She talked to her mom but her mother could not do anything about it, too."Ingrid, as much as I want to defy your father, but I could not, even he could not alter it because it has been pa.s.sed from generation to generation.
"Is father frustrated that I am girl and not the boy he wanted."
"Of course not, my love. He loves you very much, he loves you more than his life."
"But not enough to defy the tradition. Come on! We are already in the modern generation mom, arrange marriages do no good." Her mother softly laughed and caressed her hair.
"Haven"t I told you that our marriage was also arranged? We don"t love each other at first but little by little we learn to love each other. My precious daughter, to love a person is not easy but it"s worth it."
She sobbed in front of her mother out of frustration. Her mother admonished her to obey her father and never go against him. From that moment onwards, she made her heart hard and distant to all the people around her except her best friend, Liane.
Within six months, true to his words, they never talked about the wedding nor about the man she is going to marry. Ingrid just focused on her studies, made her present predicament as an inspiration for her to excel more in her business course.
On the day of her graduation, she almost received every award, her father couldn"t be more proud of her. Her father prepared a lavish celebration for her. Ingrid enjoyed everything her father could give to her...
For the last time.
She saved every allowance her father gave her and opened another account for the money she acc.u.mulated for the last six months. She calculated everything. She already applied for work before she graduated in a small company in Genovia. Making sure that her father could not trace her, she did not bring with her the gold card her father gave her.
The day before her graduation, she already wrote a letter to her father.
Dearest Daddy,
The moment you read this, I"m already away from you... I love you, dad, but I couldn"t agree with marrying a man not my choice. I will prove to you and the elders that being a woman is not a hindrance in success. I will come back dad successful in my own ways, in my own terms. I will decide for my own destiny. I will choose whom I marry. Please forgive me. Promise I will be back, making you proud again. I know you will look for me but I have already blocked everything. No one could trace me.
Love,
Ingrid
Tears fell from her eyes remembering her father.
"Daddy, I miss you. I"ll be back soon."
...
The day of the welcome party is fast approaching, all of the employees were all excited about and they all talked about what to wear with the intention to get at least a little bit of the CEO son"s attention.
"What will you wear, Freya?" Grace asked.
"It"s a surprise!" she giggled.
"Hmmmpp you always gave us a shock in every company"s event." Grace commented.
"I"ll help you choose, Grace, don"t you worry." Freya winked.
"Freya, please come to my office." Mr. Clint called her through the intercom.
"Yes, sir, right away." She softly knocked on the door.
"Please arrange a meeting with this man and send him and her wife an invitation for the coming party." The CEO showed him the name of the man. "..also book my favorite restaurant exclusively for me and my guest, later tonight at eight. That"s all."