Page 34 of Carnal Games

Chapter Nine

Iris

(Present – Twenty-One years old)

Everything happens for a reason.

Trust God’s plan.

What is meant for you will come to you.

These are the beliefs I’ve been taught to live by. No matter what situation I am in. Whether good or bad. Rough or pleasant. For the longest time, I’ve genuinely believed in them too. Yet today, I’m doubting their foundation.

Because how does one fake date turn into me saying yes to marrying the same man? This can’t be the Almighty’s plan for me.

To build a life on a lie where I can’t even tell the difference between real and false.

No, this is all on me.

I made a choice three years ago that has led me here. The sole reason has a name. One I can’t bring myself to say, not evenin my mind. Because it causes nothing but abject misery and disappointment to consume my heart.

A hollowness has carved a hole in my chest, never to be filled.

Because the only thing that can fix it doesn’t even know I exist.

Do I regret my choices? If I could turn back time and do it differently, would I? No, I won’t.

A lie or not, it brought three of the most important people into my life, whom I love and would die for.

The only choice left for me… is to let the dream go.

A fantasy is all it should’ve been.

With the direction my life has taken lately, I don’t have time for silly little fantasies. To long for a man who will always be out of my reach.

Someone taps on my door, startling me.

I turn around as it opens and Nathan, dressed in a tailored black tux, steps inside. He’s become one sinful-looking man, his features more defined while holding the boyish charm that made us friends.

His feet come to a halt upon seeing me standing in front of the full-length mirror.

His lips part in awe as his eyes travel up the mermaid skirt of my sparkling navy blue lehnga to my pallu draped over one shoulder. His gaze quickly passes over the embroidered blouse with a deep sweetheart neckline before pausing on my face. The lehnga set is a gift from his mother. The only reason I could afford to wear the expensive garment.

Nathan exhales roughly, clearly speechless. It brings a smile to my face despite my nervousness at tonight’s occasion.

“You look gorgeous, Iris.”

“You look dapper yourself.”

A grin tugs at his lips as he strolls to stand in front of me. “I don’t look so different from any other day.”

“Fine, you look handsome every day,” I tease. “Is that what you wanna hear?”

His head tips back as he lets loose a boisterous laugh.

A carefree Nathan is a rare sight these days.

Ever since he took over his father’s company, a year after we met, I’ve watched him become a different person. Gone is the playful, kind, fun-loving Nathan who had late-night chats with me and brought me out of my shell. In his place, a quiet and ruthless man with the weight of the world on his shoulders has taken residence.

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