? The Deal ?
Written by Idara Kingsley
? Chapter 15 ?
? Zoey ?
My hands and legs were shaking as I approached the front door. How my parents managed to put such fear in me was still a mystery.
Once upon a time, we used to be a happy family. Our bond could never be broken. We were seen as the most perfect, and loving family in the city. But, life happened, obviously. They changed drastically. They hated my existence. They took me like a piece of shit. I was one worthless child in front of them.
My mother was the worst person in the universe. She painted me black and called me an worthless child. I was confused by everything at first, but as I grew up, everything became crystal clear to me. The hatred from my mother was strong. So strong that if she had a chance, she’d rip me apart and have me buried in a shallow grave.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I twisted the door knob. My hands were all sweaty and sli-ppery. It was shaking and I was unable to open the door. I backed out, took in a de-ep breath and turned the door knob.
The first face I saw was that of my mum. She was sitted on the couch, opposite some strangers. Her eyes bore holes into my skin as I walked up to them. Her cold stare was burning me with every step at took. She was indeed a dangerous woman.
Guests? Who were this people? We hardly have guests, so I was bound to get surprised at the sudden early morning visitation from these people.
As I walked up to them, my eyes travelled to my guard. He was smirking at me as I walked. His devilish smile was not hidden from his face. His eyes were steady on me that I almost lost my balance. He always made me loose control with his stares. Flashes of him forcing me to sleep with him appeared in my head. I shuddered.
“Zoey.” My mum called in a sing-song voice. Surprisingly, she walked up to me and pulled me into a warm hug. I was stunned by what she did. It had been years I had a hug from my mother. My dad usually gave me hugs, but my mum was the devil in a sheep clothing. She was good at faking things, and will definitely have a good grade in faking.
I stood there like a tree as she hug-ged me. She pressed her arms around me, almost suffocating me.
“What took you so long baby, are you okay?” She asked with a sweet voice. Damn, this woman could fake. I was sure the guests were definitely seeing her as the most sweetest and caring mother in the entire universe. She wasn’t, instead she was the opposite of what everyone thought of her.
I was unable to talk until her arm shoved me a bit harshly.
“I’m okay, mum.” I had to play along, or I’d be paying dearly with my own life.
My eyes met with my dad’s, they were filled with pity and regrets. I wish I could have him tell me what was going on.
A lot of times, my parents had gotten into a heated argument because of me. Severally, my dad had asked my mum to be nice to me and treat me like her daughter, instead my mum would bluntly refuse. I didn’t know where the hatred was from. She had slowly led me into depression, she was killing me slowly and of course, she never gave a flying f.uck about how I felt.
“Come here,” she dragged me to the guests. “They are the Castle. Meet Mr Bean Castle, Mrs Jade Castle and their lovely son, Jonah Castle.” My mum introduced the family of three to me. They shot me a smile, except from the guy, who was looking at me weirdly.
“Hi.” I gave them a small wave with a smile, which they returned.
Mrs Jade Castle, stood up. She was wearing an elegant knee length, ocean blue beaded gown. She looked like royalty, with her expensive looking makeup, nails and shoes. She was full of smiles. “Hello Zoey, it’s so nice to finally meet you. You’re such a lovely girl.” She complimented. She leaned forward, and picked up the strands of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ears. “Such a beautiful soul.”
“Thank you.” I murmured. She was a lovely woman, but I was still confused why my mum had to call me for an introduction early in the morning. It was weird, and unlike her. She never called me so early, or to come get introduced to a guest. She was acting overly weird by being nice to me even though I knew she was faking it so she’d look good in front of the guests. My mother could do anything for attention.
“I think she and Jonah would get along quickly.” Mr Bean Castle said to my hearing. He said it unapologetically, while eyeing the diamond ring on my finger.
I was starting to get every f.u.cking thing happening. My mum was sick, obviously. She was trying to hook me up with Jonah Castle, when she clearly knew I was happily engaged to Jack.
I spoke to my parents about Jack about a week ago. My dad was happy and had bought me a lot of goodies. He had also met Jack, and they got along so fast. My mum was bittered about my engagement. She said she hated Jack already and didn’t want to see him near me, ever. She threatened to do something silly if I did not break my engagement with Jack. Sadly, the silly thing she did was to go bring someone so we could get to know each other and perhaps, get married
That was the dumbest thing my mum had ever thought of.
I was ashamed and angry at the same time. How could a woman I called my mum be so heartless. She never wanted me to smile or have things go my own way. She always had a way to shut everyone up so she could have everything done her own way.
I was at the edge of exploding right in front of everyone. I held myself back strongly. It was so ha-rd but I still did it.
“Take a seat, baby.” My mum’s hand pulled me down to a nearby couch. I sat down, dragging my skimpy gown down to my lap-s. It didn’t cover s reasonable amount of my lap-s, hence causing me to feel a bit uncomfortable.
“What’s happening here.” I asked in the most softest, nicest and not so rude voice. Although, the edge in my voice was enough to tell everyone they had to speak or I’d loose my mind and lash at them.
“Come on baby, don’t you want to meet Jonah?”
I chuckled softly. “What do you mean?” I looked over at Jonah, he had a blank expression on his face. Well, since I walked into the room, he had been like that. Unmoved, blank, expressionless, bored look, and the weird stare he gave me. I wished I could ask him what was wrong.
“Maria, I’ll handle this.” My dad spoke even before my mum could talk. I sure knew my mum was mad at my dad for cutting her short.
My dad took my tiny, slender arms into his hands and caress it softly. “Look here, we want you to get to know Jonah.”
I blinked. “Why?”
“I think he’s the best decision for you.”
It wasn’t my dad talking. He had been brainwashed by his wife! My dad would never support her silly attitude.
I was already flaring up. Why in God’s name would my parents make a decision about marriage for me? I was a grown woman who could make decisions for myself. I knew what I wanted. I wasn’t a child anymore. I knew my mum hated me, but going this far was irritating and immature of her. I expected more.
“I have someone else that would sacrifice everything just to make me happy. I have someone I want to have my family with, someone that cherish me even in my sad and lonely days. I’m not ready to let go of that person. He had brou-ght out the best version of me. He made me know my worth. What more do you want from me mum.”
My mother stomped her foot on the floor, making her heels make a really loud, irritating noise. “Nonsense!” She yelled. “I wouldn’t tolerate that from you. You are dumping that crazy looking guy and you’re gonna marry Jonah Castle.” She said with finality in her voice.
I was shaken up a bit, but I still maintained composure not withstanding her yell. I stood up from the chair and faced my mother.
“This is my life, and I’ll do whatever I want to do. You have no right to decide how I’d live my life.” I yelled right in her face. Some of my saliva was visibly stuck to her face. She didn’t even notice they were there.
“Don’t talk to me that way.”
“Don’t decide how I’d live my life! I’m Zoey, you’re Maria. Allow me have some space.” The words rolled out of my tongue freely. For the first time ever, I stood up to my mum without fear. I was ready for whatever she wanted to do. I was ready for her.
Mrs Jade Castle reached out to you h me, but I yanked her hands away from mine rou-ghly. “Don’t you dare.”
She moved away in fear and clinged unto her husband. He wrapped his arms around her wa-ist and pulled her more closer.
Jonah Castle stood up, arranged his clothes and walked away. He wasn’t having any of the drama like I wasn’t too.
Our parents were obviously forcing us into something we didn’t want. We were grown up for Christ sake, we could make our own decisions.
I was really fighting the urge not to cry. I had to get out. Immediately, I took to my heels and ran away. My mum called my name continuously but I ignored her. She could go f.uck herself.
I ordered for an Uber that took me directly to Jack’s house. Jack was the only option. I wouldn’t want to have Charlotte involved, since my mum hated her with pa-ssion. The nerve of her to always hate the people I love.
Tears blinded my eyes while I sat in the car. Why did I have to go throu-ghall these? I was beginning to think I was adopted. No parent would make their child go throu-ghhell. I was fed up.
The car stopped right in front of Jack’s house. I paid and walked into his house.
He was sitted on his couch, watching a movie. At first, he flinched in fear to see me standing by the door with a teary face. He jumped off the couch and came to me.
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he wiped off my tears with the back of my palm.
My body shook as I cried. I couldn’t stop the tears that freely rolled down my ears. I was hurting so badly. My heart ached so badly.
“Shh… Don’t cry okay? I’m here for you.” He pulled me into his ch-est and wrapped his arms around me tightly. “I got you baby, let it all out.” He rubbed my back in a circular motion as I cried on his shoulder.
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“I feel like they adopted me.” I said in a low voice, as I sipped my cup filled with hot cocoa.
Jack had managed to calm me down, and trust me, when he heard what happen, he felt really bad. He never imagined my mum had so much hate for him. He was sad and speechless.
“She finds every little thing to pick on me. She hates you, Charlotte and some few productive and inspiring friends. She hates me.”
“No.” He cuts me off. “She doesn’t hate you, she’s your mum.”
I squ-eezed my face. “She does hate me. She hates my existence and always wants to take over my life. I hate her.”
Jack ran his hand throu-ghhis hair in frustration. He looked like he didn’t know what to say. If I was in his position, I wouldn’t say a word either. Everything about me was just confusing.
“What did you say the guy name is?”
“Jonah Castle.”
He shook his head. “I know that dude. He’s weird right?”
I raised my brow up. “Kinda. How did you know him.”
“Let’s just say he’s kinda popular. I think your mum wants him for you because he’s rich and I’m not.” His voice was low now. I knew he was feeling bad now.
I moved closer to him and held his hands. “Look here, I don’t care if you’re rich or not. I’m not in love with you for your money or your look, I’m in love with your personality, I love you the way you are, do not let my mum into your head.” I leaned more into him and planted a ki-ss on his li-ps.
“I love you more babe.” He said in-between ki-sses. He pulled away, and laid ki-sses on my cheeks, shoulder, forehead and jaw.
A comfortable silence engulfed us when we released each other. I rested my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes. Slowly, I drifted off to sleep.