To Love and Avenge

Chapter 10

I rush to my room, to seek comfort in my own space, I don't know, but every time I feel infuriated I always found my comfort in places where I'm alone. Mingling with people gives me this uneasy feeling and nauseousness. Now, that I felt exceedingly pathetic after I learn about the betrothal, securing myself in a secluded place eases me because I have to prevent myself from messing up, to my dismay, dad never showed a hint of any disagreement. As if the company is more important, his main priority, so he rather gives me off to a stranger rather than lose it. A sheer hatred hit me like a tidal wave. For God's sake, I'm his daughter, but he chooses the company first. I thought he is always on my side, that family should come first before anything else, well, I guess I'm wrong there, especially when it comes to business and the company.

Afternoon come…

The lawyer arrives and gestures to follow to the library, inside; are my dad and my siblings who later look a hell of frustrated. We immediately start our discussion, first is the merging, and later on, is my main concern.

“Why does he never mention this before?” I politely asked the lawyer, referring to my grandfather.

“There is a portion of his handwritten letter stating that you will be only betrothed once you reach this certain age unmarried. Thus, if you are married now, the betrothal will be automatically dissolved,” he explains. Everyone in the room is absorbing well with his word. Not letting even a single word slip from their ears.

“What age?” Allen snapped.

“30” he answers without leaving his eyes on me, reading sternly on my expression. But I didn't give him the privilege to have a glimpse of my real feelings. I always put on this mask whenever someone is around me, I usually remain cold, emotionless, and stoic as much as possible. Those are my only shield and true companion.

“Does that mean when I turn 30 next month and still unmarried-?”

He nods.

“So does this mean that she got a month to settle down with her own choice?” the lawyer still nods in answer. With that said. The meeting is adjourned. Dad and Atty. Romero first leaves the room since dad is sending him off to his car, leaving the three of us speechless- at least for Daven and Allen. While I am too occupied by my thoughts on dealing with my problem.

“ Do you have any plans?” Allen first broke the silence. I stayed silent as I watched dad reemerge in the room and joined us again.

“I guess things are not clarified.” he starts.

“What if I refuse?” I ask trying to figure out the tos and pros of my later decision.

“Can you afford to lose the company? It's just a matter of sacrifice.”

“Have you heard yourself, dad? You are saying that it is just a matter of sacrifice like you are just telling me to buy new shoes. Dad, it's my life and my life alone. No one should dictate to me.” I burst out exaggeratedly.

“Yes, it's your life, but what about ours? Aren't you supposed to think of your family too? You are being selfish here Ale! Try to think about it, you will save the company and with that merging, we can widen our network.”

“Really dad? Still, the company and widening your network is your concern? How about me? I'm your daughter for GOD**M sake.” I yelled him out in exasperation and disbelief. I never thought that a day like this will come that he will prioritize our company over me. Rage is now building up inside me, and I'm afraid it will be out of control soon.

“Don't you dare curse on me, young lady. For I am still your father. You know nothing so don't you ever dare.” he warned me with a thunderous voice. His words echoed in every corner of the room which stunned us.

“You are unbelievable!” shaking my head in disbelief, stood up and started to walk out but Daven take a hold of me.

“Please stay.” he pleads. I can see those sad, and worried eyes. He sympathizes with my situation but I know, he cannot do anything to help me too.

“Release me, I just need some air to cool down,” I answered not meeting his eyes.

“You are not going anywhere unless we settle things down!” He barks with indignation.

“Then you tell me where I am supposed to…” I talk back. I felt suffocated. As far as I can remember, this is the first huge fight I have had with him. The last one was when I went abroad for studies. It breaks my heart hearing and watching him in these states, but I have to fight for my freedom because no one will if I don't. I should still be grateful that he never did mention anything in his discovery about my real job.

Allen who can no longer stand to take the now growing tension I had with dad broke his silence.

“Are we gonna solve this or you both are just going to bark with each other? D’you both think we can solve this by just barking?”

“That's what I'm saying, I need to clear my mind before I will look for a solution, if dad here JUst wanted me to agree at least give me some time.”

“Until when? Huh, Ale?”

“D**n with this merging and this betrothal thing. For F****ng sake, I have a fiancee” I lied. It's now or never, have to do this.

“What?” is the only word dad had managed to utter in awe.

“I was about to tell you this, but this issue came first.” still yelling at him, I manage to play my card well. I will just later deal with this stupid idea of mine.

“What about the merging?” he asks with furrowed brows.

“To hell with that merging. If you want it, let's do something about it but I'm not marrying and that's final. I'm marrying my fiancee you like it or not,” I struck the table which made them left astounded.

I didn't wait for them to recover hence, I strode out of the library, no longer listening as Daven calls me.

Left the house and took my Audi e-Tron GT. I drove off without even caring where to go. Driving endlessly for hours, I decided to stop by a nearby seashore. Inhaling the cold breeze made me shiver, filling my lungs with fresh air. Hoping that the building tension will soon be blown away too. And it didn't fail me. I took off my slippers and feel the sand as it tickles me and the slamming of the waves that reached beneath my feet soothed the burning sensation of anger I was feeling. The soft sound of the waves sends a comforting feeling. I sat down, not minding getting wet, I close my eyes, and shut my brain off, shut for this whole thing. I later laid down with half of my body soak in seawater as it slams into me. I feel like freezing, but I don't care, I feel numb after all. It did help me divert my mind.

Not realizing how long I stayed that way, I fell asleep. The constant shaking disturbed my peaceful feeling, only to realize somebody is with me, shaking me off. Then a Warning of danger alerts me.