Play by the rules

The duvet dropped heavily on the floor, and a slight groan escaped her lips. It was supposed to be a blessed morning for Lillian, after the stress she had been through seeking employment.

But the piercing noise coming from the sitting room was making her head ache badly. She growled and slowly opened her eyes.

Lillian glanced around the room and her eyes rested on the artwork she had kept two days back after taking off her family photo from the exact spot.

Her family was a disaster, her parents were never tired of arguing and threatening to divorce each other, and Lillian felt there was no need for her to get married if marriage was that way.

She sighed and ruffled her messy hair and roamed her eyes around the room one last time. She noticed her window was open, and the breeze was coming in, making the ash curtains sway left to right.

Lillian stood up from the bed and found her floppy slippers before moving into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her blond hair looked like a total mess, like she had spent a decade without combing it.

She flicked her blue eyes to the comb in the bathroom and fixed her hair. Lillian is a twenty-three years old lady who had just graduated from college three months back and was still living with her parents.

Lillian doesn't look her age, her curves and endowed body made people think she was thirty. And of course, she was pretty.

She had plenty of crushes both in high school and college, but she only loved a particular guy who ended up breaking her heart.

The same guy who deflowered her. She shook her head as the thought was trying to flow into her head.

The noise downstairs made her groan loudly, and she dropped her brush in the right place, rinsed her mouth and stepped out of the bathroom while heading downstairs.

“This will benefit us, what's wrong with her age, huh? There are plenty of young girls out there who have gotten married at the age of twenty to twenty-one.” George-her father added, while trying to press further on whatever they were arguing.

“But she has to agree to his proposal, we can't just force her because she is old enough to marry.” Lucy-her mother voiced out.

It seems to Lillian that they were obviously talking about her, but she couldn't comprehend what was going on.

“I will send a message to him to inform him of our approval. Besides, don't you want money? You have been complaining a lot lately. This proposal will do us some good.” George utter and dropped the newspaper in his hand on the table.

“Oh yeah! Look who is pointing fingers when you are the nagging one. So, how much is he going to pay for her bride price?” Her mother asked with so much interest, and Lillian scoffed.

“Unbelievable! What the hell is happening?” She voiced out and began to descend the stairs while glaring at her parents.

“Lillian! How long have you been standing there?” Lucy inquired and stood up from the couch, while Lillian glanced between them.

“More than a minute. I hope whatever you two are talking about doesn't involve me.” She whispered and folded her hands under her boobs.

“Of course it does. Mr Andrew seeks your hand in marriage, and I'm willing to inform him that we are pleased to have him as our in-law.” George said nonchalantly, and she widened her eyes.

“With whom consent, father? That man is too old for me, besides I never said I was ready to get married.” Lillian fired while she felt anger radiating through her.

“But he is going to take care of you, dear. Don't you want that?” Lucy questioned and Lillian released a dry laugh.

“Can you hear yourself? Mom, I would rather not get married and that's final.” She said angrily and tried to move into the kitchen, but her dad made her halt.

“We have spent the years providing whatever you need, and you can't just do this little thing? Get married and help the family, Lillian. Girls not up to your age are married already.” George hollered and she turned to face him.

“Is this what all these are about? You two are just selfish right now. I can't get married to a man who is old enough to be my dad. For heaven's sake. That man has a daughter who is thirty years old.” She fired, her veins throbbing in her neck as she spoke.

“And so what, huh?” George bellowed and Lillian shook her head in disbelief.

“Whatever! I guess you have to find a new daughter to give to him.” She muttered and walked past her mom while heading for her room.

“Lillian! Lillian!  I'm not done talking, get back here.” Her dad said harshly, but Lucy tried to calm him down.

Lillian scoffed and rolled her eyes. “So much drama for a day.” She whispered under her breath and moved to her wardrobe.

She was sick and tired of staying at home, especially when her parents argued all day, and now they want to make her marry someone twice her age? Furthermore, she was done staying at home.

Lillian pulled out her clothes from the wardrobe and began to arrange them into her trolley. 

She won't stay at home and go insane because of them. Without taking her bath, Lillian changed her pajamas to a lilac long dress and picked her black handbag before moving out of the room.

The noise downstairs had died down, and she thought they must have gone to their room, only for her to meet the burning glare of her father as she descended the stairs.

“Lillian. Where are you going?” Her mom moved to her and asked with concern echoing in her voice.

“Leaving the house. I would rather not go insane just because I have a family.” She fired and dragged her trolley.

“Hey! It hasn't gotten to that. Let's talk about-” her mom tried to stop her, but her dad interrupted.

“There is nothing to talk about, Lucy. If she wants to leave, let her go.” George declared and sipped the wine he was holding.

Lillian scoffed and shook her head. “I knew it. Bye…” she whispered sarcastically and stormed out of the house.

George stopped Lucy from going after her. “She will come back, she can't live on her own, especially when she doesn't have a job.” He added.

Lillian kept muttering cursed words as she walked while the sun burned her skin. She turned towards the road and waited patiently for a cab, and it dawned on her that she had nowhere to go to.

She can't go back home, her father will definitely have his way and make her marry that old man. And of course for her pride, why will she go back when she had made a fuss already? Lillian thought and bit her bottom lip.

She opened her handbag and rummaged through it. The little money she had won't be enough to Lodge a hotel.

“Heavens! I had no idea I was going to leave home today.” She mumbled in a frustrating voice and tried to think of a solution.

Then, her thoughts drifted to Alice-her cousin who lives close by, and she decided to call her.

She dialed her line, and it began to ring, but there was no response and Lillian's hope was beginning to fade.

She prayed silently and dialed her line again, and she picked with a husky voice. “Hello? Who is on the line?” She asked like she was drunk and sleepy.

“Hey! Cousin!” Lillian voiced out and laughed. “Don't tell me you deleted my number.” Lillian added.

“Lillian? Hey.” Alice uttered, her voice sounding clear this time around. “Why are you calling? I can't remember the last time you called. I almost thought you got married and left the state.” Alice teased.

“Ha ha ha. What a funny joke. Listen, Alice, I'm in trouble.” Lillian voiced out in a serious tone.

“What is it? What happened?” Alice asked curiously.

“My parents want to force me into getting married to a man twice my age. So, I furiously left home. The truth is that I can't go back home, but I have nowhere to stay.” Lillian spoke in a low cadence.

“Oh! Lily. Poor you, sorry honey. I wish I could be of help, but my boyfriend just arrived yesterday and I have no idea when he is leaving.” Alice stated and Lillian felt like she was stabbed behind.

“It is alright. Thank you, I guess I have to seek help somewhere else. Do you mind if I ask for some money?” Lillian asked.

“I'm sorry, I am as broke as an empty bottle. But I will call you later if I get some money from my baby.” She said and chuckled, and Lillian nodded like she could see her.

They ended the call, and she felt frustrated and tired already. She needs to think of a way out. Going back home was the last thing she would do and suddenly, an idea hit her, and she decided to call someone.