1 The news

ASHLEY

Aunt Stacey covers her hand over her mouth and I know instantly that this matter is serious, it's unlike those other ones that my uncle will do.

I look at my Aunt and I inhale deeply. There is just this bond, this feeling I get whenever I look at my Aunt, she always reminded me of my late mom, of course they were twins, identical ones at that. My eyes settle on her cracked lips, cracked with bruises and my heart sinks in disgust.

I've always wondered why my Aunt still stays with her husband, I've always dreaded the sounds of beatings and arguments every night when Mr. Ray comes home drunk. It's like a second nightmare to me. I am not left out from the bullying, most times he'll come home totally wasted, reeking of alcohol and putrid desires and he'll pounce on me, letting out all his frustrations of taking care of me– which my Aunt bears all the cost of– and will beat me till my Aunt will step in to help me and sometimes he'll stop, but other times he'll put my Aunt in an undeserved place.

But one thing is sure, no matter his recklessness, he's never touched my cousin, Kelly. The love he has for his daughter has turned her into a spoilt, over pampered brat. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Kelly, but sometimes she can really act bitchy and trust me to let her know when she's crossing her limit with my awesome comebacks.

I have a large mouth, when I say that I don't mean I talk unnecessarily, I mean that I know how to always answer every word with another word. And for that reason, I've been bullied so many times by Mr. Ray.

"Audrey" Aunt Stacey draws me back to the present.

"Your uncle–" she starts to say but I cut her off

"He is not my uncle" I say through gritted teeth.

"My husband, h-he is in a lot of debt. We don't have any money for your college"

"Can we get over that part already, he's told me I have no college money since I started living with you guys" I snap impatiently. She's really playing this suspense card well because damn! I know it's going to be a bad news so she should let it out soon so I can get over it. Even though they don't have college money for me, I still applied to college hoping I was going to get a scholarship which didn't happen and I've gotten admission.

My mom died of cancer when I was 11. I knew she was going to die, we all knew she was going to die but still I wasn't prepared for that and it came as a big blow on me. My mom's dying words clearly told Aunt Stacey to take care of me and tI am grateful my Aunt took up the motherly role. Things would've been very easy if Aunt Stacey wasn't married to that douchebag.

"And as your legal guardian, he's decided to help all of us out. You're going to be married out to clear off his debts" Aunt Stacey breaks down sobbing after she says this and I just stand there, motionless, trying to assimilate what she just said.

"I'm a collateral?" I ask clearly dumbfounded. Please be a joke, I cross my fingers and breathe out through my mouth.

"Don't look at it like that"

"Which other way am I supposed to look at it" my voice cracks as the tears gather in my eyes. I already planned my life, I was going to work for a year so I can gather money for school and then I'd apply again and hope to get a partial scholarship. I did not plan this, this cannot happen, I do not need their help again, I done even intend on staying with them after I turn 18

"You...." Aunt Stacey cleans the tears from her face "I tried to stop it, I tried to stop him from signing the contract but he did this to me" she gently drag the neckline of the scrubs she's wearing down revealing a red, swollen skin.

"He's not my guardian, you are. I watch you work tirelessly, working overtimes in that hospital just so you can make enough money for me, for Kelly and to run this stupid family. What has he done for me, apart from beating me to a pulp and playing down my self esteem every time. What is he doing for this family, aside always bringing in some huge amount of debts and getting drunk every time just to beat his own wife who doubles as the breadwinner" I pause to catch my breath. The tears streak down from my face freely and I close my eyes.

So this is it. It's just three days to my highschool graduation and four days to me turning 18 and this is happening.

"Don't you think I'm underage for marriage?" I ask my Aunt

"You'll soon be 18 Ash, you'll get used to it"

"Yeah, just like you're used to being a punching bag"

"Ashley"

"Aunt Stacey" I return the glare and she looks away. Her words made my heart sink. I'll get used to it, marrying a man I do not know, marrying so early when I have a life ahead of me.

"Would you do this to Kelly" I say quietly, staring straight at her. Kelly is my age mate so why am I the one to face this.

She gulps and lower her eyes "I've failed my sister, I've failed your mom. He wants you"

"That's bullshit Aunt. How does he even know me, I don't even know who he is"

"Mr. Kriss"

I gasp in terror and my eyes widen. My dad's employer, the billionaire founder of Kriss automobiles, the leading auto mobile company in this country.

I cannot marry him, I will not marry someone that's old enough to be an elder brother to my father. I'm just 17, almost 18. I'm young, too young for him.

"Come" She opens her arms for a hug and I walk into it. I cry into her shoulder and she whimpers and I lessen the pressure on her swollen shoulder.

"I know it's not easy, I'm also thinking of a way to get you out of it".

"What would happen if I don't marry him?"

"Your uncle will be arrested and we'll lose this house". She pats my brown hair slowly.

"I'm not marrying him" I say strongly and she pulls away to face me.

"You don't have a choice Ash, we don't have a choice. They'll be here for you soon Ash. You're theirs now, the contract has already been signed". She squeezes my hand. "I'm sorry Ash" she walks out of the room and I fall on the floor crying.

It's so pathetic how this is happening. As if being an orphan isn't enough, I have to be forced into marriage.