leaving for Christmas holidays

Two days later in the morning, Sandra arrived at Emily’s apartment driving the bright Lamborghini her father gifted her a few months ago.

Emily had already explained the one-week Christmas holidays in Sandra's house to her father earlier, and after some hesitation, he agreed to let her go.

Emily was inside her room, folding clothes into her small suitcase when Sandra walked in. Sandra leaned on the doorframe for a second, watching her with a soft smile.

“You are still packing? I thought you would be waiting already,” she said.

“I'm almost done.” Emily replied. "I wasn't expecting you to come this early."

Sandra walked over and helped her pack the remaining things. In a few minutes, everything was done. Emily zipped the bag, and they made their way out.

Just as they got to the sitting room, Emily’s father stormed out of his room in anger. He looked at Emily like she had done something terrible and unforgivable.

“Emily,” he shouted. “I just finished talking with Desmond now. Why didn’t you tell me both of you had a misunderstanding? You came back and relaxed as if nothing happened.”

Emily froze, and Sandra stood slightly behind her. Desmond had been waiting and expecting Emily to come back and reconcile with him, but she didn't show up. Not knowing what else to do, he called her dad and complained about how she left his house.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about it,” Emily said. “And it’s not just a casual misunderstanding. I don't think I can continue with the relationship. I’ve lost interest in marrying him.”

"What did you just say?" He questioned in anger as if she had made a forbidden statement.

"You can’t say that. You cannot break up with him. You must marry him.”

"Dad, Desmond doesn’t love me. He treats me like I’m his pet. I can’t continue like that. I deserved to be loved." She said, but her father didn't care.

"It's obvious you know nothing about love. Doesn't he buy things for you? He takes good care of us. Listen to me, Emily, nothing should make you end this relationship. Nothing.” Her dad insisted.

“What are you even saying, Dad? Did he tell you what he did?” Emily asked in disbelief. “Did he tell you how he humiliated me at my birthday party?”

"How does he humiliate you?" He asked. "He said you left the party ground because of a minor misunderstanding. That you left because he invited his childhood friend. That you even threw the engagement ring at him. How can you do something like that? What has come over you?"

"I guess he didn't explain everything to you. I'm sure if he did, you wouldn't be saying this."

"What else happened?" The dad asked.

"He didn't invite her as a guest, Dad. He celebrated her instead of me. When I arrived, they were singing a birthday song for her. The cake had her name on it, and she was even the one that cut it. He gifted her a bracelet he was supposed to gift me, and they kissed each other in front of everyone. I was a guest at my own birthday party."

"He did all that?" The dad asked.

"Yes, and this is not the first time he's treating me this way. I can't endure it anymore. He should go ahead and marry her. I can't continue with the relationship."

Her dad's mind went wild in thought. He knew that Desmond was wrong. What he did was enough to end the relationship, but he can't lose him. If Emily ends the relationship, he will stop assisting him.

“Emily, you should not take it to heart. She's just his childhood friend. He just made a mistake by taking things too far. I'm sure it won't happen again.”

“It's intentional. It's not a mistake." Emily replied. “He has been seeing her. He's just using me.”

"Ehmm, but he wants you back in the house. If he didn't care about you, he wouldn't have called. He said you should come to his house and apologize before he gets provoked. You know what will happen if he gets provoked. He may fire me and stop helping us financially. We can’t afford to lose that.”

Emily stared at him in disbelief. He couldn't believe her father's words. “So because of money, you want me to apologize to him when he’s the one who hurt me?”

Her dad shook his head and looked up at her. “I know he offended you. I know. But in this situation, you must be the one to apologize. We need his support.”

“I won’t,” Emily declined. “I can’t do that. He is supposed to apologize to me. I’m the one he embarrassed. Things should be done the right way.” She insisted, and her father sighed. “I know. But in this situation, you need to do it. I don't want us to lose him. Just try and reconcile with him before it's too late.”

The room went silent for a moment. Emily knew he cared about her, but he cared about money more. He didn't want to lose his job and financial aid, but what about her happiness?

“I’ll think about it.” She said finally to keep him calm.

Her father exhaled in relief, then turned to Sandra, who had been standing quietly the whole time. “Please talk to her. Help me convince her to apologize to him. She listens to you.”

Sandra nodded politely. “I will.” But deep down, she wasn't thinking of trying to convince Emily. She was even boiling at Emily's father's words. He was literally trying to sell her daughter off indirectly.

“Good,” he said and turned to Emily. “Listen to your friend.”

Emily didn’t say anything. She simply picked up her bag. Sandra took it from her and walked ahead. Emily followed her, and they headed towards the car.

When they got to the car, Sandra pressed a button on her car key, and the back door opened. They loaded the bags and let it close down. Once they got in, she drove off. Emily looked through the window as their house faded behind them.