DECEPTION

ELLIE’S POV

Finally, I can get some sleep. My company is launching a new product in a few weeks, and I had been working overtime to make sure everything goes smoothly. Not that I was done with my paperwork, I was just done with analyzing and putting finishing touches to the work my crew has done .

I walked into my bedroom and went straight to the mirror, admiring myself.

Ellie,at 22, you’ve achieved what your parents and brother haven’t. You should be proud of yourself.

I smiled as my inner voice flattered me. Being the youngest CEO in the country, leading the most trusted fashion brand to the top, being the daughter of President Brown, and being the heir to the Diamond Group’s Presidency, anyone could assume that I was living the life. The best life. But, my life was far from that.

I hopped on my bed and closed my eyes, requesting for sleep to overwhelm me. But it didn’t come. Twenty minutes later, I was still wide awake. Groaning, I turned on the TV, hoping it will help. Unfortunately it didn’t, and after scrolling through different channels, I turned it back off. Dejected, I laid back down.

No Ellie, not now.

Memories from two years ago came flashing back. I held my face in my palms, guilt and sadness overwhelming me.

Ellie, you can’t cry now.

But tears were already in my eyes. As a tear fell, my phone vibrated. I cleaned my face hoping this would be a distraction, a good one. I grabbed my phone and saw that it was a text from Mum.

Mum💖: Are you asleep?

Me: Not yet.

Mum💖: Come downstairs, let’s have a drink.

Me: Okay, I’m coming.

This wasn’t new. Mum might be the Almighty President Brown that is feared by everyone, but to me, she is calm and sweet, nothing like what people know her to be. To me, she’s everything. I owe everything I am now to her, and I’ve promised myself that I will make her proud, even more than she is now.

The lights in the living room were all turned on, and Mom was watching TV. Now that’s new. I slowly approached her and joined her on the couch.

" Hi Mum.”

She glanced at me and smiled.” Darling, how are you?”

" I’m good, just that the new product is really stressing me out. I feel like I’ll go crazy any minute.”

She chuckled and handed me a glass of wine. ” There is nothing that can drive you crazy my darling. You’re strong. ”

" Not really...” And I began going on and on about how hard being a CEO is. All through my complains, she gave me a loving gaze, smiling occasionally at whatever she found funny.

" ... how on earth do you even manage the Group? I’m handling only one and I’m nearly losing my mind. And you’re overseeing the University, the Hospital, the food company, the automobile industry, the tech company and my company. Like, how are you so good?”

" Child,” she said and patted my head. After sipping her wine, she continued.” I’m not good. I just made use of the business ethics. Consistency, hardwork, dedication, openness to corrections, are few things that kept me going. Also, I surrounded myself with positive minds, minds that aim for a better future...”

I nodded slowly, understanding how all of that made sense.“.... business has it’s ups and downs, but if you follow all I have just told you, you’ll be fine. And yes, your Dad was my biggest support. Without him, Diamond Group won’t be what it is today. So, finding a partner will help you a lot, too.”

A small ” oh” escaped my lips before I could fully grasp where this conversation was heading. Mum turned to face me, her face now serious. ” This was actually why I called you. Ellie, I want you to get married.”

Wait.... What??

" You.... what?”

" I want you to get married.”

" Mum, what the....”

" I know, you were not expecting this. But darling, I have my reasons for wanting this.”

" Reasons? What could they be? Mum, I... I don’t want to get married. At least not now. Please don’t make me get married, please!” I begged her.

" Ellie, I can’t promise you that I or your Dad will be with you forever. Diamond Group is in your hands dear. If anything happens, you are the one who it will be handed over to. You need someone who will stand with you. Trails await you my child, and you need someone by your side, else, you will fall.”

" Mum, no matter what happens, I will bear it all by myself. I don’t need anyone. I’m strong, didn’t you say that? I will follow all the business ethics, I will make you proud by myself. But please don’t make me get married.”

" Child, you don’t understand....”

" What is there to understand?” I snapped at her, losing my temper and rising up to my feet. ” I don’t want to get married. If you think that I can’t handle the group, you can hand it to Ethan, he’s there.”

" You know very well that he isn’t.”

" Even at that, I can do it on my own. I don’t need you to dictate my life for me. You can’t rule my life, and that’s it. I’m leaving!”

" Don’t you dare move, Ellie Brown.” She said coldly. I realized that it was no longer my sweet Mom who was in front of me. It was President Brown, and she was very angry. She walked closer to me, her blue eyes meeting mine.

" You WILL get married. I didn’t call you here to ask if you wanted to. I called you here to inform you that you will. Get ready, you’ll be meeting your groom soon.”

She walked past my frozen body and headed for the stairs. Halfway she halted. ” Goodnight. Sleep well. And soon enough, you’ll realize that I’m doing this for your good.” And with that, she headed for her room, leaving me alone in the living room.

I collapsed on the floor and began to sob. Why must I get married? I really didn’t want to. How could I prove to Mum that I am strong on my own? All through my life, I have been in this same tight spot, trying to always prove myself to Mum, and I got very good at everything which earned me hatred from my elder brother, Ethan.

Now, I’ve been pushed to that spot, again.