Love In The Shadows

CHAPTER 4

I was startled awake by the sounds of merriment coming from downstairs. Curious, I got up to investigate. As I put on my slippers and looked out the window, I realized it was already dark outside. Checking my phone, I discovered that it was well past 7 pm. I couldn't recall how long I had slept, but I felt refreshed nonetheless.

Stretching, I made my way downstairs when a familiar voice caught my attention. It was Miss Adelia, her voice raspy but full of life. Suddenly, I felt an urge to rush downstairs and see her.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, everyone was looking at me with confusion. They must have been wondering about my sudden burst of energy. Ignoring their stares, I ran towards Miss Adelia, yelling her name and jumping into her arms. She caught me, chuckled, and gently set me down.

“I’m getting too old for that,” she laughed, and then added, “You look good.” I twirled for her, enjoying the attention. "Who's the lucky guy?" she asked. My dad looked uncomfortable, but I didn't pay it much mind – weren’t dads always a little awkward when their daughters talked about their love lives?

“There's no male in the picture, Miss Addie. It's all me.” I laughed, giving her a little hair flip, causing her to laugh.

“Aren't you forgetting something?” I heard someone behind me. Quickly, I whipped my head around, almost giving myself whiplash.

“Asher.” I yelled as I jumped into his arms too, and he twirled me around. Asher I'd my favorite member of the family after Miss Adelia, and it's been so long since I last saw him, seeing as his work involves him moving from one country to another. “How have you been?” I asked, placing my hands on his cheeks like I've always done since we were little.

“I have been, and am still fine.” He replied, placing his hands atop mine.

“So dad, I think it's about time you told us what the emergency is about.” I said, drawing everyone's attention.

Uhh, don't you think it should wait till tomorrow? I mean, you two should settle in today, and we can handle everything tomorrow.

No dad, I have important things to take care of back at work and I intend on leaving tomorrow evening. So yeah, I think you should tell us now. I said, getting a little bit curious as to why he seemed to be avoiding the topic.

“Can you all excuse us?” My dad asked, ushering all the workers to leave. “Let's go sit down.” He motioned to the couch, as Asher and I exchanged looks that said we both didn't know whatever the hell was going on.

We sat down, and he began speaking. “I'm sure you both know that we've had some bad investments that are now causing our business to fail.” There were scattered replies of yes, as we nodded our heads.

Well, I've been looking for a way to salvage our business. Although you two aren't interested in it, it's still our family legacy and I won't want it to fail. So I met an old family friend, and I came up with an idea that's going to most definitely save Blackwood liquors. It involves the owner of Gray businesses. He said and smiled.

Are you serious?! What's the deal then? Asher asked, genuinely curious, and my dad looked uncomfortable….. Again.

“I arranged a marriage between Denver Gray and you, Alesha.” He said and looked me in the eyes.

“No f*****g way.” Asher said, as he and dad began arguing. I couldn't even hear what they were saying anymore over the beating of my heart and the rushing in my ears. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that my dad, my own father, was selling me off just for the safety of his business. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to believe the unbelievable.

Nah. This is all a sick nightmare, and very soon, I'll wake up. Everything will be fine. I thought, trying to reassure myself, but I knew deep in my heart that this wasn't a joke. There was only one question resonating deep in my mind.

Was that your idea? Or hers? I asked, motioning at the evil witch sitting beside my dad, with a disgusting smirk plastered on her face.

It was both of us. And I'm sorry to say, you don't have a choice. He said. Suddenly, I felt a boil in my stomach. Was it anger? Was it hatred? Nah, I know what it is. It's both.

I'm very disappointed and disgusted with you. I can't believe you'd sell me off for your business. Oh wait, what am I saying? I do believe it.

You were never in support of me leaving this house, you were never in support of me starting my own brand, you were never in support of me gaining my own independence, so now that I have it, you've found a way to strip it from me. I said as calmly as I could, tears streaming down my face.

Well, good night and goodbye. Treasure this day, because it's the last time I'd ever look at you with love. And thank that devil of a wife of yours, because she succeeded in tearing apart what little bond we had left, I turned to go upstairs.

All the while I was talking, Asher just stood in the corner shaking his head.

“Wait. I didn't have a choice, darling. Please. I didn't want our family legacy to be over, so when your mother gave me the idea, I went with it. Dad begged with tears in his eyes. I think it was the thought of me treating him, the way I treated his wife that scared him.

“I knew it. I knew she was the one that gave you the idea. Anyway, good night. I turned and stomped up the stairs to my room.

Immediately I got to the room, I picked up my phone and began to check if there were any available flights, but all of them were for tomorrow.

I guess I have to sleep in this hellhole ton

ight, but first thing tomorrow, I'm out of this place.