CHAPTER TWO
"How dare you talk to me like that? Who the heck are you?" Her father's voice barked through the air as venom spat out of his mouth. "Honey, you're being too harsh on her." Her mom inputted, but her father glared hard at her. "Will you shut up?" Her father interrupted her mother, "You're the reason she's to this extent; just to do one simple thing that will free us from this debt, she's refusing, all because of you, you!" "But honey." Her mom pleaded. "Shut up! Shut the heck up before I do something I would regret." He directed his attention to Ashley: "You'll marry him, and that's final, idiot!" With that said, he left the sitting room for his room. "Mom! I can't! I can't! I have other things to do with my life." "Honey, just obey your father; he's always right." Her mother said, trying to persuade her. "Mom, you know he's the one that made us like this, so he should be the one to pay for his mistakes, not me. Mom, I can't; I don't think I can. Can't you try to persuade him?" "You know your dad; once he puts his mind to something, he always wants to achieve it, and if it doesn't go as planned, you know what can happen." "I know, mom, see, I can do other things, but this one is too... Too absurd, too demanding; it's my life we're talking about here, you know, mommy." "I know; just endure it." "Mom, can you hear what you just said—that I should endure it? Should I endure getting married to a man who's over Daddy's age? Mom, why. At least you're supposed to protect me; you're a woman like me, mom," she said, tears pouring out of her eyes. "My dear, your dad, he has started drinking again and..." "I understand, mom; you don't want him to beat you again. Sometimes I wonder, mom, why can't you just leave him? Divorce him or something?" "What? Divorce my husband? My dear, I made a vow, for better or worse, and I plan to keep that promise until I die. I will endure all the beatings your father would beat me because he is my husband; I married him." Well, mom, I can't be like you; I'm still too young; heck, I'm just twenty-two years old, and you want me to get married to someone who's sixty-three, sixty-three! No, mom, even though I don't have a boyfriend yet, I know I will still get one someday; in fact, I will get someone who is rich, but maybe this is not my time. I'll sort everything out, but I can't marry that old man! I can't!" "Well, my dear, I've said my own, and I've tried my best for you." Ashley ran straight to her room and laid on her squeaky bed. She closed her eyes and cried for the second time that evening. She knew what her dad could do, and she knew that no amount of persuasion could change her father's words. She knew even her mother couldn't change her father's words. She had always persuaded her mother to divorce or leave her father, but her mother always told her the same thing she told her this evening. She was hopeless; the only person who can change her dad's words is if the old Mr. Walter says he doesn't want to marry her anymore, but she knew that also couldn't happen, and if that happened, then where would they get the money to pay him back? When she checked her time, she could see that she had cried for over an hour. She wasn't comfortable staying in her room and crying when she could meet her friend, who would console her. "Have you made up your mind?" Her dad's voice roared. "No, Dad, I haven't and I won't." "Then suit yourself; I've accepted his request; he will be coming here tomorrow to meet his bride-to-be, so be prepared and make yourself beautiful as always." "Dad, I won't marry him." "Your wedding party will be next Saturday, so be prepared by then; we will rush the preparation." Her dad continued nonetheless, blatantly ignoring what she just said. It was as if she were talking to a basket because everything she told him was falling on deaf ears. "Me too; I've told my own dad I won't marry him. I'm going out." She told her parents, who were still eating in silence, "Where to?" Her dad asked her. "I'll be back before eight thirty." She said this, ignoring the question her dad threw at her. "You can go." "I'll go even though you tell me not to." She muttered to herself as she left the house. She hailed a taxi that would take her to her friend's house, which took about thirty-three minutes. Her friend, Suzy, was living with her mother, who was a single mother who would do anything to make sure her child lived a comfortable life. She loved that about Suzy's mom. She reached the house and knocked at the door, willing it to be opened. "Ashley!" Suzy called out as she opened the door. "Hey." She responded. "It's been a long time since you've actually visited me at my house." Suzy pointed it out as she led Ashley to the living room, and they both sat down. "I came because there is a big issue." Ashley said she was not wasting time spilling what had been bothering her. "What issue?" Suzy asked, confused. "My dad wants me to get married to an old man." Ashley spilled. "What?! Why?! How come?!" Suzy asked, surprised. "I don't know; I seriously don't know why my dad would want me to be the one to pay for his mistakes." She explained everything to Suzy. "I think I understand where your dad is coming from. He doesn't have any other children, and as you said, Mr. Walter asked for you. See it from another perspective: if you agree to marry him, then your dad wouldn't have to pay the money and would even be offered more!" "Just shut up!" Ashley interrupted, feeling betrayed. Why would her friend take her dad's side? "Babe, I get you." Suzy tried persuading her. "No, you don't! Because if you did, you wouldn't take sides with my dad. Suzy, I would be getting married to an old man! A sixty-three-year-old man! And I'm just twenty! Forty-one years difference!" "But what if it isn't the man? What if—" Ashley raised her palm to stop Suzy from talking, already feeling dejected. "Just stop! I don't know why I bothered coming to you. I thought you would advise me or something." "I'm trying to let you see the reasons." Suzy objected. "What reason? I ran here to tell you how I'm feeling, how I think, no, how I know I'll get married to an old man next Saturday, and you're trying to let me see the reasons? Suzy, I trusted you; I thought you were my friend; I... I came to you for advice, so you can tell me how I can escape from this god-forsaken marriage, and you're taking my dad's side. I don't know what to say anymore. Goodbye, Suzy." With that, Ashley left her friend's house; anger filled her heart. She was confused and didn't know what to do. As she strolled the community for the next two hours to clear her head, an idea fell upon her, and a wide smile grew on her face. She was going to escape!CHAPTER THREE By 2:35 a.m. in the morning, Ashley woke up to proceed with her plan. She stood up from her bed and walked towards her wardrobe to bring out her luggage from where she kept it. She took it and opened it to remove all the unnecessary dust. Then she began throwing in clothes that she would need for her little escape.She packed little clothes, so carrying them wouldn't be a problem. By the time she was done packing, she picked up her phone to check the time. Good, it was 3:01 a.m. She quickly changed her clothes, and soon she was ready to depart. She was ready to run away, to escape.She tiptoed out of her room towards the sitting room. She looked around to be sure that no one was awake. She was sure that no one would be awake by this time. She didn't say anything to her mother, so her mother wasn't aware of her running away; she had already made up her mind, and that was what she would do. She couldn't get married to that old man; now she preferred getting married to any
CHAPTER FOURMichael stared blankly at his room door, not realizing when tears dropped from his eyes. He cleaned his eyes and sniffed."He collapsed? When?" The next words that were spoken by his elder sister, Michelle, made his phone fall from his hands.He couldn't believe it; he really couldn't believe it. His dad was in a coma. As if just realizing the words that kept ringing in his head, he picked up his car keys from his table, left his room with a bang from the door, and ran out of his house, forgetting to lock the door.He sighted his car, which was neatly parked in his parking lot, entered, and drove out hurriedly towards the hospital with a speed that he'd never driven before.The smell that came from the hospital reminded him of memories he wished not to remember—the smell of drugs, injections, and mostly blood. It reminded him of how and where his mom died. He hated it.On reaching the room that was assigned to his dad, he sighted his sister, his only sister, seated outside
CHAPTER FIVE The agreement had been made. The contract had been signed. The wedding was over. The young couple made their way to their matrimonial home after the reception. The drive to the house was peaceful and quiet, except for the noise created as Michael rapidly typed on his iPad. He didn't utter a word, and neither did she. The drive lasted for about thirty-three minutes—the longest thirty-three minutes that Ashley could ever imagine. The couple arrived at the mansion, and the golden gate was opened by the gatekeeper. As the driver pulled in, she could see the mansion and how magnificent it looked. Then, she stepped out of the car. She made her way to the front door, amazed at the sight before her. She noticed the intricate gold molding on the pillars flanking the front door. The glittering color was the perfect accent against the beige building, adding an imperial flair to the neo-classical-style mansion. "This is... beautiful!" she gawked, utterly and shamelessly amaze
CHAPTER SIX Ashley Black rose from her bed in her matrimonial home. She checked her table clock in her elegantly designed room and realized that if she didn't start dressing up, she would definitely be late for school. Though she was married, she was still very much a student. She ran towards the bathroom and completed her morning routine. By the time she was done, she had quickly dressed up, and soon she was ready to go to school. She walked down the stairs and stopped when she saw him. Her husband, Michael, was already seated on the dining chair, eating his breakfast, which consisted of tea and three slices of bread with scrambled eggs. She saw that hers was also ready. She made her way to the dining room. "Good morning," she greeted Michael, sitting on the chair beside him and only doing as much as greeting him. "Morning, how was your night?" Michael asked her. "My night?" She scoffed. "It was terrific!" she replied, even though she could clearly remember what she had witness
Chapter Seven The class came to an end. Ashley and her friend, Suzy, found their way out of the hall and headed towards the lagoon front to rest, as their second class for the day would begin two hours later. "So, married woman," Suzy teased her. "Stop it, babe," Ashley cautioned, but she smiled faintly. They had patched things up after Ashley apologized for yelling at Suzy and accusing her of betrayal. It felt good to be on good terms again. "Can't I tease my friend anymore?" Suzy nudged her lightly. "You can, but it’s not even like I married for love. If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t have married at all," Ashley sighed. "What do you mean? But your husband is so handsome," Suzy said, sounding puzzled. "A husband I know nothing about." "Then why don’t you try getting to know him? If I had a husband that fine, I’d... well, you know," Suzy grinned, her playful nature shining through. Ashley shook her head. "It’s not that simple. Besides, I have my doubts. I think Michael is
CHAPTER EIGHT Michael was a bit scared that Ashley and her friend had caught him; he knew they passed him by, but he wasn't sure they caught him, because if they had, they could have at least said something. He had to make sure they didn't catch him, so he went to where they were seated to confirm. "Ashley," he called. "Yes, how can I help you?" "I... I need to speak with you for a moment." "You're free to do so." "Privately. I need to speak with you privately." "Whatever you have to say, you can say it right here. With Suzy present." "Please, just this once. Please." "What do you want to say to me, Michael?" Ashley asked him. "When did you arrive here?" "Not quite long. Why? Oh! If it's about the lady that was on your lap, I saw it." Ashley dropped the bomb, which made Michael instantly nervous. "You... you saw the lady? Ashley, I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to." "You didn't mean to what?" Ashley interrupted him. "You didn't mean to kiss her? Or you didn't mean to cheat? Wh
CHAPTER 9 The sky was dull. It looked like it was going to rain that morning as Ashley made her way to her early morning class. She contemplated going back to her hostel to get her umbrella but threw the thought out of her head since she was already a quarter of the way to the lecture venue. She didn’t take a cab because she felt she needed to exercise, not knowing it would likely rain. She heard the honk of a car and ignored it as she kept moving until she heard it again. She directed her gaze towards the series of cars passing by. A white Range Rover honked, this time louder. The window rolled down, revealing Justice, one of the hottest guys on campus. “Ashley!” Justice called out, waving at her with a broad smile. Ashley waved back, quite surprised that he knew her name. He was one of the hottest guys on campus, so how come he was familiar with her name? “I’ve been trying to get your attention for quite a while now,” he said. “Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought,” she apologized.
CHAPTER 10 The party was in full swing by the time Ashley and Suzy arrived. The music was loud enough to deafen the crowd. Red solo cups littered the large room as boys and girls danced to the popular songs blasting from the speakers. “This party is so on point!” Suzy said as she pushed her way through the crowd. “I know, right?” “So what made you come?” Suzy asked. “What did you say?!” Ashley shouted, struggling to hear over the loud music. “I asked what made you come! I thought you didn't usually attend parties." “Ohh! I was invited personally; Justice invited me!” Ashley replied. “Huh? Justice did? When? How?" Suzy asked, surprised. “Ashley!” shouted Justice as he pushed his way to meet her. He was thrilled that she had decided to come, which meant she had agreed to date him. “Justice!” “You came!” “Yes.” "I'm so grateful." He hugged her intimately. “Wait, what is going on here?" Suzy asked, confused by the special treatment Justice was giving Ashley, which was what sh