"Why do you always have to spit on my face every damn time Adrianne?" my father asks after we stare at each other blankly for about five minutes but seemed like an eternity.
I have so much I want to say to the old man but I need to garner enough strength to say it without bursting into tears, I am barely holding them under my eyelids at this point.
At times like this I need my mother the most. She always had a way to deal with him in these kind of situations, sometimes I wonder if he purposely put her away in the hospital and then conveniently planned the marriage at a time when she was not around.
"I give you everything you need, I give you even what you don't need, I work my butt off to make sure that you do not lack anything under the sun, yet you and your vegetable of a mother always find new ways under the sun to ridicule and shame me, and what's worse in front of very important company," the veins on his forehead and neck threatening to pop out of his skin and spew blood on me as remnants of his saliva splash on my face as he throws his weight all around the bathroom.
"What the hell was the meaning of that, Adrianne?" He doesn't even take the time to say my name right, it is an old habit of his that I had learned to overlook long ago.
"Why don't you ask your so called son in law, dad" I say in the most exaggerating manner I could muster and roll my eyes all the way to the back of my head that if I tried any harder they would fall to the ground.
"I asked your husband to be to come up here and check on you to make sure you're okay, and what do you do?" he pauses as if he actually expects an answer from me.
"I come up here only to find him storming out angry, is that how you're going to handle your matrimonial home, make your husband angry over the most minute things?"
"I wonder how you can stand there and equate providing physical things mostly for your enjoyment, like this unnecessarily big ass and the numerous toys in it, with showing your family love and compassion and being there for your wife and child, it beats my imagine but I still wonder anyway."
"I can handle my spilled drink, I am a big girl after all, I mean I'm big enough to be given out for marriage I don't need help from you nor your boy toy Lucas."
As I speak I can almost hear him fuming, his breath and mine seem to be competing for who can get the loudest.
He sighs loudly and then begins speaking in a manner that suggests he is chosing his words carefully.
"Listen here little lady, you dare not ruin this deal for me, I couldn't care less if you want to ruin your life, but I promise you if you ruin mine you will pay and that's a frigging promise, as a matter of fact let us raise the stakes shall we?" my father says to me as he starts placing, his forehead and neck veins almost popping out of his skin, he then restlessly continues speaking.
"Just to make it fun eyy, that vegetable mother of yours lying at Mt. Sinai, room 147, oh yeah I know her room, are you shocked, yeah I know, and I know exactly what her condition is exactly, you don't seem to rralizee how powerful your oldan is Adrianne and that's your problem isn't it?"
I try to speak, but I really want to hear what he has to say next after he just mentioned information about my mother that I did not think he knew.
"Now let me warn you, you little spoilt brat. If you ruin the project with the Shauls for me, if you make me lose this golden goose opportunity, your vegetable of a mother will have more than just her legs to worry about and that is a promise young lady, now clean up your dress, fix that face you look as terrible as your mother when she fell down that flight of stares and go out there with a huge brimming smile let's get this marriage kickstarted!"
"So you know where mom is, and you have never even cared tomoay her a visit?" I asked in disbelief, as if I really thought that this monster of a man could really be capable of human compassion, after all didn't he put her in there in the first place?
"You even know every down to her room number, but how do you know about her condition?" he smirks at the question.
"If anything happens to my mother Dad, I will drown myself in the pool and I will frame you for it, you will lose everything you own and have ever worked for..." I threaten him but he must not have any care in the world at this point as he replies, "oh well, if you have to take your own life at least the decency to not terminate my pool I pay a lot to have it cleaned and treated every month, you know you could just slit your wrist like regularly kids or just overdose on drugs you know like the other kids whose parents can't afford to have a swimming pool in the house you spoilt dimwit, you can say you will kill yourself from now till next year all I know is that you will go out there tonight and kiss Lucas Shaul and accept him as your husband in front of everybody, now move!"
He does a mock face fixing and make up in the mirror and eyeballs me, signalling to me to fix my face.
He begins adjusting his own hair and tie in the mirror, prepping up his fake gentleman smile curated to fool the public and give him a friendly demeanor in the media.
I get beside my monster of a dad, I wished I could be anywhere ht. Ear him at the moment. I would leave but I can't go out there while looking like this. I glare at him with hatred burning in my pupils then I focus on the mirror, I turn on the faucet and cup the rushing water in my palms and splash it on my face as if I am trying to wake myself up from a terrible nightmare, this was even worse a terrible nightmare it is but I can't even wake up from it by splashing water on my face.The water is cold, it makes me shiver and the goosebumps on my forearms become very visible, I begin to shiver as I speak."Listen carefully Dad," trying to tilt the power dynamics back in my corner. If I have learned anything from watching Hollywood exorcism movies it is that you can't really win against the devil, you either always have to make a deal with him or you lose."fix your face Adrianne," he cuts me off absentmindedly, mispronouncing my name for the umpteenth time but I am very used to it and
The old devil leaves and I get back to trying to get the wine and bloodstain off my dress, but all to no avail, this is exactly why I don't ever wear cashmere. On the brink of panicking, could this night get any worse I ask myself, then I realize I came up with my little clutch bag, and inside it is my cellphone.I reach for the little clutch bag like a horny overseas marine officer reaches for his wife's bra after three years of overseas service in Alaska or some other distant land.Before then it took me about thirty seconds or more to figure out where I kept the bag, after all a lot had happened since I came into this bathroom, I've cried twice and thrown more tantrums than a toddler, ruined my make up and applied it again, I've made a deal with the deal amongst other things.My eyes finally settle on the little clutch bag lying innocently on the floor, untouched, as if the Wolf did not almost burn in this bathroom. I bend down with great difficulty, my whole body feels stiff, th
Sheila asks for a Margarita refill and then snaps me out of my 80's sitcom initiated trance."I know you're super smart and all, but your dad posseses evil in his veins, he's an evil genius, so you and I both know that there is a huge chance of him going against his words, I mean he locked you in the house just to get you to marry that Lucas Saul," "Shaul, Lucas Shaul," I correct her, "whatever his name is," she responds."My point is, the cunning fox will do anything to get you to do his bidding, tats how he became so rich in the first place isn't it?""What will you do if that happens?"" If I was you Sheila, sitting across from me right now I would ask myself that same question, even as I am myself I still asked myself that same question, don't you think I've put all these intro considerations, I'm planning to take it one day at a time alright."I still could not binge watch "Friends" after leaving Sheila, I got home late and tired and found myself in Narnia falling in love with a
It's almost funny how a home run by the Philadelphia Phillies' batter had my Dad more concerned than his only daughter being followed by a suspicious vehicle all the way to the house, but I can't even laugh now, I was really afraid for my life.As he opens his can of beer I begin thinking to myself, even if he does not care about my safety as my father, I know my Dad all too well, that 6-pack of beer would not matter at all just because he heard somebody was threatening to ride a bike over his lawn, as a matter of fact the perpetrator would have the cans of beer smashed over their head and would be forced to mow the lawn for as long as my father dictates.Something is definitely wrong, and I won't be able to sleep with both eyes closed except I get to the bottom of this, I know for sure I wasn't hallucinating, I away them serve when I swerved, I know they were trailing, who and why is what I do not know, but I'm about to find out. Charity begins at home they say, I'm about to do some
The old devil is not the only one who knows how to get down and dirty, well it takes two to tango it's time I dance with the devil.He wants to play games? Let's take the games to his home court. "Aren't you scared, your dad is very powerful he has eyes and ears everywhere I'd like to remind you Adrianna," said Sheila when I told her about my plans over dinner."First off, they know where my mom is admitted and receiving treatments, so we have to move her to a different institution as fast as possible,' I explain the first step of my plan."...and then we confuse them, I need to get a new car and a new phone he probably has them both tapped." I say to Sheila.Losing my phone was difficult for me because I had a sentimental value attached to it as it was a gift from my mom, but I have to do this for my safety and hers.I've been deflecting questions that involve why I changed phones and a car from my mom when I go to visit her in the new hospital we moved her to. Sheila is still very
The hospital room was bathed in the faint light of the evening sun that seeps through the blinds of the large window, casting long, slanted shadows across the walls. The hum of machines fills the air, and the occasional beep of monitors breaks the silence.In the center of the room lies a hospital bed, and in it rests Adrianne, connected to an IV drip. Her face is peaceful, the soft rise and fall of her chest indicating that she is still asleep. Her chestnut hair spills across the pillow in a tangled mass, and her slender fingers clutch the edges of the blanket.Her breathing is slow and measured, like the gentle waves of the ocean lapping against the shore. The steady rhythm of the machines is almost soothing, like a lullaby that sings her deeper into sleep. The only other sound in the room is the quiet murmur of the nurses as they move about, checking her vitals and adjusting the machines.The room is sparsely decorated, with only a small bedside table and a chair tucked in the corn
Chapter 15The morning was gloomy, as if the weight of the world was bearing down on Adrianne's shoulders. The sky was a dull, slate grey, and a persistent drizzle fell from the heavens, drenching the streets and sidewalks.The air was heavy with the scent of wet earth and leaves, and the sound of raindrops pattering against the windows was a constant, soothing background hum. But for Adrianne, it only served to amplify the weight of her grief, to remind her that the world was still moving forward, even though her world had come to a standstill.As she stood at the window, watching the rain fall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection from the world around her. It was as if she was trapped in a bubble, a world apart from everyone else, where her pain and sorrow were the only things that mattered.The trees outside were bare, their branches skeletal and reaching towards the sky. The grass was a dull brown, flattened by the weight of the rain. The houses across the street w
Chapter 16.Adrianne stared at her father in disbelief. "What are you talking about, dad? How could you say that about mom?"Her father's eyes grew cold as he replied, "Your mother was always a roadblock to my goals, Adrianne. She was never supportive of me or the decisions I made.""What decisions? What are you talking about?" Adrianne demanded.Her father hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with an emotion Adrianne couldn't quite place. "I made a deal with Lucas's father, Adrianne. He's promised us financial security if you agree to marry Lucas."Adrianne's mouth dropped open. "What? You made a deal behind my back? How could you do that, Dad?""It was for the good of our family, Adrianne," her father said sternly. "You know how hard times have been for us. This was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.""But what about love, Dad? What about happiness? I can't marry someone I don't love," Adrianne said, tears welling up in her eyes."You'll learn to love him, Adrianne. And besi
CH 111Months had passed by since Lucas regained his memory and Andrianne gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Ariel. It was a new chapter in their lives, one filled with happiness, joy, and a lot of sleepless nights.Andrianne had never felt so happy and fulfilled in her life. She had always wanted to be a mother, and now that she was, she felt like her life had finally fallen into place. She spent most of her days taking care of Ariel, feeding her, changing her diapers, and watching her sleep.Lucas, on the other hand, was busy with work. He had taken over his father's company and was now the CEO. It was a lot of work, but he was happy to be doing something he loved. He spent most of his days in the office, but whenever he got the chance, he would come home to spend time with Andrianne and Ariel.Their home was filled with laughter, love, and the occasional crying from Ariel. They had hired a nanny to help take care of Ariel, but Andrianne was always there to make sure everythi
CH 110Andrianne's heart was racing as she approached Lucas's room with his medication. It had been two weeks since she decided to stay with him until he regained his memory, and every day had been a struggle. Seeing him every day, yet him not remembering anything about their past together, had been heartbreaking for Andrianne.As she entered his room, she saw Lucas sitting on the bed, looking out of the window. He turned his head as she entered and gave her a small smile."Good morning, Andrianne," he said softly."Good morning, Lucas," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.Andrianne walked over to his bedside and placed the medication on the table next to his bed."How are you feeling this morning?" she asked, hoping to make small talk."I'm feeling okay, thanks for asking," he replied.There was a moment of silence between them before Lucas spoke up again."Andrianne, can I ask you something?" he said hesitantly."Of course," she replied, turning to face him."Have we ever
CH 109Andrianne felt a pang of anxiety in her chest as she drove up the long, winding driveway to Lucas's mansion. It had been several days since she had left, and the fear of the unknown had been gnawing at her ever since. She needed to see Lucas, to know that he was okay, and to check on Emily as well. However, as she pulled up to the house, she noticed that Emily's car was nowhere to be found.Her heart began to race as she parked her car and made her way up to the front door. She hesitated for a moment before finally knocking. She waited anxiously, but no one answered. She tried the doorknob, and to her surprise, the door was unlocked. She pushed it open slowly, calling out Lucas's name as she stepped inside.The house was quiet, and Andrianne felt a chill run down her spine. She made her way through the foyer and into the living room, but there was no one there. She searched the rest of the first floor, but it was empty. She then climbed the stairs, calling out Lucas's name once
CH 108Andrianne was about to leave her father's study, feeling overwhelmed by emotions when something caught her attention. At the far end of the room, on top of a pile of books, was a piece of paper that seemed to have fallen off a desk. She walked towards it, her eyes fixated on the paper. As she got closer, she realized it was a note. Her heart skipped a beat, wondering what it could be. She picked up the note and looked at it closely, her hands trembling slightly. It was a handwritten note from her father.The note was written on a piece of plain white paper, in her father's elegant cursive handwriting. It was dated about two months ago, and it started with "My dear Andrianne". As she read on, Andrianne's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Her father had written about how he regretted all the pain he had caused her over the years, and how he was sorry for forcing her into a marriage she didn't want. He wrote about how he was happy to see that Lucas had been able to make her hap
CH 107Andrianne sat next to her father's hospital bed, holding his hand tightly as she watched the machines beep rhythmically. Her heart was heavy as she knew that her father's time was running out. She had spent the past few days praying for a miracle, but it seemed that fate had other plans.Suddenly, the machines beeped faster, and Andrianne's father let out a gasp. Andrianne's heart raced as she saw the doctor and nurses rushing into the room. They tried everything they could to save him, but it was too late. Andrianne's father had passed away.Andrianne felt like her world had come crashing down. She had lost her mother to cancer, and now her father was gone too. Tears streamed down her face as she clung onto her father's hand, unwilling to let go. She felt like a part of her had died with him.The doctor came over and placed a comforting hand on Andrianne's shoulder. "I'm so sorry for your loss," he said softly. "We did everything we could, but his heart just gave out."Andrian
CH 106Andrianne was pacing back and forth in the spacious living room of the mansion. The silence was deafening, and the loneliness was suffocating. She had been staying in the mansion for a week now, taking care of Lucas, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that Emily gave her.She missed her own home and the comfort of her own bed. She missed the routine she had built with Jackie over the past few weeks. Andrianne sighed, she knew she couldn't continue like this. She needed to leave the mansion.As she was packing her bags, Lucas walked in, but he still couldn't recognize her. Andrianne tried her best to hide her disappointment, but it was hard. "Where are you going?" Lucas asked, looking confused."I'm going back to Jackie's house for a while," Andrianne replied, trying to sound upbeat. "I just need some time for myself."Lucas looked at her, his eyes searching for something, but he couldn't find it. "Okay, I understand. Take care of yourself," he said with a smile.A
CH 105Andrianne was waiting at the hospital entrance for Lucas to be discharged. She was dressed in a simple white dress that hugged her pregnancy curves, with her hair tied in a neat bun. She couldn't help but feel nervous and excited at the same time. It had been a long two weeks since she had last seen Lucas, and she missed him dearly.Finally, she saw a nurse wheeling Lucas out in a wheelchair. He looked fragile and weak, but Andrianne's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. She rushed over to him and gave him a gentle hug."Lucas, are you feeling better?" she asked him.Lucas looked up at her with a blank expression. He didn't seem to recognize her at all. Andrianne felt her heart sink, but she tried not to show it."Yes, I'm feeling better," he replied in a monotone voice.Andrianne felt a lump form in her throat. She knew that Lucas had lost his memory, but she didn't expect him to forget her completely."Come on, let's get you home," she said, trying to hide her disappoin
CH 104Andrianne's heart was pounding as she walked towards the entrance of the hospital. She couldn't believe that she was about to see Lucas after so long, but the thought of him not recognizing her was also terrifying. She had been on bed rest for two weeks, and her pregnancy had been giving her a hard time, but she couldn't wait any longer to see Lucas.As she approached the reception, she asked the nurse for Lucas' room number, and she was directed towards the elevator. Her legs felt weak as she stepped inside, and she kept praying that everything would be okay. The elevator ride felt like eternity, but finally, she arrived at Lucas' room.Andrianne gently opened the door and saw Lucas lying on the bed with his eyes closed. She walked closer and noticed how pale he looked, and her heart broke for him. She reached out and gently touched his hand, and his eyes fluttered open."Lucas?" Andrianne said, holding her breath.Lucas looked at her blankly and then turned his head away. And
CH 103.Emily walked into the hospital room, her eyes scanning the area until they landed on Lucas. He was sitting up in bed, staring into space, his expression blank. Emily felt a twinge of pity for him. He looked so lost, so vulnerable. But she quickly pushed those feelings aside. This was her chance to hatch her plan."Lucas," she said softly, approaching his bed.Lucas looked up at her, his eyes dull and lifeless. "Emily," he said, his voice barely above a whisper."How are you feeling?" she asked, pulling up a chair and sitting down beside him.Lucas shrugged. "I don't really know," he said, his eyes still fixed on some invisible point in the distance.Emily leaned in closer. "Do you remember what happened?" she asked, trying to sound concerned.Lucas shook his head slowly. "No," he said, his voice barely audible. "I don't remember anything."Emily's heart raced with excitement. This was it. This was her chance to start fresh with Lucas, without Andrianne in the picture. "That's