{You're getting married}

~NINE YEARS AGO~ COOPER'S RESIDENCE~

Pondering over what his father told him, Milo had a hard time sleeping.

Why is he suddenly getting a wife at the age of seventeen?

Where did the girl originated from?

Why does she have to be his wife? Many thoughts wouldn't stop battling in his mind. Sighing deeply, he sat up on the bed then take the puzzle just on his bed stand and started arranging it. As his father had told him.

 'Whenever you have a problem or something troubling you...instead of thinking hard. Solve the puzzle...it'll surely direct you to many ways to solve whatever you're going through'

He did this for hours until he finally drove off to Dreamland.

***

The morning light shone brightly into the room through the curtain. Milo squinted his eyes rubbing it slowly. He face the other side of the bed to avoid the ray of light penetrating into his eyes and disturbing his beauty sleep but that was short lived when something struck his mind.

"F**K SH*T!!!" He sprang up from the bed immediately rushing out of the room like one being chased by a predator. He almost stumbled as he ran fast to the guest room. He opens the door breathing heavily and as he as suspected, he was met with emptiness. The little girl is no where to be found. 

He ruffled his hair in exasperation and walked out of the room jamming the door behind him. He had known there's no way his Dad would babysit a little girl so he'd probably give her to some goddamn people to take care of her. He was meaning to wake up really early so he could at least have a word with this girl before his Dad take her away but f**k him, he overslept.

Now he's never gonna know why his Dad called her his wife and what really happened. His Dad has always keep him off anything that involved his job and he finds that annoying. Being an inquisitive young lad, he had always wanna know everything going on with his Dad after all he's the only one he has. But seems his Dad doesn't want that.

He walked downstairs and met his Dad already setting the table.

"Good morning Dad" He greeted solemnly taking his seat.

"Don't give me that face. You'll know when the time is right. Good morning son" He replied taking a seat also.

Milo took a sliced bread and stuff it in his mouth.

"I applied for Newton College as you wanted"

"Good"

"I'm gonna study really hard and make you proud Dad" 

"Don't push yourself too hard. I'm always rooting for you just know that" He stood and ruffled his hair.

"When I come back we can play the game together" He said making Milo smile widely.

"I won't go easy on you just because you're my Dad"

"You think I will" He replied. Milo giggles.

"Aright...eat and go to school. I'll see you when I come back"

"Yes Dad" He saluted then they hit knuckles together as they always did and Mr Harris began walking out.

"Dad!" Milo called. He looks back at him.

"Your arm...how is it?"

 "Better" He smiles then finally went out.

Milo face his meal back with a satisfactory smile plastered on his lips. After eating a little more he went to his room and got ready for school. 

After coming back from school, he studied for some while before his father came back. They had dinner and as he promised they played the game together with their shouts and laughter filling the whole house. 

Just like that, they continued living their lives. Even though he never talked about it, he always wondered where his supposed wife could be. Whether she's okay...wherever she is.

NINE YEARS LATER~ PRESENT~ 

POLICE STATION. 

Hailey Sat up in a corner holding Lou tightly in her arms. She watches with disdain the various activities going on. Mean looking huge guys with rotten teeth arguing with themselves at one place. 

Boys of her age looking rough and bruised at another.

The place was bustling with noises and unpleasant smell. 

"Excuse me Mr cop" She called attention of one of the cops passing by.

"Yeah. You need anything?"

"My parents...when are they coming?" She asked.

"Your parents? What is your name?"

"Hallelujah...Hallelujah Hamilton" She quickly replied.

"Ahh...your parents aren't coming. They told us to keep you here overnight"

"What? They...they did what?" She asked, beyond baffled.

"Later...got to go" The cop left and she sank back where she was seated.

"Mom...abandoned me here" She muttered not believing it. Her eyes brimming with tears already. 

"How can she...in this scary place..." She looks to her side but took her eyes away immediately her eyes came in contact with some girls like touts staring back at her as if they're ready to eat her whole. 

"I hate you....you're all mean" She whimpered sniffing in her tears.

~NEXT DAY~

"Thank you officer" Mrs Hamilton shook hands with the cop with a smile after exchanging some words with him. Hailey walks out of the station with no expression on. She was looking messed up and unkempt. She held her puppy in her arms as she walks towards the already parked car waiting outside the station. 

"Hey..devil angel!" Matthew stuck his head out of the car window waving and grinning at her. Hailey whereas ignored him and just got into the car instead.

"Oh! My you look messed up...are you okay?" He asked with a note of sarcasm. Hailey turns to him and gave him a really scary look.

"Don't talk to me" She warns her eyes omitting anger, fury and danger.

Matthew getting it isn't the right time for taunting backed off. Minutes later, Mrs Hamilton joined them in the car and the driver ignite the engine.

Throughout the ride, none of them uttered a word to each other, they got home and Hailey was the first to get out of the car heading inside.

"Go wash up. Let's talk after that I'll prepare something light for you to eat" Mrs Hamilton said behind her as she heads upstairs. Hailey stops and turned back at her with a blank expression on, she says.

"Don't talk to me...cause I'm gonna do that also" After saying this, she swivels on a heel and made to proceed but Mrs Hamilton's next words couldn't help but stop her on her tracks.

"You're getting married" She announces abruptly. Shocking everyone present to the bone.