CHOICELESS; I wish I am me

"Good morning my love, how was your night?" He greeted, exhaling a wide yawn. 

"Good morning babe, my night was fascinating. She replied.

He smiled on hearing much from her, looking straight into her eyes.

Angela lowered her jaw immediately; she didn't have the audacity to look him in the eyes.

"You seem to be troubled, what's wrong?" He asked.

Drawing closer to her, he continued; "Or are you not happy about what happened last night?

"No, it's not that," she uttered; shaking her head.

"Then what? Talk to me, babe." He demanded, raising her chin with his palm, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

His eyes searched hers aimlessly. He could see the nervousness in it. "Talk to me babe, I'm always here for you". He said assuredly.

Angela could feel the curiosity radiating out of his tone. Seeing that he wasn't giving up, she decided to break the ice.

She sat upright, resting her back on the bedhead. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes were bloodshot; she blinked repeatedly, fighting the tears that blurred her vision.

Edwin sat upright Immediately. He was bewildered. Seeing the raindrops of tears falling from her eyes, enlightened him on how critical what she was about saying was.

"My dad…my dad wants to sell me off to a Mayor's son as a wife." She quivered.

"To worsen it all, he threatened to disown me if I refuse to marry him." She added, sniffing between words.

Edwin was debilitated by what he heard. The fact that he had a rival over her breaks him. His face was pale.

He moved closer to her, pulling her to his bosom, as he consoled her.

"Don't cry, my love. Your dad isn't going to disown you. It's just a mere threat so that you will oblige his request again."

"I don't want to lose you, babe. I want to spend my eternity with you. I don't think I will be happy under the comfort of another man." Angela sobbed.

"You are not going to lose me. I will always be there for you." He assured, pecking her black hair, as tears dropped down his cheeks.

It was a very sympathetic moment for the duo. The room was painted black with sorrow.

A few minutes later, they both got relieved. Angela went straight to the bathroom to have her bath, seeing that time was no longer on her side.

Her parents might start calling any moment from then. 

Edwin was still seated in bed. He was lost in thought.

'I don't think I can survive without Angela by my side. I have trained her into the woman that I want to raise a family with. I can't just fold my hands and allow another man to enjoy what I've labored for.'

He lowered himself, opening the drawer that was next to the bed. He brought out a small black box. Closing the drawer, he opened the box. It contained a silver ring. He was about proposing to her before she broke the sad news to him.

He brought out the ring from its box, rubbing the shank gently with his thumb; 'how will she react if I ask her to marry me?' He thought to himself.

'Yes! we can run far away where no one will recognize us; and there, we can raise a family of our own.' He pondered, placing his index finger on his lips.

Angela came out of the bathroom immediately, She was dressed to go back home. 

"Have a seat, babe." Edwin request. 

His face was pale. She wondered what could be the reason behind his dull countenance. She moved closer and sat beside him.

Gazing inquisitively into his eyes, she asked; "what's wrong babe?"

Edwin didn't utter a word, he brought out the sliver right from the black box immediately.

Angela's heartbeat fastened at the sight of the ring in front of her. 'what is he trying to do?' She thought to herself.

"Please marry me, Angela. I can't watch you slip off my fingers like that. We can go far away, away from all these troubles; where no one can recognize us. There, we can live happily; and raise a family of our own." He persuaded.

Angela could see the desperation in his eyes. In as much as she would love to say yes to him, was she ready to abandon her family; and career just for the sake of being with the one her heart yawns for?