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milayah.
In the lavish prison I was forced to call my bedroom, I sit in front of the vanity mirror, my reflection framed by the intricate carvings around its margins.
I smoothe down the fabric of the backless red dress I had found in the closet, only dressing formally because I had been told by a very nervous Naila that this event was at a luxurious hotel.
Tonight marked the obligatory appearance I had to make with Hulk- a man who I'd known for 3 days but could confidently say I already despise with every fiber of my being, and I'm certain he feels the same.
Naila, my newly assigned personal maid moved quietly around me, her presence a quiet source of support despite the millions of thoughts running through my brain. We had only just met earlier this day, yet her shy, tranquil demeanor made me feel like I had to take a deep breath in and not set the whole house on fire with the millions of candles in the room.
I'd taken plenty of deep breaths.
"He's insufferable." I mutter under my breath, my hands gripping the edge of the vanity.
Naila, adjusting a delicate necklace around my neck glanced up with sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry, Milayah. Is there anything I can do to help?"
I sigh, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "I wish there was a way out of this. I mean, everything happened so quick," I start, finding her extremely easy to talk to. "Like, one minute I'm sat a table with my dad, the next I wake up in some random room and I'm being told I have to marry this lunatic."
Her expression softens, her voice gentle. "It must be challenging, but sometimes circumstances change... unexpectedly."
My lips curl into a bitter smile. "I doubt that, Naila. Hulk seems like he's already made his mind up."
She resumes her task, chuckling at the nickname and her touch remains light and careful. "I'm here for you anyways, Miss."
"Milayah."
Her shoulders relax slightly, a fleeting moment of comfort crossing her features. "Right, Milayah."
As she steps back to admire her handiwork, I turn my attention back to the conversation. "I just don't understand why my dad would just give me away to him. And why me?"
Naila hesitates, choosing her words carefully. "Maybe there's more to this.. deal, that you don't know about?"
I scoff, my frustration evident. "Deal? More like selling off your own daughter for your own benefit."
Her gaze is steady, her voice soft but unwavering and firm. "There is hope, Milayah. Don't jump into conclusions without knowing the full story. That, is the worst thing you could do." She smiles reassuringly, the innoncence in her eyes totally different to the wisdom of her words.
