"Embed my name deep into your soul because you can't escape me." ,

He kissed my cheeks and left.

His mere presence served as a storm in my heart, an unavoidable doom.

As I fell on the ground and curdled like a ball in my mum's lap, feeling utterly defeated before the person who can stumble my home of gaiety in a matter of heartbeats.

‘Why did this happen to me....”’

After he left I began to cry in my mother's lap. hiding my face.

“What is happening, Mum?” I cried, letting out my misery in the form of tears, showing the devastation chasing me with full speed.

"Why...why is this happening to me?"I asked in a low voice.

I just don't know what to do. My dreams and my hope everything was crushed to pieces in an instant.

“One moment, and everything in my life changed on the snap of his finger. Who is he? How could he do this?” I asked desperately, mind going blank by fathoming what could happen.

He is terrifying, doing this to me, leaving me with no choice but to marry a person I don't even know.

“How could he do this? And- And why? What do I have?” I asked, pulling my hairs in desperation, losing my patience by the pain.

It gives me chills to think what he could do if I refuse.

“Oh, Lord, please help us.” Mom was also crying due to the affliction that just occurred, not knowing how to comfort me.

"Don't cry, Love, everything will be alright..."

My mother tried to calm me but instead it hit me like an arrow. Her tears cannot console me. In fact, nothing can.

"Alright? How? He was going to kill you and I couldn't do a single damn thing other than saying 'Yes'.” I snapped, I have never felt this powerless.

What am I? I couldn't even do a single thing to help us! I am not his toy!" I said exasperatedly, slamming my hand on the ground.

"But..we both are alive...." he tried to reason.

"Yeah..with me being forced to marry the man whom I know nothing but his name...." I chuckled dryly, wiping the tears of misery on my cheek.

"Everything happens for a reason...." She is still trying to be positive, knowing there's nothing that could make me feel good.

"I don't think so .....This is going to be nothing but an endless nightmare for me...." I whispered, sniffling, closing my eyes.

“If Papa was here… he wouldn’t let it happen, would he?” I asked innocently, looking up at her with my teary eyes.

“He would never let anything hurt me.” My voice broke.

“But he wouldn’t want you to lose hope either. You are our strong girl, you can’t lose.” She said sternly, trying to encourage me.

But, I have seen the extent of my powers. I cannot regain them anymore. I have seen how defeated I was that I couldn’t fight him.

“It’s going to be alright…”

My mom was running her hands through my hair as I began to cry again. The heartbreak inside me is getting the best of me, I cannot hold it inside me.

"I am pathetic..." I sobbed.

"No, you are not. If you weren't there, I might have died..."

“But- But…”

Silence broke out between us.... None of us had words to pursue the comfort we lost.

We both know there's nothing left but shattered glasses of misery. In the silence which crushed me miserably, I couldn't bear the anguish inside me anymore.

"I am being forced into a loveless marriage..." I said in a broken voice.

“No, I won’t let it.” Mother said sternly, wiping her tears.

“You cannot stop him.” I whispered, realizing his overwhelming power. He could easily crush middle-class people like us.

“I am getting married and nothing could change this fact anymore.” I enunciated, aware of the future, he wouldn’t let it slide.

He will make me his bride with or without my consent.

"What?! V is getting married." I

heard my nickname being called and turned to look at my younger boyish version; Kenneth, my brother, staggered upon hearing the news we received from a disaster an hour ago.

"Yes"

"No"

I looked at her mother who said no. I gulped knowing Mother is willing to cross every limit to make me safe.

“Is she or not?” Kenneth asked again, tilting his head in confusion.

But I am far too terrified to do anything which can bring harm upon my family. I don't want anything to happen to my mother or brother.

"No. Your sister is not going to get married." Mother said sternly, shaking her head to put up a strong front..

"Mother...no..." I spoke in a barely audible tone. I didn't have much strength left in me as today's events are carved into her mind as a constant source of agony. His words are echoing in my mind, stirring it drastically,

"You will marry me. Or else say Goodbye to your mom and your beloved brother. You will become my wife one way or another."

I shut my eyes when I sensed his proximity. For someone who never had much intimacy with the opposite gender, his voice and dominance was leaving goosebumps on my skin.

"No...Mom..please...he is willing to cross every limit just to get me..." I tried to make Mother understand.

"Who? What are you guys talking about? Is V getting married or not? "Kenneth Interrupted.

“Does she have a lover? Did you guys fight? Why is she crying? Don’t you want her to marry?” His series of questions came.

He began to think I like someone and Mum is against our marriage.

“Kenneth, say something to Mama. She is not listening.” I said weakly, wiping the tears in the corner.

“Mama, why are you saying this? What if V wants to get married?”He frowned, coming closer, hugging me.

He hadn’t seen my tears and they broke his heart.

“She is not getting married, Kenneth. It’s not what you think so calm down.” Mother sighed, shaking her head.

“But-” We both said at the same time but to no avail.

"No one is getting married, Son. Let's go, I will serve dinner." Mother said with her usual smile as she stood up and left.

After she left I also stood up and gave Kenneth shoulders a gentle squeeze,

"I am getting married." I said in a feeble voice, knowing there's no escape. A person who can break into my home, he can do anything.

"But, Mum said..." He trailed off.

"Don't mind her. Nothing could change the fact that I am getting married." I passed him a faint smile, trying to hide my pain.

"Do you love him?" He asked innocently. My heart was torn to pieces when I heard it, bearing the crumbled dreams inside me.

“Mhm.” I nodded and stood up and left without saying another word.

I was amazed at Mother about how she can smile even after the havoc had just happened. I couldn't be able to speak in front of Kenneth and she kept herself together.

I excused myself and went to my room to think about it with a clear mind, what could be the reason for this happening to me.

‘He looked like an aristocrat, how could he possibly know a low girl like me and moreover marriage?’

After thinking one thing is roaming in my mind, I am being forced into a loveless marriage.

I just want to run. Run far far away. I feel so pathetic.

I couldn't do a single thing in front of him. Overwhelmed by emotions, I let him do whatever he wants, No being able to do anything but obey is frustrating me.

What I used to dream and what I get is a complete opposite. I wanted to marry a person I love, I care about not a person I have the urges to kill.

“Dammit…”

I closed the door behind me and locked it as I fell on the ground. I stare at the floor without any emotions.

Is my life so cheap that it took a mere second to bond with some stranger?

What turn my life has taken?

Just yesterday I was running around the house chasing my brother because he ate my chocolates. What is mum going to do?

“Papa, please help me… I can’t do this..”

I know she won't let this marriage happen but I don't think it's gonna change something. I am afraid of what he could do.

As I was sitting like a lifeless body, my breath suddenly hitched as the truck of realization hit me.

He is Raymond Smith.

I suddenly remembered his name.

“What the- Please say this is a sick joke. It can't be him.”

I opened my phone and searched for his name, if I recall correctly.... It was him!

Of all people, him! Oh my God. Oh no…

“R..Raymond.. Smith..” And by now I had utter faith that his words are my future. I could never fight him.

Raymond Smith is one of the most successful and young business men, the handsome beast people never urged to cross paths with and mine did. A billionaire, owning Smith airlines, A guy living in the air, consisting of coldness- ruthlessness.

That man said so himself,

"I get what I want"

..and now he wants me.

“What do we do? What do we do?” I panicked, throwing my phone away.

We can't fight someone as powerful as him. How in the world did he meet me?

How did the thought of marrying me cross his mind? I know one thing, I am stuck in a very dire situation.

At night I went to Mum's room to talk to her about it, to tell her about the vicious man casting darkness over our lives.

"Mum..." I called her vaguely, entering with exhausted eyes.

"Yes, dear?" Mum mused, lost in her own thoughts.

"We can't do anything.." I said in a low voice, utterly defeated.

"What is it?" My mom worriedly asked why as she had never seen me this weak before. I was never like this, he broke me. I hate him, I resent him with each fiber of my core.

"Mum.. He is Raymond Smith..." I showed his information I could find online to my mom. My mom smiled at me and said,

"I know who he is... but I also know my Violet, who isn't scared of anything.” She said, trying to cheer me up.

“But, Mum, can’t you see how he entered our home, how he shook our lives? Do you need more displays?” I asked, losing my patience, my strength.

“This doesn’t mean we will stay quiet because of his fear, We cannot surrender. My Violet won’t lose, I can’t let it. I am sure she isn't thinking of giving up.”

“But-” I tried to speak but she refused to listen.

“No, Love. I cannot watch us lose before trying. He cannot ruin our lives as toys, we can’t let this happen.” She whispered, my heart clenched, knowing she was right. He cannot raise our happiness.

“You cannot lose faith, My Violet is not like this, she is more powerful than some rich bastard. She must have been thinking of making him regret his decision. Am I wrong?"

She asked, holding me, providing me equanimity. My mother's words suddenly encouraged me. I opened my mouth to argue but I knew I had to do something.

That's right! Me is me. I am not going to lose hope.

“You Are right… we cannot stay quiet.” I nodded timidly.

“If we surrender, I cannot meet your Father’s gaze. We can’t. We have to fight.” She whispered, I narrowed my eyes, nodding.

“You are right, We have to.” I nodded, determined by her words cheering my spirits.

I won't let him get his way, I have to break boundaries if I want to liberate myself from him. I would never allow things to go the way he desired them. I won’t. I won’t.

I took a deep breath and smiled and hugged her.

"Thanks...Mum" My mum smiled and said,

"I know the police can't do a thing...but we can..."

"How?" I asked, pulling away.

"Wait, my love." My mum kissed my forehead as I slept with my mother.

Raymond POV:-

“Ah, what a wonderful day.”

Murmuring. I smiled at the mirror as I got ready to meet my future wife.

Just the thought of her being mine makes my heart flutter. She is one in a million, made just for me and I will get her.

She is retained to be mine the moment I laid my eyes upon her.

“Darling, you are mine.” I hummed slowly to myself, getting ready. Of course, she should be proud that I am choosing her out of all girls.

When I beheld her on glimpse, she belonged to me.

All she needs is to polish her manners to become my ideal wife. She needs to be tamed to be the one I want her to be, might be a doll whose strings are attached to me.

‘Sickening, Isn't it?’

But that's who I am. I want her, I get her. I don't care about love, I don't care about emotions, I need her and will get her. With or without force.

“Violet.” An uncontrollable smile reached my lips when her name rolled over my lips.

I canceled all my meetings just to meet her.

Why? Of course we need to decide on the day of marriage.

“Okay, don’t mess up, Raymond.” I cleared my throat, mentally preparing myself to redeem my slipping emotions.

“Fix whatever happened.” Taking a deep breath, I walked closer.

I went to her house. My love leaves the house around 11. So, I reached her home at 10. She must have been awake.

I got out of my car and rang the bell of her house, holding a bouquet of roses, hoping it would help a little and erase the fright I unintentionally embedded.

‘Why do I lose myself in rage?’

Her mother opened the door. I smiled at her as she gave me a shocked look, not expecting me to knock upon her door.

“Oh.. Um..”

She didn’t know what to say but soon regained her posture and welcomed me out of fear. At least Violet isn't like her mother. I know that much.

"Hello, Ma'am. Good to see you. And I am very sorry for what happened last night." I said in a decent way possible, trying to compensate for what I did that night.

“This is for you, Please forgive me. I am ashamed of my act. I.. shouldn’t have acted hastily.” I said sincerely, lowering my gaze in guilt, offering her to roses.

She just gave me a small smile.

"I hope she is not an infatuation for you. She is my world, I cannot bear her sorrow." Her voice came out dejected.

“Please don’t break her.” She pleaded, clutching the bouquet tightly, feeling powerless.

She wanted to throw me out but refrained herself.

"Oh, no, Ma'am, I truly love her. I will try my best to make her happy. Please give me a chance to prove myself." ‘Well only if she behaved herself.’

Keeping the undesirable part to myself, I offered her a feeble smile.

“I won’t disappoint you, I won’t harm her in any way. This won’t happen again.” I said sweetly, controlling my patience, trying to impress her.

“I would have believed you but the fact it happened in the first place stole my belief.” She spoke nonchalantly, showing no expression.

And all I could utter for her consolation was, “I apologize. I will try my best.”

"I hope so.." She gestured to me to take a seat as I sat down, she said.

"Violet is still sleeping. She is not feeling well"

"Is she alright?" I asked, concerned, worried about her.

"She is just a little tired... I shall go and check up on her. Make yourself at home" She said, definitely not meaning her words but said out of courtesy.

As she left I smiled at her, alone in the lounge, unsure what to do. I looked around and saw a wall filled with pictures.

And there were not only old but recent pictures too. Violet with her Mother and Brother at the beach. Them as a whole family at the part, grinning.

‘I bet they must have a lot of fun there.’

I smiled sadly at them.

“What a happy family.” I whispered, staring at them.

I am sure they must have sweet moments of love as well.

How fortunate a person can be to have a loving family, not cruel parents which rip your emotions out from your soul, leaving you as an empty vessel of desires and need.

I am glad I have Celine to remind me I am still alive. The pictures were so beautiful.

Violet, Her Mother, Her Father, Her Brother. If I recall correctly, her father died when she was 15.

She must be devastated about her Father's death, unlike me who felt nothing when my Parents died. Probably the most peaceful moment of my life.

My freedom, I guess…

Violet POV:-

“Damn piece of shit.” I growled, cursing Raymond Smith, resenting his very existence.

“I hope you die terribly, of thirst where you beg for water but no one gives you a drop.” I hissed.

Grabbing my shirt and buttoning it. I was getting ready for work, starting my day as usual, trying to get all the negative thoughts out of my mind for as long as I could.

As I was getting ready Mum came and said in a low voice after locking the door.

"Don't come out of this room unless I say so. Stay here quietly."

"But why Mum?" I asked, arching a brow at her. I was already in a furious mood.

I can take my anger on anyone at this point.

"He is Here." She told me as I looked at her in fear, a deadly shiver went down my spine as very bad omens drained my strength.

Knowing he is here, his presence in this home gave me immense fright, I never felt this petrified in my life before.

I gulped and looked at Mother. "Mum.. he.. He.." I tried to speak but wasn't able to.

"It's okay. I told him you are not fine, lay down and have some rest." I nodded and did as she told me.

After she left, I poured myself a glass of water to calm my vexation. I opened the door and heard Mother talking to him.

“Is this an amusement park?” He asked, pointing at our last picnic with Father.

“Yeah. It was our last vacation with Violet’s Father before he died in an accident.” Mother sighed sadly, hugging her sides.

My heart clenched in grief to recall that day but I shook my head.

“I am so sorry to hear that.” He replied but it brought a silent scoff on my face.

“As if you do.” I muttered.

“I believe it must be a great day. Amusement parks do sound like a wonderful place.” He hummed, looking away with a strange glint in his eyes.

“Yeah. It was, You must have better than that.” Mum hummed, shrugging her shoulders, going back to sit down.

“Oh, I have never been to one. I have never seen an amusement park.” He chuckled nervously, taking a seat again.

‘What? Come on, everyone has been there at least once. Even in childhood.’ I thought in perplexity, moving to get a better glimpse of his face.

“Tsk, liar.” I muttered but it doesn’t seem like he was lying. Was.. he never been there despite being so rich?

“Oh..” Mum made an ‘o’ face before taking a seat as well.

“My parents thought it would be a waste of time and I grew up with responsibilities. Doesn’t matter.” He smiled, shaking his head to shrug this thought off.

I just searched him up last night and came to know his parents died in a plane crash, must be devastating. Maybe he had no one to nurture him, to teach him.

But, that doesn’t give him the right to ravage my life!