‘You know, not everyone has it as easy as you do, Imani,’ my father continues, a pained expression flitting across his face. ‘You don’t know what I’ve had to sacrifice to get us here. I’m just asking that you do your part for once.’
Not everyone has it as easy as you do.
Easy.
What part of this is easy? I know from the outside looking in that the life I lead is an enviable one filled with privilege and luxury, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. That I haven’t felt the crushing weight of it all from the moment I could walk.
I’ve been doing my part my whole life. Doesn’t he realise that? For every action I take, there’s a voice in the back of my mind reminding me of the expectations, the legacy, the burden of being Imani Davies. And now he’s threatening to take it all away. He’s acting like I’m a toddler throwing a tantrum over being told no more snacks before dinner and like he hasn’t turned my life upside down in an instant.
‘So,’ my father leans back and laces his fingers together, ‘what do you say?’
‘I…’ My voice comes out as a croak. ‘Daddy, Ican’t.’
The look he gives me is beyond disappointment. ‘I see.’
‘No, I just…’ I swallow and count back from five, giving myself some time to think. I can’t do this. Iwon’tdo this. But the tiny slither of happiness I’ve managed to carve out from life is on the line and I’m not willing to give that up either.
A spark of hope alights in my chest. I can’t say no, buthecan. My father can still change his mind; I just need him to think that it’shisidea.
‘I’m willing to do my part,’ I say slowly. The words feel like poison on my tongue, but I force them out all the same. ‘And do what’s best for us. For the business. But not like this. Not with Asher Vouvalis.’
He huffs out an impatient sigh. ‘And what’s so wrong with the Vouvalis boy?’
When it comes down to it, the lie comes easily – easier than anything else I’ve said today. ‘We’ve already dated,’ I blurt out. ‘Back at university.’
My father’s brows shoot into his slowly receding hairline. ‘Excuse me?’
‘We dated,’ I grit out, pushing through the lie. ‘And it didn’t end well. It was a mess, Dad. And I can’t go through that again.’
His expression shifts from confusion to contemplation. ‘I had no idea.’
‘I didn’t see the need to burden you with it,’ I lie smoothly.‘But now you’re talking about marriage, and I…’ I sniff delicately and force a tearful hiccup. ‘I just can’t do it. Not with him.’
Not with anyone. Not like this. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I don’t think wanting to fall in love is too much to ask for.
I reach forward and squeeze my father’s hands. ‘Please, Daddy.’
For a moment, I think I’ve got him. The expression on his face is full of genuine fatherly concern and hope sparks in my chest.
But then he snatches his hands away from mine and places one on the door. ‘It’s been nearly ten years,’ he says gruffly, refusing to make eye contact.
Any wisp of hope is snuffed out immediately.
‘Whatever issues the two of you had, I’m sure you’re both mature enough to put it past you.’
My mouth falls open, a retort already on the tip of my tongue, but then he pushes open the door and I get my first glimpse of where we’ve been heading today. We’re parked outside a sleek and elegant-looking building and I immediately recognise the gold ‘V’ above the large double doors in front of us.
I grip the leather seats in my father’s car and shake my head. ‘No. Absolutely not.’
‘Come on,’ he sighs without even looking at me, before stepping out of the car and brushing the imaginary creases out of his suit. He waits a few seconds then, apparentlyrealising I have no intention of moving, crouches down slightly and inclines his head towards me. ‘I wasn’t joking, Imani. You can have one last trip, as a courtesy, but that’s it.’ He snaps his fingers and stares at me expectantly. ‘Are you coming or not?’
The urge to glue myself to this seat for the rest of eternity is overwhelming, but I need to play this right. One false move and everything could shatter around me. Right now there’s still a chance, as slim as it may be, that I can get out of this with my life intact. So I grit my teeth and force a smile, the one I’ve perfected over the years, and step out of the car.
‘Of course,’ I say coolly. ‘Lead the way.’
I watch the way his shoulders relax ever so slightly as he guides me up the stone steps into the towering Vouvalis building, and I realise something.
He thinks he’s won.
