CHAPTER 3- MEETING THE CLYDE'S

MAADIAH

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*

Well, this is not how I expected this meeting to happen. 

  "Valerie, please can you take our guests upstairs and serve them something to eat while we handle things here", the supposed mother said.

  "Please, come with me", the maid said and led us upstairs. I turned around again and looked at the man who saved me the other time. We held the stare for a few seconds then he broke it.

  The stairs were made of marble; it was like those actual olden-days royal stairs. I've heard of the Clyde's family, but I never knew it was actually like this. 

  We reached the top and there was a table filled with food.

  My stomach rumbled.

  "Please feel at home, eat as much as you can. ", she said.

  I looked at my dad and my brother; they looked back at me, too.

  I could see it in their faces too, joy.

  We've never had this much to eat in a long time, God knows.

  *

  *

  *

  Anthony, that's his name, and he said no.

  I think it's more of a family thing than a me thing. At first, I thought I was probably disgusting, and he hated me, or I was way below his league, but it was something about him wanting the family lineage to end with him.

  "Well, at least we've had our stomachs stuffed with good food; we can carry some on our journey, could carry us for a while," Tommy said.

  "Or maybe we can beg them, maybe we can work for them, just to be safe around here" " my dad suggested.

  I'm so confused, how does Anthony know me? And why did he try to protect me?

  "It's not enough ", I said.

  "The very moment they kick us out, we're back to the street again, and besides, Dad, you can't work here because one way or the other, you're going to be dragged back to the same society you're running away from, none of that will do", I said.

  I stood up, "There's only one thing I can do ".

  "Where are you going?", Tommy asked.

  "To talk to him", I said and headed downstairs.

  His mother was sitting on the couch with her hands on her head as she sat with my dad's friend and they discussed in hush tones.

  "Madam", I called calmly.

  She looked up, "Oh, I'm sorry about what happened, it appears my son is very adamant about marrying, and I don't think our initial agreement will work out, "she said.

  I can't go back to running, I have to do this.

  "Let me talk to him", I said

  She looked at me, quite surprised.

  "I don't think what you have to say will change anything dear", she said.

  "Just trust me on this one", I said.

  She nodded and directed me to where he was.

  He was in the garden, he was backing me when I arrived, smoking.

  "Take your family and leave town, Madiaah, "he said as if sensing me around.

  "I .. I can't "

  "Madiaah -"

  "How do you know my name?", I asked.

  "I just know, and that is not a conversation I want to be having, so please take your family and move somewhere safe."

  "Last night you said you know everything about me, and if you did, you would know that I don't have anywhere safe in the world to go to, I've been running for 4 years Anthony, I am tired of running, for the first time in a long time I feel safe".

  He chuckled and turned to look at me.

  I got a very, very clear view of what he looks like, and God knows he took extra time to create this one.

  Anthony was a god, a real one.

  He had green eyes, very bright ones, with short curly hair that hung slightly on his face, very pretty black hair. His nose was perfectly crafted on his perfect jawline, and his plump pink lips were god-like.

  "You think you're safe here? Oh my gosh, I'm doing you a favor by telling you to leave. Do you think my family is safe? We're the center cartel of blood, money, and drugs, and you think we're a safe place?".

  "My dad was in this same cartel before; after we lost my mother, he decided to pull out and left his boss in deep debt, not just one person; there were many, and they're coming after us, one of which you saved me from yesterday. Most of them want money, and most of them want us dead; if I marry you, the bride price will be used to pay off that debt, and it'll send a very strong message to them to keep off, and they won't bother my family, again because they know how powerful your family is. Look at my brother; he's still injured, and he's young. I want him to get the best life ever, and I'm giving away my happiness and everything to become a slave to your family so he can live an actual life. Anthony, please, I'm begging you to marry me".

  He dropped his cigarette on the floor and stamped on it.

  "I'm touched by your sad life story, but I'm not going to marry you; I don't want to. And not that you have anything to do with it, you're a beautiful woman you are, but I made an oath that I'm not going to break, the only reason my mother Is in for any of this is that she wants an heir and with my family history I'm not interested in breeding more toys for them, I'm sorry Madiaah but I cannot help you ", he said.

  "Wait, I have an idea, a very, very crazy one, just hear me out. Your mother is not going to rest until you get a bride, right? And my father's enemies are going to keep coming after me; what if we fake this whole marriage for the show? I mean, you said you don't hate me, and you saved my life yesterday means you can tolerate being around me. We can fake this marriage and all; my father's enemies will stop coming for me, and your mother will let you be because she'll believe we're married, then we can live our lives anyhow we want it", I said.

  I paused to think, my heart was pounding.

  "It's a workable idea, but my family is not what it looks like; you're not going to be able to survive it,"* he said.

  "I've been through hell, trust me when I tell you that there's nothing I can't survive ", I said.

  He raked his hair.

  "Anthony please, you're my last hope, I'm not even sure I'll leave this town today alive, please, I will be the most submissive person you'll ever imagine or think of, when this all dies down we can split up and go our various ways, please ", I begged.

  He sighed, "Follow me".

  He then headed into the house and went straight to where his mother was, apparently she was discussing with my father.

  "I've agreed to marry Madiaah", he announced.

  His mother looked pleased and shocked at the same time.

  "Whatever did she say to him?", my dad's friend whispered.

  "I don't care, but it worked alright, "she said, beaming with joy.