Chapter 1 knowing about the marriage

After 5 years since that incident, I tried my best to maintain myself, trying not to show my weakness in front of anyone, including mom and dad, who always stay by my side every now and then, and I am really fortunate to have them as my parents.

And yes, I had recently graduated from my high school and really wanted to enroll myself in a college, but staying at home means I can't pursue that and I can't really keep on going like this home school. Also, I really am bored sitting around the house, with no real human friends, I really envy those girls who always pass by my house after school. “Erica,” I was brought back from my revive. I turn around to look at my mom, who was walking towards me full of fear and worried all over her feature.

I left what I was doing and stood up straight to wish her, but before I could speak, I was cut off. “Why are you here outside? Haven't I told you before you aren't safe?" she yelled.

I was taken aback for a second, but then a smile made its way on my lips. Yes, mom, I know, but I really am bored sitting inside all day doing nothing, and I needed some fresh air too. You all must be wondering why I am smiling at this time when she seems angry, but to tell the truth, I often smile a lot after the incident a few years back, and mostly these days, I am smiling a lot more, but yeah,that's what keeps me going on with my life.

I approached her and held her hands. Mom, are you angry, mommyyyy? Come on, mom, please smile, and you know right, I don't like sitting there inside all day long,",I said, but she was still standing quiet, and I in return squeezed her hand.

I shook her hands and said, with a puppy face, Mommy, mommy, please smile, mom, mom please",

She turned towards me and gave a gentle slap on my checks, and finally a smile creeped its way onto her lips. She shook her head before she finally spoke, You and your acting, come, let's go in".

With that said, I gave her my brightest smile and nodded my head okay. I clung on to her arm and headed inside the house.

It was around two in the afternoon. I was lying on my bed and scrolling through my cell phone, browsing some designer outfits. Then I heard a commotion down in the living room,so out of curiosity, I decided to go down and check on what was going on. As I came down, I saw a man in a fine grey tailored suit with a navy blue tie and a woman in a black knee-length dress with red block heel shoes, and I must say,she looked quite elegant. As I was observing them from the stairs, the woman caught her eyes on me and stood up and said in her happy and sweet voice:

"Oh my,my Christy, Calep, is she the one, your daughter and my daughter-in-law?".

Mom, Dad,dad and the man stood up and turned around to face me.

"Oh yes, Corey she is, Erica, sweety. Do you remember your uncle Robert and aunt Corey?", mom asked.

Uncle Robert?? aunt Corey??

I stood there like a dumbbell until uncle Robert uttered something: So she is our Erica; isn't she like her mother, honey? uncle Robert asked.

"Yes, she sure is. She's more beautiful than I expected her to be, Aunt Corey said with a big smile on her face.

Erica, come over here, Mom called out.

I nodded and walked towards them nervously and confused. Who are they? Uncle Robert, Aunt Corey? And as I came and sat beside mom,that word daughter-in-law rang inside my mind, and I asked, "Mom, what did Aunt Corey mean by daughter-in-law?"

They all turned their eyes on me until mom spoke nervously, "Mmmmm—actually, sweety, we need to tell you something."

"Tell me what? I ask her back. I am so nervous now. Please don't let it be the one that I am thinking right now.

Am I getting married or something? Oh God no!

"Actually, sweety, we should have told you before, but we thought that it wasn't the right time. We are sorry, mom said. Sadness was evident in her voice, but I am still confused.

Okay, please explain, mom?

"What is it, mom? I ask her again.

"You see, Erica, you had been married off to you. I cut my dad off,

"What ma-married?",I asked, my voice stuttering.

"Yes, sweety, you are married with their son, mom spoke.

"You mean aunt Corey and uncle Robert's son? I asked in disbelief.

"Erica sweety, I know this news must have startled you,hearing all this, and this same expression was on my son's face as well when we told him about both of you. And Erica sweety, we want you to come and live with us there and try to get to know Richard, Aunt Corey said.

I didn't say anything and sat there like a dumb person, just staring at my sweaty and shaggy plum.

Aunt Corey sat beside me and placed her hand on mine. Sweety, I know you must be confused about the whole thing, but when you come with us, you will be able to understand slowly, and you will also be able to go to college there and do whatever you want freely."

Whatever Aunt Corey said was all true because when I go there in New York, I will be able to enroll in a college and be able to explore and do what I really want freely,  but I don't want to leave my parents here alone. I just can't.

"But I can't go there, leaving my parents here alone. Who will take care of them when I am gone? I asked with sadness and worry.

"Sweety, you don't have to worry about us, mama and me; we'll be fine here. You just go there and continue your studies and also be with your husband. Try to know him,"papa said smiling. I looked up at him with sadness.

"Erica, go and live your dreams there and make us proud,and never forget that you are about to marry Richard again, Mama said with a sad yet, at the same time, serious tone evident in those sad voices.

"About to marry again. What do you mean by that again? I asked confusingly.

"Actually, Erica, when we, I mean us, got both of you married, you were too young, so we decided that when both of you enrolled in college, we would let you get married again. Richard is already at the end of his college life, but you are about to begin now. So Erica, come and stay with us in New York." Uncle Robert said...

I looked at both my parents; they seemed really stressed and eagerly waiting for my response, and on the other hand, uncle Robert and aunt Corey were expecting a 'yes' from me. I was confused as hell about whether to say' yes' or no.