Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

I could hear the steady beeping of my heart monitor. The only thing that checks if my heart is still beating. My heart has always been weak, broken beyond repair. So I sit here in my bedroom, trapped like a helpless bird in a cage. I remember when my parents whispered to each other with the family doctor. I knew far before they told me, my heart was weak. But I couldn't do anything about it, I never have, I never will.

I could never play with the other children without falling down, coughing. And after all of these years, of trapped in my bedroom. I'm scared that if I even leave here, I would fall down and never get back up. But I also know the same fate will happen to me if I don't leave this place. I'm already starting to flicker like a candle. And day by day, I will slowly wither away until there's nothing left but a silent heart monitor.

I willed myself to get up from bed, and I looked at myself in my dressing room mirror. After all those years of being cooped up here with little to no exercise, I very skinny, fragile even. But when the family doctor recommended for me to be in the sun since it won't be good for my health to stay indoors, I go out to the garden as often as I can. So instead of expecting pale skin, it's looks next to healthy with a slight tan. I have long, dirty blond hair and green eyes. But not even my looks gets me many suitors.

I got out of bed and sat down my window sill. Stacks of books scattered all over my room, I have nothing better do than to read. What I wish is to become the fictional characters of my books. Even though they have their weaknesses, that doesn't stop them from doing what they want, what they must. I looked out the window, seeing nothing but a beautiful day. And yet, I sit here in my room. I noticed two birds flying with each other, then landing on a nearby tree. I see there is a nest filled with baby birds.

Love.

Oh how I envy even the smallest of creatures. They can find love, while I can find no one. Who will want an 18 year old girl that will be out of breath from just running to the next tree? No one would like a weak girl, someone they have to take care of everyday. I won't, wouldn't want to take care of my myself. 

I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," I said.

The door opened and a butler walked in, he bowed. "Ms. Hampton, dinner is ready."

I gave a short. "Thank you, I will be down shortly."

With another bow, he left my room.

I sighed and placed my hand over my heart, which gave a slow, but steady beat. It must take so much effort for each beat my heart makes. Knowing my parents, they don't like to be kept waiting. I quickly got dressed to something more suitable for dinner. Then I left my room and went down the grand case of stairs.

I sat down at the right side of my father, of the kitchen table. Butlers burst out o the kitchen with big trays. They set the trays before us and opened them to reveal what was hidden. Many strong aromas filled the room, the cooks have outdone themselves again. I must find the time to learn how to cook from them.

We began to eat, without saying a word. None of us talked, because what is there to talk about? A way for my heart to become strong again, a suitor who doesn't care of the sickness? Finally I couldn't take it anymore.

I banged my fist on the table, startling them. Even startling the butler and maids, waiting for our every need. "You can't lock me up forever!"

"Who says we are, Angeline?" My Mother demanded. "We are keeping to keep you safe."

"I may be safe, but I am not happy. Don't you see? I'm miserable here, I don't have friends, I have no life, I have no one."

"Angeline, we've discuss this many times. And before you ask once again, the answer will be no." My Father told me.

"Please just consider it. Would you want me to die in my bedroom, seeing nothing but a view from my window? Do you really want that for me?"

"You will not die, stop saying such things, Angeline."

"No!" I exclaimed standing up from my chair, knocking it to the ground. I clenched my fist in anger. "You listen to me, Mother, Father. I rather die traveling all over the world, than having to live here, trapped!"

"Now Angeline..." My Mother began.

All this screaming, my heart was beating faster than it usual does. I had to lean on the table, trying to catch my breath.

Badump.

Badump.

Badump.

Each beat of my heart may be the last. Will this be the end for me? Just for standing up for myself, my heart just gave up on me? I tried to stand up, but my knees buckled, and everything went into darkness.

I opened my eyes to find myself back in my room. I groaned at myself and my heart, it happened again. Just when I  was making a good argument, my heart just foils my plan. I could hear quiet whispering outside my bedroom door.

"She has a point, dear. We can't keep her locked up forever, forever waiting for some cure for her." My Mother reasoned.

"And what will we do? Have her travel the world? There are diseases, kidnappers, she will have to run from many dangers. And the best she can do is a five minute jog around the garden before her heart crashes."

"You think I don't know that? I know she can get hurt, I know there is little to no chance of her to find someone who could love her! But she is 18 for goodness sakes, the farthest she ever went from here is to the hospital, just a mile away! Let's give her a chance, maybe for once in her life she will forget her weakness, and be happy. Don't you want that for our daughter?"

He didn't respond, I bet he was thinking it over. Will all these years of begging finally be worth it? But instead of an answer, the door opened.

My Mother smiled. "You've awaken. Are you alright, Angeline?"

"Yes, Mother."

They both glanced each other with unspoken words. Then she nodded to him as if she was saying, do it or else I will.

"Angeline, I know that it's hard to stay here, locked up here. And we want you to be happy, alive and happy. That's why we'll let you go."

I jumped on him, giving him a hug. Then I hugged my Mother, for siding with me. I can't believe this is finally happening.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" 

"For a month, go to any city you wish. We'll pay for the trip, the hotel, everything." My Father explained.

"Oh I will, I will." I said, excited.

"But." My Mother added.

I looked at them. "But?"

"Two bodyguards will accompany you to your journey."

"What!" I exclaimed, I looked at both of them. "Are you kidding me?"

"It's only two bodyguards, Angeline. You are the only daughter of the Hampton family, of the Hampton Corp. Do you know how many kidnappers will find this a chance to hold you for ransom? You will need people to protect you."

Sadly, he had a point. But the thought of two silent gorillas, following me everywhere will probably ruin this trip. 

I sighed. "Okay, fine."

They sighed with relief. 

"So where will I go?" She asked, curious.

Oh the places I could go! Egypt, Greece, Brazil, Japan, Italy, but I can only choose one. I've been dreaming of this day to come for such a long time. But still, this will be the first time I leave home. I'm quite anxious on what I will see, what I will do.  

I stood up and walked to my desk, I opened the bottom right drawer. I grabbed a poster and unrolled it on top of my bed. My parents watched behind me, to see what I'm doing. It was a huge map of the whole world. There were dots everywhere of the places I want to go. My finger trailed all over the map, following each dot to the next. Then at last, I pointed at the one place I would go and never regret that I did.

"The City of Love," I told them, making up my mind. "Paris, France."