When The Love Comes

"I will not marry your son," I repeated, my voice steady but firm. "Not even if he were the last man on Earth."

Ignoring my mother's frantic attempts to hush me, I turned and stormed back to my room.

I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, when my mother's words echoed in my mind:

"I promised your father I would marry you off and secure your future before I die. Stop being so selfish, Teal, better you be her before six or... "

For a moment, I froze. I couldn't shake her words. Marriage without love wouldn't last. It never could. I wasn't going to let that be my life.

"Don't worry, my little princess did not mean her words, she is just up set for losing her job," 

I heard the faint words of my mother trying to sound sweet and cover for my mess. 

---

"Ayor, open the door! I can't go back home to my mother, she will kill me, come right now!"

I banged on my friend Ayor 's door. She was always the one I could turn to when everything else seemed to fall apart.

A phone in one hand and a huge grin on her face. "You're not going to believe this. Hurry up and come inside. I have something big to tell you!"

I stepped inside, confused by her excitement. She quickly wiped off the clay mask on her face, looking ridiculous but somehow still glamorous.

"First of all before you start nagging, remember that bet we made? About Stephen leaving me because of his pride? Well, damn it, you were right. I lost. I'll do anything you want. He broke my heart. "

Ayor barely seemed to notice my confession as she tossed the towel aside and said, "I warned you, look how beautiful you are, you deserve someone better."

She sat down at the table, pulling out her tablet and showing me the acceptance letter. "We got in, Teal! We're both accepted to the same university in Los Angeles! I can't believe it—this is our win_win chance!"

I stared at the screen, unable to process what I was seeing. The dream I had worked so hard for—studying at Anioric Sark University in the U.S.—was coming true. It felt so real.

I screamed in excitement, hugging Ayor tightly. "But... I don't have enough money to go," I said, deflating. "And my mom's planning my wedding today..."

Ayor's smile faded, and she grabbed my shoulders, shaking me. "You cannot marry him, Teal. You'll ruin everything you gain till now. First you'll get pregnant, be stuck at home, and your dreams will shatter. This marriage will crush everything you've worked for. Is that really what you want?"

Her words hit me hard. My head pounded, I could handle both my study and getting married but not to someone who barely knew me. 

"Calm down. I haven't agreed to anything yet," I replied, trying to steady myself. "That's why I'm here. I need a way out, it seem like my head spine a round."

Ayor 's face lit up with a sudden plan. "Let's go to America today. Don't tell your mother anything. You'll skip the wedding, and we'll chase our dreams together."

I shook my head in agreement, I love risking. "But we need money. And I just lost my job because of some rich client who made a big deal out of nothing."

Ayor 's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that. You'll figure something out. You're too smart not to."

She pulled out her laptop, typing quickly. "It's done. I've booked our flight. We leave in four hours."

I blinked, trying to comprehend everything. "What? You really booked the flight?"

Ayor 's smile was wide, determined. "Yes, we're going to make this happen. You'll see, I just used my big brother's power, and you lost the bet so you will follow my words, don't back on your words."

---

"Alexander, what a surprise! I came to see you,"

Her voice was tender and soft as she embraced him passionately, her eyes overflowing with love for him. He furrowed his brow and pushed her away.

"What nonsense are you doing, Bella? Our relationship is not official yet. My uncle won't spare you if he hears about this from someone else," Alexander thought, creating a safe distance between them.

"Bella, what are you doing here?"

He spoke while staring at the swarm of journalists vying to capture a single picture of him.

"I'm your girlfriend, Alexander Epix. You've been ignoring my calls and messages. I traveled all the way from America to see you. I thought you'd be happy to see me," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Ah, you're drawing too much attention. This is not the right time."

He pushed her aside without even looking at her as he answered a phone call.

"Yes, Grandpa. I'll be there in six hours..."

His tone was indifferent, completely ignoring her. She collapsed to the ground, tears flowing down like a river.

"Come back here, you jerk! You can't just leave me like this!"

Her chest rose and fell as she sobbed uncontrollably. Everyone around her looked at her with pity.

"It's okay. Most men—no, all men—are trash. Here, take this."

She looked up at the blonde-haired girl who extended a hand to help her up. Bella took the tissue from her and wiped her tears.

"Thank you," Bella whispered between her sobs. She truly hated the feelings she had for Alexander. Sometimes she felt like he wasn't serious about her.

"I saw what happened and how he spoke to you. My advice, miss, is that man doesn't love you. He doesn't even care about you. If I were you, I'd end this relationship," said the blonde girl, flipping her hair back as she waved to her friend struggling with heavy luggage.

"I don't know. He's my only love," recalling how she had always been the one to take the initiative over the past four years.