03

Lily's POV

The moment Mrs. Miller walked out of the house, I was left with the hulk of a man, Mr. Miller. He turned to look at me and I didn't fail to recognize the disgust and hatred that was in those gorgeous green eyes of his. 

I'd grown to know that look and it never left me even if I closed my eyes at night to sleep. 

I quickly turned away, afraid to be burnt to ashes by his hot stares. I looked down at the skirt I was wearing, I quickly started playing with it, not ready to look up or begin a conversation with this huge man. 

When Mrs. Miller had told me she wanted to get me married to her son, I thought he would be a different person entirely, I never knew he would be this angry and handsome at the same time.

"What was the negotiation you had with my mother?" He asked.

His voice was loud, too loud to believe I was just right in front of him. 

"There was no negotiation. She only showed me your picture and asked if I wanted to be your wife"

"And stupidly, you said yes?" I nodded. I was lying under my teeth but not totally. It was true that she asked me that question but it was for a particular reason. She did enough convincing before I said yes to the deal. 

He looked at me with surprise in his eyes.

"How old are you, girl?" 

"Twenty"

"What? I could actually be sued for marrying a child right now" 

I didn't say anything, I sealed my lips tight. "How much did she give you before you agreed to this ridiculous plan?" 

"It's not a plan, Mr. Miller, it's a marriage. Your mother actually wants you to be happy and I didn't collect any money from her" I replied truthfully, though I couldn’t raise my voice at him.

"Guess what? I'm not happy right now. I'm not happy. I’ve never been happy" he replied angrily.

Just as Mrs. Miller had said, Mr. Miller really does lose his temper easily. 

"I think you should calm down, Mr. Miller" I advised, making him turn to glare hard at me.

My heart skipped a beat for a few seconds as he kept on staring at me, ready to kill me.

I wish I could run out and look for Mrs. Miller, I don't think I want to get married anymore. This might be a bad idea. 

"Are you stupid?' he suddenly asked, making me worried about the turn of event

"No, Mr. Miller. In fact, I passed my GED exams brilliantly" 

"You might be smart at studies but stupid in real-life situations. How could you just agree to marry someone you haven't seen before? If you had said no, I wouldn't be in this fucking dilemma right now" he screamed back.

Gently I stretched my hand out, he looked at me as if I had two heads.

"What now? You want me to hold your hand. You think I'll ever touch something as….. Have you looked into a damn mirror today?" He yelled. It was obvious that he was about to lose his mind.

"That'll be two dollars" 

"What?" He asked as he was confused.

"You swore two times. A dollar per every swear word making two dollars" I explained.

"Tell me you're joking," he asked.

There was nothing to joke about. My mom had a jar at home where she collected the coins. Anyone who used any swear word will have to drop a coin or two dollars every time they swear at something or someone. I guess I'm used to it. 

"Two dollars or I call Mrs. Miller and report to her" I replied using my sword of defense.  

"I don't give a fucking damn about that. Call my mother if you want. I don't fucking care and make sure you leave this house before I get back" 

He said, ready to walk out of the house.

"Mr. Miller," I called out as he was about to open the door.

"What?" He barked 

"You ain't wearing pants," I said, almost biting my tongue.

Ever since I came in with Mrs. Miller, I noticed he was only wearing a shirt and a boxer without a pant on. I would've called Mrs. Miller's attention to it but the conversation she was having with Mr. Miller was too heated for me to get involved in.

"You do not need to call my attention to that. I was only trying to close the door properly, I didn't have the intention of going out without my trouser on" 

Swiftly, he turned and walked up the stairs leading to some rooms. Before he opened the door of the room he was standing in front of, he turned to look at me. I quickly diverted my eyes.

It was only when I heard the door closed that I looked back up. I heaved a deep sigh of relief at his absence. I used that opportunity to look around the house even though I didn't move too far from the dining area.

The place was a whole lot better than where I'd lived before meeting Mrs. Miller. The mansion was big, glassy, and modern. Everything in it was sparkling and I wondered how Mr. Miller was able to afford this even though his mother told me he didn't work for his father's company. 

Suddenly, I heard a loud noise coming from the direction of the rooms up the staircase. I didn't move. I didn't dare move. I sat as the noise repeated again, this time sounding like something was being broken.

Before I could stand up to go check things for myself, Mr. Miller barged out of the room, cursing terribly more than a sailor on a mission. 

"Do you need me to do anything before you get back?" I asked. 

"Did I ask you to do anything, Miss Lily? He spat, his voice laced with disgust.

I folded my hands together before scratching my palm with my finger. I usually do that anytime I'm nervous or scared about something.

"Leave this house before I get back and this piece of advice will be for your own good" 

"I can't leave. I already made a promise to Mrs. Miller that I'll stay here and make sure I fulfill my duty as your wife" I replied, adamant and stubborn.

Mrs. Miller already told me about how stubborn he was and I knew I was up to a fight that might end up killing me but I didn't care.

"Even at the expense of your own life", he threatened.

"Mrs. Miller is really nice to me and once I've promised to do this, I will, and not even you can make me change my mind, Mr. Miller" I replied.

"I'm on my way out, Lily. As I said, get the fuck out of my house or if not, you'll be my first victim of the month" 

This time, his threat got to me and I shivered at the way his lips were so close to my face. I watched as his figure retreated towards the door, walking out of the mansion. 

Keeping up with him will be difficult and I don't think I can survive, so I picked up my phone and called the person who could help me out.

"Mrs. Miller, can you perhaps come back and stay a few days with me?" I begged.

"Why Lily? Did he hurt you?" Her sudden question threw me off guard.

Can he hurt me?

"Mrs. Miller, can he really hurt me?" I asked.

"I don't think he can, Lily. Yes, he's capable of doing some things because of his condition but I don't think he will. I taught him better than that Lily. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about" 

I'm not so sure of that.

"I don't think he wants me here, Mrs. Miller. If you can come back and stay here with us for a few days so he’ll get used to me being here" 

"Why are you panicking, darling? She asked.

"He doesn't want me here. He wants me to leave before he gets back" I informed her.

"Do not mind him, Lily. He's used to threats, he's just trying to intimidate you. Don't let any of his words get to you. You can't back out now, you promised me, remember?" 

I nodded even when I knew she couldn't see me.

"I know I promised you I'll stay married to him but I just feel you should be here, Mrs. Miller. I don't think I can do it on my own" I requested

"You will do it on your own and you can do it on your own. I trust you. There's nothing to be scared of and by the time your admission letter gets in, you'll not be at home half of the time" 

"I'm nervous about that too," I confessed, referring to the admission letter. 

For three months, after applying to California University, I've been waiting for the admission letter and my hope is so thin that not hearing from them in another month will make me lose my mind. 

"You will get in, trust me, Lily. You're intelligent, smart, and beautiful. I have double hopes in you" Her words reassured me and made me smile. 

"Thank you, Mrs. Miller. I'll try and not disappoint you" I replied.

"Now, stay calm and have a nice time over there. I'll see you in a few days. Goodbye, darling" 

"Goodbye, Mrs. Miller" 

I dropped the call on my lap and folded my hand so close to my body. I was scared of being alone in a house and this house is so huge that I could barely see the other side properly. I didn't want to get up and check the house all over again. Maybe I'll just wait till he gets back and see if there's anything that I can do. 

I hate being useless! 

"You're just as useless as your mother, you Bitch" 

Those words came running back to my memory and it stung as if I was just hearing them for the first time. 

Tears threatened to fall down my face but I quickly dabbed my eyes with the small handkerchief that was with me. I couldn't afford to start crying not after everything Mrs. Miller had done for me.