MARRIED TO HELL AT FIRST

CHAPTER5

“What the hell Bianca!" Dannie screams, staring shockingly at Bianca in utter disbelief. "You mean to tell me that nigga had the nerve to do these things to you in barely two days of living together in that house?" She asks, her voice fills with shock and outrage.

Bianca's voice breaks into a frantic begging

“Please bring your voice down Dannie!" She says. As they both stand between the racks of clothes in the shop.

Dannie had pushed for a shopping trip earlier in the day, trying to provide a diversion and an opportunity for Bianca to get out whatever happened at the smith's mansion.

“Bianca you’ve gotta do something about this, you can't just keep living like this girl" Dannie demands, her tone laces with a profound sense of pity, shattering the rigid silence between them for a split second.

"You can't possibly keep living like this girl, you gotta f*****g leave! We could figure out something together, you can run away to somewhere far away from these people.". Don’t let them ruin your life, honey,” Dannie says as she locks eyes with Bianca in a serious and convincing expression.

“Shut up Dannie, Bianca replies, withdrawing from Dannie’s compelling gaze, as she returns her attention to the racks of clothes.

“I’m serious, girl,” Dannie responds as her voice laces in concern. I'm concerned for you baby, just take a look at you, Bianca," she goes on as her hands stroke Bianca in an exploratory movement as though taking her in from head to toe.

"You've been married to this modafucker for two days, just forty-eight hours and you look a mess, s**t! You look sad honey. Let me ask you somefin, you really wanna do this, like forever? She questions Bianca in a firm voice, simultaneously nodding wildly.

"What would you have me do Dannie?" Bianca replies, dismally. As she focuses her eyes on her again.

"Run away and let Fredrick vent his fury on my mama and daddy?”

“That modafucker ain’t gonna do s**t, he wouldn’t dare, Besides we’re in a civilized world, this ain’t the 13th century Bianca, Dannie replies firmly.

“You’re a grown woman, capable of charting your own course. You’re not a pawn for some silly exchange! She continues.

“Oh, Dannie, Bianca utters as a sarcastic chuckle escapes from her lips simultaneously nodding despondently.

"Fredrick Smith ain't no man to be messed with. He and my daddy will surely catch up with me, if I attempt to run away. You know what's most fascinating?” she goes on, "He has been the nicest to me since I got into that house. I just can't even manage to get my head around if actually he's evil or not, she taunts.

Catching up on Dannie's surprise reticence she goes on.".

"I wish there was something I could do Dannie," she says. "I just can't let Fredrick harm my mama and daddy…"

Her voice is followed by a silence, being interrupted by deep pain and hopelessness as the weight of her situation presses too heavily on her shoulders.

"Here we go again,” Dannie sighs, getting her tongue again and throwing up her hands in an affected gesture of revulsion.".

"Your mama, your daddy…. That's all I ever hear Bianca. Do you even realize that these people don't care about your well-being? Huh?” She asks Bianca, her eyes set with a fierce glare.

"Careful, Dannie, we are talking about my parents here, remember," Bianca fires back, her eyes never wavering as she stares her friend down with the same glare.

"Oh, I'm sorry, girl," Dannie responds with her hands flailing around in a peace sign fashion. "I’m just worried about you. I mean your daddy's selfishness got you into this kind of trouble and…"

"Dannie….” Bianca cuts in, her voice rising higher, with a slight irritation in the voice. While regarding her directly.

With hands spread wide open in the air. Dannie goes mute again.

Heaving a sigh, Bianca goes on, "I know you are worried about me, and I appreciate that. And yes my daddy's greed and selfishness did bring me here, but my mama had nothing to do with it whatsoever, and you know it, girl," Bianca states frankly turning to throw her glance over toward the rack of clothes.

"Okay, I know your momma had nothing to do with it, but she agreed to it whole-heartedly? Why would she? I mean, what mother does that even?" Dannie retorts questioning Bianca.

"A helpless mother,… that’s right Dannie…. " Bianca answers, her eyes now brimming with tears as she speaks. “A mom so hurt as she watches her daughter being used like a pawn in some ridiculous game of barterings. You really think my mama is happy with everything that's currently going on? This is a man's world Dannie, do you even realize that? We women are at their mercy. I am at their mercy, my ma too. We both are at the mercy of the smiths.". And hell, there's nothing I or my mama can do about it. I am powerless, Dannie, I am so powerless….

Her voice lingers away on a flood of fiery tears, and the burden of her despair at last overwhelms her.

"Oh no, Bianca," Dannie apologizes, sweeping Bianca into a tight passion-filled embrace, trying to comfort her in the best way she knew how. "I am so so sorry baby."

***********

Bianca steps out of the cab and stares at the magnificent gate only for a brief moment, and there is the hint of fear shining through in her eyes.

Regaining her composure, she takes a deep breath and strides towards the door of the mansion.

Entering the living room. Liam suddenly popping up on the sofa with a twisted face astonishes her.

"Where in the world have you been, lady?" He asks gently as he looks off into the open space, his voice soft and menacing as he sits with a collected bearing.

"I….I…I went out with my best friend, Dannie," Bianca replies at a trembling pitch.

"Now, listen," Liam responds, leaping off the chair, and with the leopard-like speed and agility that envelops his tranquil demeanor he grabs Bianca firmly, his eyes blazing with fury.

"From now on, you are forbidden to go beyond the boundaries of this house without my permission."

"Lia….m you're hurting me, please," Bianca stutters as she tries to fight Liam's tight grasp.

"Do you hear me, girl?" He continues, tightening his grip.

"Yes. .yes ... .please, just let me go," Bianca cries out, as he releases her at last and without a word walks off through his daze.

Overwhelmed with emotions Bianca slumps onto the sofa in a torrent of flowing tears.