Chapter 5

TANYA

Closing the door behind me, i look around the peeled paint on the walls of the motel room, then my eyes shift to the broken wet ceiling boards. The place is nasty to the fullest, i can literally smell the stench of alcohol, piss, and something way more disgusting and immoral i don't even want picture.

"We can stay here for the night and tomorrow. On Saturday my friend ollie will have all the necessary arrangements in place for us to leave london."

I chew on the corner of my bottom lip. I dont know how i'll be able to sleep in this dumpster. No chance in hell would i lay my back on that disgusting bed, either.

"Tanya," dad sighs, pulling my attention away from the small spring bed with a worn matress. "Let's just work with what we have right now."

I drop the duffle bag and sit on it, leaning my back against the wall.

"I'll just rest here. You can have the bed."

Then i shut my eyes, not wanting to hear anything more from him. He takes the sign loud and clear because he doesn't speak again.

* * *

"Tanya.." A voice wakes me accompanied  by a light shake on my shoulder.

My eyes open and dad has crouched next to me.

"What time is it?" I rub my eyes. "Are we leaving now?"

"No, my dear. We're going back home." He smiles.

I straighten.

"Home? What about- "

"You don't have to worry about anything, i fixed it."

"How did you fix it?" I frown.

"Don't ask too many questions. Just know that i fixed it."

We immediately leave for the house, but my mind is still not settled as to how he managed to cool those thugs down when yesterday, he almost got a heart attack from fear.

* * *

"Are you alright?" Timmy asks. Timmy and i have been best friends since we were in primary school. Our friendship has been purely focused on friendship only, neither of us finds the other attractive, although, honestly, he is good-looking.

"Yes." I sigh, smiling and handing the customer her plastic courier.

"Nope, you're not. I know you, Tanya, andvi can definitely tell that you're not okay. You've been this way since yesterday."

I lean against the till desk and nibble on my bottom lip.

"It's.. I'll tell you later."

He nods and we both place back our signature smiles at the next customer.

I crack my back and lean against wall,  massaging my temples. Working double shifts in a supermarket can be so tiring.

I open the locker and pull out my bag, then i leave.

* * *

"Well it's good you finally decided to show up."

The man leaning against the wall straightens. He has a beer bottle in his hand and a cigarette in the other.

I sigh, knowing what's coming because he always does the same routine every month when rentals are due.

"I have your money, okay."

"You're two days late."

"I know, but i have your money now."

"You know my offer still stands, right?"

There it is. Here we go again.

"I can let you and your drunkard useless father live here for free if you accept to be my woman."

"One, don't disrespect my father. Two, the answer was no, still is no, and will always be no.

"I'll bring your money right away."

I move past him and enter the house, making sure to lock it in case he has any stupid ideas.

I head direct to the bathroom and reach down behind the toilet. I pull out the plastic wrapped money, heading back to the bedroom, i undo it. My knees go weak when i find about a few dollars missing.

"What?" I count again and yes, there's money missing.

Dad.

"Here, you need it more than i do." Timmy's words come back to me. I reach in my pocket and stare at the hundred dollar he insisted i accepted from him.

"You're God's sent, Timmy." I whisper.

After handing over the rental money, i sit on the sofa, waiting for dad to return and give me back the money, and a valid explanation of why he took it in the first place.

A few hours later, Dad returns.

"Good, you're here. Where did you take the money i saved up?"

"He pauses. I needed it."

"For what? We," i point betwn4een us. "We needed it for rent and supplies. Do you at least have any change?"

"Enough, Tanya." He raises his voice. "We won't be needing that money soon anyway."

He steps closer and places his hands on my shoulders, then he lowers his voice.

"I know i haven't been much of a helpful father these past few years, and i do appreciate all you've done. But now, that's going to be over. I promise you."

"What do you mean?"

"Take a shower and relax, I'll make us some dinner."

My frown deepens. He walks over to the kitchen area, looking carefree and smiling. Something isn't right, and I'll find out what it is.

* * *

I throw my legs off the bed and head to the kitchen for a glass of water. My feet come to a halt when i hear whispers.

"I know, i promise she'll be delivered to you tomorrow in the evening."

Silence.

"Yes, yes. I promised I'd give my daughter to marry you in exchange for our lives and I'll live up to the agreement. I gave my word."

My whole world tilts. I feel light headed and dizzy, my heart beats at a very unhealthy speed and i want to pass out right here.

He exchanged me?

I step back carefully, retreating to my room and silently closing the door.

How could he do this to me? What kind of a father is he. Everything makes sense now.  If those thugs treated us like animals, what kind of man are they working for?

No.

I can't marry a criminal i know nothing about. I have to leave, not tomorrow but tonight.

i have to run, run as far away as possible to a place where he'll never be able to find me.

I stay up all night, when i hear his loud snores. I pack a small bag of necessities and grab all the money i have. I tiptoe my way to the door, giving him one last look on the couch where he's passed out, i briefly close my eyes and whisper.

"Goodbye, dad."