AMETHYST

I look at everyone of them and cring.
It is so annoying how they always get me whenever I try running away. I am young and just want to live my life the way I want. As the only female child of my parents, growing up has been both fun and not fun.

When I was 13, I was assigned a governess who was supposed to take me through trainings on becoming the perfect lady. Unlike many girls, I despised the idea. She did all she could, I must admit, but it was all just a waste of time! I just was not a fan of being 'perfect'. Flawed and imperfect was my style. So, at 15, she was layed off. How happy I was.

Then, there are my overly protective brothers. I love them alot but sometimes their over protectiveness can be suffocating. I can't even have a guy do as much as wink at me. He's dead.

Now at 23, they still treat me like a child. My father wants me to work with my siblings at his firm, that topic was what we never agreed on or got on even terms with.

I admire Demetrio, my older brother, father's second son. He is not in the family business and has made quite a reputation for himself as he is a chef.

We are flying back home and I don't want to even to dwell on that.

As the gate to the mansion open, the first thing I whisper is 'what is the occasion?' Are the Parents having their marriage anniversary today? I look at my IPad to check the date and that is still a good two weeks from now.

Here I am in my shorts and ripped top, you would think I would feel out of place considering the prim and proper look everyone here has but I do not feel one bit left out.

I could see the disdain lurking behind father's smile as I walk to him, he hides it quite well but when you have been on the receiving end of such smiles almost all of your adolescent/adult life, you learn to tell which smiles are real and which ones are not.

Father almost never gives a genuine smile nowadays. Once upon a time he would always have a genuine smile for me every morning, but like they say, time changes.

"Look who decided to show up." He says. I often wonder how we drifted apart over the years. I was always daddy's little girl, the perfect one. I remember during my first ballet lessons when I sprained my ankles.

Daddy was there even before I could as much as scream, we were that close or when my brothers always teased me, he would ground them just because he did not like to see his little princess cry. Now, it is a whole different story.

"Look who finally decided to grace you with her presence." I correct him, equally matching the look he is giving me.

"Well, everyone is waiting for you." He walks to the pool not even waiting for me to follow.

"Meet my Daughter, Amethyst Celestine Leon." My father says by way of an introduction and the people give me a resounding round of applause.

Pause! Now I am confused. These same people that often see me as Daddy's spoilt little brat who only knows how to spend his hard earned money. Did hell freeze over or what? Something is definitely up. Well, let us see it unravels because I have enough time.

Everyone eats quietly but I just can't help the looks they occassionally send my way. It makes me uncomfortable, like I am the only one missing out on the most important piece of a puzzle. As if on cue, father breaks the silence.

"As age long friends, we have come together to celebrate the merging between two great families. A bond that cannot be severed and will not be broken. One that serves as an alliance for the birth of several generations. The engagement between the son of my friend, Nikolas Galanis and my daughter, Amethyst."

Everyone claps again, and I freeze. Bingo! Puzzle solved! But wait, What is this I am hearing? Me getting married?

It is then that I take a good look around the room and see him. Nikolas. The guy I have had a crush on since I turned 15. Part of me detests him though. Reason is he has always been a playboy, what is more annoying is he has never tried to hide it, just goes to show how rude he is.

He called me a spoilt brat once.
That was the beginning of my love- hate relationship for him. I wish I could get over my crush for him but the thing is, I can't. So I just conceal it.

I bring my wandering mind back to the present time to see him smile at me and I scoff. I am so not getting married to him. Ever. He is 29, he has experienced alot of things independently and I deserve the freedom to explore what life has in store for me too.

I just can't stay here any longer, they are all suffocating me. I need someone to talk to and it is definitely not going to be any of them here.

I stand up and leave in a hurry, almost tripping on the floor. I am so unstable right now and on the verge of tears, all I can see is red. How can he do this to me? He did not even ask me first. I see my mom getting up to follow me but Dad gives her a signal to just let me be.

"Amethyst..." I hear him say, still oozing arrongance. The nerve he has to follow me to my room. Unbelievable!

"Nikolas, please..." I hush him and get into my room, slamming the door behind me. Sitting on my bed, I dial the one person I know I can always count on.

"Hey, Demi." And like that, we speak for almost an hour. I pour out all my anger and frustration cause I know he will understand, it always feels good relating with a person that has something in common with you; 'the zeal to be independent'.

He always re-assures me of the chances of still having the spotlight on what I love. 'All you have to do is push' He would always say. My pushing was always in form of escaping and it just did not seem to work.

"...and to worsen it all, they want me to get married to him, Demi. I am not ready to be tied to a man and it just seems no one wants to hear what my opinion on this life wrecking decision is." I sob as I speak.

"Who exactly is the 'him' you are referring to here?" He asks.

"Nikolas." It still seems unbelievable to me.

"Well, at least you get to marry the guy who has owned your heart since you were 15. Eight years down the line, you are tying the knot with him. This calls for a celebration." I can sense so well his teasing tone and right now, I know his eyebrows are moving in funny ways to complement his tone.

"But he is a douche bag." I complain.

"And you like him, admit it. Douche bag and all. Just go through with it. Perhaps it js the freedom you have been yearning. At least, no parents will be there to stop your aspirations this time." This right here is what makes him my favourite person.  He knows just how to make good of a not-so-nice situation.

"Okay." I know I am being selfish, but who says I can't be? Afterall, they made their plans without my permission. It just might be my light at the end of the tunnel.