The Two of us

Kavya blinked. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"You heard me," her mother said, her tone light but unwavering. "You're getting married."

Kavya's mouth opened, then shut. Silence. The only sound was Patricia noisily sipping from the water bottle she'd just found on the desk.

"This must be your way of seeking attention right?, I'm on my way mom"

The line goes dead, Kavya pack her things and is about to head out.

Patricia looked at her confused

" What's going on dear? You look terrible "

"My mom is trying to play a prank on me, God help me it better be a prank"

Confused " What? You're going home ?"

"Yes, I'll fill you in later"

With that she left the office

AT HER PENTHOUSE

The house keeper reaches for her bag

"Good afternoon madam Kavya"

She barely gives him a glance

"Thank you, where's my mother?"

" She's over at the pool side, can I bring you anything? Maybe a fresh--

Without a response, she walks away calling out her mother

"Mom, Mom, I'm home now"

Finds her relaxing by the pool, with a glass of juice in hand

"There you are mom, well I'm here now. Please explain to me what this is all about?"

Madam Anita

" Well a very good afternoon to you too"

Rolling her eyes " Mom I'm not in the mood, you wanted to talk right? Well you have my attention"

Sits up and points to chair opposite her's

" Then you better sit down for it Kavya"

Sits down impatiently " I'm seated now, so please can we begin? I left a ton things undone just to be hear, so please quit stalling "

" Kavya darling you're getting married, I've taken it upon myself to find you a spouse. He's a good man from a reputable family "

They both stare at each other for some time "Well?... This is the part where you say...oh my God , you're amazing mom

"Is this some kind of joke?" Kavya finally asked, her voice flat.

"I wouldn't joke about something so important," her mother replied. "My friend and I have discussed it, and the match is perfect."

"Match?" Kavya repeated. "What the hell is this-The Bridgertons?"

"Don't be dramatic. This is stability, business and legacy."

Kavya sighs . "Mom, I'm 26. I'm running a multimillion-dollar company. I don't need a damn arranged marriage to secure my life."

"This isn't about you needing anything," her mother said coolly. "It's about wanting my daughter to have a stable life, it's about our name. Our family.

Kavya I don't want you to leave a lonely life, you need a husband --

Appears frustrated "What the heck? I don't need a husband, I'm okay with the way I am"

Reaches for her daughter's hand.

" My dear you don't have to hold on to what your father did to us, you need to move past my experience "

With determination she speaks. " Oh I have moved passed it, I'm just smart enough to know that Men aren't to be trusted"

Laughs painfully

"You know I blame myself for this Kavya, look at you, a beautiful, ambitious woman but yet you don't let men around you.

You hold so much fear and resentment towards men, baby girl please let go"

" He left us, He left my mother for another woman, after you fought the world to be with him" She speaks bitterly

"How can they be trusted?"

Placing her hand on her cheeks " You'll marry well and live a happy life with him, my failed marriage shouldn't be a model for you"

Pulling away from her mom

" I'm sorry mom I can't, I just -

" You can and you will, unless you want me dead"

Incredibly stunned by her mom's words and deeply terrified

" Are you blackmailing now Mom?"

Folds her hands stubbornly. " It's a fact, because I'll rather die than watch you take this route for yourself "

Kavya pinched the bridge of her nose. "Who is he?"

"His name is Gerald Van Dyke . CEO of V.D Groups ."

Kavya raises a brow. "The guy that made Forbes 30 Under 30?"

Madam Anita giggled " I see you're a fan "

Kavya shot her a glare. "No I'm not."

"I'm just saying," She whispered. "He's hot."

"Mom," Kavya said slowly. "I don't care who he is. I am not marrying a stranger for a damn merger."

"There's no merger," her mom said. "This isn't about business. This is about preserving legacy, having a family and uniting two empires while you're at it."

"Which is the same damn thing."

"I'm not asking you to fall in love, Kavya. I'm asking you to trust that I have your best interest at heart and give this a chance"

"No, what you're asking is for me to sacrifice my independence for some outdated fantasy of family, trust and loyalty."

"Kavya," her mother said calmy"

"This isn't optional. There will be a formal dinner next week.

You'll meet Gerald there. Be prepared, who knows? He might even propose there." She gracefully gets up and walks back into the house

Kavya sat frozen for sometime

"A fuckin proposal?"