Unwanted Marriage

7

"Thanks for the ride," I said to Zeke as I opened the car door. I took a step out but stopped when Zeke spoke up.

"24 hours. You need to make a decision," Zeke said, reminding me of the deal we had.

I bit my lip. "I’ll let you know."

"You’re not scared of living by yourself, huh?" Zeke asked, glancing at my house, which wasn’t exactly in the safest neighborhood. This area’s full of jerks. But I wasn’t too worried—I didn’t own anything valuable. My dad and I never had much to begin with.

"I’ll be fine," I said.

"Just be careful. You’re a girl, living alone," Zeke said, his tone serious.

I gave him a bitter beam, "Don’t act like you care about me," I snapped, turning away from him and walking toward my house without looking back.

I stepped onto the porch but froze when I noticed there was someone hiding behind the bushes.

"Who’s there?!" I shouted, my voice shaking. I sensed it and I believed there was definitely someone over there.

"Come out! I see you!" I shouted as I grabbed the flower pot.

I thought if it was bad guy, I will knock his head with that pot, then run inside the house to call for help.

I raised my hand ready to strike, but when the shadow stepped out from the bushes, my hand stopped abruptly.

I felt my throat tight with fear.

"Jack?"

I stood frozen on the porch, gripping the pot tightly.

My heart was thumped as Jack sauntered closer, his face half-hidden in the dark.

He looked so different—angrier, thinner, and look more desperate—but his eyes still had that same lust I remembered.

Our past suddenly flooded on my head, his lies, his betrayal, and night he tried to force himself on me.

And now, here he was, standing in front of my house like he had every right to be there.

"Jack," I said, my voice steady but low.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

He smirked and strolled forward. "I came to see you. Heard your dad’s gone. Figured you might need someone to take care of you."

"I don’t need your help," I snapped, tightening my grip on the pot.

"You need to leave. Now."

Jack’s smirk faded, replaced by a scowl, "Come on, don’t be like that. We had something good, didn’t we? You’re just mad because I made a mistake. But I’m here to fix things."

"A mistake?" I shot back, my voice rising.

"You cheated on me, Jack. And then you—" I stopped, my throat tighten as the recollection of that night spinning on my head.

"We've broken up, so .... don’t get to come back here and act like nothing happened."

He took another step, his hands raised like he was trying to reach me but I dodge.

"Look, I’m sorry, okay? I’ve changed. I just want another chance. Your dad died, and no one will break us apart again."

"You are alone and I can protect you." He went on, speaking to me as if he was a hero.

"I don’t need your f*****g protection!" I said, my voice shaking with flaming rage.

"I don’t want anything to do with you. My dad was right about you, and I should’ve listened to him sooner."

Jack’s face darkened.

"You have no one now. So who’s gonna stop me from seeing you? Huh? You think you can just push me away like that, Thea?"

I took a step back. He was right— I was alone. But I wasn’t helpless. I still had the pot in my hands, and I would not hesitate to use it.

"Get off my property, Jack," I said, my voice firm.

"If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police."

He laughed making fun of me, "You think the cops care about some girl in this neighborhood? They’re not gonna come running to save you, Thea..."

"Maybe not," I replied him, as I raise my hand with pot in my grip.

"But I don’t need them. I can handle myself."

Jack swiftly seized my hand, stopping me from smashing his head with the pot. While his other hand tightened around my neck, cutting off my air.

I clawed at his arms, but he was too strong. My vision blurred as I struggled to breathe, my back pressed against the door.

I tried to scream, but no sound came out. Panic surged through me as I realized his fury eyes.

Then, Zeke came, out of nowhere his face hard and furious. Without a single word, he swung his fist and landed a solid punch to the side of Jack’s head.

Jack’s grip on my neck loosened, and he stumbled back, letting go completely. I gasped for air, coughing and clutching my throat as I slumped against the wall.

Zeke didn’t stop. He grabbed Jack by the collar and shoved him away from me, his voice low and dangerous.

"If you touch her again, you’ll regret it. Big time."

Jack staggered, his face twisted in embarrassment. He lunged at Zeke, and the two of them crashed to the ground, grappling and throwing punches. I could hear the sickening sound of fists hitting flesh, and I wanted to scream for them to stop, but my voice was still gone.

Zeke was strong, but Jack was desperate. Finally, Zeke managed to pin Jack down, his knee pressing into Jack’s chest.

"Get out of here," Zeke growled.

"And if I ever see you near her again, it’ll be the last thing you do."

Jack glared up at him, blood trickling from his nose. Zeke release him off and Jack scrambled to his feet, breathing heavily.

"This isn’t over," he spat, pointing a finger at me.

"You’ll regret this."

"Leave. Now," Zeke said, standing tall with the bruise on his cheek and blood dripping near his eye.

Jack turned and ran off into the dark. The moment he was gone, I felt my legs give out, and I sank to the floor, trembling.

Zeke sauntered and kneeling beside me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer full of concern.

He reached out to touch my shoulder but stopped, as if he wasn’t sure if I wanted him to.

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath.

"I’m fine," I managed to say with my hoarse voice. "Thanks."

We made our way into the house.

Zeke sighed and sat down next to me, wincing as I touched the bruise on his cheek.

"You are bleeding." I hissed.

He faced me and murmured, "You’re not safe here."

"Not as long as he’s around."

"I know," I whispered, staring at the ground.

Zeke was quiet for a moment, then he turned to look at me. "You might want to rethink that. I think you should move into my dad’s place."

"Next time, you don’t have to do this for me. I don’t want to owe anything to you or your dad," I said sternly.

"Then pay me, if you don’t want to owe me anything," he said coldly.

I looked at him—really looked at him—for the first time. His face was all bruised up, his lip was split, but his eyes were steady and full of sincerity.

"I will pay you..." I replied him firmly.

"How?" He glanced at me, his eyes filled with questions.

"I will work, just give me time."

"I don't need your money, Thea, you know that."

I was stunned since i had no answer for this.

"Let me treat your wound, and you can go home after this."

"At least at my house, you’ll be safe," he blurted out, but I didn’t budge.

"How about I sleep here to make sure you’re safe? Or will you sleep at my place?" Zeke nagged.

I didn’t want to listen him, I just swiftly grabbed the medicine box and applied whatever medicine was there to his bruises.

"Who are you? Dictating me?" I snapped.

"I’m your brother, right?" he said.

I chuckled, amused. "You’re nobody."

"Stay in my house, and I’ll consider your debt to me paid off," he said again

"That’s it?" I lifted my face, our eyes meeting. Zeke nodded.

***