THREE

Storming out of the house, I sat on the bare floor pulling my knees up and resting my chin on them as memories of the past flooded my head.

I couldn't help but think about how everything about this God-forsaken marriage started.

Flashback

I laid on my bed with my earbuds stuck in my ears.

I was listening to some music at the same time smiling to myself.

I was smiling to myself cos I was thinking of Jeremy my boyfriend.

For the past two years we'd been dating, he had been the best.

I felt someone tap my legs and I jolted out of my thoughts.

"Mom!!" I called pulling out my earbuds from my ears.

"I wanna discuss something with you," she said sitting on my bed.

"I'm all ears," I replied, sitting up.

"Um...The thing is you're getting married soon" she announced, making my eyes bulge out.

"Huh!! I don't get you" I replied confused.

"If you're talking about Jeremy, he hasn't proposed yet, when he does, I'll let you all know" I added.

"I'm not talking about Jeremy, I'm talking of Nicholas the son of Mr. Chadwick Ceo of sterling cooperation," mom said.

"Mom are you okay? sorry I mean, are you feeling any symptom of fever" I asked placing my hand on her forehead while she scoffed.

"Elina! stop being unserious, you should start getting prepared for your wedding which is the day after tomorrow" she said sternly and left my room.

Yea! that has always been mom, she acts grumpy towards me cos I was an unwanted daughter.

By that I mean she and dad had me when things were rough for them, they almost aborted me but they didn't anyways.

For some years when I was little, they dumped me at my grandparent's home, they later took me back when dad became successful, that was when I found out I had a little sister with the same grumpiness as a mom.

Well, I don't care about them anyway cos dad is always there for me.

I walked out of my room and went into dad's study.

"Dad what's the meaning of mom telling me I'm getting married the day after tomorrow" I rasped.

"Oh!! she's right, you're getting married" dad replied like it was nothing signing some documents.

"Dad, how is this possible, for crying out loud I have a boyfriend" I yelled.

"Nicholas is rich Elina, ten times richer than your boyfriend" dad said looking up at me.

"I never told you I was bothered about how rich my boyfriend is," I said sarcastically.

"Sir Chadwick saw you at your 18th birthday, while my company was having big issues, I asked for help from him, the only way for him to help me was for you to get married to his son Nicholas, getting married wasn't a big deal so I accepted" dad explained with a shrug.

"What sort of dumb person helps someone......"

"Elina! I won't let you talk about Chadwick in disrespect" dad snapped cutting me short.

"Dad!!, I love Jeremy" I said calmly.

"Don't worry, when you and Nicholas get married, you'll love him" dad replied and I felt like smacking his face.

"Dad, you married mom because you loved her right? why can't I be with the one I love?" I asked in tears.

"I'm sorry Elina, it isn't my fault, I should have told you all this earlier," dad said.

"Dad!! are you even after my happiness?" I screamed.

"Elina!! I don't get why you're making this a big deal, every girl would die for this opportunity" dad yelled at me.

"Dad I'm not every girl, Jeremy is the one I love and want" I yelled back.

"Even if you keep telling me how much you love Jeremy, you'll still marry Nicholas, so save your breath till your wedding day" dad said and turned to the documents which were on the table.

"Dad no matter the deal you made I'm not leaving Jeremy to marry any stupid Nicholas I barely know" I yelled storming out of the study and slamming the door hard.

I ran to my room crying hard.

My parents are so selfish.

I picked up my phone and dialed Jeremy's number.

"Babe!!" Jeremy called from the other end.

"Hey!!" I replied.

"Can we meet up?" I asked.

"There's something really important I want us to discuss," I said with a crack in my voice.

"Hey what's wrong?, I'd have loved to meet up but I'm out of town" Jeremy replied and I signed.

"Can't we talk about it on the phone?" Jeremy can't.

"It's complicated," I replied with a sniff unable to keep my emotions together any longer.

"Babe!! Are you crying, tell me what's wrong?" Jeremy asked worriedly.

"I'm getting married to Nicholas Chadwick," I said feeling somber.

There was a long silence at the other end of the line

"Jeremy!!, Are you there?" I called out worriedly.

"Yeah!! When's the wedding?" He asked.

"The day after tomorrow" I replied and there was another long silence.

"Jeremy! I'm never gonna give up on us, I'll never leave you for anyone" I said in a reassuring tone.

"There's nothing we can do Elina, I'm sure your parents have made their decision already," Jeremy said and I felt heartbroken.

"Jeremy please let's elope together tonight," I said with my eyes closed.

"Are you crazy Elina, what if we get caught" Jeremy half yelled?

"Are you gonna watch another man steal me away, we've gone too far Jeremy, I'll never let you go, I love you so much" I said as a tear slipped down my face.

"I'll be back before dusk and I'll call to tell you when I'm ready," Jeremy said.

"I love you, Elina," Jeremy added.

"I love you too," I replied and hanged up.

************

"You sent for me ma'am," the chief guard said, entering his boss's wife's room.

Nancy was silent for a while but then turned away from her dressing table facing the chief guard.

"I want you to keep an eye on my Elina" Nancy stated.

*My husband has told you about her wedding right?" Nancy asked.

"Yes ma'am" the chief guard replied.

"I know Elina would do something dramatic cos she doesn't want to get married to Nicholas"

"I want you to always watch her, day and night, till her wedding day" Nancy instructed, turning back to face the dressing mirror.

"I'm done with you, you know what to do," Nancy said.

The guard bowed slightly before making use of the door.