Chapter 4

“A-Amanda,” she says. I didn’t look at Dad, and I didn’t look away from Mom’s gaze.

Mariz clutched my arm with a tinge of pity on her face as I turned to her. I gave her a kind grin. She shouldn’t make such a face at me. In these times, I demand no mercy. That is why I would do it for her.

“Let’s go home now,” I said, biting my lower lip and nodding. “Marla and Mia are waiting at home.” I shifted my gaze to Mom and Dad, who were already lowering their head. Why are they unable to talk? Didn’t they expect me to come up with a means to repay their debt?

“I’ll be here tomorrow, and I’ll accompany you to De Mevius’ house. Please don’t bother my sisters anymore.” I dragged Mariz out of the house; it was already dark out on the road, and it was nice to have a tricycle to get home on. Mariz and I just sat quietly in the car till we arrived at our place. Marla was sitting up when we arrived, and when she spotted us, she leapt to her feet.

“It’s late; let’s talk this by tomorrow.” Marla was about to talk, but I cut her off. Yes, I am tired.

“Have you eaten yet? I left food for you guys,” she said. 

“I’ve already eaten at work, so I’ll take a break.” I walked to my room because I ate little at work and didn’t have the energy or hunger to talk to my two sisters. I got little done today, but I’m exhausted. You thought you were hauling large objects, but I am simply burdening the entire world. I’m in too much pain.

When I entered the room, I went to my knees and sat on the floor, covering my lips to prevent myself from making a sound while crying. I don’t want the two to know that I’m going through a difficult time because every time they see me cry; they become weaker. I needed to be strong in front of them both, and in front of Mia, which is why I would do this. And, even though our parents are like way, I don’t want to upset them, so I’ll choose to be the poor one. I do not know what will happen in my life tomorrow or what the outcome of my sacrifice will be.

I awoke the next day with puffy eyes, so I avoided them completely. When they stare at me, they likewise say nothing.

“It’s Saturday, and you don’t have school; you’re simply here for a walk with Mom and Dad.”

“W-where are you going, sister?” Marla paused, Mariz and I exchanged glances,s, and then she bowed. She didn’t convey the story in its entirety.

“I’ll be right back today; we simply have something urgent to do.” She simply nodded and did not respond.

It’s best if they don’t know what will happen first the next time I tell them if this went well. It’s alright if Mariz tells Marla about it; that’s all.

I’ve already begun leaving the house for my parents. I didn’t have to dress because I knew I’d be there for a while, so I just wore a plain T-shirt and denim pants. Simply ask the De Mevius family. We were three of us, and I said nothing until we arrived at De Mevius’ estate. With the big house and many cars in the garage, I might consider them quite wealthy. “Fix yourself, Amanda,” When Mama spoke, I grimaced and turned to face her, even looking in the mirror. My clothing isn’t filthy at all.

“It’s all right,” I told her. It startled me when she drew me closer to her and then bound me with her hair tie. “Mom, my face is perfectly fine.”

“Even if you are presentable to face them, there are many people inside.” I gave a secret gaze. Does she think I like it? It’s as if she’s bullying me. No, I don’t like it.

I stepped inside discreetly as well, and the employees greeted Mama and Papa as if they had met before. And I do not know what it is. The assistants were staring at me as well. What exactly is there? They looked at me with judgment on their face.

“Amando, my friend!” I immediately looked at Byron’s father when I heard him shout to greet my father. How could I forget its face if he was the reason I discovered my family’s folly? “It’s great to see you and your gorgeous wife, Mariane, again.” I just stood there and watched them converse cheerfully; Dad had met Mr. De Mevius before.

When he turned to face me, he questioned, “Is this your daughter?” Mama drew me close to her to face the elderly man. “You look familiar. Have we met yet?” he asked with a grin on his face, which I was horrified by without realizing.

“Hey, come inside.” A woman approached us. “Is she Amanda?” Great, her size has altered, but her face remains the same. “I’m very sure I have seen her somewhere.” We most likely met in a restaurant.

“Good day,” I said, smiling and bowing respectfully. “We met the other day at the restaurant.”

“Right! It’s because of you that my son is enraged.” Someone irritated as well me.

“Did you do something to his son, Amanda?” Mama told me that Byron’s dad had just heard and had responded.

“He break a plate on my son Byron by accident,” he added.

Dad was going to say anything when three men, including Byron and someone I recognized, appeared from behind the old man.

“Is this the woman that our brother will marry?” asked by the man I recognized from the restaurant where they were eating the previous day, Byron. When he approached me, I backed away, and he was ready to grab me when he abruptly took a man’s hand away.

And to my surprise, the other guy grabbed the man’s hand away from me.

“All right, Brother Paul, take it easy.” I stared at the man named Paul, who had backed away with both hands up, and I was grateful if he had quickly left. What’s up, Paul? Is it what I used to play with, according to my father? Why do I have no recollection of anything?

“Stop it,” their father whispered. “I’m sure you’re familiar with my kid, Byron.” I gave him a non-emotional nod and turned to face Byron, who, like a stump, gave me a non-emotional nod. “First, let’s all sit down and discuss what needs to be discussed.” 

With what he said, I immediately want to go home and back off. I was simply silently listening to our family’s conversation, and I wasn’t comfortable with Byron staring at me even when he wasn’t talking as if he would do something bad to me at any minute. Why am I afraid of him? He has a gentle, kind face, but I doubted if he also had a gentle attitude.

“The wedding will be soon as possible.” It took aback me when Byron’s mother said.

“Ma’am, as far as I know, I can be only a surrogate mother. Are we really going to marry each other?”

“Are you insane? Do you think I’ll go along with that? Do you wish to give birth to my child without the presence of a mother?” I was even more taken aback when Byron spoke up, and I wondered why he was so angry. He, too, does not want to marry.

“Honey, because it’s your family’s debt, you’ll not only give us a child, but you’ll also be our child’s wife.” They used the word debt again when I turned back to her mother.

“We’ll let you decide; what do you want?” To take refuge here.

“Amanda.” When Mom spoke, I came to a halt; she rose and drew me away. After saying her goodbyes, Dad walked over to chat with me.

“What are you thinking, Amanda? Didn’t you say you wanted to?” My Mom asked me.

“I don’t want to, Mom. But even if I think about it first,” I said, earning a frown from her.

“You decided last night, so you’re not permitted to back off. You said you will be the one who will pay for this instead of Mariz, right?” More enraged me.

“Go back there and say you’re going to keep going, and we’ll be damned if you don’t.” What about me? Don’t you suppose I’ll be condemned as well?

“All right, I’ll do that,” I gulped before nodding at them.

When I got back to them, the first thing I did was look at Byron, who was now staring at me as well. Something inside of me likes what I see in his eyes, but it’s not good for me. I’ll just stop paying this debt, and I might be stuck.

“OK, I will marry him”