your mother, you will live a life without worries, and this is my solution. I will not pass the business down to you, and you will get mar…”

“But I…”

“I will not discuss this with you again. I am doing this for your own good. You are marrying that young man and nothing will change my mind. Just know I am doing this for your own good, so please just stop.” His voice became a bit louder and I tried not to let the tears that were threatening to fall, fall. Standing up I walked out of his study. I could only feel anger and frustration. It is true I am scared and I am not as confident but that is why he would teach and help me. I am not the same person as before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lily( 22 years old)

Lily, you dad is calling you.” Emma kept shaking me to try to wake me up.

“I don’t want to… Is Alexa going to be there?”

She nodded.

“Then, I will just stay in bed. I am not in the mood to hear side comments from her.”

“You need to go see your dad though. Come on, I will be by your side.”

“Promise?”

She nodded.

Just by walking down the stairs I could see that Sarah and Alexa were not happy to see me at all. I was starting to feel nervous since I was having a rough day, I don’t think I could handle a side comment or I would break. For a minute I stopped at the stairs before Emma appeared behind me and put her hands on my shoulders, guiding me down the stairs.

“Hey, sweetie, I have an awesome surprise for you.” My dad was smiling so hard while the other gave me death glares.

“Look.” he stretched his arm to show me a key that made me confused but I took from him

“A key?” He let out a laugh that made me smile.

“No, honey. It’s a key for your new shop. I know you finished studying business but you also like cooking so you can open your own bakery or any shop.” I was shocked and became alarmed for a little bit since I was not used to doing much out of the house. My confidence is not the best.

“ I thought I could just work as a chef for the house and get paid for that.” it was a good plan, I would never have to leave the house, but I could get paid for cooking.

“Don’t be silly, now let’s go see the shop.”

“Can Emma come?” I was scared to run a shop for my own, and I could only look at Emma with pleading eyes.

“Yeah,come on.” He was more excited than anyone else.

“What about our breakfast?” Now I knew what Sarah was mad about and she must be fuming now since I am taking Emma with me.

“Just ask one of the other maids.” after that we walked out to look at the small shop that he had bought.

“Just a little bit of work, and it will be fine. So do your best.”

For the few months that the kitchen was being fixed, and the decoration was being done I was only scared of messing up and not being able to do anything perfect. Once the store was ready to be opened I didn’t have the guts to do it.

“Are you ready?” Emma looked at me but I was only shaking my head.

“I-I really can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can. You have me to help you. We can do this together.” she smiled and held out her hand and I took it. With held hands we opened the shop together and I was not as nervous knowing I had her.

“Welcome.”