In the eastern district of city "M," Kiara, a young woman of 18, found herself arguing with her father for forcing her into marriage with a man she did not love, who was also seven years her senior.

She declared she wouldn't marry a stranger, but her father insisted she had to if she didn't want their family to lose everything. Kiara was far from selfish to let her sisters go without an education. Her father was aware that if he pressured her concerning her sisters' education, she would yield because even though she didn't get along with them well, she would do it, thus against her will she had to comply... A dinner was to be arranged that day to meet her betrothed, and Kiara wished to vanish from the world at that moment. She was sick of the daily injustices in that cursed mansion. To start, her mother cared little for her well-being, her father even less so, and as for her sisters, they were only concerned about the latest fashion trend released each year. A wholly shallow family. Kiara was forced to grow up detached from her parents, among those she called family, the ones she should have felt safe with from birth. But sometimes fate can be incredibly cruel, yet in time you may realize why it played you so. You will see it did not do so out of malice, but because it had something far better in store for you. This is what would happen to Kiara, as an old saying goes, "after the storm comes the calm"—in this case, sadness, loneliness, and abandonment; yet, after all this would come happiness, love, friendship, respect, and loyalty.

Her father left her in her room, submerged in a sea of tears, and before departing, he instructed her to be ready by 7:30 PM because their guests, including her fiance, would be arriving at that time.

Heartbroken, Kiara pondered why her father never considered her feelings. His indifference towards what she wanted was palpable. With minimal friendships to speak of, Kiara had few confidants with whom she could share her burdens; weeping was her sole release from the inner turmoil, despite being the youngest of two sisters who attended University.

Kiara felt incredibly isolated, on the brink of completing preparatory school. She was exceptionally bright, and unbeatable when it came to technology.

Meanwhile, her mother’s feelings were the polar opposite of paternal affection; she regarded Kiara with nothing but contempt. It was as if Kiara had chosen her own existence, an existence her mother loathed. The question that haunted her was: how could a mother harbor such resentment towards her daughter?

NARRATOR...

Kiara possessed a beauty so exquisite it seemed unreal. Standing at 1.60 meters with hair black as night, her skin was fair, and her eyes were intense green orbs resembling two vibrant emeralds. She had a stunning figure, long legs, shapely glutes, and breasts that were neither too large nor too small but just the perfect size.

But her beauty was a well-kept secret, as she chose to conceal it. She opted for dreadful glasses and ankle-length skirts, wore baggy shirts and sweaters, and pants that made her look heftier than she was. She refrained from makeup, not needing it to enhance her natural allure, and with her impending marriage, she had even less desire to showcase her beauty.

As dinnertime approached, Kiara began to dress. She donned a teal skirt embroidered with yellow flowers and paired it with a white blouse adorned with pink floral patterns. Finishing her ensemble with closed sandals, she adjusted her reading glasses—her habitual eyewear—and checked the time. It was the moment to descend and await her guests. Kiara left her room and arrived in the living room, where her father caught sight of her.

GERARDO (father): KIARA, WHY ARE YOU DRESSED LIKE THAT? DO YOU WISH TO SCARE AWAY YOUR FIANCE, EH?... he yelled.

KIARA: I’m sorry if my clothes are not to your liking, father, but this is how I always dress. However, if you’d prefer, I can return to my room and stay there to spare you the embarrassment...she silently hoped for an affirmative.

BEATRIZ (mother): Look at her, apart from being hideous, she’s so forward. You got nothing from me. When I was your age, I was the most beautiful woman in the entire city... Out of three daughters, I am proud of two because they are beautiful, but you bring shame upon us. Look how you dress and those glasses make you look like a parrot with all those colors; aren’t you ashamed?

KIARA: Thank you, mother. You look lovely too...her sarcasm was not lost on anyone.

BEATRIZ (mother): You're an insolent girl, and be thankful that the only reason I don’t punish you as you deserve is that there simply isn’t time.

ELIZABETH (sister): Oh, mother, leave her be. You know how she is. Ignore her; she’ll never rid herself of her lowliness... Elizabeth spat with the venom of the world. She was the eldest sister of Kiara and Luciana, the other daughter their mother doted on. Unlike Elizabeth, Luciana didn't verbalize her disdain as often, or she simply glared disdainfully, mocking Kiara with her looks and an inability to stand her.

LUCIANA (sister): Enough already, why don’t you leave her alone? It’s so simple, nobody takes her seriously, not even her so-called ‘fiance’.

KIARA: I don’t understand why you all hate me so much when I’ve done nothing to you...she said, barely holding back the urge to retreat to her room and cry.

BEATRIZ: Why? And you still ask? Look at yourself and then your surroundings. I have two incredibly beautiful daughters, and then there's you—nothing but a pitiful source of shame and embarrassment to this family. But at least once you’re married, we'll be rid of your dreadful presence. Ha ha ha ha ha...

ELIZABETH AND LUCIANA: Ha ha ha ha ha...

Unbeknownst to her sisters, their laughter echoed, amplifying the hurt they were inflicting upon their younger sibling.

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ELIZABETH: You know, little sister, it was I who was supposed to get married. But as you're aware, I am far too good to marry a man about whom nothing is known, not even his name, and whose face nobody has seen. I spoke with Father and arranged for you to marry in my stead. Consider it a favor, because without this arranged marriage, YOU would have never found a husband. Despite everything, I do love you, ha ha ha," she said, taunting her.

LUCIANA: Just be quiet. I hear your future husband has arrived," she said, glancing at Kiara with a mocking smirk.

KIARA: Thanks for the warning, 'dear.'"

GERARDO: Silence, the guests have arrived.

NARRATOR...

Suddenly, the famous "DING" "DONG" rang out, and a servant hurried to open the mansion's door. In walked a man, around 80 years old; the sisters snickered at Kiara, the servants looked on with pity, and their mother schemed, while Kiara's father's face lit up upon seeing the elderly man enter... he knew that their financial troubles were over, and the company's salvation had arrived.

GERARDO: Welcome, Sir Macolis, how are you?" he asked, offering his hand in greeting.

MR. MACOLIS: Quite well, thank you, for welcoming me into your lovely home," he replied, smiling and shaking Gerardo's hand.

GERARDO: Oh, please, the pleasure is all ours. But let us continue to the lounge," he said, still smiling.

NARRATOR...

Mr. Macolis agreed, and they all moved to the lounge. He looked at all those gathered, greeted Gerardo's wife, and then turned to the three young ladies present, inquiring after their names.

LUCIANA: Hello, Mr. Macolis. My name is Luciana Smith, a pleasure to meet you. This man is so old he looks more dead than alive - serves my tasteless sister right, ha ha ha."

ELIZABETH: Hello, Mr. Macolis, I'm Elizabeth Smith. Delighted to meet you. My 'dear' sister is marrying this old man, ha ha! She's getting exactly what she deserves."

MR. MACOLIS: "And you, my dear, what is your name?" he asked kindly, smiling tenderly.

KIARA: "Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Kiara Smith, a pleasure to meet you. To think I am to marry this man - he could be my grandfather. But he doesn't seem so bad; hopefully, he at least treats me kindly," she mused resignedly.

MR. MACOLIS: "What a lovely name. So, you are the one to marry my grandson," he said with a broad smile.

NARRATOR...

Everyone was surprised by the old man's revelation, except for Kiara's father, who had said there would be a marriage but never specified with whom. He only explained that it would be to a very wealthy man; he never mentioned it was the grandson of one of the richest men - something Gerardo didn't think necessary to share.

ELIZABETH: "What do you mean, Mr. Macolis? Weren't you the one supposed to marry my sister?" she asked, surprised and upset.

MR. MACOLIS: "Ha ha, forgive me for laughing, but it's absurd to think I would marry when this child could be my granddaughter, ha ha. No wonder you all looked at me so strangely, ha ha!"

KIARA: "Oh, then where is your grandson? I hope he's changed his mind on the way here and turned back."

MR. MACOLIS: "Ha ha, my grandson is outside. He received a call just as we were entering. He will join us shortly; please excuse his manners, sometimes business calls at any hour. He won't be much longer," he stated, his tone shifting slightly.