Reaching A Compromise

Mary was shocked by his attitude. When he ignored his calls and violated the rules, she hoped he would reprimand him, but that never happened.

He welcomed her instead, much like the prodigal son in the Bible.

"I have a confession to make, Dad. In actuality, I…" She wanted to speak up, but her Father silenced her.

"Nothing at all from you. A hot bath is all you need.

Why don't you come in while I make your bath with some delicious treats? I am aware that you are currently starving,” he said, denying her the opportunity to clarify.

She had wanted to tell him everything, including the “one-night stand” she had had with an unknown man.

*****************

Mary has not moved on from the unpleasant incident that happened twelve days ago.

In her room, she would withdraw and sob uncontrollably.

She would prefer not to reveal the secret of her predicament, despite Alejandro's efforts to find it.

He once denied her the chance to communicate her feelings, but now she would sooner die than tell anyone.

If she does not confront her conscience, which is unhurriedly rebelling against her, she may lose her sanity.

“What is the reason behind your decision to spend the entire day locked in your room, Mary?

What is the problem?” She never answered when he repeatedly knocked on her room's door.

Her circumstances were becoming worse every day, so she also refused to go out.

She automatically ended the life-altering contract with the record label and stopped going to work.

All attempts to change her mind were unsuccessful.

"I am all right, Dad.”

After repeatedly throwing up, she muttered from the restroom, “I just want to be left alone.”

She is acting awkwardly lately, but she is not sure what is causing it.

She eats a lot and sleeps whenever she can. She always feels weak and can no longer focus on household tasks.

"I believe I should go to the doctor.

I need proper treatment,” she said.

Looking around to make sure her father was not looking, she slinked off to the hospital.

She asked to see the doctor and was led to his office with trepidation.

"Doc, good morning.

Would you kindly test me briefly? Lately, I have been experiencing awkwardness. My weakness is constant, and I always feel lightheaded.

I hardly ever get sick, but this is pretty odd. I have never felt this way before,” she said, making a skip in her voice.

"You seem to be a little hot.

While I take your blood samples to the lab for testing, kindly remain in the office.

The doctor promised that it would be ready in an hour after injecting her to draw blood.

“It is now past noon, and the doctor has yet to arrive.” She let out a fit.

Her heart had melted with anxiety as she feared the worst. She fell asleep and was unaware that the doctor had intervened.

“Hey, the test findings are available. You can now proceed.” After waking her, he handed her a brown envelope.

From his demeanour, she could sense catastrophe hovering over her.

Having reviewed the test results, she calmly opened the envelope and lowered her head accordingly.

“This is completely unrealistic, Doctor. Only twelve days ago did I engage in unprotected sex for the first time. How can I become pregnant in a short period?”

“It is irrelevant. We always advise against having sex without protection.

Early pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections could result from it.

You might want to know how long it takes to get pregnant.

To put it succinctly, the sperm and egg can come into contact anywhere from a few minutes to twelve hours following ejaculation.

The rapid pregnancy results from the sperm fertilizing the egg, which can happen three minutes or five days after the lovemaking. Thank heavens, there was only the pregnancy and no STD,” he illustrated.

Mary was shocked. Over the past few days, her eyes have witnessed enough. She wants to give to a good cause.

She got up to go to her father's house after paying the doctor. Now is the perfect time to work with Hilton to finalize the wedding.

“We are too impoverished to put another person impoverished.”

She said, “I guess I have to stick to marrying him,” and drove home.

Though she feared the worst, she felt compelled to tell her father the news.

To keep the news from everyone who had ever mattered to her, she made the decision.

"Dad, call your boss,” she said confidently as she walked up to her father, who was in the living room watching a football game.

“Tonight, we will meet with them to finalize the wedding arrangements. I agree with their suggestion.” She said, her eyes watering, and hurried to her room, closing the door behind her.

"Why the abrupt change of heart?” Incredulous, but thrilled, he muttered.

Mary had turned down his proposal of marriage the last time he checked, but now she has accepted it.

“What happened?” Again, he asked rhetorically.

He stopped dreaming and embraced the circumstance as a miracle.

This is what he has always wanted to happen.

Without any delay, he called Antonio and said, “Sir, my daughter has consented to continue the marriage. Therefore, we are coming tonight to complete the wedding planning.”

____

One major concern is that they might have to drive at night while it is raining heavily in the tropics, which could cause glare and sparkle that could impair vision.

Even though it was only 8:30 p.m., the street was already dark and without electricity, and many of the homes were still made of palm trees.

Before the cursed electricity arrived, lamplighters lit street lamps every night.

Alejandro and his daughter finally reached Antonio's opulent mansion after a short drive.

Mary's hair was neatly packed, and she looked stunning in her lovely red gown.

It would have appeared that she and Chris Brown were having dinner together.

She stopped and gasped for air as they got closer to the door. “Are we doing the right thing?”

"There is no other option,” Alejandro reassured them.

“Just give it time, you will pass,” as they knocked and were greeted by Hilton, who hissed and avoided them.

Mary was not angry because she anticipated this kind of response and was aware of the person she would marry.

Antonio welcomed his guests with a smile of satisfaction and invited them to dinner, but Hilton scowled at the gesture.

“Dude, you are not cut out for this crap. You are so local that you are unable to use the silverware.

Likely, you have never tried this dish before.

It looks like you are enjoying yourself. Because of my dad's kindness.” Mary's incapacity to use the cutlery annoyed Hilton, who made fun of her.

“Be considerate of our guests. It is time for you to start getting along.” Antonio advised his son that he would be happily married in a few days.

Hilton mocked, “All I see are malnourished, starving peasants.”

Mary became angry. She could not stand being humiliated in front of everyone, even though she knew Hilton was annoying.

A few minutes later, Chloe arrived just in time to join them.

“For a moment, I believed that boredom would kill me.” Hilton greeted Chloe with a big smile and irritated his father.

“Why is she here?” Antonio erupted in anger at his behaviour.

“I extended an invitation.

And you must show my guest respect.” Hilton justified his behaviour and directed all attention toward Chloe to enrage Mary and make her miserable.

Although Chloe secretly wishes she could strangle Mary for robbing her of her man, she comes up with a clever way to get rid of her to avoid being suspected.