Chapter 5

• "You're Brian?" I ask.
• I need a mental check.
• "what can I get you? water or probably mud?" he asked and I felt weak all of a sudden. he flipped through some papers then stood up and slowly walked up to me.
• Alright now I'm scared.
• "don't worry, I won't hurt you" he said as if reading my thoughts. "I should be mad at you but I must confess that you're indeed very beautiful" he placed his hand on my cheeks but I yanked it away.
• Now I know why that man asked if I was his side chick or girlfriend. it's crystal clear. Brian is a flirt. a huge one.
• damn the nerves of this guy. who the fuck does he think he is to touch me in such manner?
• I should really be feeling bad for what I did to him at dad's workshop but looking at him now, I don't regret anything. he deserves worse than that. I just hope he listens to what I have to say.
• "So Ciara. nice name" he said and held my hand. he spun me round and I ended up on him. I quickly pushed him away once I regained my balance.
• "please stop all this"
• "what's that? you can actually talk politely. have you forgotten what you told me. I'll quote" my parents didn't teach me proper manners before letting a stray dog like me wander from home" so why are you talking to a stray dog?" he asked but I gulped and remained silent.
• "please I'll be having a meeting very soon so... " he said glancing at his watch and back at me
• "I need your help"
• "that's a shocker" he mutters
• "I was told to come here. my dad was involved in an accident and someone said that you can help me" I said but he rolled his eyes in an awkward manner.
• "Sorry I can't help. tough luck" he said going back but to his chair but held his arm and said
• "please. you're my last hope. I don't want to loose my father, he's all I've got" I said almost breaking down.
• "you mean your father who ruined my car and had you insult me?" he said searching my eyes for an answer.
• "it wasn't his fault. I said everything. he even scolded me because of it. please don't you have a little bit of conscience?" I asked and I immediately thought of what I just said.
• "I could help but what do I get in return?" he asked
• "I don't understand. they said you guys always help those who needs it. no one said anything about paying back" I tell him
• "yours is a little different. cause you literally embarrassed me and I want to do the same to you as well" he tells me making my breath hitch
• "but..." I started off
• "you can leave once you're done." he tells me
• "please. I'll do anything" I say making him stop on his tracks. he turned to face me
• "Anything?" he asked. I noticed a smirk on his lips
• "yes anything"
• "Sex?" he said and my eyes flew open "no you're way to cultured for that. I need to enjoy the game and make you pay for everything you did to me that night" he said and I gasps
• he walked up to me and slowly brought his face mine.
• "let's play a little game" he said in a whisper and walked back to his chair. he opened his cabinet and brought out some papers and threw it on the table.
• "you can read that" he said and I picked it up.
• I went through the paper which said if I can't pay up the money in less than three weeks, I'll have to get married to him " I looked at him and he was smiling
• "I think you're going insane. you're practically loosing it. you think marriage is, game? it's a sacred bond between two people who wants to spend the rest of their lives together. how dare you?" I yell
• "calm down Ciara. I told you you would pay and it seems like the universe is in my favour. " he stood up and walked to me. he went behind my back and whispered "I have you where I want you Ciara. there's nothing you can do about it"
• "Actually there is. I will never get married to the likes of you. you're insane to think that I would agree to this. you've lost it." I said in anger.
• "Actually you've lost it. you'll loose it very soon and do you know what it is? your precious little father. I have it all but you have nothing" he tells me and I felt the tears build up.
• "just sign the papers and I'll see to your father's surgery. nothing will happen if I just make one quick phone call" he said
• "never. I will never marry you. you've met the wrong person" I said and was about to pull the door knob when he said
• "Let's make a bet. in less than 24 hours. Ciara Smith would come walking right into my office to sign those papers" he said and I scoffed
• "in your dreams" I said and rushed out.
• I took a cab and went straight to the hospital.
• I tried to fight back the tears already forming around the corner of my eyes but it failed me so I just let it pour.
• How can I marry him? a guy who has no idea what marriage and love is all about.
• I know he wants to punish me for what happened that day by locking me up with him for eternity but I can't let that happen. I have a lot of things I want to achieve.
• I have a, lot of dreams as well and a married life with Brian is like a major set back to everything. yes he's rich and influential but I don't want a guy like him.
• What would I do now?
• I arrived at the hospital and quickly rushed in to meet mom. She was already crying when I got in.
• "what's going on?" I ask
• "We would loose dad any minute if we don't act fast." Ben told me
• "just sign the papers and I'll see to your dad's surgery. nothing will happen to him if I just make one quick phone call" Brian's words kept playing over and over in my head.
• "Ben can I talk to you?" i say and he nods. he stood up and we walked a bit further from mom.
• "what's up Ciara"
• "well... " I started off telling him about Brian and everything he said to me
• "I don't know what to do. I'm so confused" I say crying more
• "Ciara it's okay" he patted me lightly on my shoulders
• "What?" mom yelled startling us.
• "mom i.. "
• "so you don't want to help your father Ciara. after everything he's done for you? it's just an harmless marriage and you can't take a risk to save your dad?"
• "Mom there's more to it than that" I say trying to defend myself
• "we took you in and gave you a place to call home and you don't want to help even when you have the chance to? you're just gonna let your dad die?"
• "mom please hear Ciara out... "
• "one more word from you and you're gonna loose it" she threatens
• "I regret the day that I adopted you"
• "mom" I said as the tears fell freely from my eyes.
• "We should've left you to rot Ciara. I hate you so much" she said and walked away.
• I fell to the floor crying my eyes out.
• Ben was trying to console me but it wasn't working.
• I felt betrayed by the person I called my mother.
• I stood up and walked outside.
• what will I do now?
• I sat down close to a sign post. as the cool evening breeze blew across my face. my face was already wet and sticky.
• I was lost in my thoughts thinking of the possibility of a marriage with Brian and my dreams I've set up for myself.
• what would happen after I get married to Brian.
• What would I do after that.
• "Miss, are you okay?" someone said disrupting my thoughts. I ignored and stood up and made my way home.
• once I arrived, I fell on my wooden bed. I sat down for hours thinking of what I've just gotten myself into.
• on one hand is Brian and on the other hand my family. I have a duty and responsibility towards them.
• I guess this was one of those times doing the things your heart may regret.
• After all a marriage with Brian won't be as worst as anything I've ever felt in this house so far.
• I quickly stood up and got into a cab to Brian's place.
• I was quickly directed to meet him.
• immediately I got in, he said "you're very desperate. it's not even up to five hours yet. looks like I won" he said but I didn't respond
• I quickly walked up to his table and picked up the file and signed it.
• "I accept your conditions. I will marry you. you have my word so please save my father"
• "Excellent choice Ciara" he said and picked up his cell phone to make a call.
• when he, was done, I quickly walked out of his office and went straight to the hospital.
• once I arrived, I saw mom and Ben standing in an expectant manner.
• "what's going on?"
• "the doctor is finally ready to start the operation on dad," Ben said and I shook my head
• "Great"
• Ben rushed to hug me "I know it happened because of you. thanks a, lot Ciara" he tells me
• mom tried to get close but I raised my hand at her and she stopped on her tracks
• "You don't have to get all mushy on me because I saved dad." I said
• "thanks Ciara" she said but I ignored
• we waited patiently for the doctor until they were done.
• After some hours, he walked up to us.
• "how is dad?"
• "he's alright now and out of danger. we just have to wait till he wakes up" the doctor tells us
• "thanks a lot"
• "you're welcome" he says and walks away
• I looked through the glass and saw, dad. my eyes were already sweaty.
• So I think it's time for my misery to begin...