Against My Will

Episode2

The night air was chilly on her bare arms, and she shivered, proud of herself because it seemed like a dream come true. She had always dreamt of becoming a multi-award-winning musician and now is her golden opportunity.

"Thank you so much for believing in me. I promise not to disappoint,”

Sonia guaranteed the CEO of Grant Records, Mr Jamal Murray.

He just couldn't help but sign Sonia to his label after enjoying her remarkable performance at the nightclub where she functions.

"The team can't wait to unlock your potential. In a few years, you'd be winning major awards and touring different cities. You're gonna be making millions of dollars. The world deserves to hear your melodic voice. Here's my card. Stop by the office tomorrow morning, let's seal the deal and have a great day."

He slipped his complementary card on Sonia's delicate palm and zoomed off.

"Omg! I can't believe it's finally happening!”

Sonia was awestruck with teary eyes. Her legs got heavy and unable to reverse positions even though her house was within walking distance.

At 24, she is set to become a superstar. She hasn't signed the deal yet, but she visualizes herself performing on the big stage alongside Taylor Swift and Jay-Z, whom she considers idols.

"I've got what it takes to smash records and set boundaries. I'm gorgeous, smart, and got the voice,” Sonia chanted her praises as she walked home in the slums of Los Angeles California to disclose the news to her father.

“I'm pretty sure he would be over the moon when he finds out,”

Sonia blushes.

"Hey, Dad. Guess what? I just signed a record deal with a big recording company in the country. I know you'd be proud of this moment . I mean, this is a life-transforming opportunity that will annihilate poverty from our lives wholly.”

Sonia cheerfully dispersed the news to her father, who was seated on the wooden chair in the living room looking lost in his thoughts.

Despite its low cost of living, Joe and his daughter still struggle to survive. Poverty held them hostage and disposed of the locks in the deepest Atlantic ocean.

Sonia and her father could barely afford a proper meal. Not even the penny she earns from the nightclub could salvage them from the shackles of poverty.

"Hey, Dad. I'm talking to you,” Sonia patted her father's shoulder, who was engrossed in deep thought.

"Oh, you're home already. I didn't see you walk in,” Joe was startled at his daughter's presence and didn't even realize when she walked in. All along, he's been unsettled over the crazy “Arranged Marriage" between his daughter and Nick.

"Dad, this isn't you. What's going on with you? I just disclosed my new record label. And you know what that implies, right? We are finally fleeing from the claws of abject poverty. You've always wanted this, Mom would have, too.

I expected you to clutch me in excitement,”

Sonia frowned at her Dad's nonchalance. This wasn't the reaction she foresaw.

"That's not true. Of course, I'm delighted, and you know that. I've always wanted the best for us. But I'm afraid there's a new development. I can't keep concealing the truth from you anymore. Damn it!

Joe stood up from the couch and faced the wall with rosy eyes replenished with tears lingering to drop down his cheeks. He now poses as a menace to his daughter's triumph.

"Dad, what are you talking about? What is the truth? You're making me freak out. Please say something; I can't hold on for so long,”

Sonia's heartbeat sounded like a war drum heading for the battlefield. She's got a nasty feeling that the worst is about to happen.

"You're gonna reject that deal. I know it's tough, but you just have to.” Joe finally spills.

"What? You're kidding, right? That's never gonna happen.”

"You're getting married to Nick, the son of Sir Calvin Cannon. Remember him? I work for his father,”

Joe's voice skipped as he revealed the sad story, which left her astonished.

She paused for a second to be certain it wasn't just an illusion. Her body shivers like a hen drenched by a turbulent downpour.

She could discern some meltdown in her heart. A while ago, her life was just starting and the next minute it was crumbling right in front of her.

"Dad, how could you let this happen to me? I can't believe you sold me off to everlasting anguish for your selfish desire.

Now I'm beginning to doubt your love for me. I don't even love Nick. How do I marry someone I don't know? That's absurd,”

She broke down in tears.

"Come off it. Of course, you know I'm your father. I would never do anything to hurt you. I'm only doing this because I love you. Please do this for me.

I bet you don't wanna see me rot in jail, right?

They're rich and quite influential.

Nick's family will help us escape from the claws of poverty. That's a win-win situation. About love, Don't worry about that. Love takes time to grow.

Soon, you'd mature to love Nick. He's a cool dude. I know you desperately want this record deal to pursue your dream but consider this as plan B. What if the record deal didn't work out? Nick is the heir apparent to a billionaire empire.

"You know what that means, right? Or you want me to elucidate Huh?"

Your problems are solved.

That's more satisfactory than the record deal if you ask me. You don't have to drop a sweat! Nick is there to provide for your needs,”

Joe emphatically urges Sonia to cajole her into accepting the marriage, but she finds it bizarre; somewhat weird to be coerced into a deed against her will.

"I'll just pretend I didn't hear that coming from you. If you weren't my father, I would have suggested you visit the rehab to fix your mental health. Like seriously Dad? Has it gotten to this? You're worse than Judas. Not sorry to say, you should visit the hospital or let me say psychiatrist, I hope I didn't say much but that was just the truth.

You are worst than anything I can think of, dad? Did you seriously mean this? I am

I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you.

What am I still doing here? This conversation is pointless and shouldn't be happening. I'm out of here and don't bother looking for me! I'll be back when I'm sure you're back to your senses.

This isn't my Dad. Some spirit has possessed your body. ”

She yelled at her father with teary eyes and exited the living room rudely, heading to lonely streets.

“I thought scenarios like these only happen in the movies?” "Oris it that we are acting movie?" She had to pinch herself to be sure again.

Those words keep echoing in her head as she wanders randomly.

Joe didn't try to stop her because he was aware of the hurt he had caused!