The words "We must make sure you look ... perfect for our announcement" repeated in Mayan's ears, a cool promise from Mr. Kazeem. She felt completely lost, a doll whose strings were pulled by a unseen, powerful hand. Ben was gone, dismissed, his heartbreak face a fresh wound in her memory. Her parents beamed in the meantime, and the faces reflected a joy that felt foreign and cruel to her.
The next morning an elegant black car, not Mr. Kazeems, but just as luxurious, up outside their humble houses. A woman went out, dressed in clothes Maya had ever seen in fashion magazines. She introduced herself as Mrs. Davies, designer, to Mr. Kazeem had "arranged." Her voice was soft, but her eyes were sharp and lacked nothing.
"Good morning, Maya," said Mrs. Davies, and his eyes swept over Maya's simple outfit. "Mr. Kazeem wants everything to be perfect for the engagement. We have a lot to do."
Maya felt a wave of fear. "But ... I don't know what I want."
Mrs. Davies gave a polite, almost sin smile. "It's pretty okay, dear. Mr. Kazeem has very clear ideas. We're simply here to make them come true."
Over the next few days, Mayan's life became a whirlwind of fittings, choice of fabric and endless discussions about arenas and guest lists. Mrs. Davies brought rolls with silk, lace and shimmering satin to the house. Her mother was in the sky, touched the luxurious materials, her eyes wide from wonder. She wanted to insist that Maya tried on the dress after dress, her face shines with a joy that made Mayan's heart pain.
"Oh, Maya, look at you!" Her mother exclamation and held up a piece of shimmering fabric against her daughter. "You look like a queen! This was what you were meant for!"
Maya would stand stiff and feel the heavy, expensive cloth against her skin, and felt nothing but cold. Every stitch, every pearl, felt like another link in a chain that binds her. She was no longer Maya, the girl who loved old books and quiet moments with Ben. She became the "perfect" fiance for Mr. Kazeem, a flawless showpiece for her fortune.
Mr. Kazeem called himself daily, always polite, always in control. He never asked how she felt. He only discussed details: the guest list, the menu, the exact shade of the flowers. He talked about "their" future as if it were a business plan, put out perfectly, without room for feelings or personal desire. Maya would nod and offer short answers, her voice flat. I was scared to do anything else. Today, I regret it. What could I have done? What other choices were there? She imagined her network of eyes, always watched, always report. The thought of Ben, alone and painful, caused the stomach to tie. She couldn't risk him.
One afternoon, while Mrs. Davies took measurements for the final dress, Maya's mother pulled her aside. Her voice was low, urgent. "Maya, Mr. Kazeem spoke to your father. He has provided a new business company for him. A big one. Something that will make us really comfortable, forever. This is all because of you. Because you accept it."
Maya felt a fresh wave of despair. Her father, who had always been so quiet and charged, now had a spark of hope in the eyes. He talked about plans, about a future free of debt. How could she take it away? How could she crush that hope, bought at such a high price?
The day of the engagement party came like a brilliant storm. Maya was in a daze. It was weird how empty her head felt. Her mom was organizing the event planners, the cook and other things. And it was making her Ready. The hair and makeup people showed up and it was like an alien invasion. They replaced her and painted a beautiful, cool mask on the inner turmoil. I'm shocked. There's me. How did I become so magical, so charmed? I feel like Cinderella or something. Who knew I could look like a princess? I must've hit the mirror just right.
As soon as she went down from the grand ladder of the rented hall, her arm was associated with her father, the mob shook. Hundreds of faces turned to him, all smiling, all in praise. Flashbulls Popped. The hall was full of the most powerful and rich people in the city, all to see the latest acquisition of Mr. Kazeem. He looked at his mother, smiling, stood next to Mr. Kazeem, who saw Maya with the same unpaid officer.
His father squeezed his arm. "You look beautiful, my daughter. We are very proud." He spoke with an emotional thickness to his voice, an unusual mix of relief and pride.
Maya forced a smile, a practice movement that felt completely fake. She reached under the stairs. Mr. Kazeem went ahead and put his hand. Their touch was firm, cold. He raised his hand at her lips, a formal, public gesture. Appreciated the crowd.
"This night I would love to introduce my beautiful fiancée, Maya. The girl I love so much and care about. Thank you all for coming. I am so happy you could be here with us."
More applause. Excess brightness. I felt I wasn't loved that much, but I had no choice. He saw his mother wiping the tears of happiness. He saw his father, his shoulders finally rested. They were safe. they were happy.
But she was not.
During the party, as a ghost, she went through the crowd. Maya smiled and nodded and answered meek questions about her "happiness" and "enthusiasm". Every word felt like a lie. He caught a glimpse of himself on polished surfaces, a stranger in a beautiful dress.
She found herself near a large window, seeing the light of the city, one lakh small stars against the dark sky. She thought about Ben. She used to wonder what she was doing. Was she hurting? Was she thinking about him? The idea was a sharp, painful stab in his heart.
A shadow fell over her. Mr. Kazeem. "Enjoy the view, Maya?" he asked, his voice close.
She turned and forced a new smile. "It's beautiful."
"In fact," he said, giving closer. "Everything you see, all you want is beautiful. You made the right choice, Maya. You chose wisely for your family. And for yourself." His eyes held her, a quiet, victorious challenge. "Now you're mine."
He lifted her hand, and Maya pulled back and waited to touch him. Instead, he simply waved against the crowd. "Come. More people wish to congratulate us. Our life has just begun."
Maya felt a cold fear deeper than anything she had known. Her life, as she knew, was over. She was caught, not only by the contract, but by the love she had for the family, of the fear of what Mr. Kazeem could do. She was a bird in a golden cage, the doors were now firmly locked. But when she turned to follow him, a flash of something new deeply caught her, a small spark of resistance in the huge desolation. What if a golden cage can be broken from the inside? What if this was not the end, but another type of beginning?
She breathed deeply, the heavy scent of expensive flowers that filled her lungs. She looked at Mr. Kazeem's confident back, then back on the city lights. This was her new reality. But she was wondering, with cool security, if he really knew the woman he had just bought. And what she could do, now that she had nothing left to lose.