Our abode was obviously tight, a dense, oppressive fog hanging to the walls. I stood in the hall listening to my parents whisper subdued, hostile discussions. Just around noon, Lily was still locked in her room not leaving. I listened for my father's increasing voice and my mother's hysterical tone. The wedding had descended into anarchy, and every moment felt like another nail in the casket of our family's reputation.
Not asking you; I am telling you! We now need one of our daughters to wed into money. Dad's voice swept over, smothering my ideas.
"Robert, you cannot just demand this on them! Mom shot back, her irritation spilling over: You're worrying Elena; Lily isn't ready to marry anyone. Anxiety flooded over me like a tsunami. For me, their recommended level of activity was what?
Dad's heavy footsteps were getting close; I got ready. The door split open, and he staggered out wearing a mask of fury and desperation. "Elena!! Get in here, he urged, and I grudgingly followed him into the living room.
"What is going on?" Maintaining a steady voice in spite of the anger growing inside me, I asked.
Turning to face me, my father looked with intent. "Ellie, we really are in fairly severe difficulty. Daniel vanished, and to pay for this wedding we borrowed a lot of money. We sorely need money right now. That leaves you since your sister isn't wed to a "common man."
"What?" inquired. Blinking made me feel incredulous. you cannot be serious!
"Why not?" probes You are the oldest of them; you should act responsibly! If you turn down to wed someone rich, we will be outcast. This speaks not only about our full family legacy but also about you! He yelled in a frenzied manner.
"Marry somebody only because they have money?" I responded, gut full of shock and anger. That's not love, dad! That is not the intended way things should be operating!
Mom came in eyes full of desperation. Elena, polite. We have passed a great distance. Simply consider this. If you wed someone from wealth, you will help us to rebuild. You are going to save us!
Repairing what? I turned back, enraged by frustration. You left us in this mess. I cannot just wed some poor man to fix your mistakes!
Dad's voice dropped then became icy. "You will either deal with the aftermath or pay for it. You know we cannot afford to keep you if you are not supporting this family. You are nothing without our name trailing you.
The words hit me like a gut-reversal punch. I could feel the walls drawing in. My parents were right; without the family name, I was just another female negotiating life. Still, the thought of marrying for money made me sick. I inhaled deeply searching for the right words. At last, just above a whisper, "I'll think about it," I said.
Dad's eyes stayed hard as steel; Mom softened. You would best make it quick. We have before borrowed money from a quite powerful person.
"Who?." I asked, worried rolling into my voice.
Mom murmured, "Damon Blackwood," her voice getting tight. "He is a billionaire and expects a refund now."
Wait: Damon Blackwood? My heart quickened. She is merciless. What did you say to him?
Not ready to meet my eye, dad moved aside. "He... said he would take you as a kind of repayable loan."
"What?" No asked.Stammered, panic rising in my chest. You cannot just show him this! He cannot live with that!
"Why would you not?" Dad fired back, his annoyance flaring. "He has more than enough women staring at him, but you might be different. We only ask for one chance.
Just a picture, Mom remarked, her voice softening. " Please, Ellie." It could simply cause him to rethink.
I withdrew, incredulity washing over me. Are you not kidding? You would classify myself as some sort of prize?
Dad's voice was tight, "It's a business arrangement," he added. " Ellie, we have to survive. You do not understand the effort we are under.
"Survive!" Nuts, this is fantastic! Levers underfoot, I spun for the door. "You cannot expect me to go with this. Not sold akin to a piece of real estate!
"Ellie!..." I turned away as dad screamed after me. Mind swirling and heart thumping, I marched up to my room.
Into what had my life developed? Around me everything was falling apart, and the weight of my family's expectations settled down like a thick blanket. I felt like I was totally imprisoned.
Half-hoping to get Lily's message, some sign she was alright, I grabbed my phone as I dropped myself onto the bed. Still, the screen went blank. Rising, I moved like a caged beast around my room. I had to quickly find a way out of this mess.
A slow knock on the door cut off my thinking. "Ellie??" Lily's voice surfaced, a little uncertain.
"Come in," I said, trying to hide the turmoil churning inside me.
Her face pale and pulled-in, she came in. "I watched it with Mom and Dad..." Something is going on. Are they really asking you to wed someone?
Feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, I ran a hand through my hair. Lily, it goes beyond just asking here. Should I refuse, they threaten me with disownment. Using Damon Blackwood, they borrowed money.
Lily opened her eyes wider. Not quite at all Not originating from him. He may be dangerous, Ellie. Their actual commitment to this is not that strong.
"They are," I said, my voice cool even though I was afraid. "They see marriage to him as saving us."
Nevertheless, you cannot! You have never heard of him. Should he be worse than our expectations, what then?
Exactly! I sobbed, fury ablaze. Still, they hardly give that any thought. Their perspective is only financial ones. looks are everything.
Lily drew in closer, her face seeming desperate. Ellie, you really should speak with him. You have to figure out how to get us out of this without sacrificing yourself!
"I am not compromising anything, especially my dignity!" I shot back. But what alternative am I left with? They will disown me; I shall have nothing!
The house phone rang precisely about once, softly shattering the silence. Lily gestured for me to answer when I looked at her. My heart thumping, I hesitated then reached for the receiver. "Hello?"
A deep, silky voice that shivered my spine whispered, "Ms. Rivera, it's Damon Blackwood." We must discuss.
"I," my throat tightened. "I have nothing we could talk about."
"On the contrary, I think we have a lot to discuss," he continued, his voice cool but it made me shiver. I am here eager to meet you. Let's suppose one hour from now.
My heart started to increase speed. Meet me. Why would I come see you?
"Because Elena, you are deeper than you could possibly realize. You need me whether or not you will admit it. And believe me; I am not a man that likes waiting. My heart thumping in my chest, the call went dead.
"Who was it?" Anxiety wide in her eyes, Lily asked.
"Damon," I murmured, my voice unsure. He is meant to meet.
She urged, a quick flare in her eyes, "then you have to go!" "You have to take charge of this!"
I watched my sister weighing her options. Approaching Damon seemed like a trip down the depths, but on the other hand it might bring about redemption or maybe some type of protection for my family. "I'm not even sure what I would say to him," I said.
Lily extended her hand and firmly squeezed it. "Be yourselves." Show him your more than just a gorgeous face. Your family has a legacy at risk.
That stoked a fire of will within me. I nodded after a long inhale. Okay. I'll go. Still, should things escalate out of control—"
"They won't," Lily said, soothing me. Just be sure you use caution.
As I got ready to go, the weight of the moment settled about me. This was about our family, our legacy, and the reality behind the man challenging everything I loved, not just about me now.
Knowing this marked the beginning of something monumental, something that may either save or kill us, hence I turned around as I exited the house.
But as I approached the car preparing to drive me to Damon, a horrible feeling sank hard in my stomach. Not all changes were positive; I couldn't get rid of the conviction that my life was about to change permanently.
Edge: Cliff hanger Just as I got inside the car, my phone hummed in my pocket. Pulling it out, my heart fell and the message "I know what you're planning" stared back at me. Value me not undervalued.