CHAPTER THREE

– Lorelei –

My mother welcomed me at the door. She was mute but her eyes did the talking. She looks sad and miserable. Like something was wrong but not something she could talk about. Worry was written all over my face seeing her this way. Mom looks sick. Her fingers are wrinkled and skinny but she’s not old. She had me at the age of nineteen, and I’m in my twenties.

I fucking hate dad! I hate the man she married. I sometimes wish he was not my father. How can someone be so cruel to treat someone he claimed to love this way? What kind of bewitchment is this?

“Is dad here?” I asked calmly, staring deep into mom’s eyes. She shook her head. “How are you mother? Eaten?” I asked and she shook her head again. I was cross. I thought so. I held the gift bag in front of me. “I bought something for you.” I muttered, handing it over. I am broke but dad might pay me so much today anyway and she deserves something nice.

Her brows tensed when she saw it. Ever since dad remarried, mom refused to talk. He beat the words out of her till she was mute. Father is very abusive and because he’s rich and ‘a face’ to the public, we dare not say a word or else he’d make our lives more miserable than it already is and I don’t want to imagine how that will be.

“I pulled a few strings and invited some of your friends. You have a brunch to attend this weekend. There’s an invitation to a free spa and hair treatment in the saloon on Friday. Be sure to look nice.” I said to her. A wry smile formed on her face and even though she didn’t voice it, I knew that was gratitude. “There’s also food and a dress and heels. With some cash of course. For transportation and your expenses. But first, please go to your room and eat. I’ll be with you shortly.” I ranted. Mom listened to me. She always did. When I saw her backing away, I decided to speak. I put gloves in there to hide her fingers and suffering from friends. I knew she won’t want that. “And mom .... please .... talk with them like you used to.”

She smiled and nodded.

I exhaled, completely exhausted. Because of the shopping I had to do and how long it took my cab to get to me plus the traffic, I arrived home late. It’s no shocker that dad’s not around but now, a shrewd thought filled my head. He might use this as an excuse not to pay me. I should be sad and angered by the thought but after all, I never really expected anything from him.

Not ever again.

I walked to my room, making my way up the stairs fatigued. I’ll have a shower then resume some desk job before they arrive. I need to perfect my website. E-shopping is a thing these days and maybe, just maybe, I’ll get noticed by worthy clients.

I sneezed into my sleeve and opened my room door. That’s a big maybe and a big dream. I wonder.... if I sold purses and candy instead, would I have a lot of customers?

*

I strolled out of my bathroom in a free short sleeve, baby pink shirt and dark pink shorts, drying my hair with a towel. Since my old man sometimes doesn’t know how to knock nor the meaning of privacy, getting dressed in the bathroom has become a thing for me. So far, a good thing.

I cleared my throat, walking to my desk. My laptop is charging. I sat down, opening it and typing my password.

Yes! The file has been downloaded. Time to upload my product along with the prices. Maybe I should add ‘I sell coffins’ to my resume. I mean, in medicine, life comes with death but that’ll only scare off my buyers. I laughed under my breath. I feel sleepy already. I wonder when dad will get here.

My phone vibrated and I checked it.

‘I can’t wait to make you mine, Lorelei.’

I read the text with a naughty smile. That’s Leo. The man I fell in love with via chat. I thought it was dumb to love someone you’ve never met, but look at me now. I love how I think about him this way every damn time. This is love. And he’s coming next week Thursday. My blood rush is surreal.

‘I can’t wait for you to rip off my underwear.’ I texted and sent. Shivers ran down my spine while waiting for his response. Sexting through casual texts has become a thing I enjoy with him now.

I bit my lips as I stared at our chat. The three dots made me know that he’s typing. Just then, someone barged into my room. I put my phone down like I was doing something wrong. It was my mother. She has a worried look on her face.

My father and stepmother walked in holding an envelope. I stared at them confused. “Pack your things and leave. You will get married on Thursday.” My father said cruely.

Is this what he wanted to discuss? Because this is more like an order. I’ve let him control my life for so long but he’s taken it too far.

My brows creased and I tried to object but he held out some papers. “You don’t have a say in this Lorelei. I already sold you out.”

My heart pumped faster in my chest.

What is he talking about? How can he arrange my own wedding? I knew I wasn’t my father’s favourite child, but this is next level hate.

“Go and live with your husband. He bought you. And darling, there’s no turning back.” My stepmom added with a smile on her face and threw the document on my bed.

I picked it up and read the first page. Tears begged to roll down my cheeks but I don’t want them to see me display even a hint of weakness. I don’t care what paper he signed. Hell, I’d even want to disagree with my head held high till he gets into trouble.... if I can .... but I held the document anyway and brought it out of its envelope and read. ‘This contract seals the marriage between Ace Salvatore and Lorelei Stanley.’

Ace Salvatore? The man rumoured to be the devil himself....

Before I was even able to process this, my phone made a gentle ding and I looked at it. It was Leo. Tears cascaded my eyelids. How can I marry someone when I’m in love with someone else?

I shot an angry stare at father. He seemed to enjoy my despair. I’m his own daughter.... How can he hate me so much?... What have I ever done but love him and try to be the perfect child? It’s apparent now that it was one sided.

I sniffed, tucking the document in. I don’t want to read further. For my sake. With a frown, I shot daggers at him. “Leave my room Richard.” He was shocked that I called him by his first name. “You’re dead to me.” I grit my teeth.

No more will I tolerate this nonsense. At least now, I have proof of his hate relationship between us. This contract.