The Wilsons, Kords, the paparazzi and even the crowd gathered were thrown into shock. Their disappointment reverberated in their unexpected gasp. Elliot smiled.
Selene was about to turn around and leave when Kevin got up on his feet and grabbed her wrist just in time. He twirled her around."Selene," his voice cracked "Why..why won't you marry me? Did I say or do something wrong?"Selene jerked her wrist from his grip."You're blind, Kevin." she replied "That's what you did wrong! You're blind and you want to use me to cover up your weakness!""Selene, why would you think so? I'm not using you," he paused and added "I'm marrying you because I love you.""No, don't lie to me! Do you want to deny the disgrace that accompanies marrying you-a blind man! You speak of fulfilling my dreams, Kevin but this is not my dream. I don't dream of getting married to a blind man who walks around with a stick to find his way."Kevin opened his mouth to speak and then shut them again, hurt by her choice of words."Selene, please-""You, please. I can't believe you would deceive me this way."With that she stomped off the beach with murmurs rising among the crowd. Ian crosses over to give Kevin his stick.Squeezing his shoulder, Ian remarks "You're bound to make headlines, tomorrow."Kevin is quiet through the drive home and so is Mrs Kord. No one expected Selene's rejection and to think it was publicly."Well, who will you marry now brother?" Elliot mocked"Will you be losing your inheritance, Kevin?" Mr Kord asked and when Kevin did not reply, Mrs Kord answered.She said, "No. He will get married. I will find him a wife.""Trust me, Mrs Kord.." Elliot began "No woman will agree to marry Kevin especially now that a woman such as Selene, who is high in social ladder, has rejected him.""I did not ask for your opinion, Elliot. Keep them to yourself." Mrs Kord snapped and Elliot replied with a grin.Upon arriving at the mansion, Kevin picks up two bottles of wine and locked himself inside his room. Still in a daze, Kevin is unable to believe Selene's rejection.....Having served Aunt Maya and Zachary breakfast, Karen is in haste as she is late for work."At least have breakfast," Aunt Maya calls as Karen runs out of the house.On getting to the company, she immediately settles on her desk. Being the personal assistant to the CEO, Karen had loads of documents waiting on her desk. Glancing at the office directly opposite hers, Karen heaves a sigh seeing that the chair was empty. It meant that the boss had not yet arrived."You're late again," Mr Daniel comes out from nowhere, giving Karen a near startle"I'm so sorry, Mr Daniel.""You always are," he narrowed his brows as he stared at Karen rather closely."I won't let this repeat itself, sir.""Hm." he turns and walks into his office. Rather than closing the door, he leaves it open and keeps on staring at Karen making her feel uncomfortable.Not long after, Sam arrives and bounces on her seat next to Karen. Grinning widely, she leans in and whispers,"Did you see the news??"Buried in her work, Karen answers "What news?""The CEO of the Kord family got rejected yesterday.""Rejected?""Yes, rejected," Sam confirmed "By the only daughter of the Wilsons. Everyone is shocked as they seem to be a perfect match. Can you believe that??""No." Karen answered absentmindedly."You're not listening, are you?" Sam took the pen away from Karen in order to get her attention."Sam, I have lots of work.""A little gossip won't hurt.""Why should I busy myself with the life of others?""You have to know what's happening around your society, do you not agree?"Karen heaved a sigh, "It's nothing of importance that always happens in Willow-ridge, Sam.""Of course not! The CEO just got rejected and you say it's less important?""He's a human being, why can't he get rejected?" replied Karen as she snatches her pen back from Sam."It's painful to think that he got rejected due to his blindness." Sam thought aloud meanwhile, Karen is already buried in her work.Time passed and Karen finds herself back home. During dinner, Zachary brings up the same topic that Sam talked about."He deserves it," thought Zachary "He is arrogant and unscrupulous. Until he knows how to treat a person he deserves to be alone.""What's so special about him that everyone is speaking about this?" Karen asked as picked up the bowl of soup."Seeing that he is the son of the most influential family here in Willow-ridge what do you expect Karen? Everything about him will make headlines.""I guess so," answered Karen.Smiling, Aunt Maya chipped in "Now that I think of it, it will be nice if one of you can get married.""Certainly not me," answered Zachary."C'mon.. you're twenty five, Zach" Karen teased "You should definitely have a female interest. Just like Aunt Maya said I'd love to see you get married""I don't have a female interest," Zachary answered "Love is a crazy thing.""Well, if you are not interested perhaps Karen will." Aunt Maya said.Karen merely smiled, "I wish I could experience it, Aunt Maya but I don't think so.""When you were a child, you always wished for a Prince Charming like that of Cinderella. You spoke of love and being loved and described your marriage to the point of perfection.""I guess I didn't know what marriage really entails, Aunt Maya."After dinner, Zachary and Karen retired to the kitchen and did the dishes together. Knowing how messy the kitchen will be after their soap fight, Aunt Maya excused herself and retired to bed.Laying her head on the pillow, Aunt Maya smiled ear-to-ear at the hearty laughter coming from the kitchen. She travels down memory lane thinking of how Karen and Zachary would run around the whole house when they were little kids.Her mind wanders back to the discussion at dinner. She had really hoped that Karen would get her Prince Charming exactly the way she had envisioned however she had to be diagnosed with such deadly disease.Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, Aunt Maya resigns to sleep. However at that moment her phone begins to ring.The caller is unknown however Aunt Maya still picks the call."Hello?""Well, uhm..is this..Amaya?" the caller on the other end asked."Yes. Who am I speaking with please?""It's Marie," the voice answered quietly "Marie Kord""Marie Kord," Aunt Maya repeated "Is this who I think it is??""Of course it is," the voice answered cheerfully "Your long time old friend. Don't tell me you have forgotten me.""Of course not," answered Aunt Maya "It's so good to hear from you. How come you got my number?""Well.. that's not important is it??" a soft chuckle followed "The last time we met was perhaps a year ago. I thought that we should link up tomorrow?""That's good..but uhm-" Aunt Maya began but was cut short."Do you still live there?" "Yes, I still do.""Great, I will come by tomorrow.""Alright," "Thank you very much, Amaya. I'm glad to know you're alive and well.""I'm glad to know that too." Aunt Maya answered before the line went dead. ..."Didn't see you at the office today," Ian spoke the moment he was ushered into Kevin's room. "Are you alright?""Can you believe that?" Kevin asked absent-mindedly. He was seated close to the French window, viewing the large city of Willow-ridge while caressing the mill
"Dangerous?" Aunt Maya hissed slightly "Ha! He's blind, Zachary.""Mum, Kevin's blindness is his only disability. Without his eyes, this man is arrogant, cold and vicious! Despite the fact that he cannot see, he wields much power, he has this..manipulative aura around him and all of this is a great contrast to Karen's innocent and naive nature. That is why he is dangerous.""Zachary, you don't know him.""But I have heard of him," Zachary replied quickly "Just few days ago he got rejected by the woman he truly loves. Why is his mother here to seek Karen's hand in marriage?""They might be poles apart on the social ladder but my friendship with Mrs Kord has earned Karen her life-long dream." she lets out a sigh and adds "It has always been her dream to get married to a responsible man.""Maybe you've forgotten that she added love. Karen has always wanted to marry a man she loves. She has, most certainly never crossed path with Kevin. She does not know this man and without her permissio
Karen is home."Aunt Maya?" she called as she walked into the kitchen but found no one. Turning back, she found Zachary who had a forlorn look on his face."Hey," Karen greeted casually "Is something wrong? Where's Aunt?""Oh, Karen you're back!" Aunt Maya said as she emerged from the passage. Karen walked over to her and gave her a peck.Aunt Maya asked "How was work? You didn't stress yourself, did you?""I'm used to it, Aunt Maya." Karen replied as she poured the woman a glass of water."I have something to tell you," Aunt Maya began as she took the glass from Karen."I guessed," Karen chuckled as she glanced at Zachary "The atmosphere is..daunting.""Well," Aunt Maya started "A proposal came in earlier today.""A proposal?" Karen took her seat "For who?""You, my dear," Aunt Maya answered "Kevin Kord wants you to marry him.""..." Karen opened her lips and shut them again. Her heart beat accelerated almost the same time. "T-to..to..marry..him??" Karen repeated nervously."See mot
"Zachary, how..how could you?" Karen's voice cracked."I know right," he replied casually and closed the distance between them. His tall frame hovered over her as he stared down at her with grey glistering eyes."I couldn't stop myself despite knowing that it's not possible.""I...I don't know what to say right now.""Nothing," he ran his hand through his hair "Don't say anything. Forget I ever said this.""But Zach-""Don't marry him, Karen."Shaking her head, Karen walked out and slammed the door behind her...."Mr Kord, Mr Lyons asked to meet with-""I'm not available," Kevin answered his secretary with a cold voice."Okay, sir. How about the scheduled meeting with the manager of the company's resources?? The meeting has been delayed for-""Delay it again."The secretary nodded as she scrambled to read up all the CEO's pent up schedules."Mr Kord, there's a complain about the increasing-""Take it to, Elliot.""Mr Kord, you had twenty-five extended interviews last weekend. Would y
"Here?" Karen repeated absentmindedly "To..to do what, Aunt Maya?"Aunt Maya pulled Karen to her room and threw her wardrobe open. Pulling out a short gown she held it to Karen's chin and grinned sheepishly."Yes.. perfect for the occasion!" she placed it on the bed and began to scurry for more."Aunt," Karen called more loudly to get her attention.Aunt Maya turned, "I'm so sorry if I'm acting weird, dear. It's just that I'm so excited to have to plan your wedding and witness it as well."She held Karen's hands in hers. "Don't be nervous.""I'm.. I'm not," Karen assured herself "It's just that..why..why is he coming here?""Probably to get to know you?" Aunt Maya chuckled and sat Karen down "I know this will be your first time with..with the opposite sex, Karen and you need not be nervous."Karen let out a sigh."I know you'll be fine," Aunt Maya smiled "Now go on, freshen up quickly."After that, Aunt Maya went back to Karen's closet and began to rummage through, muttering to hersel
Karen jerked her hand from his grip while Kevin cleaned his palm against his coat, as if he just held dirt. Karen scoffed softly, "Too much pride for someone who got reject-"Raising his fingers to the air, he warned "Don't you dare say that!""Mr Kord, not all women want you" Karen proceeded to say "If it were up to me I wouldn't be here speaking with you, I just..I just have to do this because of my aunt.""Baseless excuses," Kevin dismissed her words "You've no reason to marry a rich, blind man save for his money.""I know your dream girl rejected you because you're blind, Mr Kord and this has led you to believe no one can accept you just the way you are but you're wrong." Karen saw a muscle twitch in his jaw but did not stop talking."I don't know about other women, but I'm not looking for perfection nor am I looking for something to increase my status on the social ladder or even money to embezzle,"Kevin went suddenly quiet as he listened to her.Karen continued, "Hell, no mat
"Dad, it's four days since you gave the ultimatum" Elliot said to his father as he barged into his study "Kevin hasn't found a wife."Mr Kord placed his glasses on the bridge of his nose and stared at Elliot, "Are you eager to become the CEO?" Mr Kord asked"Of course, dad." Elliot answered impatiently."And you're proud for not having to work for it??" "What?"Mr Kord leaned back on his chair and completely removed his glasses."When will you become something, Elliot?" Mr Kord's voice was stern "Look at your blind younger brother! You are nothing beside him despite having your sight which he doesn't!""Dad-""Silence!" Mr Kord fumed "When I brought you here and raised you, did I teach you to become useless?"Elliot's hands curved into a fist. Mr Kord banged at his desk,"Answer me!" "No." he curtly replied "Then?" he got up on his feet abruptly "Why do I have to do every single thing for you? Even the position of the CEO which supposed to be yours, you cannot even clinch it! I ha
Stepping out of the car, Karen followed Mrs Kord into the hall with Kevin behind. While Mrs Kord took Karen to her make-over section, Kevin went the other way."Look at this dress," Mrs Kord held out a red off the shoulder gown "Do you love it?"When Karen didn't answer, Mrs Kord drew close, "Karen??""Y-yes," Karen answered absentmindedlyMrs Kord kept the dress back and took Karen's hands in hers, "What were you thinking about, you zoned out completely?"Karen shook her head and forced a smile, "Nothing, Mrs Kord.""It's the impromptu wedding, right?" Mrs Kord blurted out "I know this is all too soon for you and you probably don't want to marry my son but I want you to know that it's not as bad as it seems, Karen. With time, you and Kevin will get to know each other and grow close."Karen nodded and feigned a smile. As she moved with Mrs Kord through the clothing section, she cheered herself up and soon forgot about her predicament.After the artist performed a glorious work on her f