Chapter ONE

OLIVIA.

I'd lived my life thinking about the odds of me being caught up with my dad's drunken behaviour and how it would affect my life. Amongst all the consequences i listed out i thought it'd gravely affect me chasing my dreams of becoming a medical doctor which to my surprise it didn’t and i'm glad cause i would never forgive myself for not fighting hard and not fulfilling my dreams, I'm an over achiever what can i say.

But, i'd never thought it'd lead to him be indebited to only God knows who. I had just finished a surgical procedure when he called telling me i had to come home that he was ill and how his kidney had been deteriorating from all the alcohol he has comsumed during his life time and also about his supposed debt.

Did he think i was some billionaire or something, my salary was barely enough to cover my monthly expenses and also the student loan i’d taken from medical school and this was all thanks to him, If he had become responsible for once and assumed his position as a father i wouldn't have even thought about that loan in the first place.

I never went back to the house after i left for my first year in medical school and i didn’t let him know the college either which was for my good cause i couldn’t take all of his drunken behaviour that prompted the abuse for years. Thinking about it now, it'd been eight years since i'd seen him and eight years since i'd be free from his endless torture and beating.

I still wonder till this day how i'd survived high school baring colour indented bruises on my body and face, after each beating he would threaten me not to tell anyone or he'd finally kill me just like i killed his wife.

When my mum died, he resorted to drinking and he blamed me for her death .He would constantly remind me of how my birth brought him sorrow. I did not even get the chance to meet her cause she died immediately after my birth. I'd never met her but i felt connected to her in every way, i hope she's proud of the woman i'm becoming.

I’d loathed my father for many years, but who was i kidding i would never hate him enough to not answer his calls or send him money when he asked for it, matter of fact he knew just how soft hearted i was and he always took it to his advantage.

The sound of my phone ringing disrupted my train of thought.

“Hey wassup” i said closing my eyes

“OLIVIA FUCKING CARTER!!” My best friend shouted through the phone almost making me deaf.

“You went a week without calling me and you are fucking breathing fine! ” Ava said being the dramatic queen that she is.

“I called you every single day this week but it kept going to voicemail” i could sense how worried she must have been.

“I'm sorry Ava, i was …...i was just so busy” i said not sure about my answer, i was actually busy with the amount of medical emergencies and surgeries i had but it didn't quite justify my action

“Too busy to return my calls?” She said

“I was not Ava, I was- I was just” I couldn't lie to Ava cause she'd definitely know by just looking at me.

“What happened liv?”

“Talk to me and No lying” Ava always acted like a mother hen, I mean i love her regardless but she was just too good at being able to tell when something was wrong.

“My dad happened” I say with a sigh

“What has he done again, how many times have i told you liv that you don't have to beat yourself up for his own shit”

“I know Ava, it's just complicated” I sighed

“What did he do this time?” She asked already aggravated.

“He asked for me to come home”

“No fucking way Liv, you are not going back there.” She said sounding furious over the phone

“Have you forgotten what he did to you?”

“This is what i keep saying Liv you are too caring and soft for your own good”

“Girl you need to toughen up”

“I can't” I whispered but loud enough for her to hear

“I've tried Ava, i've honestly tried but i just can't” I said mentally tired of being too soft, but it's something that i can't change.

“Where are you now?” She asked after a silent pause

“At work”

“You've got your hands buried too deep in your work trying to save the lives of other people that you ignore yours” She said, she wasn't wrong. I found a sense of relief working knowing i could help someone live again and get back to their healthy self without realizing i'm slowly loosing myself.

“You have your day off tomorrow right” She said,

“Yes” Why did you ask

“Get ready, i'm coming to pick you by 11pm” like hell i will, i planned on sleeping in and probably binge watching my favourite series.

“Why” I asked not telling her about my plan to sleep in

“ We are going to the club Liv if you haven't gotten the hint”

“ I'd decline this offer Ava, i just want sleep and relax”

“I don't want to go anywhere” I said like a toddler that's being forced to go out against their will

“ Liv you have no choice, you need to destress a bit, you have been worrying and working too much you need to chill and live a little”

“Fine, but i'm not spending more than two hours there” I said, I've always hated the idea of going to the club where the music can literaly burst my ear drums and then sweating bodies, No i could not survive two hours there.

“Okay then, see you by 11pm”

“Make sure you wear something hot” She said before hanging up

I removed the phone from my ear with a sigh thinking on how i met this social butterfly i call my best friend.

Ava is your typical party girl who enjoys loud music, socializing and anything that has to do with clubs compared to me. I met Ava in highschool, she was the helper i never had and a safe place. When she noticed my bruises she was so close to reporting my dad to the social service workers but then i had to make her understand that they'd take me from my dad and i wouldn't be able to see her again if i was given to another family that was far away.

And now, She is a financial secetary at a big company that manufactured gadgets and devices in New york, i can remember vividly when she'd call me to tell me she'd gotten the job, we celebrated it together cause she finally landed a job with good pay. She's the closest thing i have as a family.

Finally done with my work and clerking, i headed out of the hospital to the parking lot where i packed my 2010 toyota, she wasn't that bad but i knew deep down that she needed an upgrade.

Pulling out of the parking lot, i couldn't help but wonder how tonight was going to play out i just hope i don't end up having a bad headache or regretting my decision afterwards.