Bound by Circumstance

CHAPTER FOUR

It was already getting dark, the sun's ray weakened, casting long shadows. Soft winds carry the scent of evening blooms and the warmth of the day dissipate. One could hear the soothing sounds of nocturnal creatures. Aunt Kathy was sitting in the waiting area with Mr Claude, he's clad in a tailored navy suit, crisp white shirt, and silver-gray tie, with an air of success and refinement that commands respect with his bespoke fragrance and sleek Rolex Daytona complimenting his personality. They were having a deep conversation and they were quite discreet. Tammy sighted them from a distance and walked up to them. Neither Aunt Kathy nor Mr Claude saw her coming, regardless, she didn't hear a thing of what they discussed.

"Aunt Kathy!" Tammy called out and turned to Ryan's father, "Mr Claude, how do you do?" she asked politely with a smile on her face.

"Very well Tammy. You?" he replied nicely in his deep voice.

"Very well too. Thank you. How's Ryan doing?" she asked.

"He's stable now, he should be awake anytime soon" Mr Claude answered.

"Thank the heavens!" Tammy exclaimed heaving a sigh of relief. "Meanwhile, Mr Turner delivered your message to me, that's why I'm here and he scared the crap out of me" she chuckled.

Aunt Kathy understood that Mr Claude wants to have a discussion with Tammy so she got the memo and stood up to leave.

"I'll go check on my brother now. I guess we'll keep in touch Mr Claude" she said while giving a huge smile.

"Of course Katherine, of course" Mr Claude replied Aunt Kathy then turned to Tammy saying "Please sit" he requested gently.

After Mr Claude asked Tammy to sit, she became anxious and uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what to expect or how to navigate the conversation, she could feel her heart pounding from her chest but regardless of how she was feeling at that moment, she maintained composure.

"Tammy?" Mr Claude snapped, trying to bring her attention to him as he noticed she was lost. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine" Tammy fidgeted.

"I asked to see you so we can discuss the wedding. You see..."

"What wedding?!" Tammy interrupted rudely, "I'm sorry" she apologized after realizing what she had done.

"It's fine" Mr Claude replied calmy, "I understand the wedding came as a shock to you but considering all that is going on with your family you surely need all the help you can get. Look, your Aunt Kathy has assured me of your compliance, allow me help you. I heard your father needs a major surgery"

"Yes he does" she said in a subtle voice.

"And do you know the cost of this surgery?" He asked.

"Yes I do" she replied.

Tammy became saddened at the fact that she couldn't afford to pay for her father's surgery, she felt like a disappointment but she knew she couldn't leave her father like that. She knew she had to do something

"I'll do it" she said inaudibly.

"Pardon?" Mr Claude said since he didn't hear what she had said.

"I said I'll do it. I'll get married to your son, Mr Claude, I'll do it" she replied.

Mr Claude had a bright smile on his face like that of someone who had just hit a jackpot. He was overwhelmed with joy, he was glad that Tammy had finally agreed to the arranged marriage.

"That's great!" he said happily, "I guess I'll just call a Priest to officiate the marriage here right?"

"Here? In the hospital?" She questioned doubtedly.

"Of course! Here, in the hospital. We do not know when Ryan will leave the hospital and we need this wedding to be done as soon as possible for your father's company and surgery too of course" Mr Claude replied light-heartedly.

Tammy began to reminisce about everything happening at the moment. The wedding plans still felt surreal, she doubted if it was really happening despite the fact that she's engaged to Jason. What would she tell Jason? She thought. She couldn't imagine not spending the rest of her life with him. Tammy ignored all the questions in her head and decided to face her reality and deal with Jason later.

"Alright then, Mr Claude, let's do this" she gave off a dry chuckle.

"I'll keep you updated Tammy" Mr Claude said as he stood up to leave.

Before proceeding to leave, Mr Claude drew closer to Tammy, reached out to take her hands with a warm smile. Tammy, with a look of empathy allowed her hands to be held and their eyes locked, he said to her, " Thank you Tammy, for allowing this union to happen. You, my dear have done us both a huge sacrifice. Your father must be really proud of you". After being said, he left.

Tammy sat there like she was frozen. She could feel hot tears rolling down her cheeks, she stared into space as though she was sculpt. Suddenly, she felt a heavy masculine hand on her shoulder, then she shook and looked up. Lo and behold, it was her fiancé, Jason. He graced her with his refined presence, he stood by her with his lean, athletic build. His dark brown hair was stylishly cut and perfectly groomed, framing his dark blue eyes that express warmth.

"Hey Babe, are you okay? I came as soon as I heard about your father. I hope he's fine? Why didn't you call me? I've tried calling you but no response?" Jason asked, regardless of her countenance.

"Which am I to answer? You just walk in asking numerous questions, so which am I to answer?" Tammy replied raising her voice at Jason.

"I'm sorry, I understand you're stressed" he said calmly

After realizing she raised her voice, she apologized, "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have raised my voice".

"It's okay" Jason said and then proceeded to hug her.

When Jason wrapped his arms around her, the warmth she felt was comforting, for a moment she felt safe, she felt loved, she felt seen, she felt like all her worries were wiped, she didn't want this moment to end, she wished she could stay in his arms forever, shielded from everything she has to go through in the name of sacrifice. For a moment she could smile again, she could feel like her world was complete. Tammy thought of telling Jason about her marriage to Ryan but she didn't want to break him. Regardless, she was going to tell him.

"Uhmm...babe?" She hesitated

"Yes love?" He responded sweetly.

"We really have to talk" she said shakily.

Jason noticed he wasn't herself so he held her arms to calm her, he asked in a soothing voice, "Are you okay? Talk to me babe".

At this moment, Tammy wasn't sure if she should proceed with what she was going to say. She felt Jason would understand but then she thought, if it were the other way around, she wouldn't understand. Anyway, she went for it.

"I'm getting married" she whispered.

"Yeah sure babe, we're getting married" Jason heard under the whisper and replied excitedly.

"No, I mean I'm getting married to someone else" she said, scared of Jason's reaction.

Jason looked completely helpless, he was confused, he looked like he had just seen a ghost. He couldn't understand what Tammy just said. His jaw dropped.

"Wh... How... I mean.. what...ughhh" he stammered and groaned in frustration.

"I can explain" Tammy became defensive.

"You were cheating on me all along?" he asked almost in tears.

"No, if you could just hear me out" Tammy explained.

Jason wasn't having any of it. He had completely lost it, his face turned red, he clenched his fists, he wasn't out to listen to anything else Tammy had to say, he became furious then turned in anger and gave Tammy a heavy resounding slap.