"Some encounters are what we plan and not what was planned for us"
That has always been my life motto. Being born in a rich family, I've seen my life be created by others. From what I said to what I wore... what I ate to what I saw... But now that I've grown up, I wish to take charge of my life. I don't want to wear a Gucci watch or a Gucci belt, I don't want Calvin Klein or YSL... I just want natural Joe and not the ready-made one. I want to laugh normally and not out of some forced joke or false jokes. Do I even know what makes me laugh anymore? Or even what makes me sad? Am I even allowed to have tears in my eyes? I know I never cried in funerals... they never allowed us. Am supposed to inherit this fortune that has been passed down generations in my family. They said am the 7th heir, my dad was the 6th and my grandpa was the fifth and the list goes on.
Honestly, I wonder why we keep working hard living half of our lives buried in responsibilities. Pretending that it's for our future generations when in actual sense it's just this stupid ego the men in our family have. I guess am different then, first of all, I never asked for any of it and if I could choose... I'd ask to not be born in this family and no one should ever feel how am feeling. I wonder if there's anyone in this world who feels even half of my grievances. Today as the first day of school, I make myself a pledge. I pledge that I will plan my own life from now on. I will live it as I see fit and if am really the only heir then they'll just have to let me be otherwise it's their lose right...? I'll start with my clothes...
So I head to the closet and check what I have, am also not surprised at all. They are all these fancy clothes, I seriously hate my clothes and am gonna make sure I buy new clothes of my taste the moment I turn 18... I'll just have to live with these disgusting ones for a month. I took a t-shirt, pants and a coat then headed to the bathroom to wash up and get ready for school. After finishing, I rushed downstairs and breakfast was set but mom and dad were both busy talking to their clients and partners. I thought home was supposed to be family time, it so happens that am the only one with such thoughts. I don't even remember the last time I spoke to the both of them as my parents. I take a loaf of bread then head out. Jared had already set the car and is waiting by the door which he'd already opened. I've told Jared a couple of times now that he shouldn't treat me like am some special person but he always said that he was lowly and I was his employer so manners are the only thing he could show to me.
Sometimes I just need to be treated normal, maybe Jared can do that for me but I remember how they scolded him once for allowing me to seat on the passenger seat next to him. I don't want to get Jared in trouble as he's the only person that actually listens. He's the one that comes to my school, the only one who knows when am sick, when I can't take this life anymore and when am at my lowest. Although he's too distant, I feel his presence more than my parents'.
"Good morning, Jared"
"Good morning master Joe... How are you this morning?"
"Am good thanks..."
That's the end of our conversation today. As you can read... I have so much in my mind and the reason why I've been thinking about all these is because of what my parents told me yesterday. Jared came to pick me up from school yesterday and he informed me that my parents were going to come back pretty late but they asked me to wait for them... and that they have something important to discuss with me. I was obviously taken aback because when did they remember they have a kid. Anyways I did wait and guess what was so important... They asked me to date the the daughter of their doctor friend Mr. Fred. I've seen him come to the house a few times with his daughter Marie. Marie is an actress and we've known each other since our parents are friends. I've never thought of marrying her and since she started acting we didn't even interact anymore.
So how am I even gonna date her... she doesn't even have time to attend college how will she have time to date. Anyways the point is, at least let me choose who to love. Just because they had an arranged marriage they think that everyone needs to go through the same fate. Just look how they turned out... with their business marriage, they literally take turns not coming back home. In other words, I don't want my kid living in the same conditions I lived in. I'll make sure my child learns love from me and my wife. We'll teach the child to cry, to laugh and say ouch when they are hurt. Well, that's why am so angry with myself and as I head to my first class in college, I wish for it to be different. I wish for new beginnings, a new life and new experiences. Please God grant me these as my birthday gifts for the year.
...
It really was a year my life changed. As I think back, it was the same year I met the love of my life. We were two wounded souls and I didn't think I'd ever love someone but she showed my heart. She didn't think she'd ever be happy but my presence gave her all the light she needed to beat the darkness. "How did we meet?" You ask...
Well...
That morning Jared dropped me off at the school gate, he also informed me that after school my parents had asked him to take me to see Marie on one of her advertisement sets. He said I was to be seen with her so the news could spread and it'd be a scandal for her as well as free exposure. My rebellious side didn't want to accept but I knew I was already bound to this. In fact, maybe if I did just this one thing I could avoid Marie for a year or until we are asked for another 'act' as I call it. "I'll just tell Marie to act with me this once then we can go back to doing whatever and stay away from each other's way..." I thought. One day when we've kept this act going for long enough Marie and I can step forth to our dads and in unison refute to marry as we don't love each other. By that time, I'd be of legal age and will have enough power to hold them off. Therefore just this once I accepted and decided to go ahead with it.
First day of school, at the most prestigious college in our country. If it's not a Ferrari, it's a Porsche or Bugatti that parks at the school gate. It's a school for the most prominent families in our country and as part of the royal family, I have no choice but be the top of the food chain. I could see my friend Matt waiting at the front door for me. He waived his hand to me the moment he saw me, of course I was glad to see him too. Matt had been touring all holiday since he was a famous pianist. He comes from a family of pianist and as all kids from rich families, we are required to continue the tradition. One thing though, Matt actually enjoys playing the piano so it's not even a bother to him. Not like yours truly... I'm stuck in a stupid business empire which I'll be expected to run for the rest of my miserabled life. At least one of us is enjoying what they do, so it's not that bad to be the only heir I guess.
"Hey man, how is our young master doing in the fine morning of this fine day?" He joked...
"Well, apart from feeling like shit and being a constant pushover who's soon to be engaged meaning the official end of my own fucking life... I'm perfectly fine my friend..." I complained...
"Sometimes I wonder how waking up worry free feels for you..." Matt continued.
"I'll let you know the day I experience that..." I replied. Glad to meet him, we fist bumped then gave each other a hug. Finally we were in college, Matt and I have known each other forever. We've been neighbors and school mates for years, he knows everything about me and I him. For instance, I perfectly know why he ditched me just now. Not surprised though, there's only one person he'd ditch me for anyways. I stare at him running towards her, as usual he gets rejected at his first word but never gives up. In my opinion, I think Matt is gonna get through to her someday if he hasn't already...
Matt has always had a crush on Celine, Celine is not an easy girl to approach. She had a very tough childhood plus the fact that she's adopted doesn't make things easier. Her parents are a very famous celebrity couple and as much as they love her, she wishes to behave accordingly to show gratitude for their goodwill. I know, this is no reason for her to play hard to get but as we proceed... You guys will find out about her story in due time. Anyways, Celine plays the cello and she's so good at it, Matt fell for her at first sight when he saw her in the practice room in elementary school. At first I thought it was stupid puppy love but the man has been consistent. Good for him though, love is not a luxury for everyone... myself included. I just know that whoever I fall for, my parents would make her life a living hell until I break up with her. Who though? Who'll even dare to date the young master if it's not only to gain fame and money? At some point I need to come to terms with the fact that I'd never know normal in my life. I can't eat like normal kids, date like normal kids, everytime I step outside there'll be someone trailing me. This not life at all, this is being forced to live so that you can wait for the day you won't live anymore. I know this feeling so well sometimes it feels like am the only one who knows it.
Matt took Celine's handbag and wore it around his neck. He looks so happy with just that tiny thing, it's not like Celine accepted his feelings or anything. I guess there's also the fact that he gets to walk a step behind her, if you saw it, you'd think he was her butler or something...
I also decide to enter the school, I looked for my locker so I could put my stuff in. It's my first time seeing this girl, she's struggling to open her locker. "Maybe I could help her?" I wondered, so I walked towards her. Coincidentally our lockers are beside each other... I stared at her as I approach her. She had relatively long hair and a slim figure. Every time she pushed the locker trying to open it her hair pulled forward covering her ears and almost the entire face. For some reason I was seeing all this in slow-motion, she raises her hand collects her hair then tuck them behind her ear then continue pulling the door. She also carried a white bag that had a pink petaled tulip embroidered on it, her pushing the locker felt so loud but surprisingly I filtered all of that noise. Walking to her I found myself asking, "Want some help?" Awkward silence filled the hall despite the hundreds of students chatters. All of this was happening at 0.5 speed, she turned to face me and that's when I saw it.
If I were to describe my feelings at that time, I think I forgot to breathe for a second. When her innocent eyes scanned my body from bottom to top, my heart almost skipped a beat. My grandma always told me that when the right person comes, time stops and that moment feels like eternity even if it's just a few seconds. For the first time in my life, I believed the words of my demented grandma. Turns out she was telling the truth because the moment our eyes met, my world literally stopped. It was just for a moment but if you asked me to describe her face for you, I'd mention it all and not leave a tiny detail out. She looked like the girl of my dreams even though I didn't know what that was. You can say I fell in love at first sight, of course I didn't realize it till a few months later.
"Hey, am Joe..." I extended my hand to her, "Would you like me to open that locker for you?" I repeated.
"Hi... I'd really appreciate that, thanks" She replied.
She moved a step aside and I took over, truly the locker was stuck. Despite my effort, we were both unable to open it. Light sweat had already appeared on my forehead, she looked at me then let out a slight chuckle. Hearing that I turned to her and said, "What's so funny?" sarcastically...
"Nothing..." she replied.
"No problem, I'll be opening this bad boy in a second..." I added...
She slightly laughed the said, "I'll just call the maintenance guy... Let it be..."
"But-"
"Where will you place your stuff?" I asked while genuinely worried.
"I'll just go get him right away... Sorry to bother you. Thanks once again..." She replied while already leaving. She looked at me one more time then turned, walking away and finally disappeared into the crowd.