Nicole's POV:
The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache and a sore throat. My joints were on fire, and confusion blurred my vision. It was then I remembered what had transpired last night between Sylvester and me—the way he rode me to climax still vibrant in my memory.
I struggled to get out of bed, and my eye caught a white envelope tied with a red ribbon. Immediately, I picked it up and read it aloud:
*Nicole,
I may have met you just yesterday,
But,
What we shared yesterday was beyond passionate. I hope you wake up with the biggest smile on your face after your sweet dreams.
I did not want to wake you up, which is why I left.
Miss you, and just so you know, I will never,
Ever leave you for anything in this world.
With love,
Sylvester.*
After reading the letter, a huge smile spread across my face. How could a man I had only met yesterday make me feel what my family, whom I had known all my life, never had?
I dropped the letter and stood up. Sharp pains from my deflowering hit my hips, making me stagger all the way to the bathroom.
As the water began pouring down my body, I couldn't help but think of myself in Sylvester's hands again—so erotic yet tender. His deep moaning voice still rang in my ears. His grip—hard yet soft—was all I craved.
When I got out of the shower, a loud knock was heard at the door. I quickly adjusted my towel and walked to it.
Opening the door, an elderly man dressed in a white shirt, blue pants, and a hat greeted me. "Good morning, madam. Boss asked me to drop you off at your house."
"I will be with you shortly," I replied gently.
He nodded and left swiftly. Then, I got to work. Stripping off the towel on my body, I opened the wardrobe and saw a red gown hanging inside. I was perplexed—what was a red gown doing in Sylvester's wardrobe?
Hmm…
Without further thought, I put it on and packed my previous clothes in a plastic bag. One glance at myself in the mirror, and I was good to go.
The moment I got into the car, reality hit me hard again. How stupid could one be to agree to sell his daughter off like a pawn or a useless slave just because of money?
No integrity whatsoever. Indeed, I had come to believe my father was a fool—not just a fool, but a very stupid one for dictating my life.
The car came to a halt at exactly eight-fifteen. On the veranda stood my father, mother, and brothers, looking more stunned than ever.
I got down, and the driver drove off into the dust, leaving me with the four budding musketeers.
"And where do you think you are going, young lady?" my mother asked sarcastically.
"That car that dropped you off belongs to whom?" my father followed.
An irritated look swept across my face, and I looked at them from head to toe. "Why do you care? It's none of your business."
My father's eyes widened, and my mother opened her mouth in amazement.
My eldest brother chimed in angrily, "Since when did you have the guts to start talking to Dad and Mom that way? Have you no regard whatsoever, Nicole? Or has something gotten into that stupid head of yours?"
Angrily, I fired back, "Since when did my movements become a problem in this house? Please, you all should let me—"
Alfred was too quick to let me finish.
"May maggots feast on that flirty mouth of yours! Are you insane? Are you aware that you are standing before Mom, Dad, Anthony, and me?" he fumed, droplets of sweat pouring down his face, soaking his singlet.
I had heard enough and had long tolerated the rubbish from everyone. Now was the time to tell them how I truly felt.
In a loud voice, I screamed like I could tear down the entire house.
"What do you know about anything, Alfred? And you too, Anthony—what do you know if not wasting your big age, fucking every hole under a skirt in this neighborhood, and causing a nuisance? The both of you sit and watch me—a woman—work tirelessly while you feed on my hard-earned money. Now, you think you can utter a word about my life? Oh, please! You both should shut the fuck up and get out of my presence. I need some rest."
Anthony was not having it. The anger in him was strong, and he was about to act on it when he raised his hand to slap me—but my mother stopped him.
"Go on, hit me! That's what you know how to do—hit a woman. I pity the woman that will have to bear your kids. Rubbish!" I said with a dreadful grin.
"Mom, Dad, can you both hear what Nicole is saying?" Alfred voiced out, shock in his voice.
My mother cautioned, "Have some regard, Nicole. Don't let—"
"Oh, please, Mom! I suppose you should tell that to Dad. After all, he sold me off just like a pawn," I murmured arrogantly, cutting her off.
The shock on their faces filled me with satisfaction. This was the first time I was standing up for myself and speaking my mind. In as much as I displayed so much arrogance, I was glad because I spoke my truth.
"If you all don't mind, excuse me," I murmured and walked away from their presence.
Slamming my room door shut, I collapsed on the bed and began sobbing.
What pained me the most was the fact that I would no longer be able to actualize my dreams of becoming a better person in life. It pained me even more because the person in question—the one I was supposedly going to marry—was a total stranger.
Suddenly, I closed my eyes.
The loud bangs on my bedroom door woke me up.
It was my mother. She was dressed in a very nice gown and wore the biggest smile.
"He is here already, Nicole. Pack up your things," she said calmly, her hands behind her back.
A big yawn greeted her response. I was still feeling sleepy, and what she said made no sense to me.
"I mean, your husband-to-be is here to pick you up. His entourage is waiting outside," she said in a firm, clear voice.
Sleep vanished from my eyes with immediate effect. My tummy grumbled, and I felt nauseous instantly.
"What? I don't understand, Mom. Why so soon?" I inquired, confused and angry at the same time.
"I have no answers to your questions. Pack your things and get dressed," she demanded and walked out of the room quickly.
Tears streamed down my face, gushing fast like the spring rain. My life was taking a new turn, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.