Unwanted Marriage

baru

"Thea...please come home," my mother said on the phone, her voice sound weak.

"Home? Which home you reffering to?" I laughed bitterly, feeling both angry and shocked.

"I’m your Mother, my home is your home too, it is just right that you move in with me...that place it's not safe for you," she said, her voice begging, as if she could change the past.

"Can you stop telling me what to do?" I said sternly as I looked around my room, at the old wallpaper, the drooping ceiling, and the creaky floor. This weak house, almost falling apart after so many years, was all that connected me to the man who raised me—the man who cared for me when she didn’t.

"Thea...."

"If that’s all you have, I’ll hang up now."

"Please.. listen to me,"

"Enough, Mrs. Spencer. Don’t push me. I will never leave my Dad's house!" I shouted before ending the call.

Then I turned my phone off, put in my drawer, and plopped onto my bed. Trying to get some sleep after long sleepless night. But I failed miserably, I could not even close my eyes.

I still feel so angry, every time I remember how she abandoned me. For me, she had no right to ask anything or to act like she belonged in my life.

My dad was gone—dead and buried—and yet she thought she could come in and tell me how to live?

For years, she never stopped, offering me everything I wanted: a studio for my fashion, a fancy life in her new husband’s big house. But I turned down every offer. I didn’t want her money or to owe anything to someone who took my dad's place. I learned to take care of myself.

A loud bang on the front door broke my thoughts.

"Miss Coleman! Open the door, or I’ll smash this house—and you too!" My heart raced. Those collectors—like vultures—were back. They had been chasing me for months, wanting money for a debt my father left. This debt grew to fifty times because of high-interest rates. I sold everything valuable in the house just to keep them away, but it was not enough. My small paycheck from the seafood restaurant barely paid for food, let alone the huge debt they said I owed.

"Open the damn door, Miss Coleman!" The voice was louder now, more threatening. I could hear the anger and impatience. If I didn’t hurry, they’d break the door down. "Coming!" I shouted, my voice shaking as I rushed downstairs. My hands shook, struggled with the lock

And when I finally opened the door, three big men stood there. The leader, a big man with a bulldog face, glared at me, his eyes cold.

"Don’t mess with us," he said, stepping closer.

"Right now, we’re being nice because you’re a girl. But if you keep pushing us, we’ll do something bad." I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

"Please give me time," I said sternly without thinking where to find that sum of money within 5 days, three hundreds dollars is no small amount. Even if I sold my organs, it wouldn't bring in that much.

"I can pay the debt. Just... wait until Monday."

He laughed, a rude sound that scared me. "No. You have five days left—today counts too." His smile got wider, showing his yellow teeth. "Tick-tock, Miss Coleman, "

My mind raced, panic filling my chest. How could I get the money? But I had to try. I couldn’t let them take the house—the last thing from my father.

"You’d better hurry, Thea," the man said, nodding to his friends. The man behind moved closer, reaching for me. He took out a gun, pressed it against my head, and I froze, my breath caught in my throat. "Or we’ll skin you alive, sell your organs, and take the house, understood?" he said, his breath hot.

I shook with fear, cold sweat pour down on my forehead.

"Okay, see you in 5 days..."

They finally left.

I closed the door, and collapsed, my legs suddenly feel like jelly, my heart thumping, and I struggled to breathe.

I had to find a way out of this. I had to.

***

At night, I went to the night club where Sarah, my friend worked. The loud music, smell of alcohol and cigarette welcome me as I walked to the bar. I saw Sarah, she looks busy making drinks, but she stopped when she saw me.

She smiles and waved to me.

"Thea!" she shouted.

What are you doing here, hon?" her brows knitted.

"Do you want a drink?"

I shook my head, "no, not now."

I took a deep breath, my voice barely audible over the noise. "Actually, I come to ask for your help."

She leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. "What kind of help, Hon?"

I hesitated, my stomach churning.

"I heard you have a friend who owns a high-priced virginity auction,"

"Yes, only if your v****a is still sealed"

"Oh my, I still wish I hadn't given that asshole my virginity for free. I should have just sold it there and bought a car," Sarah giggled. But her laughter quickly faded when she saw that I didn't laughing at her joke like I usually did. How could I possibly laugh in this crazy situation?

"I need... I need to make money. Fast."

Her eyes widened, and she set down the shaker she’d been holding.

"Thea, are you serious?"

I nodded, my cheeks burning with shame.

"Yes, very serious!"

She stared at me with unreadable face, then sighed, shaking her head.

"But, you could have been bought by an evil rich man and he could have made your first night horrible."

"It's okay, I'm ready... with all the risks." I said incredulously.

"You have no idea what you’re getting into don't you want to rethink?" She sighed.

"I have no choice left, Sarah," I said shrugged my shoulders.