Chapter 2

(Lily's POV)

I waited impatiently as I knocked twice on the metallic door of his private study but I got no response. I knocked again and after a while, I decided to go back to my room and come back the following morning. 

I was about to take the second step when I tilted my neck and halted in my tracks. My eyes had hovered around the knob of the door and I found out it was sort of twisted.

The only reason the knob could be like that was that the door was not locked and that meant that my dad was inside. But I have been knocking. It was really unusual for Dad to leave the door unlocked unless he was in there. 

We had dinner two hours ago and he apprised me that he was coming here to finish one of his projects. I also told him I was going to pack my clothes but he didn't reply to me after that. He only nodded which was unlike him and I went to my room.

Could it be that he has drifted off into Dreamland because he sometimes spent his night there, or could he be in the restroom? My dad had this principle of not talking anytime he was in the bathroom or toilet. 

He used to tell my siblings and I when they were still alive that his mum did tell him that restrooms were scary places and that they were the homes for monsters.

Dad would further say that the only way to escape their wrath was to keep quiet and so he would not hum or utter any word. I guessed that could be the reason behind his not answering. 

I clicked the door slightly opened and there they were, my precious birthday gifts, lying on top of his desk beside his mini computer. 

'Let me go fetch them at once and retreat to my room,' I thought. I still have some important things to do, like finish the book I was reading and take a great nap to prepare for tomorrow. Tomorrow was Sunday, my favorite day! 

I opened the door and crept into his study room to avoid making any noise. My dad in his early fifties was a cool, calm, and composed man but he disliked the noises that came with the metallic chairs whenever they clanged against each other 

I had to tip-toe into the room because no matter how I used to try to be very careful with walking, my legs used to hit one of the chairs, causing a loud noise that could deafen the ears.

I took my books from his desk and I heard the noise of water gushing into the toilet. "That was even where he is," I mutter under my breath and I made up my mind to wait for him to tell him another 'goodnight'.

I began to go through the other books that were arranged on his desk. My dad was a lover of books too and I took that after him. My legs were hurting from standing so I balanced myself on the chair that was in front of his desk.

As I sat down on the chair, I noticed that his monitor was on and when I darted my eyes at the computer, something unusual caught my eyeballs. It was a file that my dad had neglected to close.

I did not want to read it because I hated to pry into other people's business. As far as I know, it could be a confidential document between him and his client but the first two headings of the file captured my heart more and I could not resist the temptation to read all of it. 

I found out it was a contract of some sort and the more I read each sentence, the furious and more furious I became. Rage engulfed me like the air in a balloon and I could burst anytime. 

When I got to a particular point, I halted to read and I sprang to my feet as tears streamed down my face. I felt like a knife had been struck into my heart.

"What the hell is this?!" I cussed as my eyes widened and my heart rose up and down with heavy breaths. 

Dad sprung out of the toilet and he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about and I felt like pouncing on him as my fingers squeezed into a fist.

"What the fuck did you do?!!" I wailed, pointing to the computer and realization dawned on him.

"You were going to trade me off to some ruthless billionaire?!!" I berated him as he took two steps forward and I inched backward, trembling with fear, sadness, and rage. 

He was dumbfounded and he scurried to his computer and shut it down with tears strolling down his face too. "Lily, I am so sorry. Before you judge me, know that I love you and I will never hurt you,"

"You were going to use me as a collateral to save your company and you claim to love me, Dad? You were the first person to support my decision when I wanted to be a nun and now, you are selling me off into a marriage without my consent?! 

"Lily, I haven't signed the contract but let me explain," he pleaded as he subsided his tears and leaned closer.

I felt betrayed and anger erupted within me like a volcano about to explode. I did not know what to do and I was not ready for any explanation of his. 

What could justify the fact that I had entrusted him with everything happening in my life since Mum died and he stabbed me in the back?

I could not believe that the only person I have as a family had sold me off to the ruthless man I never wished to have anything to do with. Jack Walker? Oh no! I just wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible. I broke down completely and my eyeballs were becoming blurry with water.

"No explanation can beat the fact that you were about to trade your daughter to save your company and I will never forgive you for that! Mum would be so disappointed in you right now!" I spat and fired the words at him as I flounced past him. 

He ran after me and clutched my right arm when I reached the door and he was not letting go. "It wasn't because of the company," he coughed hard as he muttered softly.

I didn't care about whatever he had to say because I could no longer bring myself to trust him again. I struggled and broke free of his grip and I blurted out that our maid rushed out of her room and stared at us.

"TO.HELL.WITH.YOU.DAD!" I exclaimed as I flounced out of the house without caring to know about his reaction.