Sapphire's eyes stung as she felt the tears welling up. She was hurt by her father's words, and she didn't know who to turn to. Stephanie, the woman her father had married, was the last person she wanted to confide in. Sapphire felt a pang of resentment towards her father for marrying someone who was so close to her age.
As she walked away from the palace, Sapphire made a decision. She would get married, not just to any man, but to a handsome and rich one. And their wedding would be glamorous, a spectacle that would make her father proud. She would show him that she was capable of landing a good catch, despite his doubts about her.
With a newfound determination, Sapphire strolled through the gardens, her feet carrying her on autopilot. She wandered aimlessly, her mind consumed by thoughts of her future.
As she walked, she noticed a beautiful flower tree that caught her eye. The blooms were vibrant and colorful, and Sapphire felt drawn to them. She decided to take a closer look, to see how the roots of the tree looked like.
As she approached the tree, she stumbled upon a stone and lost her footing. Just as she was about to fall, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, holding her upright.
"Whoa, careful there," a deep voice said, as Sapphire felt herself being steadied.
Sapphire turned to see who had caught her, and her eyes met the gaze of a handsome stranger. He had piercing blue eyes and chiseled features, and Sapphire felt a flutter in her chest.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The stranger smiled and released her, and Sapphire felt a pang of disappointment. She had enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms, and she didn't want it to end.
"You're welcome," the stranger said, with a bow. "I'm kelvin. And you are?"
Sapphire smiled, feeling a spark of interest. "I'm Sapphire," she said, extending her hand.
Kelvin took her hand, and Sapphire felt a jolt of electricity. She knew that she had just met someone special, someone who could potentially be the handsome and rich husband she had been thinking about.
As they stood there, looking into each other's eyes, Sapphire felt a sense of excitement and possibility. She knew that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even imagine.
As they walked to a nearby café, Sapphire couldn't help but notice the way Kelvin carried himself with confidence and poise. She was impressed by his intelligence and wit, and she found herself laughing at his jokes and anecdotes.
Over coffee, Kelvin told Sapphire more about his work in real estate and consultancy. He was passionate about his projects, and his enthusiasm was infectious. Sapphire found herself getting caught up in his excitement, and she was surprised by how much she enjoyed his company.
As they talked, Sapphire learned more about Kelvin's background. He came from a wealthy family, but he had always been driven to succeed on his own terms. He had worked hard to build his own reputation in the business world, and he was proud of what he had achieved.
Sapphire was impressed by Kelvin's humility and kindness. Despite his wealth and success, he was down-to-earth and genuine. She found herself feeling drawn to him, and she couldn't help but wonder if this chance encounter might lead to something more.
As the afternoon wore on, Kelvin asked Sapphire about her own interests and passions. She told him about her love of art and music, and he shared his own appreciation for those things. They discovered a shared love of classical music, and Sapphire was delighted to find that they had so much in common.
As the sun began to set, Kelvin glanced at his watch and stood up. "I'm so sorry, Sapphire, but I have a meeting I need to get to," he said, smiling apologetically. "Would you like to meet up again sometime? Maybe dinner or a concert?"
Sapphire's heart skipped a beat as she considered the invitation. She would love to see Kelvin again, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to get involved with someone new.
"I'd love to," she said, trying to sound casual. "Let me give you my number."
As Kelvin took her number, Sapphire felt a spark of electricity. She couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them, and she couldn't wait to find out.
As Kelvin walked Sapphire out of the café, he turned to her and smiled. "I'll call you soon," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Sapphire smiled back, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I'd like that," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Kelvin leaned in and kissed her cheek, his lips brushing against her skin. "Take care, Sapphire," he said, his voice low and husky.
Sapphire watched as Kelvin walked away, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She couldn't believe how much she had enjoyed his company, and she couldn't wait to see him again.
As she made her way back to the palace, Sapphire's mind was filled with thoughts of Kelvin. She wondered what he was like as a partner, whether he would be supportive and understanding. She imagined what it would be like to be in a relationship with him, to laugh together and explore the world.
When she arrived back at the palace, Sapphire's father was waiting for her in the living room. He looked up as she entered, his expression stern.
"Sapphire, where have you been?" he asked, his voice firm.
Sapphire hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I went for a walk," she said, trying to sound casual. "I met someone."
Her father's expression darkened. "Who is he?" he asked, his voice cold.
Sapphire took a deep breath. "His name is Kelvin," she said, trying to sound confident. "He's a businessman. We met in the woods."
Her father's face turned red with anger. "I don't want you seeing him," he said, his voice rising. "He's not suitable for you."
Sapphire felt a surge of defiance. "Why not?" she asked, her voice firm. "You don't even know him."
Her father's expression turned ugly. "I know his type," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "He's a playboy, Sapphire. He'll use you and discard you."
Sapphire felt a pang of doubt, but she pushed it aside. She was determined to make her own decisions, to follow her own heart. "I'll decide what's best for me," she said, her voice firm. "Not you."
Her father's face turned red with rage, and for a moment, Sapphire thought he might lash out at her. But then he seemed to regain control, his expression icy. "We'll discuss this later," he said, his voice cold. "When I'm calmer."
Sapphire nodded, feeling a sense of relief. She knew that this conversation was far from over, but she was ready to stand up for herself. She was ready to follow her own path, no matter what her father said.
As the days went by, Sapphire and Kelvin continued to talk and meet up. They would go on long walks, have dinner together, and explore the city. Sapphire felt like she had known Kelvin for years, not just a few weeks.
Kelvin was charming, witty, and kind. He listened to her, supported her, and made her feel like she was the only person in the world. Sapphire found herself falling for him, hard.
But her father's disapproval still lingered. He would often bring up Kelvin's supposed flaws, trying to convince Sapphire that she was making a mistake. Sapphire tried to brush it off, but the doubts lingered.
One day, Kelvin asked Sapphire to meet his family. He took her to a beautiful mansion on the outskirts of the city, where his parents welcomed her with open arms.
Sapphire was nervous, but Kelvin's family was warm and friendly. They asked her questions about herself, and she felt like she was being interviewed for a job.
As the evening wore on, Sapphire felt more and more at ease. She was having a great time, and Kelvin's family seemed to like her.
But just as she was starting to relax, her father appeared at the door. He looked furious, and Sapphire knew that this was not going to be good.
"Kelvin, I need to talk to you about Sapphire," her father said, his voice cold. "She's not suitable for you."
Kelvin looked taken aback, but he stood up to Sapphire's father. "I think Sapphire can decide for herself what's best for her," he said, his voice firm.
Sapphire felt a surge of gratitude towards Kelvin. She knew that he was standing up for her, and she appreciated it.
The tension between Kelvin and Sapphire's father was palpable. Sapphire knew that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey. But she was ready to face it head-on, with Kelvin by her side.
As the evening drew to a close, Sapphire knew that she had made the right decision. She was falling in love with Kelvin, and she was willing to fight for their relationship.