Whisper Destiny

Chapter 8

 
  ~ Natasha ~
 
  As the night wore on, each passing minutes felt like eternity. I found myself at my breaking point, unable to bear the wait until midnight, she just wanted to go home. This party is not her scene. I try to call Nick, but only meet with unanswered call.
 
  I stood alone on the balcony, accompanied by the moon that cast its ethereal glow upon the scene.
 
  As the cold seeped into my bones, I contemplated returning to the warmth of the ballroom, but a sudden gesture shattered my solitude. A familiar scent, enveloped me as a jacket was draped over my shoulders. Startled, I turned to face the person behind me, only to find myself locked in a silent exchange with Cate. Her presence stirred my emotion.
 
  Before I could protest, before I could push her away, her voice, soft and imploring, pierced the stillness like a whisper on the wind. "Just take it, you're freezing" she urged, her words a gentle plea against the backdrop of my resentment. "And, please stay. I will go..."
 
  But before she could turn away, something within me halted her departure. The emotions swirling inside me were a turbulent storm, fueled by a mixture of hurt, anger, and perhaps a hint of vulnerability.
 
  "Stop," I interjected, my voice tinged with an unexpected edge. "Stop doing what you're doing right now. We're not friends, nor are we related in any way."
 
  Cate remained silent, her expression unreadable, her demeanor poised and calm in contrast to my mounting frustration.
 
  "I still hate you," I continued, my words punctuated by the bitterness that had festered within me for far too long. "Because you took away what was mine a long time ago, and I'll never accept you in my life."
 
  I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I unleashed the pent-up emotions that had been festering beneath the surface.
 
  "Don't think that by giving me a gift like that, you can change my mind about you," I spat, my tone laced with venom. "So just stop trying to be nice or friendly to me. I hate it, and I'm not my mom or dad, who will fall into your trap."
 
  My voice echoed in the night air, the words hanging heavy between us like a veil of tension. And yet, despite my outburst, Cate remained steadfast, her expression unchanged, her silence speaking volumes. It was as though she was a statue, unmoved by my accusations, unyielding in the face of my anger.
 
  Before I could unleash another volley of words, my father's voice cut through the chaos like a knife.
 
  "Enough, Natasha!" His words reverberated with authority, commanding attention and halting my verbal assault in its tracks.
 
  Startled, I turned to face him, the fire in my eyes momentarily extinguished by the gravity of his tone.
 
  "Come here," he instructed, his voice softer now but no less commanding. "This is not the appropriate place to discuss our family affairs. People are starting to notice."  He led all of us to the VIP lounge, which is more private from other's prying eyes and ears.
 
  As the tension thickened in the room, my mother's arrival did little to diffuse the charged atmosphere.
 
  "What happened?" My mom asked. Her question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation, as my father echoed her demand for answers.
 
  "Why is it always me?" I seethed, my frustration bubbling over. "Why am I always the one under scrutiny?"
 
  My father's exasperated sigh only fueled my anger. "Because...," he began, his voice tinged with disappointment, "you are the one who continually finds yourself in troubles."
 
  My words, dripping with resentment, sliced through the silence. "You and Mom always defend her, don't you? But what about me? I'm your daughter, Dad, not her."
 
  His attempt to reason with me fell on deaf ears as I lashed out further. "It's not about that," he insisted, his tone firm. "You need to grow-up, Natasha. One day, you'll inherit the responsibility of our family business and take over my position. Thousand of people will be depending on you."
 
  But his words ignited a fire within me. With my mother and Cate sitting silently on the couch, I poured out my heart, the raw honesty of my confession hanging in the air like a thundercloud.
 
  "This business isn't where I belong," I confessed, my voice trembling with emotion. "I've told you countless times, but you continue to force me into this mold. Don't lecture me about growing up every time we had this discussion."
 
  Glancing at my mom before continuing, I summoned the courage to share my deepest desires. "I long for a future filled with love and understanding, and not to meddling into our family business" I confessed, my voice trembling with emotion. "And I've found that with someone special, his name is Nicholas. We're planning to embark on a journey together, to build a life filled with mutual respect and unwavering support. After graduation, we intend to get engaged and take our relationship to the next step."
 
  The bombshell dropped, leaving my parents speechless, caught off guard by the weight of my revelation. Even Cate, usually composed, betrayed her surprise.
 
  "When we marry, I want Nick to help me with Grayson Industries," I concluded, my voice trembling with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability.
 
  Silence enveloped the room, the air heavy with uncertainty. This was not how I'd intended to share my news, but fate had intervened.
 
  With a graceful exit, Cate broke the stillness. "I believe it's best if I excuse myself," she declared, her words hanging in the air as she departed, leaving the rest of us to grapple with the aftermath of my truth.
 
  As my father attempted to speak, his words were halted by a swift intervention from my mother.
 
  "Let's discuss this matter at home," she asserted firmly, her voice carrying the weight of finality. "There are still people outside we need to attend to."
 
  As the weight of unspoken truths lingered in the air, I couldn't shake the feeling that this conversation was far from over. But I trust I will be able to embrace it when the time comes.