TIT 4 TAT

Chapter 8

“Have a seat, Halle.” Aunt said as I approached.

“Is everything okay?” I quizzed feeling uneasy about them having a meeting this late at night, did he inform her about last night?.

“Everything is okay, Pierre and I were just discussing and we wanted to make things official.” Aunt spoke as she glanced at Pierre.

“Halle, you know I’ve adored you since we were in high school, I know you’ve been struggling with your marriage and Amanda’s custody, so I came to ask your aunt for approval to make you my wife.” Pierre’s words brought bile to my throat.

“Excuse me?” I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“Halle, will you marry me?” Pierre spoke as he got down on one knee with a ring in his hand making me instantly sick to my stomach, I looked at my aunt who smiled approvingly.

“He will take care of you.” Aunt added.

“What is wrong with you, Think about Amanda at least.” I voiced.

“Well if it isn’t trouble we can give her to Jeromy or a foster home.” Her words kept ringing in my ear.

I got up and hurried to my room and locked the door, Asking to marry me wasn’t bad enough. He wants to give my daughter away and what disgusted me more was my aunt approving without my consent, Who did they think they were?

I picked up my bags and tossed them out the balcony as I gathered enough fabric to make a rope. I wasn't certain of where I was going to go but whatever path took me away from this place I was willing to follow it.

I picked up my bags as I climbed down and ran wherever my feet took me. It was dark and rainy, my vision became blurry from the tears and rain falling on my face, my feet scurried to wherever the wind took me. My heart froze when a car stopped inches away from me, making me drop on my behind. I hadn’t realized I was going across the road.

A figure walked out into the rain and for the first time, I was very relieved to see him.

“What are you doing here?.” Roman questioned as concern spread across his face, I sat silent in the rain as more tears trickled down my cheek. He cradled me as he led me into the car and drove off.

I was still shaking from the rush of adrenaline caused by running and almost being run over. I was lost in my thoughts and didn’t realize we pulled over in a penthouse.

He came over to open the door when I wasn’t able to do it myself then led us inside.

I was welcomed by Mr Gobert who was waiting with a towel, he handed it to me and took my drenched bags while Roman led me to a room with clothes to change into.

“Freshen up and come downstairs for dinner.” He caressed my cheek as he closed the door leaving me alone in the room. I frantically searched for my phone and saw missed calls from my aunt, Maria, and Pierre. I ignored their calls and called Bonny instead.

“They did what?!.” Bonny yelled in disbelief as I informed her about the event of today.

“No one is sending Amanda to a foster home or Jeromy.” She added in annoyance.

“I don’t know what to do, Bon,” I muttered with tears trickling down my face and staining the fresh clothes I changed into.

“What is Roman saying?” Bon quizzed.

“Well I haven’t told him about it yet, after our call I’d speak with him.” I mumbled as I sighed.

“He’s such a kind soul for taking you in,” Bon added.

“How’s Amanda?” I missed her so much and now I needed her even closer.

“Hi, mommy.” Her voice made me sob even harder.

“Why are you cyring mommy?” She chirped as she misspelled the word again.

“Mommy just misses you so much,” I mumbled.

“I’ll see you soon Mommy, I made a drawing for you.” She said.

“I love you, my baby,” I spoke as my heart ached more.

“I love you too Mommy.” She chirped.

I spoke a bit more with Bonny before deciding to meet Roman, I beelined downstairs to the dining room where Roman was seated.

I took a seat across from him as we proceeded to eat dinner.

“Why were you out there this late with your bags?” He started after a moment of silence.

“I couldn’t stay there, I had to leave,” I muttered as I fumbled my fork in the lasagna.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He gently asked.

“The man you beat up last night was a friend of mine, he visited this evening and informed me about our marriage.” I started.

“Your marriage?, I thought you were already married.” Roman quizzed, making me realize he didn’t know much about me.

“It’s a long story but I’m divorced,” I muttered.

“Did you approve?” He asked reluctantly.

“My aunt already gave him approval without my consent and they planned on taking my daughter to foster care.” Saying those words stung my heart.

“Y-you have a child?” Roman struggled to get the words out.

“She’s my everything, my Amanda.” I smiled as tears trickled down my face.

“She’s spending the week with my friend. I can’t lose her, I acknowledged your offer cause I needed enough money to hire a good lawyer to win her custody.” I sobbed even harder, Roman came over and crouched beside me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His face was squeezed with worry.

“Well for a start I wasn’t familiar with you,” I mumbled.

“Pierre is going to come in search of me and the thought of being married to him sickens me,” I uttered in frustration.

“I’ll protect you.” Roman voiced, his words bringing me peace.

“We’ll start by getting a restraining order for him and your aunt, are you satisfied with that?” Roman quipped as I gave a slight nod. He got up to leave the room.

“This is what she looks like,” I spoke holding up my phone with Mandy’s picture as my wallpaper, he gazed for a while before looking up at me.

“She looks magnificent.” He smiled with a spark in his eye before leaving the room