THE BILLIONAIRE'S FOREVER CONTRACT

DIANA

DIANA

I know they want the best for me but they have to understand that I also want the best for myself and the best is finding my own path away from their stifling presence and many achievements. I don't want to always remain the girl who was born into the Rodrigues family and always known for my parent's wealth. I want something more and even if they cannot understand it now, they will later.

I don't know exactly what...

A knock interrupted my musings in my diary and I closed it immediately and sat up.

"Come in" I said.

Mara's head poked in as she surveyed my countenance before walking towards me in slow measured steps. She sat beside me and held out a hand, waiting while I placed my hand in hers with my eyes brimming with unshed tears

"I want you to know that I know how you feel and I will support you finding your own path away from all this" She told me

"Nobody seems to understand that this is not another tantrum throwing and I really do not want to be just the daughter of the Rodrigues but also Diana of something." I sighed

"It can be a bit overwhelming when you have to always remain the shadow of your name and in the shadow of fulfilled brothers"

"You get it but I just hope the others do because with or without their blessings, I plan to leave" I said

She said nothing to counter me and I guessed it was because she could see the determination in my eyes. I was sure of what I wanted and I wasn't one to back down from anything

"You should let anyone dissuade you but it is better you make sure to be on stable terms with them concerning your endeavors before you leave"

"Thank you, Mara" I smiled

I waited till she was gone before I began packing up some of my clothes with determined movements. I was going to leave the next day but first I had to speak to my brothers and particularly my mother who I was sure was going to have much to say to me concerning my rebellion. I had to make her understand that this wasn't the stage of any rebellion and this was me finally trying to make a name for myself after years of staying put and being the resident spoilt child.

I packed little; there was no use logging around clothes when I could just as easily shop where I was going to.

It was finally time to confront my family outside and so I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. I need not have even come out at all because Jason was standing by the door, trying to knock.

One look at my face told him all there was to know and although I could feel the anguish and disagreement of my foolhardy decision radiating from him in waves, he made no move to voice out such thoughts.

"Are you sure?" He asked me as we both descended the stairs.

"I am sure. Surer than I have ever been of anything in my life" I told him

"Then you should know that I support you and will be there for you"

"Thank you, brother" I told him as I side hugged him.

Lucien looked like he planned to fight my decision all the way and I could see it was Mara holding him from doing anything rash like chaining me to my bedpost until whatever silly notion in my head was well out and away

"Mother" I began

"I understand you, Diana and I am sorry I did not see how miserable you have been just being in this house and..." her voice broke off as she sniffed

"I haven't been miserable, mother and you have been the best guide at everything but you should know that I cannot be copped up here forever" I told her, drawing closer and enveloping her in a hug

"Where will you go?" My mother asked

"She is going nowhere. Are you guys seriously encouraging this?" Lucien thundered

"Lucien" Mara's voice rang out in warning.

He turned to her and then settled back down in his chair, shaking his head like I was making some terrible mistake

"I have made up my mind to go to Italy... far away from here and where I am not known. I want to start afresh without being recognized on the streets by people that know the popular Rodrigues family"

"And you think that Italy is the best place for that? We know no one there and cannot you" Lucien said

"That is kind of the point, brother" I told him

There was quiet for some minutes and I could see the wheels turning in their respective heads before Lucien sighed; this time when he spoke up, his voice was calmer

"Fine but you have to promise to keep us in the loop about all your activities and if it becomes too much for you, you are to come back home immediately"

"I will keep you all in the loop and I would not come running back home, do not worry about that" I told them.

And it was decided that by that time the next day, I should be settled in a hotel in Italy before I begin a hunt for an apartment.

I was livid with both excitement and fulfillment and it was the thoughts of how uncertain my future was that kept me up at night.

Jason had called for the helicopter to be ready to drop me off at my destination and although I had told them it was absolutely unnecessary and I could very well take a flight there, they had insisted. It was their own way of sending me off, they had said

I will finally be leaving for Italy tomorrow morning and I cannot wait to set my eyes on the beautiful places there. I do not know for now why I am going there and what exactly I shall be doing but then again... little steps

Till we meet again, dear diary

Yours girl, Di