Page 5 of Damsel in Disguise

ariella

“Daddy,” I burst through the doors of his office at CynoTech HQ without knocking. “You wanted to talk to me,” my heels click hard against marble as I stride straight to his desk.

“If it’s about another boring lecture of me wanting to study at Oxford University, then thank you very much for your time, but I’ve assignments due tonight,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest and widening my stance.

He looks up slowly, surprise flickering across his face before it softens into fondness. “I know you’ve spent your afternoon attending online lectures at Oxford University.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are,” he leans back in his chair. “I’m proud of you. You’ve got my support to chase your dreams,” and he focuses back on his work.

I roll my eyes with an audible scoff.

I know he didn’t mean that when he said he’d let Asher choose any life he wants.

“My little princess,” he begins gently, already getting it wrong, “you don’t need to rush your life away. You’ve got everything you need right here.”

“I’m not asking to rush. I’m asking to go.”

“You’re still a child, Ari.”

The word is insulting.

“I’m not,” I snap.

“You are to me,” he smiles as if that settles it. “And Oxford is… far. New country. New people. Why would you want to put yourself through all that when you’re safe here?”

“I just want to be there. I don’t want to stay on the same campus where my friends… died.”

“Well then, let’s get you into a new school.”

Here we go again… “No, I want a restart. And also, I’ll also help you manage CynoTech’s England branch,” wasn’t prepared to propose that… I mentally shrug.

He exhales, patient in the way only men with power can afford to be. “This isn’t about education, is it?”

Is it like some sort of parental superpower or what? They always seem to get it right.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I stiffen.

“It means that seventeen-year-old girls don’t wake up one day wanting Oxford without a reason,” he says carefully.

“I’m eighteen,” I correct, “which means I’m an adult, so I don’t need a reason you approve of.”

“Ari—”

“No,” I cut him off. “This is exactly what I mean. You’re not listening. You’re simply deciding for me like you always do.”

“I’m protecting you.”

“From what?” I laugh, sharp and humorless. “Books? Campuses? A plane ride?”

“From the world,” he says simply. “It’s not kind to girls like you.”

“Girls like me?” I echo, pointing at myself.

“My sweet girl,” he says. “You’re still my responsibility.”

“So that’s it?” I ask. “You’re just going to keep me here forever? Locked inside glass walls because you’re scared? Then sell me off to one of your friend’s sons, the highest bidder, in the name of a wedding?”