Smoking Mirrors

Chapter 4 a cry for Help

Natalie's phone rang, shrill in the silence of her bedroom. She groaned, rolling over to glance at the screen. Her father's name flashed at her, and her heart sank.

"Hello, Dad," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Natalie, what is going on?" her father thundered, his voice echoing through the phone. "I had to find out from strangers that my own daughter is back in town! What is the meaning of this?"

Natalie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Dad, I was going to call you. I just got busy."

"Busy?" her father repeated, his voice incredulous. "You're busy stirring up trouble with Michael Grey, that's what you're busy doing!"

Natalie's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, Dad?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Natalie," her father snapped. "I know all about your little confrontation with Michael at the party. What are you thinking, going up against him like that?"

Natalie sat up straight, her anger rising. "I'm not going up against anyone, Dad. I'm just living my life."

"Your life?" her father repeated, his voice heavy with disdain. "You call this life you're living a success? You're throwing away your legacy, Natalie. You're throwing away the family business."

Natalie's jaw clenched. "I'm happy with the career I've chosen, Dad. And it's at its peak. I don't need the family business to be successful."

Her father's anger boiled over. "Then why are you stirring up trouble with Michael Grey? What do you hope to achieve?"

Natalie's eyes flashed. "I'm not stirring up trouble, Dad. I'm just standing up for myself. And if Michael Grey can't handle that, then that's his problem."

The line went dead, and Natalie knew her father had hung up on her. She tossed her phone aside, her heart racing with frustration. Why couldn't her father just understand her? Why did he always have to try to control her?

Natalie sighed, tossing her phone onto the bed. She needed a break from her father's drama. She scrolled through her contacts, her fingers hovering over a familiar name - Sophia, her friend from abroad.

They had met while Natalie was working on a project in Europe, and they had quickly become close. Sophia was one of the few people who understood Natalie's frustrations with her family.

Natalie dialed Sophia's number, hoping she was awake despite the time difference, feeling a mix of emotions,frustration, anger, and a hint of sadness. Sophia answered on the first ring, her cheerful voice a balm to Natalie's frazzled nerves.

"Hey, girl! How's life in the States treating you?" Sophia asked, her tone laced with concern.

Natalie let out a deep sigh. "Complicated, as usual. My dad's being...well, himself." She rolled her eyes, feeling a familiar sense of exasperation.

Sophia's sympathetic tone came through the line. "Ah, I'm so sorry. What's he done now?"

Natalie filled Sophia in on her confrontation with Michael and her father's subsequent blowup. Sophia listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and support.

"I'm just so frustrated, Sophia. I feel like I'm being pulled back into the family drama I tried so hard to escape." Natalie's voice cracked, revealing the vulnerability she was trying to hide.

Sophia's voice was laced with concern. "Natalie, I understand you can handle yourself, but you've just returned to the country. Do you really want to make enemies like Michael so soon? You know how powerful his family is."

Natalie hesitated, realizing Sophia was right. She had been so focused on her own pride and anger that she hadn't considered the bigger picture.

Sophia continued, "What's going on, Nat? You're not even supposed to be involved in the family business, so why are you getting so worked up about Michael? And what's with the fight with Alex? I thought you two were trying to work things out."

Natalie sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, Sophia. It's just...last night brought up a lot of old feelings. And the marriage...it's all so complicated."

Sophia's tone turned gentle. "I remember you telling me about the arrangement. Your families needed a union to secure their interests, didn't they?"

Natalie nodded, even though Sophia couldn't see her. "Yes. My family, the Bennets, we...we had a problem. A few years ago, one of our business dealings went sour, and we needed a way to cover it up. Alex's family and ours had a mutual interest, so our families arranged the marriage to secure an alliance and protect our interests."

Sophia's gasp was audible. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Natalie. No wonder you're so uptight about this."

Natalie's eyes welled up with tears. "I know I shouldn't be, Sophia. I should be focusing on my own life, my own career. But it's hard to shake off the feeling that I'm trapped in this web of family obligations and secrets."

Sophia's voice was firm. "You need to prioritize yourself, Natalie. You can't change the past, but you can control your future. Don't let your family's mistakes define you. You have the power to create your own destiny."

Natalie took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. "You're right, Sophia. I need to focus on what I want, not what my family wants. But I can't afford to go against the agreement, not now. My family's reputation and interests are at stake."

Sophia's tone was understanding. "I see. Well, Natalie, it sounds like you're in a difficult position. But I'm here for you, always. Remember, you can't control your family's actions, but you can control how you react to them. Take care of yourself, okay?"

Natalie smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Sophia. "Thanks, Sophia. Just talking to you makes me feel a little better. I'll try to keep that in mind."

Sophia's voice was warm. "Anytime, Natalie. That's what friends are for. Keep me posted on what happens next, okay?"

Natalie ended the call, feeling a sense of comfort knowing that she had a friend like Sophia who understood her situation. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She would get through this, one step at a time.