CHAPTER 2: REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER.

" Mom, I will do no such thing!" Annabelle's voice resounded through the car as they came to a halt. 

Even before the engines could be turned off , she had stormed out of the car, slamming the door very terribly behind her. 

" Have you gone crazy or something? "Ms Eleanor's voice queried from the car. " You definitely have lost your freaking mind!"

Annabelle walked briskly , fuming greatly with every step she took , towards the main building, the big mansion. 

" Annabelle, I'm talking to you!!" Ms Eleanor shouted. " Are you nuts?!"

" Oh yes, mom! Maybe I am nuts!"

She walked into the house and let out a very heavy sigh of frustration. 

" Welcome, ma'am, " One of the maids said , walking up to her. " Do you need something to cool off? "

" Hell yeah! Get me a cold bottle of water. It has to be very cold. I obviously need to cool off. Just get me a bottle of cold water right away. "

The maid walked away . 

" Damn it!" She cursed under her breath. " What the hell is all this madness?"

" Madness?" Ms Eleanor asked as she walked in . " Did you say madness?"

" Mom, I don't want to press further on this matter. Just let me be. I want to be left alone. I beg you to just let me be. "

" You must be silly. You are out of your mind. If you want to be left alone, then it is high time you started considering my thoughts. Do you understand that?"

Annabelle sighed heavily and sank into the sofa. 

" What thoughts are you talking about, mom? What thoughts? " She stroked her hair. " Damn it , mom. You obviously don't expect me to get married to a man that I have no feelings for . Come on! There is no way on earth I am going to try that bullshit. I'm definitely not stepping into the marital ground with that damned dude. "

" Listen, my daughter, " the lady said in a very calm tone, assuming her seat right beside her daughter. " I have tried to explain this to you before. But you were not paying attention to me. You don't get to know someone all at once. No, my dear. You can build love in marriage. My dear, you can't really know everything about someone, you know. "

Annabelle shut her eyes as if trying to prepare what she was going to say next. Oh yes, she was preparing her next words. 

" Yes, my child. Give it some thoughts. I know you are smart enough. Just think about the things that I have said already. "

" Mom," Annabelle said, opening her eyes and turning to her mom," I have a question for you. And I need you to answer me honestly. "

" A question for me? Alright. You can ask your question. "

" When you got married to dad, did you do so out of love or you just married him for the sake of being married? Tell me , mom, which one is it?"

Ms Eleanor recoiled and stroked her hair. 

" Uhm... Listen, Annabelle. "

" Don't try to play around. Just give me a very direct answer . It's not that difficult, you know. Did you marry my father who is now late because you loved him or not? "

" I loved him. "

" Why the hell are you pushing me into this , then?"

"Damn you, Annabelle. Why can't you listen to what I say? You can fall in love with him if you want to. Just give him a chance . "

Annabelle scoffed. " Fall in love? With whom, if I may ask? You mean that bastard son of a bitch."

" His name is Jake! Jake is his name for crying out loud!"

" I don't give a damn about his name! He should answer whatever the hell he wishes to answer . I don't care. That son of bitch will never be my husband. "

" Son of a bitch? You are still calling him that. "

" Yes, mom. That man is an imbecile! What am I even saying? " She chuckled. " An imbecile is better than that asshole!"

" What the hell?"

Ms Eleanor raised her hand and slapped Annabelle. 

" Are you crazy to talk like that right before me? You must have lost your manners. "

Annabelle held her cheek in surprise. She never expected to be slapped because she refused to get married to a man she had no trace of love for. 

" Mom, you slapped me. "

" And I will slap you again. I will slap you again and again if that is what it will take for you to return to your senses. "

" What the —"

" Enough! " Ms Eleanor shut her up . " You had better shut it . I don't want to hear anymore of this trash from you. Nonsense! "

" What is going on here?" James, the eldest son, cut in , walking into the house . 

Right beside him was his wife, Tracy, who happened to be a cheeky brat. 

"James, " Ms Eleanor said , glaring at Annabelle," can you imagine this sister of yours talking rudely to me? Damn it. "

" What the hell did you do this time? "James asked. 

Annabelle was in no mood to trade words with any other person. With her hand still on her cheek, she turned and raced up the stairs , not responding to James. 

" Did she just walk out on you , honey?" Tracy said temptingly. 

" She obviously did. " Ms Eleanor replied. 

"I won't take this nonsense from her. "

In a flash , James was already striding up the stairs. 

Annabelle had barely settled down when James knocked and walked in. 

" Courtesy demands you wait for my permission before you walk into my privacy, " Annabelle said firmly. 

"You want respect, huh? Why would you disrespect mom? "

" I want to be left alone. "

" Why are you being selfish here? Are you caring only about your interest? "

Annabelle scoffed. " Well, just so you know, I will not be subject to your little greed . And as for your friend , Jake, he can go to hell. "

James smiled. " Talking about my friend , he is here to see you. "

"What? "

"He's waiting downstairs. "