{The Promise}

"Aunt what are you talking about?" Matthew intervene.

"It is as you heard. Her betrothed has been out of the country for a while now but recently he came back. It is something that has been agreed on for a long time now" She replied. 

"Aunt are you being serious right now?" Matthew asked probably shocked.

"Do I suddenly look like a clown to you?" She asked.

"Shocking!" Matthew gasped covering his mouth with his palms.

"Since we can't handle you properly we decided to send you to someone who could do the job better. Tomorrow you're getting yourself a husband so get a grip on yourself already and stop being a nuisance" She finalized strictly then walked away from them. Hailey on her spot couldn't help but snickers.

"I...am getting married??" She uttered as if it's the stupidest thing she has ever heard in her whole nineteen years of living.

"Matthew I?" She said to Matthew who just watch her in agape.

"My thoughts exactly...you think Aunt is on drugs?" He asked in return. Hailey scoffs.

***

Mr Hamilton keep banging the door outside for Hailey to open her locked door but instead, Crashing sounds of things and grunts could be heard from within.

"Here Uncle" Matthew rushed over to Mr Hamilton giving him the spare key to the room. With immediate effect, he unlock the door and both trot inside briskly but their mouths went hanging on what beheld them. 

"HALLELUJAH!!" Both screamed in horror.

Hallelujah stood heaving heavily with red eyes. Her hair was all over her face so does blood drip down her hand slowly. She must have hurt herself while turning the whole room upside down.

"HALLELUJAH!" Mr Hamilton so as Matthew shrieks at the alarming state she is. 

"My dear..." Mr Hamilton ran through the pile of things on the floor to her, hugging her tiny body into his embrace. Hallelujah bursts out into tears she seems to have bottled up. Matthew sighs watching both father and daughter.

"I'll get the first aid kit" He said before leaving the room.

***

"I'll be downstairs" Matthew said after bringing the first aid kit. He excuses himself giving them both space to talk.

"You hate me too now right?" Her little voice came out as Mr Hamilton wrapped bandage on her wounded wrist.

"What are you saying?" He asked looking up to her in surprise.

"Just like Mom...you also hate me right? Isn't that why you're throwing me out of your lives?"

"No dear..." He held her cheek.

"I'll never. You're my jewel how can I hate you?"

"Then why...don't you want me in your life anymore? Why are you pushing me out of your lives? Why are you so eager to get rid of me? You left me all alone in that scary place overnight and didn't care about what I go through and now...you're making me get married all of a sudden. Are you really that tired of me?" She said with broken voice. Her eyes becoming wistful once again.

Mr Hamilton cup her face and wipe her tears off with his thumb.

"Dear listen to what Dad is gonna say now uh?" He stared directly at her and she nodded like a little baby.

"When Dad was still young_."

"You're still young!" She interrupted.

Mr Hamilton smiles and withdraw his hands.

"Of course I am...but listen. When Dad was still really really so young, he made a promise to a very special friend of his. This friend has helped him in hard times so Dad promised to pay him back at all cost so he made a promise by giving him what he cherished most. And you know promises are meant to be kept right? Now it's time to fulfill the promise cause the set time has come already. Will you...help Dad out?" He asked loftly

"Will Dad be in trouble if he doesn't fulfill this promise?" 

"He wouldn't be in trouble but...Dad is gonna be indebted to this friend of his forever....the guilt wouldn't leave him till he dies probably" He replied.

"Is dad's friend nice?"

"Of course...he's just like Dad. And his son too...you don't have to worry about a thing. You trust Dad right?" He asked and she nods.

"I'll help Dad fulfill his promise. Because I'm dad's most cherished thing in the world. And I love Dad very much. I don't wanna see Dad sad and troubled" She said. Mr Hamilton smiles and rubs her cheek.

"Dad loves you more than you can ever imagined too princess. And also...Mom doesn't hate you. She's just being like that because she loves you too much"

"Then why is she being mean? She even locked me up"

"She just wanted to feel how it's like to be apart from you. She wants to know the feeling before she lets go for real. And trust me when I say this...it was torture to her. Mom loves Hallelujah a lot so she's just hurting she had to let you go"

"I love Mom too...and I'll never forget her"

"Of course. Now will you go freshen up? Mom has prepared your favorite. Let's eat and clean up this place uh?" Mr Hamilton said and as a reply Hailey wrapped her arms around him.

"I love you Daddy"

"I love you too daughter" He hugged her back.

LATER.

The table was already set. Hallelujah walked slowly to the dining where everyone was already seated. 

"Come on sit. We were waiting for you" Mr Hamilton smiled at her. She pulled back her chair which was beside Matthew to sit but then halt. Everyone turns to look at her.

"Dear what's wr_" Mr Hamilton was cut short when Hailey trots to Mrs Hamilton who was sitting with an indifferent expression on not uttering a word. She went behind her and wrap her arms around her neck.

"I'm sorry Mom...i love you so don't hate me anymore" She mumbles on her shoulder. Mrs Hamilton releases a sigh then removed her arms facing her.

She stared at her impassively for some seconds before her face finally lits up.

"You're my world Hallelujah...Mommy loves you so much" She careless her cheek before pulling her into another warm hug.

"I'm sorry too daughter...sorry I can't be the perfect mother to you"

"No mommy...you're the best. I'm sorry for being such a bothersome daughter...always worrying you" 

Mr Hamilton watches them with smiles spread all over his face but Matthew however didn't seem bother with the situation as he just dig in to the food ravenously.

~NEXT MORNING~

Mrs Hamilton entered Hailey's room and on seeing her still sprawled on the bed, her anger rose to 80.

"HAILEY!! HAILEY GET UP NOW!" She howled yanking the duvet off her body. Hailey groans and pretended not to hear.

"Won't you get up! It's past time for school!" She tap her but Hailey ignored her still.

"This girl seriously...GET UP NOW!!" She gave her a hot spank on her butt and this made her leaped up with a cry of pain.

"MOM! WHAT'S THAT FOR!!!" She hollered rubbing her butt which stings like hell.

"Did you checked the time? It's eight already shouldn't you be getting ready for school already!"

"Did you wake me up just for that? Mom do you wanna see me dead? Don't you know disturbing a person while they're sleeping can increase their risk of permanent brain damage?! Do you want me dead! You're my Mom for f**k sake!!" She ranted at her face only to receive another hot spanking on her back this time.

"OUCH! MOM!!!"

"What did I tell you about the usage of foul language uh! You woke up early in the morning you didn't even say your morning prayer and the first thing you do is to sin!"

"I DIDN'T WAKE UP YOU WOKE ME UP!! THAT'S A SIN TOO!! IT IS A SIN!!" 

"Standing here with you will only make waste of our time. Say your prayers and get into that bathroom..I wanna see you downstairs within fifteen minutes!" Mrs Hamilton finalized taking her leave.

"ARGH!! I HATE SCHOOL!! I WANNA JUST SLEEEP!!!" She whined hitting her legs on the bed.

"I hate school so much..." She cried into the bed.