A Love Across Borders - Two worlds one love

Chapter 2: A Promised Future

Mei sat quietly at the dinner table, the polished wood gleaming under the chandelier's soft light. Around her, conversations flowed easily. Her parents laughed and toasted with Li Wei's family, the sound of delicate porcelain and silverware filling the room. Across from her, Li Wei leaned back with a confident smile, as if he were already the head of the household. He discussed business with her father, laying out plans for the future that always included Mei, as though it was already decided, even though she'd never been asked. The conversation moved quickly, covering topics from family investments to expansions abroad. Mei's role was to smile and nod at the appropriate moments. But her gaze drifted to the paintings on the wall, imagining what it would be like to create something of her own without needing to hide it. She thought of her camera tucked away in her closet, gathering dust because "proper young ladies" didn't spend their time chasing sunsets or photographing scenes of everyday life. That simply wasn't expected of her. Across the table, she felt Li Wei's gaze on her, and it took effort to meet his eyes. They were cold and calculating, studying her like she was a trophy on display. His voice broke her thoughts. "Mei, we should go hiking next weekend. You've always liked nature, haven't you?" It wasn't a question, but she forced a small smile. "Yes, that sounds... nice." The truth was that Mei loved nature, but not as an activity planned by someone else. She longed for the freedom to make her own plans, to wander the city streets with her camera in hand, finding beauty in the ordinary. But Li Wei would never understand that. To him, nature was just another backdrop for their picture-perfect future together. After dinner, their families moved to the living room for tea. Mei took the chance to excuse herself, saying she needed some fresh air. As she stepped outside, the night breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying the faint hum of a nearby bar. She walked slowly, savoring this small moment of solitude. The idea of marrying Li Wei had always loomed in the background, a shadow she couldn't escape, growing darker and closer with each day. Her parents had made it clear what was expected of her, and disappointing them was unthinkable. But deep down, there was a small rebellion, a voice whispering that she deserved more than a life planned by others. She wanted to be seen—truly seen—not just as the obedient daughter or the future Mrs. Li Wei, but as herself. While Mei grappled with her own thoughts and the suffocating expectations placed upon her, across the city of Shanghai, Fernanda was carving her own path through the night. With the wind rushing against her face, she maneuvered her skateboard through crowded streets and narrow alleys, her heart beating in time with the city's pulse. Unlike Mei, Fernanda had a freedom most could only dream of. She weaved through the neon-lit streets, the smell of street food and the sound of laughter drifting from every corner. Each turn was a discovery, each street a new adventure. The vibrant colors and sounds of the city filled her with an energy that made her chest tighten with excitement. Fernanda was there, in the middle of it all, where no one could hold her back or tell her who she had to be. She captured that moment in her memory—no filters, no limitations. It was as if the world was a stage, and she was the main character in her own story. At that moment, while Mei sought to escape the weight of a promise she had never made, Fernanda roamed freely, driven by nothing but her own desire to explore. Their two destinies were like parallel worlds, separated by the same city. Fernanda, bold and unrestrained, embraced Shanghai as a landscape of possibilities, while Mei saw each street and corner as paths she could never travel. The contrast between their lives could not have been clearer. While Mei bore the weight of expectations and responsibilities imposed by her family and society, Fernanda lived her life with intensity, finding freedom in every movement, every push of the skateboard against the city's concrete. Mei dreamed of the freedom that Fernanda already possessed—the courage to choose who she truly wanted to be. And that night, as Mei reluctantly returned to the warmth of her home, her mind still heavy with longing for freedom, Fernanda continued her journey through the streets of Shanghai, with no destination in mind, only the sound of wheels on pavement and the steady beat of her heart as her guide.