Forced against one’s will

''I can't believe we won't be seeing Prince Vincent anymore.''

''Why can't we all return to the university back together?''

''Come on, you guys are speaking like we won't be seeing him forever.''

''True…we are leaving for the university first thing tomorrow morning.''

''Now…I kinda don't want to leave this place.''

''Stupid, you don't want to leave the free luxury.''

 ''So, luxury is more important than seeing Prince Vincent.''

Three female students could be seen chatting amongst themselves in the hotel room. Two were sprawled on the bed lazily in casual clothing, and the other one was seated with her legs folded on the couch. All were with phones each in their grasps.

''Well….''

''Tell me you're joking right?''

''Haha…of course.''

''I'm glad we don't have to visit another museum today.''

''Me too. So tired of seeing boring stuffs that existed before we were born.''

''Lol…if we don't see them, how do we know about them then?''

''Shut up…''

''Haha….''

''..…'' On the other hand, Calla was left alone on the side, sprawled lazily on the bed just like them with her gaze on the lighted screen of her phone. Though her gaze was on the pictures from her phone, her mind was currently occupied with the words uttered by the female students.

Today was the final day of the field trip, and yesterday was the day that students of the commercial department departed from New York city.

After the visits to the Bronx zoo, the university occupied them with visits to two museums in the city on the third and fourth day of the field trip. Since today was the final day, the lecturers decided generously for the students to rest throughout the entire day.

It was an idle day for the students of the zoology department.

'Time really flows fast…' Calla never expected the final of the field trip to suddenly arrive straight in her face. Wasn't it three days ago that Vincent persuaded her for them to have explore the city together? Now the said person was on his way with his coursemates back to the university.

*Bzzt* *Bzzt*

The vibrating sensation on the bed, pulled Calla from her thoughts. On the bed, her fingers searched on the phone until she found the device. She had unknowingly dropped the phone at some point during her thoughts.

Grabbing the vibrating device, Calla brought the lighted screen to her face, her gaze landing on the name of person currently giving her a call.

At the sight of the name 'Mother-in-law', Calla's eyes widened, her entire countenance froze on the bed, exposing the feeling of surprise she felt at the moment.

Abruptly sitting up, Calla stood up from the bed. Her feet scampered for her slippers and she hastened her steps out of the room with the vibrating phone in her hand. Stepping outside, she shut the door, and walked down the quiet hallway.

Swiping the green call-button to the side, Calla pushed the phone to her ear, speaking to the connected call.

''Hello Mother.'' Her voice was soft, and her eyes nervously darted to the side, hoping for none of her course mates to walk out of their rooms.

''How long does it take for you to pick a call?'' The voice of her mother-in-law came from the other side of the connected call. ''Did you intend to ignore my call, girl?''

''Of course not, mother.'' Calla quickly gave an answer, hoping for her mother-in-law not to be angry. Though, she still hoped for her mother-in-law to be a little understanding. This was the first time for them to speaking on the phone.

And also…this was the first time for them speak after a long while.

When that realization dawned on Calla, she suddenly wondered what her mother-in-law had in store for her. The middle-aged woman hadn't bothered with her, despite her absence. Yet she called out of nowhere, deeply surprising her entire being.

Did something happen for her mother-in-law to call?

''I see then. it's not like I called without a reason. My dear Rose got invited to the Castro's family birthday banquet. The old master is celebrating his 80th birthday. As my daughter-in-law, you must represent the kings family.''

''…what?'' Calla stood on the spot, looking lost and a bit stupid. If she was surprised before with her mother-in-law's call, right now, she was to stunned to speak with the words uttered to her.

'I-I am going to a banquet?'

Calla focused on that part of her mother-in-law's sentence. Why was she suddenly going to a birthday banquet? Didn't her mother-in-law hated her exposing her appearance in the high society? The woman had made it clear numerous times that her scarred appearance had tainted the dignity of the kings family in the high society.

And yet…the same woman wanted her to represent the kings family as a daughter-in-law in a birthday banquet.

The whole thing seemed very suspicious to Calla that she couldn't help but voice out some of her true thoughts. This was something that she would have never done to her mother-in-law, but the masked lady had yet to realize such thing as her entire mind was focused on the sudden situation.

''What about you, mother?'' Didn't you hate it for me to be doing things like this? Calla reasoned out, finishing the rest of her words in her thoughts.

 ''Why should I, Fiona kings go to a birthday banquet of a family lower than mine? I host banquets, not attend them, girl. It seems you still have a lot to learn as my daughter-in-law.'' The voice of mother-in-law was coated in such arrogance, yet scorn and contempt could be detected, which did not surprise Calla.

''As my daughter-in-law, you must represent my image well. Rose will be attending too. The birthday banquet is this evening, and your invitation card is with Rose. Your outfits for the birthday banquet will be sent to you soon. Do I speak clear, girl or you need me to speak in simpler words?''

''….I understand mother.'' Calla replied, now realizing that she had no choice, and there was no way for her to avoid attending the birthday banquet.

She was forced to something against her will. A character that was very common with her mother-in-law.

''Good, and do nothing that will bring my family further shame.'' This was the last words of her mother-in-law before the call ended without a word from herself.

''….Yes.'' Calla replied again, to no one but herself. Her phone left her ear, and her arm dropped limpidly at her side. Her gaze remained unfocused with many thoughts filling up her head.

Just when she surprisingly had a good time in this city, the universe had to remind why she shouldn't have come back to the same city.

Even with no one telling her, Calla had a feeling that something might happen in the birthday banquet. Before embarking on the trip, she already had a feeling that entering New York city would bring trouble to her doorstep.

This was the same city that she had been driven out of, due to circumstances.

It seemed she had been too lax with the wonderful time spent during the field trip and….with Vincent.

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