Chapter Five~ When did you get engaged?

Emily

Dad just came out of the hospital and is in a wheelchair until he fully recovers. It has been two days since our engagement party and I can’t for the life of me find where to start from to talk about it to my family. My aunty Melan decided to move in with us until dad was better so that we were not disturbed with school and as much as I feel bad for burdening her, I’m glad she did that. 

‘“Come on guys it’s Thanksgiving!’’ Nina complains as everyone is glued to the new TV show. 

Aunty Melan laughs as she sets the food on the table, “Well at least someone can help me and not just watch me.’’ 

‘’Let me help. ‘’ I jump up from my seat and Nina groans in frustration but remains sitting. 

Nina’s family lives so far away in Canada so she is not able to always go back home but our house is like her second home and it's always fun to have her around. She is like a sister I never had. “I’ll join you later. Me and the old man here need to catch up on what happens next.’’ She defends herself and Dad laughs while mumbling something about how he is not that old.

After the pain and roller coaster, I’ve been through the past few days, It's so nice to sit here with the people I love and the world I know. At this moment, it feels like all the pain and hell I went through was worth it.

My dad is alive and is getting better. I smile. 

We begin to prepare the rest of the food and I enjoy every second of it. I work on the mashed potatoes and Aunty cuts the chicken pieces.

‘’How is school?’’ Aunty Melan asks and I avoid looking at her pretending to focus on the potatoes. 

I haven’t been focusing the past two months so my GPA is getting affected but I don't want to worry her so I fake a smile as I respond with another lie, ‘’It’s going on well. Can’t wait to finish!’’

Lying has now become part of me the past few days. I have lied so much that I have started to believe the lies I tell and it bothers me. It feels like I’m slowly changing but I don’t really know how I feel about the person I’m becoming yet.

She looks at me for a longer time than usual as if to confirm something but decides to remain silent. "That’s great! Can't wait for your graduation. I will be here for it.’’ She smiles warmly at me and guilt grips me for lying to her.

Our house is small with an open sitting room arrangement where the one in the kitchen can see the one in the living room. I finish with the mash and Aunt nods at me and I smile with pride because cooking has never been my strength.

“I hope that is the only thing she is preparing,” Dad shouts and I hold my chest and pretend to be offended. 

“Is it not food cooked by me that you always eat in this house?” I ask and the two look at each other and then look away. 

I pick a tablecloth and throw it at Lewis but it does nothing, “You guys have been throwing away my food?!” I scream and they laugh in response. 

Picking up the plates while shaking my head in disbelief, I begin to set the table by placing the dishes and spoons when there is a doorbell.

‘’Em! Get the door please!’’ Lewis shouts and I roll my eyes but go ahead to check who is at the door.

‘’It must be the Pizza,’’ I shout back when I remember that I ordered a pizza and walk to the door. 

I open the door and my face goes pale like I have seen a ghost.

Well judging by the man standing outside my door, I have seen a ghost! ‘’What are you doing here?’’ I ask in half a whisper as my eyes land on the large pizza he is holding.

Even that looks wrong in his hands.

Because he shouldn’t be here!

He chuckles as his eyes watch me panic like he is enjoying torturing me when he playfully and daringly responds, ‘’Why? can’t I visit my fiance?’’ 

‘’Em you got engaged!?’’ Lewis shouts when I turn and realise that he actually followed me and was standing behind me and everyone’s attention turns to us. 

It's at this point that I wish the ground would swallow me whole. I look up at the most handsome and annoying cold-hearted man I’ve ever met and find him smiling. But it isn’t a warm ‘’I love you smile.’’ He looks at me with cold blue eyes that promise pain and misery and the words come rushing down my mind as a daily reminder.

If you don’t run, I promise to ruin you.

A shiver runs down my spine as I think of how to get rid of him but my aunt is too quick and is already at the door. ‘’I’m sorry about that. She is rude sometimes, please come in.’’ She smiles at him but when our eyes lock they speak ‘’You are in so much trouble.’’

I sigh as I take the pizza box Liam is holding and drop it on the counter when Aunty Melan pulls me to the side and whispers, ‘’ You had a boyfriend? Scratch that, you are engaged?’’ She stares daggers at me but I’m unable to explain what happened or how it happened and the only thing I can do right now is look as confused as they are. 

I was hoping I would have enough time to find a way of breaking it to them but now, I don't know how to do it.

With exams coming up, what if Dad says no? Oh my goodness I can't afford the contract penalty!

Dad rolls his wheelchair from the living room over to where I'm standing as he looks at me with concern in his eyes, “Is it true sweet pee? You got engaged?”

Now I seriously pray that the ground swallows me whole right here and right now.