"I Do"

chapter 18

Akira: "The first delegation for the Afghanistan project has been selected.

We have two experts on the Afghanistan business environment with us today: Asad Uzzama and Naseeb Hosseinpour. They are industry experts with strong connections to the leadership in Afghanistan.

Given that Afghanistan is a very volatile destination for any industrial activities, we need to be particularly cautious with our investments there.

Mr. Uzzama and Mr. Hosseinpour, before we send our delegation, I expect you to work on assessing the security measures from the leadership in Afghanistan and the non-interference elements from the local environment.

Could you provide us with an overview of the current situation and your strategies to ensure the safety and success of our operations there?"

After Mr. Uzzama and Mr. Hosseinpour concluded their presentation on the security assessment and the support from the leadership of Afghanistan, they outlined the next course of action in case of any emergencies.

Akira was satisfied with their conclusions and confident that this project could bring substantial benefits to both the House of Petit and Meherjirana.

Meanwhile, Vasco was in Singapore due to issues with Meherjirana's new auto segment, set to be released in Southeast Asian countries, starting with Singapore.

His father, Mr. Meherjirana, was also there, indicating that their presence was about more than just the auto segment; they were likely addressing challenges to their hegemony in the region, possibly through aggressive business strategies.

With Akira present, both Mr. Petit and Jeh felt confident skipping the meeting, knowing Akira's strong business acumen would ensure everything proceeded smoothly.

Akira sat in her cabin at the SAGC head office, a place that felt like home to her. Despite being married to Vasco, she never felt entirely comfortable at the Meherjirana head office.

SAGC held countless memories of her childhood, coming to the office with Jeh and sharing their experiences with their father.

It had been a week since the incident where Vasco had slapped her.

The physical pain had faded, but the emotional wound remained. She felt deeply insulted, especially knowing that the house help in the kitchen had heard everything.

Vasco's behavior since then had shown no signs of remorse, leaving Akira feeling isolated and hurt.

If this were a normal marriage between two ordinary people, Akira might have considered taking strict action or even contemplating separation.

However, this was far from a typical marriage; it was a strategic business alliance between two powerful conglomerates. Despite her personal feelings, billions of dollars had been invested in their merged business projects.

As a woman, she faced additional constraints. Marrying into a family of lesser status was unthinkable, and being Zoroastrian further complicated her options.

In Zoroastrian tradition, men can marry non-Zoroastrian women, who can then convert, but women do not have the same privilege.

Marrying outside her faith would strip Akira of her inheritance rights, her family name, and, most importantly, her identity.

These constraints weighed heavily on her, leaving her feeling trapped in a marriage that served corporate interests more than personal happiness.

Akira didn't expect much from Vasco, but non-violence wasn't an expectation—it was a basic necessity in any relationship. Given Vasco's temperament, it was hard to believe he wouldn't repeat his violent behavior.

Akira had decided to limit her communication with him, but she knew that mutual silence wasn't a viable long-term solution. Both of them were rigid, complex, and emotionally distant, making it difficult to navigate their marriage.

Despite their lack of communication, Akira helped Vasco pack for his trip to Singapore, ensuring he had everything he needed.

She wasn't sure why she did it, attributing it to her robotic upbringing that compelled her to fulfill her duties without question.

Before leaving, Vasco told her to call him in case of any emergency. She nodded, but she knew she wouldn't call him.

The emotional scar he had inflicted made her wary of reaching out.

She was reluctant to be forgiving to a man who believed it was acceptable to treat his spouse as he pleased, expecting no consequences.

Akira felt overwhelmed with emotions, knowing she couldn't discuss her situation with anyone.

Her mother, though often perceived as a gold digger by her father's family, had faced harsh treatment for not being Zoroastrian and not being wealthy like the House of Petit.

To Akira, her mother was a normal human being who wanted a good life and to care for her mother and brother, her only surviving family members after escaping the war in Eastern Europe.

Akira understood the significance of marriage.

Despite what people might say to encourage her, she knew that in times of grief, one is ultimately alone.

She believed that taking her own counsel to solve problems was essential, as only she truly understood what she was going through.

"I have to make this work; there’s no other option," Akira thought with a sigh.