Finding Love in Winter Nostalgia

Chapter Twenty-Three

"You did what?" I ask, incredulous.

I tear my eyes from the screen, and my heart breaks at what I see. Kairo's eyes are bloodshot and brimming with tears. He tries to hide it by lowering his head. It only worsens the sharp, heavy pain in my chest.

"de la Draco, you will watch how you speak to us," Dad says. He is stern. "I will not repeat myself."

"Who are you resolving the matter for? Who is this benefitting? Why wasn't I consulted? Why do you persist on making life decisions on my behalf?"

"Sweetheart, calm down, okay?" Mom smiles, which only further angers me. "We don't want this amazing opportunity slipping out of your hands only to, at a later stage, reflect and realise we could've done something to save it."

"What is this amazing opportunity you speak of?" I snap. "Why do you fail to see me as an adult? You continue to make decisions for me even after I've so politely asked you to stop."

This is precisely why that girl has no respect me.

"Please try to understand. Her parents asked for this. We've let you handle it your way, but there comes a point where parents should intervene. We're at that point."

"No, no, no, no, no. You intervened a long time ago. The Browns and the Dhlaminis have been right in the middle of this relationship for years now. You're treating this as if it's some arranged marriage, and I will not have that."

"Draco," Dad shouts, noticeably seething. "Remember who you're speaking to, boy."

Fight. Don't let Kairo down. Fight back!

I will have the final say. I have the upper hand. The only person capable of taming his fiery temper is currently working her magic. My magician is in tears. My temper is through the roof.

"You seem to forget that the last time parents intervened in shit which was of no concern to them, a set of parents wound up decapitated." They're both stunned. Bloody hell, I'm stunned, too, but I continue. "There will be no wedding next month—or whenever you feel is convenient for you. I will complete my MBA unmarried, no matter how many years it takes me to do so—even do a Doctorate—start a whole new Bachelor's degree, should I please. Point is, you'll ship my corpse back to South Africa before I ever marry at your terms."

There is silence. They're just staring at me.

They never listen to me. No matter how I express myself, my feelings are never taken into account. I was driven to depression because of this. Everything revolves around what benefits the family's speckless reputation. Now Kairo is crying because of them.

Fuck!

I grab the MacBook and smash it against the floor. Kairo yells something, but I'm overbearingly pumped with adrenaline that all I hear is the ringing in my ears from the blood racing through my veins.

There are muffled sounds still coming from the MacBook at my feet, and as if I'm in a warped dream, I see flames—a rage which invigorates every muscle in my body. I begin stomping the Mac with might.

Once the keyboard and screen detach, I kick both halves away and they crash against the wall. Kairo wraps his arms around me from behind, and I become numb—losing all my strength and ability to move.

We both sink to the ground.

"It's fine, baby," he says in my ear.

I shrug him off, get on my knees, and cup his face in my palms. "They made you cry, sweetheart." I'm panting. "Fuck! I wanna kill someone."

"Hopefully not me." He looks up at me with a crooked smile and tears in his eyes. My heart melts. "And definitely not yourself, okay?"

The corpse comment. Crap.