Our Own Problems
“…what?” She eximed, clearly shocked at my words.
“I said, what makes you think that you can take my ce?” I repeated my question again.
“I…” Annie said before she realized that she didn’t have anyeback for that.
“You can’t. The good news is that you don’t need to. You need to find your own ce in his heart or
your own role in his life. To be frank, if you can’t even do that, I would prefer if you would just let Zak go
and opt for a divorce,” I said truthfully. I’ve seen so many arranged marriages fail. Just take a look at
Lucien’s for example.
“What?!” Annie eximed once again in shock.
“Did I offend you with my directness? I’m sorry. I have somewhere to be so I can’t be here with you
forever. Thest thing I want Zak to be involved in is a loveless marriage. Zak is a free spirit. It’s so sad
Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
to see him tied down by something that’s not even close to love,” I said, emotionlessly.
Perhaps, this is for her own good…
I paused as I nced at Annie to see that she was deep in thought. Perhaps she was seriously
considering my words. Regardless of what she chose to do from here on out, I wanted to say what I
had to say. The rest will be up to her.
“Zak once told me that if he falls in love, it will be at first sight or not at all. It’s been five years now, and
he’s known you before your wedding too, don’t you think that if he’s going to fall in love with you, he
would have a long time ago?” I asked rhetorically.
“I hate to admit it but…I know that. But…I just can’t let him go…” Annie replied softly.
“Just think it over. Letting go and starting over isn’t a bad choice but it can be a hard choice to make. I
guess, I know that from personal experience. I wish you and Zak both the best…” I said, meaning every
word.
“Natalia…how did you manage to forget Zak?” Annie asked, her eyes pleading me for an answer that
would save her.
I just threw my head back andughed at her presumptuous question. This girl is really funny…either
that or she’s very dense. It took a while until I was able topose myself adequately to answer her
question.
“Simple. I never managed it,” I replied before I smiled at her.
“Natalia…” Annie said my name as her eyes widened in shock and I could see her lips quiver.
“The tea has gotten cold. I’ll…see you around,” I said before I grabbed my handbag and got up from
my seat.
This time I walked towards the exit and never turned back around.
…
When we became parents, many new responsibilities were thrown our way. For some of them Edward
and I were able to figure things out together and they went by easily like a breeze. However, some
were a little bit trickier. I looked down at the letter in my hand and sighed with worry. Edward really
never liked going to any of these.
‘Parent-teacher conference’ was written in bolded text at the top of the letter.
Well, the twins are still quite young so I doubt there would be anything surprising or troublesome. I
we were told of the many mischievous things that he did to his ssmates as school. That boy was too
smart and naughty at best.
“Sorry, I’mte…” Edward said apologetically as he came to stand next to me.
“It’s ok. It’s not our turn yet,” I replied as I smiled at him.
Edward adjusted his tie nervously although I thought that he already looked perfect if not slightly
overdressed for a visit to our children’s school.
“You don’t have to be so nervous, you know?” I said as I smiled amusedly at him.
“I’m not nervous…” Edward muttered as he folded his arm defensively.
“Yeah right…” I muttered back.
We stood silently in front of the teacher’s office side by side as we waited for our turn. I felt like I had
nothing to worry about. The twins were cute, smart and well-behaved children. Much more well-
behaved whenpared to their older brother, Ryder.
After a short while, it was finally our turn to meet the teacher. Miss Evergreen was a plump woman in
her mid-forties who had spent her entire career teaching at this school. Edward and I have decided to
send our children to normal private schools instead of the ones reserved for socialites or ones funded
by the Rosenhall family. For obvious reasons, I t out refused to send my children to the same school
that Zak and I went to.
We greeted the teacher warmly before she invited us to take a seat opposite her at her working desk.
This was the first parent-teacher conference for us regarding the twins and I could clearly tell that
Edward was feeling nervous about the oue.
“Well, what can I say. Devon and Rosaline are very happy and cheerful children. It is clear that they
care about each other a lot and seem to stick to each other perhaps a little too much during ss at
first. However, now they seem to have found their own group of friends. Rosaline is ying with other
girls in the ss more and Devon with the boys,” Miss Evergreen said in a kind and caring voice.
“That sounds great,” Imented truthfully. The twins were sort of stuck together since they were
twins; however, I felt that it would be better for them if they developed a sense of individuality and
independence.
“The two are getting along very well with their ssmates and there is nothing to worry about them on
that front at all. They are friendly and very well-behaved children,” Miss Evergreen said reassuringly.
“What about their studies?” I asked.
“Oh…there is absolutely nothing for you to be concerned about on that front as well. Both Devon and
Rosaline are super smart. They seem to be much ahead in their studies than the rest of the ss most
of the time. They’re so smart. They’re geniuses!” Miss Evergreen said excitedly as she smiled a bright
smile at us.
“Please don’t say irresponsible things like my children are geniuses. I’m sure that they are just normal,”
Edward spoke up for the first time since the session started and it was clear that he was unhappy with
what he had just heard.
--To be continued…