3

The doctor had seen my father, and he was okay, resting in his room. Aunt Ruth had announced to the guests that the party was over. I was beyond sad and deeply hurt. 

"Natalie?" Rocky calls. 

I feel relieved, just the person I needed. "Hey." 

"What happened? Why was the party cancelled?" 

My eyes become watery, causing Rocky to worry. "Are you okay?" He asks.

"Daddy is dying, he has a brain tumor." 

"Oh, my God. Natty, I'm so sorry. How did that happen?"

"I don't know, he said he found out a few weeks ago."

Rocky hugs me, "Everything's going to be fine, Natty." He assures me. 

I remember my plans for the night. Would having sex despite my father's current condition make me selfish? I didn't know. The only thing I wanted was to forget about my problems. I didn't want to think about anything.

Waking up, I'm shocked as soon as I realize that I'd been too wasted in love that I'd forgotten to go back home. "Crap!" I panic as I get up, alarmed. I look at my naked body and gasp. I really did it! I turn around. Rocky's still fast asleep.

"Rocky!" I shake him. "I have to go, why didn't you wake me?" 

Rocky smiles, revealing a set of sparkly white teeth.

"I didn't want to disturb you, my love. You looked so happy and content."

I blush. I could tell I was as red as a tomato. "Yesterday night was perfect, Rocky. You don't know how much I love you."  I say, as I kneel down, placing a kiss on his lips. I continue, "I'd give up anything to live like this everyday, with you." He smiles, cupping my face in his hands. "I have to go now. I'll call you." I say. We hug.

***

I head back to the mansion as fast as I can, silently praying that no one would see me. What if they had noticed my absence already? What could I possibly say? "I should text Lydia for backup." I whisper to myself, but before I can, I'm greeted with Judith's face. 

"You startled me." 

"Well, are you a thief? Why be startled in your own home? Where the hell have you been?"

I frown, "Away from you that's where." I murmur.

Judith scoffs, "Did you say something?"

"Mother, please. Don't act too concerned. I'm going to my bedroom." I respond, completely ignoring her.

She scoffs, yet again. "Listen, Natalie. You should be grateful for all the privileges you enjoy under my roof. A lot of people would die for it, Princess. The least you could do is be respectful, you brat!"

"Your roof? Mother, this is Dad's house, not yours. I'm going."

She stops me. "You're so proud of your father's achievements."

"I know that already."

"Then do the needful."

How are we even broke, to begin with? I thought dad had a whole lot of money?"

"Our money was seized, Natalie. Stolen, I'd say." 

"Seized? By whom?" I ask, worried. I couldn't believe it. From what I'd known growing up, my father had enough wealth to sustain generations to come. What could've gone wrong?

"A very powerful man, my dear. He's stabbed us where it hurts most, but there's still hope, Natalie." My mother says as she moves closer to me, holding my hands. I look down, at our hands. She hadn't held me like that in years. It felt foreign.

"I don't even understand what you're saying. Who is this man, and why would he seize our money, I mean, is that even possible? Is that even legal?" I ask, scrunching my brows in confusion. 

"What we did doesn't matter, Natalie!" My mother yells, grabbing my shoulders. I gasp. She continues, "You're a woman now, you graduate in a few weeks. You're our only child and only hope. This is the time to help your family, Natalie. Sacrifices must be made."

"What exactly are you going on about, mom?"

"Marry him. Marry the man responsible for all of this. He's agreed to return all our money and properties of only you marry him for at least a year. Just one year!"

My mouth drops. I fling her hands off my body as I step back. 

"Come again?" I ask, hoping and praying that I heard wrong.

"You have to do this." She states sternly. 

"Is this a joke? It's a really sick and frightening one if it is." I respond, annoyed. I begin to walk away, not in the least interested in what she had to say.

"Of course not!" Judith yells. "Your father is sick. Sick! We're too broke to even send him to the hospital. Your birthday, was paid for by your aunt Ruth. Need I say more?" Judith comes closer to me. She holds me again. "Get your hands off me!" 

"Natalie." 

"I will not be getting engaged to anyone!" I yell.

The sound of screeching tires wakes me. I rush to my window to find out what all the noise was about. I see a fleet of cars and immediately, suddenly my heartbeat increases and my stomach ties into knots. I rush to my closet to have a quick change of clothes. I needed to find out what was going on.

I get dressed, wearing a red lace peplum skirt and a white corset top.

From the stairs, I could hear a familiar voice, but I just couldn't make out who it belonged to. The only voices I could recognize were Judith's and my father's.

I can hear a few words as soon as I reach the stairs. "We can fight him together, if only your daughter agrees. If she decides to marry my son, we will help you with Carrington. He's a terrorist." I could tell it was Senator Jackson. I sigh. "He still hasn't given up?" I whisper to myself. 

I listen some more, but I get impatient and I rush down the stairs. 

"Senator, how pleasant it is to see you again, but I must tell you something; I will not be getting engaged to your son."

The senator is about to respond, but Lea enters the room. "Sir, a man is here to see you," She continues, "He said he's from Carrington."

"Can someone tell me why exactly this Carrington person is after this family?" I ask, as soon as Judith and I enter the study.

"You keep asking pointless questions when you know the solution already. I don't get you at all." My mom says, pouring herself a glass of water. 

"I've told you that I'd out o— The door is flung wide open and our attention is diverted to the door. A man who seemed to be in his early thirties, stood by the door, dressed in an expensive grey suit. 

"Mrs. Richardson?" The man asks, scanning the room. 

"This is she. You are?"  Judith inquires, clearly disdained. 

"I believe, the answer to your problem." He says, this time locking eyes with me. 

I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion, "Problem? Who are you, and how can you just barge into our home?"

He completely ignores me, as though I'm not present in the room. "May we speak in privacy?" He asks, specifically looking at Judith.