CHAPTER 4

PERSUASION OR BLACKMAIL

After my father told me that my life was basically over, I hadn't left my room. After leaving the living room last night, I had completely come apart. The tears fell hot and fast and I had tried so hard to cover my mouth to muffle my cries. My throat had burned with the effort to stay quiet because I didn't want My parents to hear me. I had sunk to the floor and hugged my knees to myself, burying my face in them as I tried to stop my cries.

My mother had been knocking on my doorsince dawn in hopes to make me leave my room and join them for breakfast. After several attempts, she had given up and left me alone.

I had canceled my plans to hang out with Nate and Cindy today with a lame excuse of not feeling well.

However, in the end my stomach won and I had to go downstairs to get something to eat.

I found my parents in the dining room sipping on their cups of tea. Their attention was immediately diverted to me the moment they noticed my presence. My mother quickly stood up and approached me while my father just stood up from his seat and watched me as if preparing himself for an outburst.

"Are you hungry? Do you want me to prepare your favorite meal?" My mother asked me, now standing in front of me. "I bet you're very hungry. You did not come down for breakfast. You never miss breakfast unless you are sick. You aren't sick are you? I am so sorry baby. Your father and I..I..I...I am so sorry," She continued with her rumbling and I knew she would start crying any moment from now.

"I just came down to get something to eat," I hoarsely replied, my throat dry from crying myself to sleep.

"I can prepare it for you," My mother said, as she tried to compose a smile. I don't think I would ever look at my parents the same way after yesterday. I was a victim and they were the cause of my misery.

"No, I am going to prepare my own meal," I said walking into the kitchen. I took one packet of instant noodles and put them in water to boil. I prepared my coffee and sat down on one of the barstools in the kitchen, slowly sipping on my coffee as I waited for the noodles to cook. I was draining the water out of the noodles when my father came in. I ignored him and continued with what I was doing. I put the noodles on a plate and got my sauce. I took my seat back and started eating my food.

"Hey kiddo. Can I have a word with you?" My father asked taking cautious steps towards me.

I only spared him a glance but nonetheless continued eating. He sighed loudly but took the stool across me. He looked awful. He had bags under his eyes and he looked older than his actual age. He took my free hand in his and started rubbing his thumb across my palm.

"Isabella, I am so sorry for what I did to you. I did it out of desperation. At that moment, I only thought of myself. One moment, I was thinking that it was a bad idea but after I saw what he was offering for just marriage, all my senses went out the door. I thought that if I took the deal, we won't have to worry about having a roof above our heads or the extraction company knocking on our door, or even worse, police officers coming to arrest me. But look at it at a different angle kiddo, what if this is an opportunity for you to get the exposure you need. You are about to graduate and being married to a man like McCaffrey's son will enable you to get the job of your dreams. Please kiddo, do this for us. You are our only hope," My father said sadly and if I wasn't angry, I would have probably cried at his 'heartfelt explanation.'

"What if I back out of this deal? I mean I am the one who's supposed to get married, right? What if I say no to all of this," I asked, drawing my hand away from his.

"Then I will be sent to prison. The bank will take the house, making you and your mother homeless. Please Isabella, even if you just get married for one year, just sign the marriage certificate, then you can ask for a divorce,"

I rubbed my temple for the millionth time. At this rate if I did not develop a migraine, I would go crazy. What was I going to do now? This felt a whole lot like blackmail. If I didn't get married, and everything that my father says happens, I would feel guilty and selfish, and I couldn't live with that.

"Another thing Isa, we are supposed to meet with the McCaffrey's today to know the way forward," My father continued looking me directly in the eye for the first time since he informed me of my demise.

"At what time?" I asked taking my plate to the sink.

"Does that mean that you have accepted the deal?" My father asked with a hopeful smile that I wanted to wipe off his face very badly.

"Do I have any other choice?" I asked washing my plate.

"We are supposed to join them for their family brunch," My father asked, avoiding my question.

"At what time?" I asked again, wanting to get this over and done with.

"At noon dear," My father replied, getting on his feet.

"Ok. I am going to start getting ready," I said starting to leave the room.

"Wear something official will you? Something that is not going to give the impression of a sophisticated person," My father added when I reached the door. He now seemed eager to impress his said friend.

"Why? My pictures weren't enough to impress them when you were making the deal? Afraid that they will back out immediately they lay their eyes on me?" I sarcastically asked him, not turning around to face him. I was actually proud of myself. I had actually managed to keep my anger to myself up till now. I hadn't exploded on anyone just yet but I knew it was just a matter of time before I had enough and broke down. When I was met with silence, I walked upstairs to my room and locked the door. I stood in the shower for a long time, letting the warm water soothe me. I only got out when I noticed the wrinkles on my palm. I quickly dried my hair and straightened it.

I went to my closet and looked at a dress I could wear to this stupid brunch. I took out a navy blue dress that I had bought when Cindy dragged me to one of her shopping sprees. It was a long sleeved, off-shoulder dress, with a cut running from the bottom to just above the knee. It had a manageable v-neck that showed just a bit of my cleavage but didn't put much emphasize on my girls. It hugged my upper body but was flowy from the waist down. I only put mascara and lipgloss on my face and I was ready to go.

I descended the stairs and was met by my mother at the bottom smiling up at me, "You look beautiful dear," I gave her a forced smile and turned to face my father.

"Let us get this over and done with, the quicker I meet up with them, the quicker I am going to get married to the man of your choice and the faster I can get my divorce."

"Then let us not waste any more time, the car is ready, let us go."

If only I knew what I was signing myself up for.