Is this destiny?

September 16... morning after J&J wedding...

5:06 AM

Harriet returned to the resort earlier than what she wanted, and later than she should have.

She wanted to stay longer with Benjamin in that hotel room… but she has to go back to reality, otherwise her parents might suspect something. And that will be a bad thing.

Harriet has so many things she needs to figure out.

One is Jeffrey White. She knows that she is absolutely not interested in pursuing him, but she also knows that her parents will not give up easily on that. Is there a way for her to make her parents change their mind? For more than twenty years they are chanting Jeffrey's name and planning what they will do with all their assets when they merge with Whites through marriage.

Her family has several high-end hotels which are successful. Their wealth and influence can't be compared with Whites, but Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have their dreams and they see Harriet as someone who can make their dreams become reality.

Harriet does not see how her parents can stop their fantasies about merging with White family. She hopes that in time she finds a way out.

Harriet has her job as a curator in one art museum in Austin, but other than a small portion of her paycheck that she gets to keep, everything else related to her finances and properties is controlled by her parents. They always said that she is young, and they are helping her to invest and grow her money, but all those investments are under her parent's names and she does not have access to that money. Long story short, she can't afford to offend her parents. They control her finances and her life… all with a promise that when she becomes Mrs. White everything under the sun will belong to her.

Other thing she needs to figure out is Benjamin. What are they to each other? Was it all just one incredible night? She definitely wants to see him again, and he said the same many times as well. At the end, before leaving, she promised that she will be in touch and asked him not to call her. And she would really like to spend another sleepless night with him, soon. Harriet hopes to find an excuse to come to Los Angeles for a day or two, without her parents suspecting that something is going on. If she can't find anything that works earlier, in about a month LA Fashion week starts, and last few years she didn't miss it… her parents will not suspect a thing!

Harriet was smiling when she entered the suite.

"You are in a good mood.", Mrs. Morgan welcomed Harriet as soon as she entered the sitting area.

"Mother! How come you are awake?" Harriet could not hide her surprise.

She hoped that her parents are still sleeping, and she can sneak in without them knowing when she returned.

Her mother was not happy. "Is this the time to come back?"

Harriet did her best to appear casual. "I was with friends in the city. I didn't stay longer than they did."

Mrs. Morgan stood up and walked toward Harriet.

PAK!

It took Harriet few seconds to realize that her mother slapped her.

She held her throbbing cheek. "Why?"

Mrs. Morgan glared at her. "We told you to come back and make at least one appearance. And you went with friends?"

"But, mother…"

PAK!

Another slap dazed Harriet.

"We all came here because of one thing. And that is for you to get attention of Jeffrey White. And you left with friends? Did your father and I came here to support you or to waste our time while you go partying?"

Harriet sighed. Now her mother made it sound like she is after Jeffrey, and two of them are supporting her, as good parents. "Mother, Jeffrey is married…"

"Don't you dare say that again! If your father hears you I don't know what he will do.", Mrs. Morgan hissed at Harriet.

"But it's the truth!"

Mrs. Morgan was losing her patience. "Did you forget who pays the bills in the house?"

"I have my job."

"And we can easily take that away. Do you want us to lock you in the house again?"

Harriet remembered how they locked her in the room for a week with only water and one meal a day because she dared to ask for a puppy after they rejected her request. She was fifteen years old. Her parents were always extreme with disciplining. Even at age twenty seven, Harriet is not able to openly oppose them. "No mother. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me… I think I'm tired. I will go to my room and take rest…"

"One more thing…" Mrs. Morgan's words made Harriet pause her steps. "Who is Benjamin Casano?"

Harriet's heart stopped. "Who?"

She turned toward her mother and saw that she is holding a business card. "You went through my room?"

Mrs. Morgan rolled her eyes. "Don't make it sound like I'm snooping. When we returned from the wedding, I called your name, but no one answered so I checked if you are in your room or not. This was on the desk. Who is he?"

Harriet released a breath she was not aware she is holding. For a moment, she thought that her mother found out where she went and with whom she spent the night. But she knows that if her parents found out about that, the punishment would be much harsher than few slaps.

"No one. Last night we were out, and a man came and gave his card to each of us. Before I left I emptied my purse from trash, but I was in a rush to join you downstairs, and ended up keeping in on the desk… Let me throw it.", Harriet extended her arm to take the card.

"No need." Mrs. Morgan tore the card few times. "Since it's trash, I will do it for you." She tossed the pieces in the trash bin.

"Thank you, mother. I'm going to change and rest." Harriet went to her bedroom and made sure to close the door behind her.

Harriet wondered if she will ever be able to the escape grasp of her parents. Her heart ached at the thought that maybe previous night was the only night she could feel what it means to be free.

So far, her only exit was to become Mrs. White. But Jeffrey is married, and now more than ever she is confident that she does not want the title of Mrs. White even if it's available.

Harriet sighed while thinking that she should get some rest, and maybe later she comes up with something.

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