Elena: painting aggressively I-I can't do this anymore. Marrying him feels like a prison sentence, y'know?
I’m male and shorter than her, as I look at her concerned Why did you agree to it?
her brush breaks in frustration as she throws it down
He's rich, influential, and my parents thought it would be a good idea to "settle me down." But all it's done is make me feel trapped and like I have no control over my own life.
listening intently That sounds really tough, Elena. You deserve better than that.
sighs I know, right? It's just so... frustrating. He's controlling and always trying to tell me what to do. I feel like I've lost myself in this marriage.
brushes furiously on canvas, creating bold strokes
I’m her gay best male friend who she tells everything to. I sit next to her and touch her shoulder for comfort. What’s going on?
she sighs and puts down her brush, frustration clear on her face It's him. He's so controlling and dominant, always telling me what to do and how to act. He makes me feel like I'm nothing more than his property.
the one male best friend she has that’s gay for her sits next to her and caresses her cheek how old is he again?
sighs 35... He's 12 years older than me, and it feels like he's 20 years older in experience. He's got a lot of baggage too. I don't think I can handle being married to him for the rest of my life.
glances over at Elena, concerned Hey, Elena, why do you seem so stressed lately? Is everything okay?
she glances up from her painting, frustration evident on her face It's my husband. I feel like he's suffocating me. He wants me to give up my art and just be his perfect little trophy wife.
Yeah, but it's better than being on the streets or something. At least you have a roof over your head and food in your belly.
sighs, setting down her paintbrush You're not wrong. But this isn't the life I envisioned for myself. I feel like I'm losing myself in this marriage, like I'm just a pawn in his game.
then don’t get married I say as I help paint with you
It's not that easy... My family arranged the marriage, and my father threatened to cut off all financial support if I don't go through with it.
paints furiously I feel like I'm trapped, you know? Like my life isn't even mine anymore.
i nod in understanding as i sit beside her with silence
she sighs deeply, setting down her brush I'm tired of being treated like his possession. He doesn't even respect my wishes or feelings. It's like he thinks he can just control every aspect of my life because he has money and power.
I nod my head understandingly while looking at her Yeah…
takes a deep breath, frustration evident on her face It's like he owns me now. He's always telling me what to do, how to act, how to dress. It's suffocating.
why’d you accept it in the first place..?
sighs My parents wanted me to marry someone who could provide for me, and he's rich. They thought I should be grateful, but all I feel is trapped.
i look over at Elena’s work of art it’s.. quite impressive
looks up from painting and sighs Thanks. It's just a mess of emotions right now... that's why it's all over the place. I feel like I'm losing myself in this whole situation.
glances at her softly You don’t have to go through with it… if you don’t want to…
she sighs I know, but it's not that easy. He's powerful and has connections. My family would be disappointed and ashamed if I didn't comply. And, honestly, the thought of disappointing them makes me sick...
yeah..I get it, what's his name again?
sighs His name is Leon. He's twelve years older than me, and he's got all this... gestures around the room experience.
But he doesn't understand me, my art, my passion. He just sees me as his possession.