Amara
"Don't you ever spend time with those drug addict friends of yours again, Amara. Do you understand? Because if I found out that you're continously communicating with them, I will transfer you to another University, are we clear?" Father uttered showing no emotion as we sat at the dining table, having a breakfast.
"Yes, Dad." I answered. I can't defend my friends anymore, and it means being alone again. I still couldn't believe that Alistair was doing illegal drug trade inside his club cause that place was brimming with luxury radiating an atmosphere of richness and exclusivity, you will never notice that in reality there were violations of legal or governmental statutes hidden behind those rich, textured fabrics like silk and velvet in deep hues of burgundy and midnight blue.
"And I want you home immediately after your class, tonight will be the official announcement of your marriage with Basil. Will's going to fetch you, but if he's not available then I will just ask Basil to get you." I nod. Will father ask his men to haunt me down if ever I decided to fly the coop. Memories from last night whizzes through the air. Thankfully, my sister isn't here with us, hearing our father's words will probably provoke the vents to flare up.
"Amara, what was he doing here? And why are you with him?" Tatiana asked. I continued walking towards my room as if I was hearing nothing. I didn't respond to her questions for I know that it will just lead to heated arguments, and I am tired of explaining my self. She already knew what our father was up to, she's just refusing to admit the harsh truth of reality. "Answer me!" Her frustration was evident on my arm that was swiftly cut by her long and sharp red nails. I laughed, mocking her ignorance. I am done with this woman.
"You really want to hear it coming out from my mouth?"
"Answer me!" Tatiana screamed, loosing herself once again.
"Father set me up with Basil, this time I accepted my fate. Happy now?" I felt the burning sensation on my cheek for the second time.
"So, you liked the idea of stealing my fiancé!?"
"You mean, ex-fiancé?" I almost piss out of my dress, her madness amuses me. Her palm paused in the air when I catched her forearm and stopped it from landing on my skin. "Stop being obsessed with your uncle, Tatiana. I didn't stole him, he was fated to be with me because it is impossible for you two to be together! Even your mother agreed to marry me off to her cousin, just to prevent you from creating a child with genetic defects which will probably anger God." I boasted, slightly raising both of my shoulders.
Her face was tight with suppressed rage, trembling to contain her outbursts. Despite her unbending posture, there's an underlying vulnerability in her demeanor, as her jealousy stems from fear—afraid of losing someone precious. Her thoughts are consumed with bitterness, leading to a storm of resentment that simmers just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any perceived slight.
"Whore! You're just like the thirsty woman who gave birth to you then left you alone to suffer! The heavens shouldn't have let you exist!" Mount Tatiana once again exploded, tossing her mother's porcelain collection worth millions of dollars.
"May your soul chill out, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen." I said, letting her enjoy the comfort of the scattered pieces of the ceramic material that was auctioned last month.
"Dad, out of all the woman that the Hawthrone had a connection with, why did they pursue me?" I have been thinking about this question ever since the first time I was arranged to Basil, I should've asked this before, now it is making me look interested with the deal. "Besides I was created from adultery, aren't I a big catastrophe to their kingdom?" I continued, placing my silverware down parallel to each other and wiped off the sides of my lips before switching my attention to my father who took a minute to respond.
"You are a Montgomery, Amara, you have my blood running inside your system." He answered, for the first time I felt a sense of belonging from him. I just don't know if he was sincere about his sentence or he was just being considerate after selling me to the Hawthrones. "I have to go, I am expecting that you are home by four in the afternoon." He left the dining area, leaving me alone in the middle of a one hundred twenty inches rectangle table.
"Ms. Amara, you only have twenty minutes to reach the University. Let's go, Will is waiting for you at the main entrance." Rosita suggested, the woman who's been taking care of me for twenty years.
I stood up from my seat and started walking out of the house till I arrive at the main entrance having Rosita by my side. Will opened the door of the car for me, but I took a quick glance at my sister's bedroom before setting my foot inside. Her curtains are closed again, then guilt started creeping on me when I realized my actions last night. I should've let her stab me with her honed words, I am aware that she is in pain, but compared to her, I have been suffering since the day I was born making my behavior uncontrollable.
"Take care, Ms. Amara. Good luck with your studies!" Rosita said, cheering me up from sorrow. Spending half of her life looking after me, I believe she knew what I am feeling just by looking at my face. Unlike my parents, Rosita took the responsibility of my mother and the lacking of my father. She is not like those typical nannies, she is more than a nanny to me.
The road leading to the University was moving with the buzz of daily city life. Motorists honked impatiently, stuck in an endless traffic jams as buses and jeeps weaved through the small gaps. On the sidewalks, wave of pedestrians hurried along, students with bags hanging over their shoulders, office workers in clean shirts, and vendors pushing carts selling street food. Towering buildings lined on the sides of the road, the glass wrapping around their surface reflects the morning sun, while the rare trees are battling to search for a space between the cements. The smell of freshly brewed coffee from local cafés, exhaust emissions, and the scent of blooming flowers from a little park at a long distance away saved the air. Advertisements displayed on billboards above the chaos contributing even more noise to the already hectic situation. Amidst the swarming individuals there was power that made the lifeline of the city beat in a regular rhythm.
I often complain about my family's lack of emotional support and carelessness, but seeing people exert too much effort just to survive their daily lives while I am sitting inside a vehicle shimmering with elegance, able to spent on whatever I want without having to worry about the balance of my bank account, I felt grateful that, in some way, I woke up every morning without a doubt. I just hope that whoever suffers in any way will be able to recover and succeed in life someday.
"Keep safe, Ms. Amara. I will do my best to pick you up, but don't worry I will send you a message in advance whether if I could make it or not." Will said, smiling and closing the door for me. My father's employees are way better than him, their child must be very lucky. Oh, how I wish to have a mom like Rosita and a dad like Will.
"Thank you so much, Will." I said and walked towards the main entrance of the University. Father wasn't really sensitive about the field that I wanted to join in college, since we have a tradition that has been passed down generations to generations, where the eldest child are destined to become the CEO of the enterprise while the others get to secure a position in the tier of leadership within the business. Despite having the freedom, I still chose a course related to business management, because who knows if I will leave the Montgomery and become independent, at least I have an idea on how to lead my own establishment.
My head was being weigh down by the combined disgust and disapproval that can be recognized in the eyes of the undergrads, while I make my way to the designated room reserved for the course I am enrolled in. As much as I wanted to lift my head to prove my innocence, the thought of being perceived as a negative influence consumed me. Luckily, after several investigations and hearings, I wasn't nominated to be expelled by the school principal and that's the most vital part. Although, I feel bad for my friends who were forced to be kicked out, at least I won't have a hard time avoiding them.
Just like when I was young and naive, I became an outcast, the same old me was unrolled once again. Throughout my schedule, I was shunned by those who once welcomed me. I was one of the center of the class, now I faced isolation, whispers, and judgment from anyone. The incident changed my standing, I was avoided and misunderstood, leaving me alienated. The same treatment I experienced from the place I dwell was manifested in the educational institution that I am currently attending. I've been in this situation for the rest of my life, the only thing that I will hold on to is the second chance given to me to finish what I started. Suffering for three months before I can wear my graduation ceremony garment isn't bad at all.
As I step outside, I notice the hair on the the back of your neck standing up, my instinct is alerting of a potential threat. Does the issue annoyed them so much to strangle me to death? With every step I make, my heart might race, thumping loudly in my chest as anxiety tightens its grip. The act of walking becomes a mental battle between wanting to confront the situation and the urge to sprint.
"Amara!" What is he doing here? I thought everyone was dismissed except me? Hearing a familiar voice calling from behind created a knot in my stomach, father's instructions to avoid having any conversation with them will remain fresh inside my mind, but I don't know how, besides I can't just leave our circle without saying anything. Instead of taking a risk, I decided to move with urgent haste, pretending to hear a spirit, but I failed. "I missed you." He whispered, locking me on his chest.
"Let me go, Dash, I can't breathe!" I roared, forcing him to free me from his possession.
"Don't you even miss me?" Even without facing him, I knew his mouth was down.
"We should end this here, Dash. You know how cruel my father can be, if he found out about this interaction." Slowly, he began to release me.
"Amara, please look at me in the eyes." I can hear his voice shaking with every word he utters. Only if Alistair didn't commit such crime, we are probably at his club right now, being wild and drinking like there is no task to be submitted by tomorrow. Dash was my suitor ever since our friendship was built, and now I am rejecting his heart that was left without a response.
"I am engaged, Dash." I said, almost choking from my own saliva.
"That's the worst joke I heard from you so far." He said, laughing sarcastically.
"I am sorry, I have to go before anyone sees us." I was about to walk out when he pulled me and silenced me with his lips brushing aggressively against mine. Tears started flowing from my eyes due to an unwanted and distressing situation that I can't control, I felt trapped and violated. The forcefulness of the kiss felt invasive, causing a reaction that ranges from disgust to fear.
The unexpected assault shifted dramatically. Confusion and shock washed over me as I was trying to process what happened. Basil appeared with a sudden thud, his fists were continuously hitting Dash's jaw, who was already unconscious. Seeing someone I cherished collapsed in front of me left me speechless. The kiss that I had felt unwanted moments ago now seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by the chaotic turn of events.
With a shaking hands and sweating palms, I took my phone out of my bag planning to call an ambulance, but before I even dialed the number of emergency, I felt a sudden forceful grip on my forearm. Everything seems disoriented, my feet were struggling to keep up with the pace. All of a sudden, everything was dominated by the sense of safety in Basil's presence.
"Aren't you supposed to be avoiding those chemically independent individuals?" He asked, with his usual serious and terrifying tone.
"I—I did, I even concluded our relationship, but he was quick and strong." I started to realize what happened and what he did to save me, I haven't experienced such protection from anyone but him. His veins started to pop out when he added more force to his steering wheel and gas. "Slow down!" I shrieked.
"You should've strike his balls with your foot." He uttered, ignoring my words.
"I'm too devastated to think about that."
"I'll tell your father about this."
"No, please..." His plan conjured up an image from my mind, thinking of what my father is capable of doing.
"If not, then I will be the one to finish that man. I dislike my belongings being touched by dirt." His desire for a control was evident in his words. Does being arranged into marriage include such possesiveness?
"Just leave him be, I already told him about our engagement."
"Sure, yet he was able to touch you, what more if we are already married? I'm certain that as long as he's breathing, he will buzz you with his unwavering obsession." I am starting to absorb the weight of his statements. Out of nowhere, I felt a tightness in my chest, my ability to communicate has been stripped away, leaving me in a state of contemplative silence.
Arriving home after a being deprived of strength brings an overwhelming sense of relief and comfort. The chaos of the outside world begins to fade, replaced by the quiet familiarity of my space. But, the thought of Tatiana seeing the man she dearly love appear once again after our argument, made me realized that I can't find solitude anywhere. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension. Will I ever find a haven where I can let my guard down?
"Thank you, you may go now." I said, without looking back.
"Our dinner with the family will begin at six, clean up and get ready. Don't leave any trace of the past on your face. Goodbye, I'll see you there." The tires of his car screeched against the pavement as he takes off, disappearing into the distance with a fading rumble, the raw power of his engine left an echo.
The gravity of the situation brought a whirlwind of emotions. I am trapped between my sense of responsibility and the guilt that I feel for my sister's deep affection for the man that I am about to be tied with. What can I do? If I only have a little say on my own fate? The heaviness of knowing that I am stepping into a relationship shadowed by my stepsister's devotion will remain in my head.