The Life I Never Wanted

Chapter 1

The sun poured through the bold glass window into William Dickson's mansion, washing everything in the evening's warmth.

Sheila Williams sat in the hallway way lost in deep thought gazing into thin air. Thought of sweet Memories streaming down of what the house used to be. Just then, the driveway alarm bipped. She jerked up and hissed a sigh. Oh, Naime is back. She mutters as she watches her make her way into the hallway.

Naime, I think we need to talk, she yelled, leaving Naimy cracked and wondering what was wrong.

“Hi Mum” hope all is well? With her thoughts racing and trying to read her face.

Naime, a twenty-two-year-old girl, 2nd child of the Williams. Super smart, she lands herself a job at the pizza point when she couldn’t further her education. Life has not been fair. Fierce in thinking that makes her age questionable. In a bid to help her mum and her two siblings, she works by day and equips herself at night with YouTube and AI. Super smart, highly emotional, and has a strong will.

“Hi mum” hope all is well? She queried.

Pls sit, Sheila affirmed with no emotion.

Namie, I have been hoping we would have this talk for a while now. She paused, calculating as if thinking her next words carefully. Sheila Williams is a retired health worker, widowed at 40 with three children. Nowadays she always wears a long face after the death of her husband.

Namie I will be reaching an agreement with Leonard Ashford the CEO of Ashford Group of companies to start making preparations for the marriage proposal he offered. I already told you earlier about this arrangement, there's no better time than now. She said coldly. Every word felt like it pierced through Naime’s chest. She became filled with emotions as she began to speak slowly.

“Mum” I have told you, give me time I will work twice as much to support you in any way that I can. I can not disregard my feelings for anything less than I deserve.

No! That's not gonna happen.

The mortgage for last year was settled with my paid check, I keep telling you to be patient. We can meet him and plead for time to pay off any debt we owe him. How do you feel comfortable giving out your 22-year-old, for offsetting your debt and to pay your bills? She turned to face her mum who gave her a serious stare with great warning. She continued angrily. I'm not even your first child you know, why are you making it look like it's my debt? Her tone became furious. I give you my paid check without removing a penny from it, I barely have a life of my own geez, I feel so used. She ran inside, hit the doors behind her.

That evening the tension back home had died down, the moon strung away in a snail's pace. Naime lay down with full gaze on birds as they soar deep and there about. I can't allow anyone to drag me to this self-destruction,

No way!

The gentle knock at the door brought her back to life.

Can I come in?

Oh, what now? she answered. Come in.

“Hi sis” what's up with you?

Maxwell Williams, the heir of the Williams family. Twenty-four years old. No success attached to his name, a gambler, yet the most favoured.

Hi sis, how are you chilling out? Can we talk?. His voice startled her and brought her back to life. I just stepped in and Mum said she had an altercation with you. He sat beside her. I have always told you to understand Mum, I know she could be a handful, but, trust me she means no harm. What’s your opinion on the proposal? Cos I mean this dude is old “yeah” but he’s in money. If you can just tolerate him. We need his damn money.

“Come on sis, it can’t be that bad; “

“It can’t be that bad, “she thought, coming from someone who has spent every penny he owns gambling, I wonder why we are having this discussion, she exclaimed bewildered. Can you please remind me of one instance MAXWELL has done something for anyone?

Can you?

She continued. It’s always about you. I work my ass off got paid, hand mom my paid check, she in return hands it over to you. Since you left school have you held down any single job? Has mum ever called you lazy for being at home? No, instead she will be looking for ways to make you happy and relaxed. Oh, I forgot, there’s no befitting job for you out there. She said sarcasm No way! She understood that it is ok for you,

OK for you not to do anything.

Pls tell me have mum has ever mentioned that I am adopted? She searched his face attentively

I mean ___it’s no longer making sense. Ever since Dad passed away everything has changed.

I always try to stay on the right track with mum but it feels like I'm running towards a dead end.. I’m always begging for forgiveness, even when I don’t know my offense, begging to be heard. I’ve been gossiped about in my own house. She said unable to hold her tears.

There’s no point penning down everything that transpired, please hold on. He continued while tapping her lap. You make it look like I have never had an altercation with mum, which is not true the only difference is that I know how to follow mum.

You forgot to mention that when Dad was alive you always got the preferential treatment.

Oh wow. Exclaimed Naime.

“So have I been punished for being loved by my own dad? So I had to pay for his love for me?

Oh please enough with the blame tactics, he continued. You made it sound like getting married is a punishment, hello, he's aged, yeah I know but you are still the one who will enjoy it with just a little effort.

Really? I feel so disgusted right now.

This family is full of s**t’.

She slams the door on him.