Aria
"No dad…No…" I shake my head furiously. Tears continue to well up my eyes as my vision becomes blurry.
"Listen Aria.."he begins gently making a move towards me. I jump back avoiding his grip. He looks at me hurt in his eyes but I could not bring myself to care.
"How could you do this to me!" I scream bringing my hands to my face. I wipe the tears as others made their way to my cheeks.
"I had lost everything. I did not think…it was.." He stutters. I glare at him in disbelief.
"How could you place a bet on me papa!" I snap my brows furrowing.
"I did not think I would loose child. It's…look. I'll fix this. I will sell everything and raise the amount. I will…" I raise my palm at him to stop.
"How much?" I ask sniffing my voice low but firm.
"It's…I'll pay Aria. I pro…"
"How much?!" I repeat through gritted teeth.
"Ten billion." He replies head bowed in shame.
Silence.
That was a lot of money. Just like that I had lost everything. My life,my dreams all because of my father who could not control his addiction.
"I'll pay." He say lowly almost to himself. I keep my eyes fixed on him. I could feel my chest getting tight.
"How?" He raises his eyes.
"I'll pay." He repeats to assure himself more.
I roll my eyes and brush my hands in my black silky hair.
"How is my life supposed to turn out from here. My education,dad, I'm in college! My dreams,my…" My voice breaks.
He takes the chance and moves closer to me taking my hands In his.
"I'm sorry baby. I'll fix this and it won't repeat itself again.
"You know what the funny thing is." I look down to meet his eyes as he was inches shorter."you don't even sound convincing." I jerk my hands from his forcefully.
"Mom would have been better than you." I speak the words slowly giving him time to process every one of them.
"I know." His bows his head in shame.
"You are wicked dad. I hate you." I turn taking on my heels. I get to the door yank it open. Throwing myself outside in anger I bump into a well defined chest. Strong masculine arms wrap around me. I swish my hair from my face raising my eyes to see who the stranger was.
My lips part slightly as my eyes meet with a green pair. He looks at me disapprovingly and pushes me away from him straightening his dark blue suit.
"I'm here to collect my package." His voice is low and cold.
********************************************
I stand at the furthest corner in the room glaring at the three men in the room. My dad,the stranger with green eyes and a woman who looked like she was supposed to be attending a lecture.
"Um,yes." My dad starts rubbing his palms on his trousers.
"The package?" The man repeats a frown on his face.
I stare at him in disbelief.
"Mr. Mecael." Dad clears his throat searching for words.
"Mr. Nikar." The green-eyed man takes on the formalities mockery traced in his voice.
"Umm Aria child."he turns to look at me. "Um…"he stands and rubs his palms together.
"Oh come on dad!" I snap. The man whose name I have come to learn raises his eyebrow.
Dad's face becomes stern. "Child. Manners." He then laughs nervously his face contorts with worry.
"No. Don't tell me about manners." I shake my head ferociously. "You messed up your life and now you are trying to mess mine."I pace up and down." Now you want me to get married to this…this stranger.." I had no doubts that the neighbors could now hear us.
"It's Mecael. Mecael Heloriet." He introduced himself. I gasp at his audacity and grown internally.
"Nice to know." I reply praying he does not miss on the sarcasm. He scoffs but continues to glare at me.
"Look." I decide to reason with him." I have a life I am trying to build. I'm in school right now and…" I take a step closer to him." I'll graduate then I'll work and I'll pay you." I take his arms in mine and he flinches.
"Child…" dad starts but immediately falls silence once I shot him a mean look.
"You can even hire me. Yes." I nod confirming my words." I'll work for you then you can take all my salary. My future…" tears flood my eyes again.
He takes his hands away and steps back
"Well that's pathetic." The girl whose name I had come to learn was Mesta mumbled. I choose to ignore her hoping I will never see her again.
"If your father did not care about your future,who am I." He stated as a matter of fact.
The realization dawn's on me again. My own dad traded me for his stupid games. I turn to look at him and he steps back.
"No need to be furious now. It's…" My eyes bore into his and he falls silent.
"Now." Mecael checks his watch."It's time to leave. You can pack up your things. Only one bag." He commands.
I scratch my head grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling it. I shake my head gasping for air.
How could my father betray me like that. How could he give me up. I feel the tears burning on my cheeks. If only mother was here. She would have set things right. She could have helped me but she choose to give up on us once.She left us. They were just the same. Both selfish.
I decide to call Alex,my boyfriend. He would come and set things right. I take out my phone and dial his number quickly.
"Hello….Alex…I…" I hear rumbles from the other side." Wha-what do you mean by I should never call you again…wait…Hello." I hear two beeping sounds.
He had hung up. My boyfriend asked me to never call him again. He had failed me right when I needed him the most.
I catch a figure moving from the side of my eyes. I step back but it was not fast enough to escape my father's arms as they wrapped around me. My legs felt wobbly and I drop to the ground.
"It's okay…" dad mumbles trying to soothe me.
I shake my head. " No dad. It is not okay. It won't be okay." I reply weakly.
I hear a man's deep groan and turn my head to the right.
"I can't deal with this now." He snaps sounding irritated.
My dad's arms grow loose and a strong cologne wraps around me. The same masculine arms wrap around me. He lifts me off the flow as the air becomes too dense for me to breath.
"Give her things to Mesta."
That was the last statement I heard before darkness fully engulfed me.
