Chapter 5

~Charles

Just when I thought I had found someone that could change my perception about love, maybe falling in love with her would've helped me heal from my previous heart break from Janette, my ex-girlfriend. 

"Damn it Charles, you just ruined everything!" I said, hitting the brain box of my car. 

"You shouldn't keep hurting ladies simply because of Janette's heartbreak". I muttered to myself.

I felt my anger rising again, threatening to consume me.

As I pulled into the driveway of my father's house, I took a deep breath. I knew I looked a mess, and I dreaded the thought of facing my father and the guests. But I couldn't just walk past them, I had to face them. I gathered my courage and made my way to the front door. 

I walked into the house, hearing the sound of laughter coming from the sitting room. 

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. My father and his guests looked up, their faces registering surprise and amusement.

"Charles, my boy!" My father exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a fashion statement you're making! Is this the latest trend I've missed?" 

The guests chuckled at my father's words, and I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice faltering. "I didn't think the guests would be here already, and I didn't have time to change."

"Nonsense!" My father said, waving a hand dismissively. "It's no trouble at all! I'm sure our guests won't mind." 

The guests nodded in agreement, though I could see the amusement in their eyes. 

I wanted to disappear, to run away from the humiliation, but I forced myself to stay.

As I took a seat next to my father and tried to focus on the conversation, my thoughts kept drifting back to Megan.

I could still hear her laughter echoing in my mind, and I felt my anger rising again. Though I love her pretty face and personality, I still hate what she did to me!

I clenched my fists, trying to control my temper. But it was no use, I was getting angrier by the second.

Suddenly, I stood up, startling the guests. 

"I'm sorry, I have to go," I said, my voice serious.

"What's wrong, Charles?" My father asked, standing up to face me. "You look upset. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah sure dad, just a little misunderstanding with my friends".

"Okay, I'd like you to meet our guests, Mr. and Mrs. Cole," my father said, gesturing to the couple seated across from us.

"They're old family friends, and I've known Mr. Cole for many years."

The Coles stood up and smiled politely, but I couldn't bring myself to return the gesture. I already knew what they were here for. My father had told me a few days ago about the arranged marriage, but he never told me they were the guests he wanted me to meet with .

I felt betrayed by him. He knew I didn't want to meet the girl I was being arranged to marry.

"Pleased to meet you," Mr. Cole said, holding out his hand to shake me. But I turned and walked out of the room, ignoring the man and heading straight for the front door. I heard my father calling after me, but I didn't stop. I had to get out of here. I opened the door and stormed out into the evening, slamming it behind me.

I made my way to my car, still shaking with anger. I couldn't believe my father could do this to me. If he wanted to help that family out, why didn't he gladly help them, instead of using my inheritance to get me to marry someone I have no feelings for. Why would he force me to marry a total stranger?

I felt like my whole life was out of my control, and I was powerless to stop it. 

While driving down a dark, winding road, going faster than I should have been, my mind was racing, so I wasn't paying attention to the road. 

Suddenly, I saw a mini-van driving in a very strange way so I tried to avoid hitting it but another dark shape dart across the road in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. 

There was a sickening thud, and I felt my heart stop. 

"Shit! What have I done?"

I sat frozen in the driver's seat, staring straight ahead. I couldn't believe what had just happened.

Then, I heard a noise. It was a voice, calling out from somewhere nearby. 

"Oh no Jenny?" the voice said. 

I looked up, and saw a woman running towards my car. 

As she got closer, I realized it was Megan, and my heart froze. 

Megan was out of breath, and her eyes were wide with fear. She ran up to the driver's side window, and pounded on it with her fist.

"Open the window!" she yelled. 

"Please, open the window!" 

"Please!" Megan yelled, her voice full of desperation. "My friend is hurt! I need your help to take her to the hospital!" 

I felt my heart pounding on hearing that she was her friend ; and I started to feel dizzy. 

I felt a wave of panic wash over me. 

What should I do? Should I open the window, or just drive away? I found myself afraid of letting her know that I am the driver.

"If I take her friend to the hospital, and she dies , I would be in danger, but if I don't help her friend, and she ends up dying as well, nobody will know I was the hit and run driver."

But contrary to my real thoughts, I quickly asked one of my people to contact doctor Smith secretly and ask him to request an ambulance as soon as possible. 

I hope my resources can help to save this woman’s life, without my mistakes being noticed. I thought to myself, trembling.

Now I was unsure of my next action.