ELIZABETH
"What?" I asked as I turned to face him. He glanced at me as though I had asked a stupid question.
"I'm sure you heard me the first time," He snapped, looking away and facing the road.
"I'm not moving in with you," I said quickly, noting that my palms had begun to sweat. Of course I knew i would have to, eventually. But I didn't expect it this soon. It somehow finalized everything, I still couldn't believe it.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Is it that you're not smart enough to comprehend what marriage entails or are you just intent on being difficult?"
My ears burned from his condescending tone. "If I remember correctly, you only start living with someone when you get married to them."
"Maybe. But if you move in with me, it would convince my parents and the media that I am head over heels for you."
I thought about it. Just how much of a a playboy was this guy that no one would believe he was in a serious relationship? Deciding that it was none of my business, I faced the window. "I didn't think it would be this soon that's all."
He only huffed and kept driving. "If there's anything you need from home, we'll need to pick it up before heading home."
I was too caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize what he meant until we were parked in front of my parents small apartment.
"You need an invitation?" He snapped as he shot me a glare motioning to the front door. I was about to flare up at his tone and then it hit me.
"I'm moving in today?!" I blurted, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.
I saw him roll his eyes. "Look, just go in, grab your stuff and say your goodbyes. I don't have the time for this."
It didn't think it was worth mentioning that at this point I couldn't care less if I never saw my parents again. What I was really dreading was the beginning of a long fake marriage. Why did the terrible things always have to happen to me?
I grudgingly opened unlocked the car door and stepped out. For some reason I had already begun to feel sick from looking at the house. I really didn't want to see them.
"Don't bother bringing any clothes," I heard Enrique call out. I turned to see him eyeing the jeans and polo I had on. "Good God, your fashion choices are terrible. I still have a lot of work to do."
I bit back my words and walked into the apartment. I froze when I saw the pile of moving boxes scattered all over the floor. What on earth was going on? As I turned to ask I saw Mom sprint out her room, two bags in hand and a smile on her face. If I wasn't sure if I felt betrayed before, I did now.
She was happy. And here I was about to start a very difficult chapter of my life. I watched her happily organise things into the boxes. She let out a small gasp when she saw me standing at the door. Immediately, she dropped the boxes.
"Beth, is that you? Oh my goodness," She gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth and running her fingers through my hair. "My baby, you look so beauti—"
I slapped her hand away before she could finish. "Please continue what you were doing before. Don't let me stop you." With that, I bounded up to my room, my chest heaving. I don't know what I expected or why my chest felt so heavy. No matter how many times my parents proved that they didn't care about me, it still stung. I just wanted to matter to somebody. I know I said I ceased to be their daughter since they sold me. But how could they take it so well? How could they be so happy and comfortable? They were moving.
I bit down on my lip to keep myself from crying again. I was done crying over them. Swallowing back the metallic taste that filled my mouth, I checked round my room for the things I needed; my documents and school work. There was nothing else to take.
Stuffing them into a medium-sized plastic bag I immediately made my way out. The pain in my chest had already begun to make me feel nauseous. Mom and Dad were speaking in low tones when I got to the living room. The sight of dad made me so angry that my fists began to clench.
"Beth..."
"You don't have to worry, my husband is outside. I just needed to grab some stuff that's all," I snapped raising the bag as I spoke.
As I placed my hand on the doorknob, I heard Dad speak up. "We're moving, Beth. If you'd like our new address it's—"
"Keep it," I cut him off, swinging the door open and banging the door behind me. Why was it so easy for them to abandon me? Sometimes I wished it was as easy for me. I hated the fact that I cared so much that I wouldn't leave, that I couldn't leave. Meanwhile they were taking everything so lightly. With the money I had been sold for.
My hands shook as I placed them on my knees, trying to control the tears that had begun to flow. I wiped my face with the hem of my polo to try and look like nothing had happened. The last thing I needed was questioning looks from Enrique. When I had finally gotten ahold of myself, I smoothened out my shirt, wiped my face and made my way to the car. I hopped into the passenger seat and leaned in, shutting my eyes tightly.
At the moment all I wished for was to fly away and disappear, never to be seen again. And as the car zoomed off, the wind in my hair kind of made me feel like it.