CHAPTER TWO: The Reluctant Choice
1239 Words
Brooklyn’s POV
I froze.
I found her on the floor, her knees buried in a mess of what my father had owned. My heart dropped at the sight.
Dad's old leather briefcase lay split open with the files and his old photographs surrounding her. Her hands trembled as she held Dad's stethoscope. The scent of Dad's old cologne rose from the case.
Tears filled my eyes anytime I saw her like this. Ever since Dad had died in the car accident, she had never been the same. I would hear the echoes of her cry every time after she tucked me into bed, thinking I was asleep.
“Mom…” I whispered, my voice shaking.
Her eyes turned to meet mine; her eyes were swollen and red. She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke more than she could ever tell; she missed Dad.
“Don’t do this to yourself. I know you miss Dad, but…” I said, my voice low.
My feet dragged over to her, and she flinched, almost like she was hiding something from me.
“What’s that?”
“I was trying to hide it from you, but… But I can’t anymore.” Her voice broke.
“What...what are you talking about?” My eyes furrowed in confusion.
I dropped down on my knees, shoving the papers aside. My fingers brushed over old receipts and faded photographs of Dad smiling beside his guitar and business documents I didn't want to understand.
And then, I froze.
An eviction notice.
My heart stopped for a moment; my eye caught it. We were going to get thrown out of our apartment.
“Mom?…” My hands trembled as I picked it up. “Is this what I think it is?”
She sobbed more, nodding her head at the question I asked. Her fingers brushed through mine, and they stayed there. “I’m sorry, honey. I failed as a mother. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen to us.”
My lips parted, but there were no words.
“Your father didn’t want this for us either. I’m sorry I failed you.”
A tear dropped from my eyes, and my teeth gritted. The paper dropped from my fingers, and my teeth gritted. I knew what to do next.
“I’ll marry him.” The sound of my own voice echoed like I wasn't the one who said it.
Mom looked at me slowly; her eyes had a hint of a mix of confusion and hope.
“I’ll marry Zayn Macario.”
My body rose, towering over my mother.
I felt my chest tighten, anger fighting against the ache in my heart. I wanted to scream, to run, to destroy everything, but looking at my mother’s face made me realize I had to do all in my power to save us.
Marrying Zayn Macario was the last thing I thought I would do. But if it means saving my family, then I'll do it proudly.
***
The engine of the sleek black car revved, deeper and smoother than any other car I've heard. My chest tightened at the sight of the headlights flashing after it had parked at the side of our apartment.
Mom shifted beside me, her heart pounding so hard I could hear it. She whispered my name, but I didn't answer. My legs moved on their own, carrying me out the door before my courage snapped.
A tall man in a tailored suit stepped out. He looked familiar. Then it clicked; it was the same man who came with Zayn Macario yesterday.
“Ms. Waylon?” he said, his tone flat and sharp. “I’m Walter Cole, Mr. Macario’s personal assistant. He’s waiting, and I’m here to fetch you.”
I froze. Every cell in my body wanted me to scream and run. I reminded myself why I was doing this. A small sob came from behind me. Mom.
I slid into the car, and my chest heaved. Through the glass, I caught sight of Mom. She wrapped her arms around herself like it was the only thing keeping her together.
Her eyes caught me once again, begging me not to let her go.
My heart ached seeing her this way, so I cut my gaze away, turning to the other window.
We pulled off.
***
The car slowed to a stop, and my stomach twisted when I looked up. The building was ridiculous. It was made of glass and steel that was stacked into the sky like it wanted to touch heaven. I almost laughed, except my throat was too tight for it.
Walter opened the door, all stiff and professional. “Ms. Waylon.”
I swallowed and got out, my sneakers squeaking against the polished pavement. Inside, the lobby hit me all at once. Cold air, the shine of marble floors, and the smell of money everywhere. People in suits didn’t even glance at me as they rushed by. I pulled at my sleeve, wishing I could disappear.
Walter pressed the elevator button. He glanced at me sideways, his mouth twitching like he wanted to say something.
“You know,” he finally said, “it’s funny how last night you were dead set against signing. What happened to all that… courage?”
I clenched my jaw. “Shut up.”
He smirked, eyes glittering. “Thought so.”
The elevator chimed. Inside, I caught my reflection in the doors. I looked… wrong. Like a scared kid playing dress-up in someone else’s nightmare.
The ride was too fast and too slow at the same time. When the doors opened, Walter walked me down a quiet hall and stopped at these massive double doors. He pushed them open, and my chest almost forgot how to work.
Zayn Macario.
He was behind a desk that looked like it could buy my whole neighborhood. His posture was casual, but the way his eyes pinned me… God, it was like they already owned me.
“You came,” he said. Calm. Too calm.
I forced the words out. “Don’t flatter yourself. I had no choice.”
“One always has a choice,” he murmured. “You just realized which one wouldn’t destroy you.”
I wanted to scream, but instead I dropped into the chair Walter pointed me to before leaving. A folder landed in front of me. My fingers hovered before flipping it open. Page after page of nonsense, my brain struggling to keep up, until one line stabbed me right in the chest.
Clause 14: You are not to enter the master’s private quarters. Any violation will be treated as a breach of the agreement.
I blinked. My lips moved before I could stop them. “Never… come into your room?”
Something sharp flickered in his eyes, but he leaned back like he had all the time in the world. “I don’t share space well. Boundaries keep things… clean.”
I snapped the folder shut. “Or maybe you’re hiding something.”
The air shifted. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. For a second, I swore I saw something raw and dangerous underneath all that control, but then it was gone.
A buzz broke the silence. It was his phone. He glanced at the screen, and the color drained from his
face. His fingers tightened around the device, and his knuckles turned pale.
What did he see?
- Writer
