A goodbye

...…SLAP...…..

A hard slap echoed in the silent room. Li Xia looked at the raging man who slapped her.

The man, who slapped her so hard, that her lips split was none other than her father. Her so called father looked at her with hatred.

Li Xia was shocked at this realization. Yes!! There was no anger or love for her in his eyes. It was hatred. Her own father hated her..?

She chuckled at the thought. She seemed to realize the fact a little late. But she did not regret her decision to oppose this man.

The reason why he hated her was because...…..

"Whom did you ask before breaking this engagement?"

Li Xia looked at him in irony, "Whom should I ask? You? The person who had no one in his eyes except for his wife? Or him?"

She pointed at an aged but somber looking man, "Grandfather… Oh sorry... the great Old Master Li… who cares about nothing except for the gains of the Li Empire?"

"Shut up!!!" her father roared at her, "You are such a big disappointment. What is it? Is this how your mother taught you? Is this why because she took you away? Look at yourself!! You don't even obey your own father! Such a basta..."

"Li Gui!!!" Li Song's dignified voice silenced everyone in the room. "Remember that I am still here…" He then looked at the stubborn girl and sighed.

"I know his grandparents very well. I arranged this marriage for your own good…" Li Song wanted to say something more but Li Xia cut him off in the middle.

"No need Old Master Li… you need not worry about my welfare... it was my fault to come back here. I thought that maybe people might have changed after a long time but....." She laughed sarcastically.

"I didn't think that you will be so eager to destroy my life. Since I am not welcome here….. I will not step back into this house."

Li Xia was determined this time. She was arranged to marry a person whom she never met. Moreover that person insulted her again and again...

That was her bottom line. She had her pride. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. She will not put her life into another person's hands so easily and that too…..

She almost gagged when she remembered her so called 'fiancée'.

She looked at all the 'Family members' one last time.

She decisively turned around and walked to the exit.

"Do you think you can threaten us like this? Don't you ever think I will beg you to stay! But remember one thing. If you step out of this once, that will be the end of our relationship." Li Gui gave his ultimatum.

He was sure that she will come back begging and promise to marry that person. He smirked triumphantly.

But..... he was disappointed. She left without turning back.

"You ungrateful…" Li Xia could still hear the shouts of an enraged Li Gui but her steps never paused.

"Good Bye…" she muttered.

.................................…

On that windy night Li Xia stood in the balcony of her apartment. She looked at the city lights and felt a little melancholic. The city is so big. But there was no one to care about her in this big city.

Her family lived here, her father, grandfather, uncle and everyone else. She scoffed at her own thoughts.

"Family... Huh? Is it not because of them I am all alone right now?" She spoke to no one in particular.

She felt the wind as it touched her body and also her soul. She can feel the cool wind brush past her hair which reminded her of the only person who cared the most about her.

While she was in her own world her mobile rang. Li Xia smiled on seeing her friend's name.

"Hey Darling… Are you missing your mommy?" A loud voice could be heard from the speaker.

Bai Ying video called her. She must have thought that she would be crying by now. Li Xia rolled her eyes at Bai Ying, listening to her energetic teasing.

"Yes… Yes… I was crying my heart out before you called. And I was missing you so much…"

"See... I knew you would be doing that right now. So I called you to give some moral support. I am such a good friend. Aren't I?"

"Yes, My mother... you are really caring. Alright?" they both continued their banter till Bai Ying felt that Li Xia's mood was better.

Li Xia was laughing hard at Bai Ying's antics when Bai Ying tried to convince her again.

"Xia darling... you don't have anyone who cares about you in that city. Why don't you come to me? Don't you think it is time for you to leave that city?"

Li Xia was silent for a long time. She wanted to leave this city a long time ago. This city did not feel like a home to her at all. But…

She always craved for familial love. She came to this city because her so called family lived there. But after seeing the true faces of everyone in that family, she doesn't care about them anymore.

She will be decisive this time. She was disappointed too many times. But she had her bottom line. She took a deep breath.

"I am coming to you darling…" Li Xia smiled widely at her expecting friend.

"WOWW… That's my girl! Leave them aside now, you have me! Anyway you have tried your best to bond with them. If they can't accept you, that is their loss. But I didn't expect them to be so ruthless... especially that bastard father of yours…"

Bai Ying wanted to scold more but when she saw her friend's face change she gave up. She controlled her temper and smiled.

"Leave all that. The happiest thing is that you got rid of that crappy arranged marriage." She clapped her hands failing to control her excitement.

Li Xia giggled at her friend's childishness. "Alright… time to sleep. We can talk tomorrow. I will meet you at the airport. I will message you the details later. You can't be late or else...!" she threatened Bai Ying.

"Who… who will be late?" Bai Ying wanted to cover her shortcomings. She did not know why but she will always be late everywhere.

"I promise!! I will be on time." She promised solemnly to a skeptical Li Xia.

After Li Xia spoke with Bai Ying her mood was better. She now felt that the city was looking better..

'Maybe, I might never come back to this city again. So.. it is a goodbye... Huh...'