Two
664 Words
Naya looked at her mom as if trying to get a response of any sort from her
Amelia just stared at the table, tears dropping from her eyes
“You’re joking, right?” Naya said in a calm tone, finally breaking the silence
There was no response and the room grew even more silent
“Mr Denzel Belmont, you’re joking, right?” she asked again, raising her voice at her father as she slammed her fist agaimst the table
“Don’t raise your voice at your father, Naya. He did it because he had to” Amelia said to her dsughter between sobs
“What? She screamed at her mother
Amelia was startled by her sudden outburst
“He did what because he had to?” she continued, raising her voice even louder. Her voice was starting to get shaky as tears started to well up in her eyes but she kept going
“You sold off your daughter because you had to?” she said as she turned to her father
“You chose business over your daughter’s happiness?” she asked him again, tears rolling down her cheeks
“You agreed to give your daughter off to a total stranger to keep your company on its feet?” she asked him raising her voice again admist the tears
“That was the only option you had, huh?”
“All this while, I thought you let me acquire so much knowledge so that I can be good enough to take over from you but you had other plans, right? You needed me to be good enough to be married off to an Everett for your selfish reasons” she said in one breath, tears still streaming down her face
“It’s enough, Naya” Denzel said, cutting her off as she was about to say something
“I will give you the reason, I will tell you why we did what we did. Initially, it was just a harmless partnership. Belmont was just excited to be partnering with the Everett Group. It was big, it was good for us, we needed it because a partnership with Everett meant we could also stand a chance to top the charts, we could pull in numbers” Denzel started off, Naya just stard at him, still teary eyed.
“Everett gained as much from us as we gained from them but that contract was for a short period of time so Dave Everett suggested that we be partners for long term and betrothe our children to each other. I was skeptical at first but your mother and I decided it was best to do it for you”. He continued
“For me?” Naya scoffed as she looked away from her father, clearly irritated.
“I did not know what the future of Belmont Groups held at the time, I did not know for how long we could stay relevant, we only started doing well because of our short term deal with Everett. I just wanted to secure your future, Naya. If Belmont had folded up, you still wouldn’t have to struggle, you will live a good life as an Everett” Denzel finished up softly, hoping it would make her see reason with him.
“It is about the money, it has always been” Naya said calmly, drying the stray tears that rolled down her cheek, still not making eye contact with her father.
“Who is Nolan betrothded to?” Naya said, finally standing up from her seat and pushimg her chair into the table
“Was there no more eligible families to sell off your son to? She said looking straight at Denzel
“It’s enough Naya” Denzel said, hitting his fist on the table in anger
“I was done anyway” she said as she left the dining area to her room
Her parents just sat in silence at the table for the rest of breakfast
- Writer
