Chapter 4: A Listening Ear

Leaves scrunched below Emily’s feet as she walked through the park in search of Liam.

The jet-black hair of a tall figure sitting cross-legged on a bench pulled her attention. At a closer distance, she recognized the figure to be Liam.

Upon hearing some noise, Liam turned around to find Emily. He scurried up to his feet and rushed towards her.

“Baby you came” he spoke as he smiled at her

Emily just stood with a blank face staring into space.

“Come let’s sit here “ He referred to the bench he was seated on. As they sat he held her hands in his and looked up at her face.

“Baby I know you’re mad at me but that’s why we’re here to talk it out.”

“You asked me for an hour so start explaining yourself” Emily spoke coldly.

“I know that what you saw may have given you a wrong impression but baby nothing happened. I honestly called you back just to congratulate you, but then you’re father’s voice was in my head all day and Becca just came along before I knew it she had kissed me.”

“You’re a lying pig Liam so you’ve carefully shared the blame and nothing is on you. I thought you stopped talking with Rebecca then why on earth do you still call her Becca?”

“Come on Emily you know I have nothing to do with her. “

“No, I don’t know anything. So don’t pull me in your stunt. How can I even trust you when it comes to her? knowing fully well that she’s your crazy ex-girlfriend who is still stuck up on you?”

“Emily you see that’s a ‘you problem’ and not a ‘me problem’. You are being insecure over nothing. I chose you and I’ll continue to choose you so why is it so difficult for you to focus on us instead of Rebecca? “ Emily burst into a fit of laughter

“It’s funny how you keep on saying you chose me and all whatnot but at the end of the day I had all the reasons in the world to worry didn’t I? I caught you guys making out. So don’t sit there acting like I’m the one with insecurity issues.” The anger in the atmosphere was at its peak and the duo noticed the shift in the atmosphere so they decided to keep quiet. Emily’s head was exploding on the inside. She didn’t even know what she expected as an outcome of this argument, was it reconciliation she wanted? Or a breakup. After a few seconds, Emily set her eyes on Liam, and in a low voice she asked him

“What did you mean by father’s voice was in your head? Did he tell you something?”

“A few weeks ago he stopped by my house when I was about driving out and he told me how he doesn’t like me for you. I shoved it away but then his visits became frequent. He warned me not to even tell you. A week or so before graduation I received a call from him asking me to keep my distance from you he said that he was saying nicely and that once he changed his mind things would get rough. He told me that there was no future for us and that you already had plans with someone else. So yesterday before the graduation ceremony he asked me if I already ended things with you. Don’t get me wrong Emily even though I called you at the back of the auditorium it wasn’t to end things I just wanted to congratulate you and us for getting this far. But as I stood there waiting for you you’re Dad’s threats got into my head and when Rebecca came I didn’t even have the energy to drive her. Baby I’m very sorry please forgive me.”

Emily was dumbfounded. No words could leave her mouth. The rapid tears from her eyes couldn’t seem to stop. She was angry and sad but above all disappointed in her father. Was that why he asked if Liam ended things with her?

“Baby please say something” pleaded Liam

“What exactly do you want me to say? Huh, Liam? That I’m disappointed in my father? That I’m still angry at you? Or no wait maybe I should say that I’m excited to get married to someone I don’t even know.” Sobbed Emily.

“I understand that you’re emotions at the moment are mixed up but baby we’re not talking about marriage.”

“I’m getting married, Liam”

“Sorry I don’t follow”

After a few minutes, amidst her sobs, Emily finally told Liam about her father’s plan to wed her off.

“That’s impossible. That’s not fair to you or us even”

“Liam I’m sorry but I think it’s for the best if we end things here and now .”

“Come on Emily don’t say this. There has to be another way.”

“Unfortunately there’s no other way Liam” concluded Emily as she stood from the bench.

“Thank you Liam for always being there for me. But I have to say goodbye.”

Liam who was now on his feet soothingly touched Emily’s cheeks. He then leaned in aiming for her lips but Emily turned her head to the side and the kiss landed on her cheek. Aware of the tension in the environment, Emily ran off to her car She placed her head on her steering wheel and spent some time just thinking of her relationship with Liam. From how they met to every other little detail and to how they have now just ended things. By the time she stopped crying, her eyes were puffy and red.

She leaned back on her seat trying to regain energy when it dawned on her that she had dinner to prepare for. She quickly swerved her way out of the parking lot and drove home.

She arrived home to a fuming Jenna but she didn’t care. She took steady strides to her father’s office and without knocking she entered.

“Young woman is it only manners you lack or should I be on the lookout for other things you lack?”

Emily stood there fuming

“If you won’t speak to me then leave and prepare for dinner remember that we have dinner at 6 pm sharp.”

“Dad, how could you? How could you stand so firmly against your own daughter’s happiness? I’m from Central Park anywhere I just ended things with Liam. I can imagine how glad you are seeing as your one great wish has come to pass.”

“Emily it’s for the best. That guy can’t even give you a future talk less of a bright one.”

“Of course he can’t because according to my father who is all mighty the one person who can give me a bright future is his friend’s son who of course is anonymous.” Scolded Emily

“Emily I advise you to leave my office now and go and prepare for dinner.” Said Mr. O’Brian in a low and demanding voice which made Emily tremble in fear.

Emily made her way to her room but before she could shut her father’s office door he spoke,

“And while you’re at it make sure you wash you’re hair properly I see you have started harboring mad thoughts.”Emily quickly went to her room and showered while crying. Her father had never spoken to her in such a manner and she wasn’t a fan of the anger laced in his tone. So as not to fall prey to his anger twice in a day, she dressed up hurriedly, and just as she was descending the stairs the bell rang. But not only the bell tang, her heartbeat increased. Emily was scared no doubt. She would finally see the person she was supposed to wed.