Promises and Shadows

Chapter 5

“Now it’s your turn”. He pointed out, making me come out of my reverie.

“Hey! Give me a second! I’m still trying to process the emotional rollercoaster you just unleashed”. Victor just gave me a bored look.

“So, as per your grandfather's will, all his properties belongs to your wife? Which means me.” I wiggled my eyebrows while smiling widely.

“It's all yours. Now don't divert the topic and tell me” he said.

I guess there is no way out.

“Seriously, there's not much to it. You heard half my saga when I was in full meltdown mode in front of my father…  My dad adored and loved my mom—until work turned him into a total ghost. After I was born, things got really worse between my parents, my mom distanced herself from my dad because of his work. So, He decided I was the source of all his misery. Thanks, Dad! After my mom’s tragic exit, he dropped the act completely as my dad and treated me like I was the last slice of pizza no one wanted. It was only Nina who was there to hold my hand through the chaos. She’s practically my soul sister. When I finished college, I thought about chasing my dreams, thinking my dad would continue to ignore me like a bad reality show. But then, surprise! He forced me into marriage with Malcolm. And voilà, here I am!”

I told my story dramatically while throwing my hands in frustration.

He fell silent for a beat, and I thought maybe—just maybe—he’d muster up some sympathy for my tragic backstory. But no, he hit me with a question I never saw coming…

“What was your dream, then? What would you have pursued if you hadn’t ended up in this mess?”

“Wait, out of everything I just laid on you, that’s what you focus on?”

“Come on, spill it!”, he asked adamantly.

“Fine, but you have to promise not to laugh.”

“I would never dare to mock someone’s dreams…”
He said that with such seriousness that I actually believed him. But then, I revealed my dream, and he erupted into laughter like I’d just told the world’s worst dad joke. He was rolling around on my bed, clutching his stomach and practically drowning in tears of mirth. I smacked him with a pillow, but that only fueled his hilarity.

“What’s so funny about wanting to be a veterinarian?” I threw my hands up in exasperation.

“You, a veterinarian? You can’t even get within ten feet of Casper without turning into a statue! Do you have any idea what a vet actually does?” He was still doubled over, howling with laughter, while I shot him my best ‘I'm not amused’ glare.

“Stop laughing!” But as his infectious giggles filled the room, I found myself laughing along. I mean, how could I resist? When his laugh was this beautiful.

Eventually, I got too sleepy and dozed off, dreaming of puppies and questionable career choices.

***********

The next morning, I woke up to a sight so beautiful it made rainbows look dull. A few days ago, if someone had told me I’d wake up giddy over a man sleeping beside me, I would’ve thought they were nuts. Yet here I was, smiling like an idiot.

But my bliss was short-lived, thanks to that little fluff ball, Casper, who decided to bark. Victor stirred in his sleep, but I was quick to flopping back down and pretending to be asleep.

Then I heard Victor mumbling to Casper in his sleepy voice. Damn, that voice…

“Yah, Casper, didn’t I tell you to stay out of this room? Your mom isn’t used to you yet! We can’t have her fainting from puppy shock. Let’s sneak out and whip up breakfast instead. Okay?” he said and walked out of the room with Caper on his hand.