Tears

Chapter 1

“My dreams could be better if they came into life,” I thought.

I’m Liza, a normal girl living with her mum and two brothers. My age doesn’t matter because it gets to me as it stands now. I don’t know what I want to do with my life, just following the plans of my mum—a reality that is so hard to admit sometimes.

I can’t complain because it’s for the best. Even though my life didn’t go through extreme suffering—everything I had was given to me, even though my family isn’t rich—they work hard to provide for my siblings and me.

“Liza!”

I heard my mother calling and sighed. I knew I had a lot of work to do in the kitchen.

A few hours later, I was done with my chores and decided to update my status with some memes I downloaded from Telegram. It has become one of my hobbies... at least for now.

It had been a while since I entered my room. I needed some space to clear my head; I had a lot going through my mind. As they say, it’s okay not to be okay. After updating my status, I cried myself to sleep until I was awoken by David, my younger brother. Dinner was getting cold, so I dragged my lazy ass off the bed and went ahead to enjoy the heavenly meal.

I still had a lot going through my head that was hard to explain or come to terms with, so I just brushed the thoughts away with some tunes.

Unfortunately for me, I was supposed to spend the holidays with my aunt, which meant I had to start packing. It took three hours just to get to her place. I didn’t even have time to collect my thoughts before arriving.

I was welcomed in by the butler, who showed me to my room and asked if I wanted something to drink. I declined. He left me to settle down, returning shortly after to inform me of my aunt’s presence downstairs.

After settling in, I went to meet my aunt in her study. Placing a gentle knock on the door, I entered. Looking around, I was asked to sit.

“Lee, how was the journey?” she asked.

I gave her a nod and said it was a long one, knowing fully well I meant the opposite.

After the brief meeting, we had a wonderful dinner, which I enjoyed before retiring to my room. I lay there wandering in thought—why did my aunt suddenly want me around, and why did my mother agree to it?

Well, I decided I would just enjoy my holidays with pleasure.

Morning came so suddenly.

“Miss Liza!”

The maid called out my name, waking me from my sleep. She and several other ladies came rushing into my room. I stirred and sat up abruptly as I was dragged from my bed straight to the bathroom.

I was given a bath and dressed in a white floral dress paired with simple makeup. I could barely recognize myself in the mirror.

Why am I dressed up? my thoughts beat me to it.

I asked one of the ladies putting the finishing touches on my dress, but she didn’t utter a word. She only gave a nervous smile—one that sent sudden chills and goosebumps down my spine.

Once I was dressed, I was escorted downstairs and ushered into a waiting car.

I sat there in silence, alone with my thoughts, wondering where I was being sent. What was with all this charade? No one was there to answer the questions bottling up inside me. I sat in mounting frustration until the distant sound of church bells and outdoor chatter reached my ears.

The door opened, but I couldn’t find the strength to get up from the seat. Suddenly, I was dragged out of the car by my aunt. I felt a momentary sense of relief, but I still wanted my questions answered. Instead, there I was, walking down the aisle with my aunt by my side.

I looked around and spotted my mother and siblings among the crowd. My mother gave a small nod, tears glistening in her eyes.

When we reached the front, my aunt patted me gently. “All your questions will be answered after the ceremony.”

How am I supposed to proceed with a ceremony when nobody will tell me what’s going on or give me a single clue?

Tears started forming in my eyes. Goosebumps spread across my skin as rage bottled up inside me. All I could hear was the loud, frantic thumping of my heart.

Then, suddenly, I heard him say, “I do.”

Realizing it was my turn to answer, I lost my breath. I turned to look at my mother, praying she would yell, call out my name, or tell me to stop this charade. But she didn't. Instead, she smiled and gave me another nod—a subtle command that she wanted me to say those words.

Stunned, I froze. He laid a hand on my shoulder, bringing me crashing back to reality as the priest asked once more if I would take him as my husband... looking deeply into his eyes.