ELIZABETH
I had successfully ignored my parents for a few days now. And I didn't feel bad about it. I hadn't attended any classes this week as I needed to save up enough money for my textbooks and some registrations I had to do. Thanks to that arrogant asshole I had lost my highest paying job, and it was taking quite a toll on me. Just like I had guessed, he was a big shot businessman and it hadn't taken him long to pull the strings. One minute I was securing my tip after serving a customer, and the next I was jobless. I had no option but to get another job, but even that was proving difficult because I had taken on a double shift to enable me earn more money.
Circling a job ad in the newspaper I clutched in my hand, I wrote down the address and phone number in my journal. I had to be quick because all the school I was missing was bad for my grades. I had already rung Scott and given him a prettier rundown of my situation. So he had been sending me notes and info from school. Which of course I was grateful for. I still don't know what I would've done if I didn't have Scott. At first when I had been unable to get ahold of him I had phoned Marianne my roommate. Scott stayed two blocks away from the school dormitories so I had been hoping she could help me reach him. That had been a big mistake on my part. She had matter-of-factly informed me never to ring her up for such a stupid reason and even went to the point of asking how I had gotten her number. My face heated at the memory but I shook it all off. I just needed to work hard enough to get my own place, then I wouldn't need to deal with any of this.
As soon as my alarm went off, I grabbed my stuff. "See you later, Lily," I yelled from across the aisle. When she waved from the other end I quickly checked out. I was exhausted. I'd been working all night and hadn't gotten enough time to rest before getting back to work. It turns out I couldn't afford to take taxis back home anymore. I was just grateful that the store wasn't too far from home.
I trudged through the front door, grateful that Mom and Dad were not arguing for once. It seemed like they had become more mindful around me. I had overheard Dad telling Mom about the job he had gotten a few days ago. I was glad for it, of course but I didn't comment on it. It was his duty after all so why should I be so happy about it. The sight of them in deep conversation stopped me in my tracks. My parents talking so seriously and it wasn't an argument? Who would've thought? Deciding to ignore them I began to make my way upstairs.
"Beth," I heard Dad call out in a soft tone. I paused, turning round to observe him. He beamed as he walked up to me and enveloped me in a hug. Still in surprise and trying to process everything, I stood stiff, waiting for him to end the hug. The only thing I was grateful for was the fact that he didn't stink of alcohol today.
"I have good news, Beth," He announced, finally pulling away. I cocked an eyebrow. Good news? My eyes flew to Mom. She stood behind him, an unsure, almost fearful look on her face. In confusion my eyes darted back to Dad.
"What's going on?"
He smiled, placing a hand on mine. "You're getting married."
I looked him over in confusion. Sniffing the air and not getting any whiff of alcohol, I knew he couldn't be drunk.
"What are you talking abo—"
"I met this young man today at work. Turns out he's the owner of the leading multibillionaire companies in the country. Imagine how good a union that is for our family."
My heart began to clench as I sensed where this was going.
He pulled up his shirt, revealing fresh bruises. "See this? Some of the people I owe caught up with me today. And if it weren't for that young man I would probably be dead by now. He warded them off and I explained it all to him."
He was talking so fast it was difficult to hear him. Quickly, he grabbed a suitcase that was laid out on the couch and flipped it open. It was packed with fresh bills.
"He gave me thrice the money I owe, Beth! I couldn't even believe it. Currently I have paid off all my debts and we still have all of this left! Your mother and I can start up a business and you...you can go to law school an—"
"What did you do?" My voice shook. "What did you do, Dad?"
Mom moved closer to me now. "I-I tried to tell your father..."
She trailed off when I shot her a glare.
Dad scratched his neck. "The young man apparently needed a wife. I told him what a sweet girl you were and—"
"You sold me." Saying it out loud made me realize how true it was. That was the reality of the situation.
Dad looked up at me in confusion. "Beth, don't you understand? Our whole lives are about to chang—"
"No! My whole life is about to change. Why would you do something like this and think it's okay?!"
His face reddened. "You complain that I never do anything for this family! Now I have, you have the guts to be so ungrateful?" His voice boomed.
I scoffed, staring at him in disbelief. I felt stupid, I felt betrayed. All my life I'd been working and it never mattered to him?
"I'm selfish? I'm the selfish one, Dad?! You sat on your ass day in, day out and comfortably watched as I left this house every single day trying to provide for this family. I put food on the table, I paid the bills, I paid my tuition. Never for once did you appreciate me! And then you comfortably sell me off to a complete stranger for a suitcase of money? That's how much I matter to you, Dad? And you think you've done such a good deed. I'm the selfish one?"
I straightened myself up, pushing my hair out of my eyes. "I don't know what business you had with this person, nor is it any of my concern. But I will not be a part of your disgusting idea or whatever it is you have come up with."
I watched his eyes widen in horror and I matched his stare. I was done being the pawn. So done.