Chapter threee

Anna

I was boiling in anger as I stared at the man in front of me, My very own father who was ready to sell me off or should I say sold me off to marriage for the sake of the same company he wrecked with his reckless gambling habit. He was seating so calmly sipping a cup of coffee, with no remorse, guilt, or even sympathy for me because of what he’s done.

I walked around the cough he was seated and stood right in front of him.

“Dad, I have a boyfriend and you know it. So hh…how did you … why did you go ahead to sign me off to a man I didn’t even know.” He just focuses on his coffee without giving me an answer.

“Listen, Dad, I don’t care about whatever deal it is you signed’ am not gonna marry anybody aside from Henry”

He stood up immediately after I mentioned Henry.

“I told you to stop seeing that boy,” he said pointing his finger at me

“I won’t stop Dad” I stated “Henry is my boyfriend and I love him” I can feel his anger building up and somehow I felt like annoying him the more.

“Your engagement is tomorrow” as he sat back down

“What?” I scuffed “ am not going to marry anyone,” I said once again

“Would you really choose that bastard over your mother’s company?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“My mother’s company?” I asked amused

“Didn’t you know it was hers all these years? Did you forget it was Mom’s all those nights you went to the casino to squander money on gambling? Did you forget huh?” at this point, I was so angry I didn’t even notice I had been shouting but he just sat there looking down. I turned to the stairs And ran to my room.

I threw myself on my bed and finally let the tears flow. Mom had worked so hard to build up the company and make it a success, it was doing very well when she passed away but my father’s rash ways have put the company in so much jeopardy and debt and I have to be sacrificed for that. I miss my mom, I missed the happy family we had when mom was still here, she has always been a pillar for us all, keeping everyone together but ever since her death I lost my dad too, he became a different person entirely. Coming home drunk, after gambling and leaving the house the next morning, I became nonexistent to him, I wonder if he even remembers my age at this point. I cried harder into my pillow feeling the wetness on the sheet, I sat up after a few minutes and took the framed picture of me and both my parents that has never left my nightstand. I moved my fingers over it just as I’ve found myself doing almost every night, the photo was taken the year Mom died, and we had gone to the company’s Christmas party just like every other year. Mom wore a green flawless gown that stopped beneath her kneel, her brown hair was packed in a messy bun with a necklace that completed her outfit while Dad wore a black tuxedo with a red bow tie and there was me standing in the middle with a red dress and Christmas hat on my head. We were full of smiles, and staring at my mom full of life brought back tears to my face. I hugged the photo and cried my heart out once again.

“M…mom” I choked out amidst cries

“I won’t let all you worked hard for just go down the drain, Mom… I will save the company Mom I promise” I said to the picture in front of me.

I will save my mother’s legacy and if that means me marrying a total stranger or even a monster, I will do it. I went into the bathroom, freshen up quickly, and dressed up. I applied light makeup and stood in front of my mirror feeling nervous, I took long breaths in an attempt to calm myself.

“This is for you Mom” I breathed out and left my room with a little purse.

I met my dad still seated at the spot I left him with a bottle of wine.

“Where are you going dressed like that?” he asked

“Out!” I shot back without looking at him.

“Annabella don’t you even think of…”

“I will marry whoever the fuck it is” I cut him off.

He was caught off guard by what I said, I bet he had not expected me to agree so easily.

“Watch your language Annabella” he said after a while

Not wanting to talk to him I ignored him and got out of the house. I got into my car and drove down to my boyfriend’s apartment, I was so damn nervous. I was going to break up with Henry, I love him so much and the idea of hurting him was eating me up but I have to do this. I will explain things to him and hopefully, he’s going to understand and not hate me. I got to his apartment and saw the lights on, I sighed, I don’t know if am relieved because he was in or scared that he is actually in. I parked my car but couldn’t step out. It was as if glue was beneath my ass sticking me to the car seat.

“ Babe I’m sorry but my family’s business…” “I palmed my face thinking of a better way to tell Henry.

I finally step out of the car after five minutes of debate on what to say to my boyfriend.

I got to his apartment door and knocked nervously but there was no response. Was he asleep? I place my ear on the door to check for any sound and heard faint music and knew he was awake. He didn’t hear me knock because of the music so I opened my purse and brought out the spare key I’ve always had with me for times I wanted to come around and surprise him until he became uncomfortable with it a few months and asked me to stop. Thank God I still had it with me for a day like this.

I opened the door and stepped in, the music was blaring and I had to cover my ears with my palm. I walked into the living room and found Henry’s clothes scattered on the couch, I laughed at his silly habit of throwing clothes around.

“Henry ?” I called but no response,who would hear a thing with that sort of loud music?

“ babe?” I said a little louder but it was the same. I picked up the clothes and walked into the bedroom. I opened the door of the bedroom and was greeted by the most shocking sight of my entire life.