CHAPTER 3: FAMILY
1089 Words
CHAPTER 3:
... Evening...
“Hey mom, hey dad...” Victoria walked into the house quite late this evening with her handbag tightly secured under her arm.
“Spencer, how was your day little sister?” she greeted, but got no reply from both of them.
With a bug frown, she stopped in the living room. They were both watching the TV, turning to give her quick glances ones in a while.
“The Hamilton family, what’s really going on?” she couldn't understand the source if this bad attitude. Even though deep down she knew she wasn't the most favoured, she still wouldn't get this kind of silent gestures often unless bad news is on the way.
“You are back?” Spencer turned to look at her.
“Of course I am back, else why would j be talking?” she dropped the handbag on the coach and leaned on the nearby wall. “Did something bad happen? What is it with the silence?”
“Dad has something to tell you actually.” Spencer said and cast a glance to the man of the house.
“Dad?” Victoria turned to look at her dad, the whole tension building up at the moment annoying her.
“Umm... Actually the Lakewood family was here earlier today. Henry to be precise.” Her father spoke.
“That arrogant guy? I know him!” she said.
“You know I forgot to tell you about him. He's a good guy and it's just some negative comments going around. Now, you know about the debt right? We owe their family 1.2 million. To clear the debt, he asked to marry you instead!”
“Marry me? On what grounds?” Victoria frowned.
“Umm... We are too weak to argue with them you know?” he said seriously.
“Mmh? You can't I can't accept that!”
“He can't settle for less you know that? It’s a favour he's doing for us not to sue or demand the money back!”
“And I am being the leverage here? What makes you even think I’ll accept dad?” Victoria asked, raising her voice in annoyance.
“Because you're saving the family ok?” her stepmother said rapidly. “Your father took this debt to pay off your school fees!”
“1.2 million for college school fees? Wow, so great of a dad to spent that much for a two year course!” Victoria said in a mocking voice.
“Mind how you talk to your elders!” her father scolded and glared at her. “I was trying to help you, and marrying in this family is a privilege to us!”
“To you, not me! Can't really accept!” Victoria remained adamant. “Literally selling me off to pay family debts? That's not possible!”
“Pack your things. He'll be here tomorrow!”
“Dad!” Victoria was more than shocked. Just the night? How could they reach such a conclusion without really waiting for her response?
Generally, her perspective of who Henry was wasn't so good. He was the spoilt brat of the Lakewood family, running the family company and always bragging from his family name. Rumours have also been going around about how such a playboy he was, and generally his arrogant attitude got him on the negative side of Victoria.
The positive side was, Henry was such a model. He was handsome with wavy, alluring green eyes and a face that one would never get enough of. He was always slaying with ladies patched on his shoulders every second... And few fight a have erupted around town between those he was supposedly dating.
Victoria didn't want to get in this circle. She also didn't understand why, of all the rich ladies Henry has been with, he would settle for her. Why? Was there something she didn't know?
But there was no time for questions now. She had just the night, and to be on point, not even her salary would be able to settle the dept, not even if she saves for one full year. Besides, she didn't have the luxury of a full year here.
Angrily, she grabbed her handbag and walked into the bedroom. She hated to be helpless, she hated to be this corned and with no choice. Her mind was racing, and she didn't even bother with supper. She had tried as much not to be a liability to her family by working her a$$ out to cater for herself, and even hand over some of her hardly earned money to her family. But how they repaid her back was the very opposite.
... Morning...
“Be back here by midday, or else he’ll come at the library!” as she left, her father threw those words behind her back.
She didn't turn back to look. As her usual routine, she boarded the morning bus to the junction, then walked the distance to the library. Even her fellow workers knew something was wrong, just from the look on her face.
“Some period moods maybe!” she shrugged off when Camila asked her what was wrong.
“Wait, twice a month?” Camila, who had become her best friend since knew this was a lie.
“It does happen, doesn't it?” she brushed her hair off while carrying the books to the down shelf.
“Quite rare.” Camila replied, but didn't push much since Victoria wasn't ready to open up.
“Umm... Actually, is it bad to take the mid morning break from outside the library?” Victoria asked.
“No, why?” Camila stopped down the steps and looked at her.
“I have somewhere I need to rush to.” She said plainly.
“Where? You look quite weird today!” Camila couldn't help but comment.
“Is it obvious?” Victoria asked with a lame smile. “It's family things you know?”
“Family can be very annoying sometimes. Anyway, it's okay to slip out at breaks. No one will question you.”
After affirming that, she continued her work until the mid break. While everyone was heading to the library staff dining room to take the midday tea, she slipped out without leaving a notice!
ACE COMPANY
Crossing the road to the other side, she took the lane that led directly to the Ace Company gate. It was quite a distance, and her heart was beating faster than she could comprehend.
- Writer
