Chapter 8: Rebelling

"Rebelling was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Every time I looked at my driver, he seemed to want to drive me back home, but I wasn't ready to leave. Dad gave me an hour, but I can be out here for as long as I want to be."

"Miss, your dad is worried," my driver informed me.

"Don't worry about him, he'll get over it," I said, alright, I knew that wasn't true. Dad never gets over anything, he was always so serious.

"I may lose my job, miss," the driver said, and I nodded.

"We can leave now," I said and got into the car. I didn't want him to lose his job because of me, and I didn't want to get another driver. He has been my driver for as long as I can remember, and he understands me. I wouldn't want him to lose his job and make Dad get me another driver who'll always report my affairs to Dad.

As I stood facing the front door, my heart kept beating fast. Was I ready to face Dad after ignoring his calls all day and coming home later than I was meant to? I raised my hands to pull the door open, but the door opened on its own and Dad was standing behind it with his usual stern and scary look.

"Dad," I said and smiled.

"Where are you headed?" I asked him.

"To the door," he replied and opened the door wider for me to walk in. I thanked him and walked into the living room.

"I thought you were leaving," I asked him immediately after he closed the door.

He looked at me and directed me to sit down. I looked at the chair, looked back at him, smiled, and sat down.

"Dad," I called out when I sat down.

He looked at me, he was not impressed. I adjusted my seating position, but nothing was making me comfortable. I just wanted to be away from my dad's accusing eyes.

"Dad," I called out to him.

"What?" He asked me.

"You asked me to sit," I said.

"Yes, is there something more important you should be doing?" He asked me.

I shook my head aggressively.

"Maybe talking to a man?" He asked me.

Did he find out about Min Jun? Did he catch me? Was he aware of my lies? Did my driver tell him about Min Jun? A lot of questions ran through my mind.

"Appa," I was ready to start explaining when he told me to be quiet.

He also remained quiet for a while, but when I opened my mouth to tell him everything about Min Jun and the whole marriage proposal, he yelled, "Are you rebelling against me? Why did you stay out for so long? You were meant to be out for an hour."

I smiled. He was oblivious to the fact that I was planning to get into an arranged marriage with an absolute stranger.

"What's so funny?" He asked me.

I shook my head and looked at my hands, avoiding his eyes.

"Are you rebelling against me?" He asked me, but I didn't reply.

"Mei Xing," he yelled my name and I looked up instantly.

"Why are you doing this now? Can't you see your mom and I want you safe?" He asked me.

"Mei, please follow my instructions. The world isn't safe, and I am just trying to protect you. Your mom and I are just trying to keep you safe. I am trying to give you a good life," Dad said, pleading with me.

"What is the point of it all? I am going to die. It doesn't matter that you have protected me all your life. Right now, it doesn't matter," I paused and looked at Dad.

"Therapy and nothing is going to give me a normal life. I am going to die. At least let me do what I want to do while I am still alive," I yelled angrily.

I walked to him, knelt, placed my head on his thighs, and held his leg.

"Please let me do this," I pleaded, with tears rolling down my eyes.

He looked at me. I wanted him to understand me. I wanted him to give me the chance I needed for the first time in my life. Give me the chance to be an adult, let me grow up and make mistakes, like everyone else.

He looked at me and said...