To Live For Once (Set Me Free II) - Episode 1

 

Years ago 

Amaya:

"You look beautiful! Wow. Just look at you!" Mrs Gloria my nanny fawn over me. I smile weakly at the huge mirror in my room. The urge to smile fully, I don't have right now.
"And for the final touch." She says again and I stiffen when she places a new necklace on the table. I eye the thing warily . I'm sure it's diamond. 
"I prefer the one I'm already wearing." I tell her and she shake her head mildly.
"Your father insisted you wear this one. He wants you to take that one off your neck." My hand goes to my mom's necklace around my neck defensively.
"You know how your father can be, Maya." Her eyes show she's scared of losing her job so I relieve her misery and collect the necklace from the table.
"It's actually beautiful. I'm sorry I can't stand against your father." She bows her head. I look away from the mirror and take her wrinkled hand in mine.
"It's fine. I actually love it. It's not so extravagant." I assure her. She raise her head and sniff back tears.
"My little girl. You're all grown up now. Your mother would surely be proud if she can see you now." She pat my hand with her second hand

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

. My eyes start to water. It's been five years but it never gets easier.
"Can I have a moment to my self please." I say before I break down in front of her. I don't want to worry her. She might insist I don't go for this dinner dad's throwing to introduce me to society but I know that won't end well with my father. I can already feel an headache coming on at the thought of spending the whole night with him watching my every move. Looking for a mistake. I so wish high school never ended then I'll have an excuse to be away from the house. Many kids would rather going to school from home but I would pick boarding school any time. Too bad I had to come back home.
"Your date is already with your father. Don't take long." Mrs Gloria interrupt my troubled thought. I nod. Daddy won't like that I'm late. She smiles before walking out. I release a shaky breath before grabbing a small tissue paper to wipe the corners of my eyes. I try not to smear my make up. 
"You look so beautiful, today baby. Have fun." I imagine mother saying to me.
"You can do this." I say silently to the mirror before I take mom's necklace from my neck and put on the diamond one dad insisted I wear. I feel exposed without it. I've never been without it since mother died and father sent me away to boarding school. I don't think I can be without it so I wrap the necklace around my wrist like a bracelet. Now I'm ready to face the night. I pick my new clutch bag and walk out to join my dad downstairs.
 Dad's disapproving frown is the first thing I see as I slowly walk down the stairs. I remind myself to stand straight without slouching. With my head raised high, I take the last few steps to bring me to the party. I fingers shake with nervousness.
"Hi, Maya right?" I turn to find a guy around my age appraising me. He has a bored look plastered on. Of course he's part of dad's party.
"Amaya." I stretch my hand to shake his timidly. I takes my elbow instead.
"Your father won't be pleased. You were supposed to be here five minutes ago. I had to wait." He reprimands. I have to bite my teeth not to give a rude retort to that. I smile my apology instead. My eyes scan the room and notice everyone in groups staring at me. There's whispering among them. They don't like me. My shoulder cave in more. I feel sick already. My stomach is lurching. Thank God I didn't eat before this.
"You look awful." My head snap back to find my father. My headache intensifies. The night is just starting but I already feel like fleeing.
"I'm sorry for being late." I say silently. The idiot boy beside me doesn't move to give my father and I privacy. Father doesn't tell him to leave either. I really don't want an audience for this.
"Don't slouch!" My father's harsh voice cuts through my panicking. I jump slightly in surprise.
"I'm so-so-sorry. " Why am I stammering?  He doesn't like that either.
"Don't apologize over and over again! Only the weak apologizes. Your mother should have given me a son. Not this weak daughter." He says the last part under his breathe but I hear it and I'm sure the boy by my side does as well because I hear him stifle a laugh beside me. What a jerk. I gently pull my hand out of his.
"I'm sor--" The immense urge to apologize again is stopped by the look my father gives me. I swallow my words. 
"Don't worry sir. I'll take her out of her hair. A dance or two should loosen her up. She can at least dance right?" The boy asks like I'm stupid. I shake my head and it feels like rocks are grinding inside. My hand goes up to clutch it.
"You will dance with this young man and you won't disgrace me. You hear me?" I try to focus my eyes on my father as he spits the hateful words but my vision starts to get blurry. I nod instead. I think he's walking away. My legs begin to shake and sweat rush down my back and the side of my face. I stagger and grab unto the table beside me to keep me up.
"Let's dance." I barely make out the hand of the boy as he stretches it out to me. My limbs feel like lead but I have to take it. I can't see my dad but he's surely watching. I push shaky fingers into his soft hand before a sharp pain shoot up my head. I bite down so hard on my lips to avoid screaming. I can't move though. What's happening to me?
"Hey! Stop drawing back!" I think the boy snaps but I'm slowly losing his voice.

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

. The room spin as another sharp pain shoots up my head. I can't stop the yelp of pain that leaves my throat as I clutch my head. The sound of my clutch purse hitting the ground sounds too loud in my aching head. I feel rather than hear a roaring in my ears.
"Amaya?!" My stomach give a violent lurch this time and the little food I ate this morning are emptied on the boy beside me. I feel a little satisfaction at that. I can hear people screaming but it seems so distant as my legs give out under me and I slump to the floor like wet noodles.
"What the hell!" My father's voice is the last I hear before unconsciousness swallow me.

Hey guys, yea it's me again. I'm back!! Rory's story had to be told after all. This episode gives us an insight of our heroine's life. Hope you enjoyed it. Let me quickly ask for your support in likes and comments in this new journey of ours. I love you guys.