CHAPTER 4- BE A SLAVE OR A SURVIVOR

Tommy's leg got a lot better because he was able to get proper medication and my dad was given all the money he needed to clear off the debt. They were to be given their own house to live in somewhere in the Clyde's estate, something very comfortable., Maybe after the wedding I'll try and see if it's possible to make sure Tommy gets enrolled in college, I just hope so

  I had to drop out of college in my freshman year because of what happened.

  "You look really beautiful, Maddy", Tommy said, hugging me.

  I hugged him back and smiled, "Thank you", I said.

  I was in my wedding dress, I looked like a really beautiful bride, but I just wasn't happy or at peace.

  Because in as much as I pushed in for all of this, I don't want any of this. I don't know this man, at all.

  I don't know what I'm getting myself into, I don't know this family, and I don't know what to expect; in all honesty, I'm scared, so scared.

  "You know I'm doing this for you right? All of this, because I want you to have a better life", I said 

  "Thank you so much Maddy", he said blinking away tears 

  "Hey, look at the bright side; things are gonna get better for us; we're not going to be running anymore; we're safe now," I said, trying to encourage him.

  "But what if something happens to you?", he asked.

  "I'm a fighter, Tommy; there's nothing I can't go through," I said.

  The door opened, and my father came in; my smile died down instantly.

  It's hard not to hate him, really; it is.

  "Can I have a moment with your sister, please?" he asked.

  Tommy nodded and left.

  "I.. I've been thinking of what to say to you for the past couple of days and in all honesty, I don't know. You don't deserve this life; you deserve to be happy, pick a man of your choice and fall in love, have children, be the mother you've wanted to be, and be happy; you deserve a normal life, honestly. And I've failed you as a father. I was power-thirsty, I wanted money, so much money to make you all live the best life ever, but I took it too far, and we lost your mother. I knew I had to leave because I didn't want to lose anyone again and I had made your life a living hell because of that decision, but I am sorry Madiaah, I wish I could turn the hand of the clock and make everything go away and be a better father to you but unfortunately, I cannot. I will give up anything in the world to see you safe, even if it is my life; God knows ".

  I hugged him, tightly. Yes, I do hate him, but he's still my father. He was still there for me every time I needed him. And before all this happened, he made life easy for me, for all of us, he was all In for my happiness.

  "It's okay; let's just get this over with," I said.

  The door flew open again, "They're all seated and waiting for you", Tommy said.

  I nodded.

  Today, I became a Clyde; a family of royalty and power. 

  I've been using these words to comfort me and calm me down.

  "Let's go", he said and he escorted me to the hall.

  I gathered my breath and marched into the hall.

  Seated in the congregation were wealthy people that I had only heard of.

  The wedding was a small one, with just a few people present.

  My heart was pounding.

  In just three days of meeting Anthony I'm getting married to him.

  I have never been so scared in my life.

  My dad walked me down the aisle and then handed me over to Anthony.

  "My mother picked your dress, didn't she?" he whispered, taking my hands.

  "Yes".

  "Typical, you look like her now", he said.

  I almost smiled, he somehow made me relaxed.

  "Just keep up a fake profile till this whole thing is gone, and we can get over it; I'm already irritated being in the sight of these monsters," he whispered again.

  He looked at me, "Are you sure you know what you're doing Madiaah, my family is not something anyone would dream of coming into, if you do this today for the next whenever you're going to be their puppet, your life is their life, you don't have a life of your own, you're theirs", he said.

  I nodded, "I know what I'm doing", I said.

  "Alright then".

  The priest started talking, but at that point, I had zoned off.

  I was there, doing everything they asked me to do, saying everything I was asked to say, but my mind was far from there.

  If everything he's saying is true, then my life is gone.

  I don't know if I can do this, but I know I can't keep running.

  Be a slave or be a survivor? I'd rather be a slave.

  "I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may now kiss, "The priest said.

  I think that was what brought me back to reality.

  "Not so fast," Someone said, coming into the hall.

  My heart skipped a beat, Riccardo.

  My father immediately grabbed my brother, trying to protect him.

  "Who is that?", He asked.

  "Riccardo, one of my dad's enemies," I said, swallowing hard in fear.

  His men appeared behind him, fully armed.

  "I thought this place was secured; how did he get in?" his mother asked, pissed.

  "We've paid off all their family's debts; you no longer have any right to worry them ever again, "His mother said again.

  "Oh, but he does not owe me money; he owes me a woman; we made a deal that if he failed his end of the bargain, he'd give me his only daughter as a wife, and look who is getting married, "he said.

  "And you attempted to kill her the other day?", someone questioned from the congregation.

  "The deal was to have her either way, dead or alive. "