Chapter 456 WINNER
1509words
The roofs of our house danced with spray and I could hear the murmuring of the rain through the window. It sounded like the buzzing of angry bees.
I fixed my tiny figure on the bed melting deep into the sheets as I curled myself into a ball. The sound of rain clashing against my window could be heard making me unable to close my eyes. I was usually scared of the rain since I was a child. It felt like invisible hands were coming to get me or the wind might just pull our house one day.
The bothersome thunder roaring every now and then in the sky was not helping at all.
I tried shutting my eyes tightly but still could not sleep. Beneath the noise caused by the heavy rain, were the silent sounds of broken bottles splattered on the floor, or the clashing of glasses from outside the room and I wondered what must be happening between my parents this time.
I heard my door open slowly supported by quiet footsteps. I panicked, what if someone has broken into our house? Maybe that's the reason for the bottles. My mind was filled with different horrible scenes that made me shiver. I closed my eyes tightly pushing myself further into the mattress pretending to still be asleep, while at that, I tried to calm my raising heart as I was scared to wits. I abruptly stopped breathing.
My whole body was covered in sweat now, but I still didn't move a muscle or make a sound.
The footstep got closer and closer and...
"Penny." She whispered my name but I refused to respond and just squeezed my eyes further. "Penelope." She called again this time in a more firm tone.
Stretching my hand muscles I opened my eyes to meet her gaze, "Mother." "Please come with me Penny your father wants to speak to you." She said quickly. Now I wondered what it is I must have done this time to make them want to talk to me at this hour of the day. "Why? What have I done?" I asked trying to brush sleep away from my eyes but she said nothing to me.
I couldn't help but notice the weird look on mothers face, she looked like she's done something wrong.
"Make sure to brush your hair neatly and wash your sleepy eyes, you wouldn't want to talk to your father with that look."
"Brush your teeth too." She added.
Why do I need to arrange myself to talk to dad? He's my father not some sort of stranger, besides, it's not like he hasn't seen me in my worst state before. But I did as mum instructed, making sure I arranged my long brown hair and brushed my teeth. Rinsing my face with water, I used a white towel to wipe my face.
I tailed behind mother as we both strode towards the stairs, our old stairs made squeaky sounds as we walked through. I made sure not to touch the rusted rails to avoid getting my hands dirty. I and mother both step into the half-dark lounge which had only a small light from the flickering lantern at a corner.
My gaze met fathers eyes and then I notice the man in a black suit seated in a dark corner where the dim light couldn't really reach. His back faced me but I could tell from his strong Cologne and large back that he wasn't just anyone.
Seeing father and the strange man seated there my heart pounded with worry. Father was not smiling which means I must have done something really terrible. My entire body vibrated, I could barely stand with my legs. I tried searching my memory, there must be something horrible I must have done recently or in the past that has finally caught up with me. But I couldn't recall any, I've been good all year.
"Y... You called father."
"Yes, Penelope please seat," Father said pointing at the only available seat in the lounge which was the one the dark man sat on. I hesitated a bit. First I didn't even know who he was, I know my parents would never do anything to harm me, but I just couldn't seat next to this stranger.
"I'm fine standing here father," I said calmly staring at the floor to avoid his glare. But he ignored my action and rather continued with his words.
"This is Mr Lance Lloyd, he's..." The man on the couch finally turned around for father to stop talking with a little flinch. I stared back and forth between father, mother, and the man whose eyes were now on me. His grey eyes shone under the dim night lights even if the rest of his face was barely visible.
He screamed danger, one look I could already tell he was one to run away from. He looked like the Devil in human disguise. I felt goosebumps crawl on my skin as my entire being trembled at his stare. "Come sit here little one, listen to your father." He tapped the sit next to him. Something about his voice made me tremble.
The way he stared at me, like a beast about to feast on its prey.
Heavens I tried to calm my raising heart which wouldn't stop beating hard. I couldn't hold back the shudder that went through my body. As if I hesitated a bit, I could already see a hint of anger on his face. My right leg instinctively moved forward and then the left, they continued till I sat next to him.
I sat there like a statue, tiny and weak, moving myself to the edge of the tiny couch. I couldn't move or do anything. One wrong move and I could be broken into pieces. "Good girl." He said now turning to father. "I like her she's perfect."
What are they talking about, how I'm I perfect? I didn't know if I was to be relieved by the fact he said he like me or if his likeness would get me into more trouble. He turned his gaze back to me with a grin on his lips as he part his lips to speak.
"I'm Lance Lloyd your husband." His voice was deep, so so deep and dangerous.
Wait, did I hear correctly? My husband? When did I get married? Why was I getting married? This was too sudden. Maybe I'm only overreacting, maybe I didn't hear correctly cause of the heavy rain. Maybe I'm dreaming.
"W... What is he talking about father?" I managed to ask avoiding the devil's gaze.
"What has Mr Lloyd said that isn't audible enough? He is your husband, Penelope." My heart sank deep into my chest at fathers words. It felt heavy that I shook my head many times disagreeing with his words. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. This cannot be happening to me, not now...
"But I'm not ready for marriage Father, I'm only 19."
"You don't have a choice Penny, it's already done. Mr Lloyd here is your husband." Father repeated his words. "But..."
"No buts Penelope..."
"Let me talk to her myself." The scary man cut in. My heart somersaulted in my chest on hearing his voice. What does he want to tell me? What does he want from me? I moved further away from him almost falling to the ground but I cared less. "O-okay," Father said before stepping out of the lounge with mother beside him, leaving me all alone with the man on the couch whose deadly gaze was fixed on mine. I tried not to cry, not only were fathers words harsh but his actions were. Why was I being treated in this manner? Why did my parents hate me this much?
I don't want to get married to anyone. I had a lot of years ahead of me. I had dreams that were yet to become reality.
"You're mine now little one..."
"NO!! I screamed running away from him, but before I could move any further he held my wrist pulling me back to himself as he trapped me on the couch. My eyes widened in disbelief. " There's no point trying to hide away from me, you're my wife now." He said confidently before letting me go.
I curled like a ball on the couch and sobbed, "How could they be so evil to give their daughter out?" I said between my sobs. I shouldn't be crying, I should be strong, but I just couldn't.
