I jumped onto the bed, pulling Axel close to my body, his tiny weight pressing against my chest as if he was the only thing keeping me grounded.
My fingers trembled as I stroked his fur.
Should I call him?
That woman… Grandma… she really hates my mom. And me.
No matter what anyone said, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself, one truth remained
I couldn't marry a stranger.
Whatever Grandma decided felt final. Even Dad couldn't change it.
I inhaled sharply and picked up my phone.
Ringgggggggg…
Axel picked up.
My heart skipped.
"The number you are calling—"
The call cut.
I froze.
I redialed immediately.
Nothing.
Instead, a notification popped up.
Kaelen.
I swallowed and answered.
"Hello?"
"Are you busy?" She asked quietly.
"No. What's up?"
"I'm inviting you to a party this weekend."
"Okay. I'll be there."
I hung up.
My stomach growled painfully. I hadn't eaten anything all day.
Knock. Knock.
Kacey pushed the door open before I could answer.
"Come in," I muttered.
"Supper is ready," she said gently. "Are you coming down?"
"No. I won't."
Before she could say anything else, Grandma's cold voice cut through the air from the hallway.
"He didn't show up, did he?"
I stayed silent.
"Get ready," Grandma continued, her tone sharp and emotionless. "By tomorrow, you're going on another date with him."
She turned away without waiting for a reply.
"Kacey," she added, snapping her fingers, "come and give me a massage."
"Okay," Kacey replied softly.
She looked back at me, guilt written all over her face, her eyes apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Calliah…"
Then she followed Grandma.
The door closed.
Silence swallowed the room.
"Axelllll…" I whispered.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I hugged Axel tighter, burying my face into his fur.
Disadvantage of being rich.
I missed Axel.
So badly.
****
The Next Morning
Morning came faster than I wanted.
Too fast.
Grandma had already sent maids to my room. They laid out clothes neatly on the bed like an execution ritual.
"Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh!" I groaned.
Designer outfits imported from China.
Because the man I was meeting was Chinese.
Kacey entered quietly and handed me a book.
"What's this?"
How to Speak Chinese.
"Grandma said you should learn everything," Kacey said carefully.
I stared at the book.
"Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh!" I yelled again.
Then I looked at her.
"Kacey… if it were you, would you go on this date?"
She hesitated, then nodded.
"Of course. Anything to make Grandma proud. You know how she is."
That wasn't the answer I wanted.
We were all obeying her because she ruled everything.
"Turn on the AC," I said to the driver. The moment I entered the car.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied.
I flipped open the book, trying to focus.
But the moment I attempted to pronounce a word, I yawned and fell asleep.
The only words I managed to remember were
Ni hao.
The Date
We arrived at a famous bar.
I stepped out, book still in my hands, and walked toward the reserved area.
Two guards stood beside a man seated with his back facing me.
I couldn't see his face.
He was smiling at something, relaxed.
"Hello," I said awkwardly.
"Master doesn't speak English," one of the guards replied.
. "Uhh"
The man lifted his hand slightly.
The guards bowed and stepped away.
"Sorry," I corrected myself. "Ni hao."
"Ni hao," he replied with a smile, turning around.
I froze.
He was… handsome.
Soft hair falling over his forehead, long lashes framing dark eyes, pink lips curved into a polite smile. His suit screamed wealth tailored, expensive, flawless.
Gu family.
One of the richest families in Beijing.
"I'm Wǒ jiào Kariah," I said nervously.
He chuckled.
"It's okay. I can speak English."
"Oh but "
"My English isn't perfect," he continued. "I'm Gu Feng. From Fu Gui Group."
"I'm Calliah. From Hollow Bridge."
"Nice to meet you."
"Same," I replied, forcing a smile.
"Have we met before?"
V. "No."
My phone rang.
Axel.
Not now…
"Sorry," I said, turning it off.
He ordered food. Peking duck. Dumplings.
I stared.
How was I supposed to eat this?
He whispered something to the waiter.
Moments later, truffle mac and cheese was placed in front of me.
"Thank you," I said softly.
"So," he asked, "where do you study?"
"Harvard."
"I study at Cambridge. That's why my English is a bit better."
"It's not bad. I can't speak Chinese at all."
"Chinese is hard," he said smiling. "But fun."
I hesitated.
"Were you forced on this date… or did you choose it?"
He paused.
"Why do you ask?"
"Nothing."
We talked for hours.
Laughter Drinks n Conversations.
Then
"Time's up," one guard said in Chinese.
Gu Feng stood.
"Nice meeting you. Maybe we could go on more dates."
"Yes," I nodded.
He lifted my hand and kissed my fingers gently.
I got into the car.
"Nice meeting you, Miss Calliah."
"See you next time, Feng."
He drove away.
I exhaled.
The Nightmare Continues
My phone rang.
Grandma.
"Do you like him?" she asked immediately.
"I met him. I don't know him yet."
"It seems you don't like him. The driver will take you to another date."
"I liked him."
"Good. We'll make plans."
"Wait. ...I meant let me think—"
She hung up.
At home, Axel ran toward me.
"Hiiiii," I smiled weakly.
"Calliah," Kacey whispered.
"You're going on another date."
"What?!"
And that's how it continued.
One week plus.
Twenty-five men.
Five dates every day.
Thailand. Korea. China. America. Russia. Italy.
If I declined one, another waited.
No sleep.No food.
No rest.
Just to satisfy that old woman.
The worst part?
I hadn't contacted Axel.
Not once.
The emptiness started small…
Then spread…
Until it swallowed my entire body.
I hated myself for admitting it.
But I missed Axel.
So much.
A voice stopped me.
"Where are you going?"
"Where are you going?"