Chapter 6: Final Decision

Zora’s POV…

I walked out of my room, my face gloomy from a thousand tears and thoughts. I walked down the stairs, the decision already made. My heart shattered with every step I took, and my legs stretched down the stairs.

“You are out already?” I looked up; Mom was standing at the edge of the stairs, a sweet smile plastered on her face. I sniffed, trying to fight back the tears welling at the corner of my eyes.

“You were fast with your thoughts. Are you okay?” she walked toward me. I didn’t reply; I just watched.

“I know it’s hard on you.” She placed her hands on my shoulders. I stared into her blue ocean eyes; the calmness in them comforted me more than I imagined.

She reached out to my hands and lifted up my chin. “Trust me, I will not be hard on you for any decision you take.” I looked at her, surprised by her words. I thought she was here to talk me further into accepting the offer.

“I know it’s really hard on you right now, that everything is coming as a great shock to you, but I want you to know that I am right beside you. That means I will support any decision you take, so make the right choice.” I couldn’t fight back the tears anymore as I stared at her.

“I am really sad about this, Mom, I…” I broke down again, and she pulled me into a hug.

“I understand, darling, you don’t need to explain.” Her soft hands slid through my face, cleaning up my tears. “Just go out there and tell them whatever you decide; they are all waiting for you.” She patted my back, disengaging from the hug.

I nodded calmly and continued taking the stairs, my legs sliding through the tiles slowly.

The men were seated in the parlor waiting for me when I arrived. Their faces lit up on sighting me. I guess they were not expecting to see me so soon.

“Zora,” Dad stood up from his seat. “You are down so soon. It isn’t even up to an hour since you went upstairs. Have you made a decision already?” I watched as his aging eyes danced around me. They were filled with tension and expectation, and his heartbeat was obvious. His cloth was flying up and down.

My eyes diverted to Adrian, who had a defeated look, and to his father, whose face was a great mess, filled with sadness, pain, and expectation. My heart melted on sighting him. It must be really tough on him.

“What have you decided, Zora? Can you please kill the suspense? I am dying to know your decision!” My father’s voice snapped me back to reality. For a brief moment, I stared at him without saying anything. My mind swelled with a thousand thoughts, and my heartbeat increased.

My conclusion was so heavy to slide through my mouth. It seemed like my life would end if I said it. It felt like everything would come to a great end if I just opened my mouth. I glanced at them; the tension and curiosity on their faces had increased.

I lowered my head and cleared my throat, knowing this was the right time to spill the beans. This time, I took in a deep breath before finally spilling the beans.

“I will marry him.” My heart pierced as the words escaped my lips. I can’t believe this is happening, I couldn’t even believe I am the one saying this.

The whole house erupted in joy as the air swallowed my words, but my heart shattered in pain.

“Thank you so much, Zora. I promise you that this…” I didn’t let my dad finish speaking. I took the stairs immediately, and tears welled down my eyes as I did.

Two weeks later…

“You look so beautiful, Ma.” I looked at the maid, my eyes not betraying the anger I felt inside.

“You better watch your mouth, Rita.” I didn’t have to say much before she understood what I meant. “You are to accompany me to the wedding venue and not praise me; it’s irritating.”

“Yes, Ma, I am so sorry for being stupid.” I didn’t say a word. I am sure she has learned to watch her big mouth and always mind her own business.

“How long till the venue? I am tired of sitting in this fucking car!” I yanked out in frustration. I looked down at the stupid wedding gown clinging to my body like it was dragging the life out of me. “I hate the fact that I have to put on this nonsense shit; it annoys the hell out of me.”

“Drive faster; you are annoying the hell out of me.” The driver isn’t at fault, so why is he getting on my last nerve?

“Why does Dad insist we have a loud wedding with the circumstances surrounding this marriage? It hurts.” My hands clenched in a tight fist.

Thirty minutes on…

The driver pulled into the parking lot of the church auditorium. Maids rushed down to welcome me, and the press crowded the car even before I could get down. The bodyguards tried to shove them away, but they only grew in number.

“Mrs. Zora, is it really true that you will be getting married to your colleague?” They started throwing numerous questions as soon as I stepped out of the car.

“There is also a rumor flying around that you loathe Mr. Adrian, your husband-to-be. How true is that?” I stared at the young lady who threw the question at me. My mouth almost moved; I was forced to answer the question, but remembering the situation regarding the marriage, I swallowed hard.

“Miss Zora, today is supposed to be your happy day, but you look like you will cry any moment from now. Why is that?” A man threw the question at me, and I felt my cheeks flush in irritation. Again, I swallowed hard, trying to fight the rage boiling within me.

“There is a rumor that you don’t like Mr. Adrian and this is only an arranged marriage. How true is that?” I sneered at the lady who threw this question. “You better watch your mouth and stop spreading dirty rumors. How could you say that?” My temper got the better hold of me now.

“Your irritation is enough proof that this is the truth. Can you clarify yourself? Do you have anything to say regarding this accusation?” a man picked up.

“Stop following her! Stop following her!” More guards rushed to the scene, shielding me from the press. I heaved, finally able to breathe. They were a thorn in the flesh.

My mind drifted back to the lady’s question. “An arranged marriage? How does she know about this?” I looked around, and that was when my eyes stayed on my best friend.

She was standing not too far from where I was, a smile playing on her lips. “You are here!” she screamed, walking up to me. As she walked toward me, I didn’t feel her. It was only one thing that rang through my mind, the day I was telling her about everything that happened between Adrian and me, the arranged marriage, and everything.

“Could she? No…” I smirked the thought out of my mind immediately. There was no way she could snitch on me. We have been best friends since we were little, and I know she would never do that to me. I am certain about this.

“Hey girl! What’s going on with you?” The guards gave her passage, and she walked toward me, pecking me on the cheeks. “Congratulations, Zora!”

“Congratulations? That’s cringe,” I whispered into her ears, disappointment running through my eyes. How could she congratulate me on such a sad day of my life? That’s annoying.

“May the bride come in now,” The pastor’s voice echoed through the hall, but all I could hear was the sound of my own heart breaking.