Set me free - Episode 5

 

Dawn:

''dad?!" I abandon my search for bottled water in the roadside supermarket and hurry towards my dad who is sprawled on the dirty tiled floor while a guy not more than my age hover above him.
"hey! Come back here, you miscreant!" my father yell as the young guy bolt out of the door. Dad starts to get up to go after him but I manage to reach there in time to grab his arm.
"dad! Were you getting robbed?"
"I need to catch that miscreant . He dared push me? Me!"
"calm down father. He could be a thief or worse. Just let it go." I implore. Dad has just gotten back to the country today from a business trip. We never can be too safe. That could have been an assassin or something.
"I can't stand it here anymore. Lets get out of here." he fumes as he forcefully push on the supermarket's door, nearly pulling it off it's hinges. I dont bother to get the bottled water which made us come here in the first place. I knew better than to act out when dad is in such a mood. I just silently walk behind him.
  The drive home is a silent one and dad doesn't speak until we are inside the house.
"get me a glass of white wine and bring it to my office, Dawn." he instructs before disappearing into the other side of the house. Dad usually asks the maids for his drinks so I know there's a reason he wants me to do it today.
   I pick up a glass from the wet bar and grab dad's favorite white wine

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/set-me-free

. The house is unusually quiet for so early in the night. I haven't even seen mother since we got back. I'll look for her after bringing dad's drink to his office downstairs.
  I take the stairs two at a time, in a hurry to meet mother and talk about my day. I get to father's door in time and knock lightly.
"come in, Dawn." I push the bottle of wine between my arm and body to free up one of my arm before twisting the handle of the door open.
"You shouldn't put a bottle of wine in your armpit." dad chastise as my eyes meet his.
"I just needed to free one of my hand for a second so i could open the door." I try to defend myself as i place the bottle of wine and glass on his table.
"You ain't a Child anymore. So when you get corrected, take responsibility of your action!" I gasp at dad's suden outburst. What's with him this night?
"Can't have you disgracing me once i marry you off." he continues and i smile.
"Don't worry dad. You still have a long time to tutor me before you marry me off anyways." i tease but there's no smile from him. I catch his grimace as he pours wine into the glass.
"The company isn't do well, Dawn." he says after a moment of awkward silence. Thinking it's a few words of consolation he's fishing for, i walk around his table and pat his broad shoulder gently.
"Don't worry dad. I'm sure everything would be fine at work soon. You are an amazing business man. Plus we are here. Mother and I are ready to help in any way we can." I assure him. His hand pat mine as he sigh heavily.
"That's what i was hoping to hear sweetie." he says and i swell with pride. I've always known how to calm my father down.
"speaking of doing anything to help, umm well, the Williams would be a good inlaw don't you think? They are just what we need to bring the company back to the top." he tells me and i nod awkwardly. Does he know about my relationship with William? Does he consent?
"What are you hinting at, father?" I ask.
"Mr William has shown an interest in marrying you."
"Mr Williams? Marriage? Me?" I ramble.
"not for himself. Obviously he's too old for you. It's for his son. He's the person i went to see in the states. We have signed the necessary documents. All we need now is the engagement party followed by a wedding." my father drops the bomb and my mouth falls with my heart. I'm to marry a Williams but not the one i love but his brother? What the hell? Why would fate be this cruel to me?
"that's impossible."
"what do you mean impossible? I already signed the contract little girl! A stupid tantrum won't stop this okay?!" he bellows. I gasp at the anger in his voice and recoil from him.
"dad please. I can't marry someone i don't know." I cry out.
"hell, you can! Your sister did and she's happy isn't she? She was able to get a degree abroad after marriage!" she isn't but dad wouldn't know that. He's too busy giving all his daughters out to save his business. I remember my sister crying and fighting an arranged marriage just like this few years ago to no avail. If I'm going to marry, it's going to be William. Wait, William! He's also a William! It's the same thing as far as there's a marriage between me and a William right?
"Everyone in this family have made sacrifices to give you the finer things of life, you selfish child! Now you can't get married to a young and promising guy?! I'm doing you a huge favour! You should be thanking me, not crying like a child! Listen I'm your father and you would obey me no matter what! Do you hear me? No matter what!" he rants, sweat dripping down his face.
"dad, please. Listen to what i have to say. I can save the business but not by marrying someone i dont know.

Read " Mirage " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. There's someone. He's also a---" 
"shut up!" a quick slap shut me up as i stare open mouthed at my fuming father.
"Get out!" he bellows
"father, listen. I--"
"i said get out!!!" he yells and I do just what he says. I turn on my heels and flee from his office, tears blinding me as I go.
"Dawn!" I hear my mother yell after me but i don't stop. She's in on this too. She knew about this conspiracy. That is the reason i was pampered on our trip to dubai. She won't take my side. She's like daddy's pet. No one would save me from this blasted marriage but me! They want a wedding to the Williams? I'm gonna give them a wedding but not the Williams they want but the younger son who has my heart. I grab dad's car keys as i bolt out of the house and send a text off to William.

St Patrick cathedral
meet me there in an hour
PS wear something nice.

  Satisfied with my plan, i enter into dad's car and zoom off towards a bridal shop.