Once my mom left the room, I tried checking my phone—maybe John had called, maybe whatever happened between us was just a bad dream. But it wasn't. When I opened my messenger, I saw John's status.
He had posted a picture with the girl he was talking about. The mood that had been lifted by Mom's hug shifted back to sadness. Why am I the only one chosen for all this pain and suffering? I had no idea this was just the beginning—many more painful and frightening things were yet to come.
I got out of bed, took my clothes from the cupboard, and stepped toward the bathroom for a shower. Just before entering, my phone notification popped up again.
Thinking it might be John, I ran back to my phone. But after reading the message, I was completely in shock.
From Steeve: Get ready. I am arriving in half an hour to meet you.
Just after reading this, my body froze. I had no idea what to do. I was scared, confused, shocked—it felt like mixed emotions were running through my mind together.
Mrs. Anna: "Natalya!! Natalya!!" (shouting in a fully tensed manner)
Mrs. Anna: "I just got a call from Mrs. Florence. She said Steeve is coming to meet you very soon, so quickly get dressed!"
While saying this, she quickly grabbed me toward the shower.
While I was getting ready, I thought—finally, the time had come when I was going to meet Steeve. I had heard from others that he was very rude, harsh, and selfish. I didn't know how I was going to talk to him, but I had to make sure to tell him everything about my past.
Suddenly, my maid came into my room.
Maid: "Natalya ma'am, Steeve has arrived."
I quickly ran toward the window just to see him, but he had already come inside the house. His car was in the parking.
Mrs. Anna: "Natalya, my girl, Steeve has arrived and wants to take you out for dinner. We have no issue if you want to go."
Hmm… good. Even I didn't want to talk about everything in front of my parents. Now I could easily talk to Steeve alone.
Natalya: "Yes, Mom. I will go."
Both Mom and I went downstairs.
Just after coming downstairs, I saw Steeve sitting on the sofa. As soon as I started looking at him, he also started staring at me.
He was so handsome—tall, broad-shouldered, perfectly dressed. His dark eyes held a calm depth, and his neatly styled hair framed a face that looked unreal. For a moment, I forgot every thought in my mind.
Mr. William: "Come, Natalya. Sit with us!"
Natalya: "Yes, Dad."
Mr. William: "Meet Steeve, your future husband."
When Dad said this line, I looked toward Steeve, but there was no reaction on his face. It seemed like he was actually emotionless.
Natalya: "Hey, Mr. Steeve! Myself Natalya William."
Steeve: "I already knew about it!" (in a harsh voice)
Wait, why is he so rude? I just casually gave my introduction. Why is his tone so harsh? It matched exactly the same as his dad's voice yesterday. They both seemed the same in nature.
Mrs. Anna: "Steeve, would you like to have tea or coffee?"
Steeve: "No, ma'am. I think we should leave now, Natalya."
My heart pounded again when he took my name for the first time.
Mr. William: "Yes, you are right. It's already 8:00 o'clock at night."
Natalya: "Yes, Mom. I think we should leave."
Mrs. Anna came toward me, hugged me, and whispered in my ear.
Mrs. Anna: "Do not get nervous. Talk about everything you want to talk with Steeve. This is your first meeting, and it is the question of marriage. So don't hurry—decide calmly your final decision."
Natalya: "Yes, Mom!"
Steeve stood from the sofa and signaled me to follow him. We both went to the parking, sat in the car, and he started driving.
While he was driving toward the restaurant, he didn't speak even a single word. Suddenly, I received a call from John.
I didn't want to pick up the call. I was staring at the screen.
This was the first time Steeve spoke while driving.
Steeve: "How many decades are you going to take to pick up the call?"
Natalya: "I… I…" (with hesitation)
I cut the call and switched off my phone so that he would not be able to call me again. I was not even able to reply to Steeve's one question. How was I going to tell him my past story?
While I was thinking all this, we reached the hotel. We both got out of the car and walked toward the hotel. After sitting at the table—
Just after sitting there, he suddenly took out his phone from his pocket and started using it. I forced myself to speak even though I was scared.
Natalya: "Do you actually want to get married to me?"
Steeve: "I am the king of my own world, and I don't need to compromise if I don't want anything."
Ufff!! How arrogant he is!!
He continued speaking.
Steeve: "I definitely want to get married to you, but make sure you stay loyal towards me. Your one small mistake can ruin the entire Williams empire."
Natalya: "Hmm!! I want to tell you something."
Steeve (interrupting): "Don't you want to get married to me?"
Natalya: "No, it's not like that. I just want to clear a few things about my past."
Steeve stared at me for a while and then replied.
Steeve: "Past is past, and whatever happened in your past, I don't want to know."
Natalya: "But… it's important for you to know." (I replied with hesitation)
Steeve: "Is it related to our marriage? Are you not interested in getting married to me?"
Natalya: "No, it's not like that. I want to marry you. I just…"
Steeve (interrupting): "Then stop talking and start eating. I only met you today to talk about our marriage, no one else."
He seemed so serious while saying this. It was like he was an obsessive lover who was eager to marry me and didn't want to listen to anything else. He continued speaking.
Steeve: "I don't want you to talk or discuss about anyone else. If you don't want to get married to me, just tell me. I will cancel the wedding."
Cancel the wedding. This was exactly what I wanted. But unfortunately, I couldn't say this because of my family's expectations.
Natalya: "Okay, fine!! I have no issue in getting married to you. And if you don't want to know, that's alright."
We ordered food, which soon arrived. We both ate, and then—
Steeve: "It's already 10:30 at night. I think we should leave now."
Without even waiting for my reply, he stood up from his chair and walked toward the exit of the hotel.
I quickly got up, grabbed my phone and handbag, and started following him.
When I was walking behind him in the parking, I don't know what happened to me. I just shouted—
"Steeve, I love someone else…."