The Compromise

Chapter Five

"Never!" Kira screamed jumping to her feet.

"So that's the reason for this whole drama? You want me to get married to a man I do not even know, not to talk of love? You both have lost it." Kira said as tears freely rolled down her eyes. She knew her father was pathetic, but she never imagined he was this pathetic. To think he would attempt selling his daughter out, for money, made Kira's heart sink.

"I know this is too much for you to take in, but believe me when I say, this is for your good too." His wife said.

"My good huh? You know what, I'm ready to sacrifice that good for my sister Flora. Let her go ahead and marry whoever." I said in rage.

" Calm down Kira. We are doing this for the good of everyone. You also need some money for your mother's treatment. So why not do this for her " Tamson said.

Kira felt her chest tighten. She couldn't believe her father was making a deal out of her mother's ailment.

"Are you being serious right now?"

"You know what? Cut the crap. I'm done begging". His wife said. Tamson looked at her, wondering why she was suddenly out of character.

"You love your mom, do this. You refuse, no money, and trust me when I say I'll make sure you regret it." She said with spite in her tone.

" I don't give a damn!" Kira exclaimed, grabbing her bag to leave.

"You should also know that I'll make sure no single hospital in the country, gives your mother the attention she needs. I've got that kind of connection and you know it." Tina said.

Kira knew this resentful woman sure was capable of it.

"Since you have that kind of darn connection, why are you going bankrupt!"

"Well, it just happened this way. I guess this is an opportunity to prove that you are in fact deserving of your father's affection." Tina said with a grin.

Tamson looked on. For the first time, he felt sorry for his dejected and pitiful daughter.

" I have to do this. I'm sorry." He thought.

" To hell with his affection. I stopped hoping for that a long time ago. I don't need to prove myself to anyone, not him at the very least. "

"Okay then. Your mother dies."

"Don't you dare!" Kira screamed.

"The ball is in your court. Live up to your responsibility as your mother's daughter".

"Maybe she is right. If sacrificing my happiness would keep my mother alive, I'll readily give it up." Kira thought.

She was quiet for a while and Tina knew her poison was already biting in deep.

"So what is it going be?" Tina asked, pouring herself a glass of wine.

"I'll.. I'll do it," Kira said, feeling empty.

"What? Really?" Tamson said in shock.

"That's more like it. You know, for some reason, I've always known you to be a very smart child." Tina said walking up to Kira. She slowly rubbed her disheveled hair.

"Now, we'll need you to move in with us."

"That won't be necessary," Kira said, shoving Tina's hand away from her head.

"Oh darling it will be. Everyone needs to start believing that you are Mr Bernard Tamson's daughter."

"Sure. it's a make-believe." Kira muttered.

"As for your mom, the money will be sent to you immediately you sign these papers," Tina said and handed an agreement to Kira. It stated that Kira had agreed to marry Daniel Peterside, and was not at leverage to seek a divorce at any time or under any circumstance.

"Isn't this too much?" Kira asked. She was out of energy to fight, or even argue. She just wanted her mom to be safe.

"We just need to take precautions, so you won't bolt on us," Tina said. Kira took the pen from Tina and signed the paper.

"Great. So we'll be expecting you then."

Tina took the signed document and walked her way up the stairs. She had Kira just where she needed her to be hence she was thrilled.

"Say welcome to pain and abject misery, Kira."Tina thought as she grinned her way to her matrimonial bedroom.

Kira felt weak to her knees. She slowly collapsed on the floor. She tried to cry, but the tears just weren't coming out

"What? Are you all dried up now?"

"Um. Kira, I'm.."Tamson tried to say but the words failed him. Just what was he sorry for? For pretending not to love her all these years? Or for in fact disdaining her for the hurt her mother caused him?

"I'll go now. I'll go get my things now" Kira said and staggered her way out.

"She's left?" Tina said.

"Yes."

She could tell that her husband was suddenly feeling bad for his daughter, and this made her cringe with more hate. She knew how hard it was for her to put his feelings for Beatrice in check. She sure didn't want to experience that episode again.

"Here you go." She said and placed two strands of hair in his hand.

"What is this? Wait.. don't tell me.."

"Yes. They are Kira's. Get the DNA test done and remember, don't mess this up. " She said.

"Sure.." Tamson said, going outside to call his doctor.

"Now that everything is almost complete, I just need to create a little awareness." Tina thought and picked up her phone to make a call.

Just then, Flora barged in.

"Mom! What was that I heard you guys say to that wench?" Flora said, her eyes almost welling up.

"Calm down love. It's not what you think." Tina said to her. But her daughter's misconception had already eaten deep.

"Mom if anyone had told me you would do this to me, I wouldn't have believed it. How can you ask Kira to marry someone, you even described as wealthy, leaving me at the sideline? Why? Do you feel I am not suitable enough for him? How could you do this to your daughter mom?"

"Oh shut up Flora!" Tina exclaimed as she ran out of patience. This was certainly the least of her problems at the time.

"What?"

"You heard me. Shut up. Do you think if that man was a good catch, I would have handed him over to my worst nightmare? Never."

"What does that even mean?" Flora asked in utter confusion.

"Oh get out of my way silly," Tina said, leaving her perplexed daughter, to wallow in more confusion.