CHAPTER THREE

IMPOSSIBLE DEAL

CHELSEA'S POV 

Victoria was standing at the corner of the living room, smiling while staring at me with those evil eyes of hers. Gosh I wish I could pluck them out and crush them under my feet. Her mom was seated on the expensive leather couch beside Nadia's. 

I'm standing close to Ryan, our shoulders touching one another in front of the wicked witch. A.K.A, his mom and she didn't look happy with the fact that I'm in another building. Trust me, once I run away from this family… I'll never turn back. I rather die with Ryan than spend the rest of my eternity with them.

“Sign the papers.” She snapped. “Huh, I don't understand ma'am.” 

I looked at her with confusion but from the look of things, it seems she wasn't happy about my response. Before I could say the word jack, her hand flew across the room and a heavy resounding slap landed on my face and echoed through my eardrums as I tried to prevent myself from falling on the rug. I could see Ryan moving instantly, trying to hold me but his mom pushed him away with anger saying why is he helping a hopeless little chihuahua like me.

Ryan didn't hesitate to walk past her and help me up regardless, completely ignoring her. My palms were on my cheeks, tears rolling down my eyes as I looked at everyone and everything around me in so much pain. 

I miss my dead mom. She wouldn't let things like this happen to me. Gosh, I miss you mom and I hate you for not taking me with you, instead you left me and Dad in this cruel world.

“For the last time Chelsea, sign the motherfucking papers if not you wouldn't be able to feel your fingers soon.” Victoria's mom looked so furious. 

My heart was pounding really fast. What am I signing? Why must I be the one to sign it? What the freak is going on here?

You have five seconds to sign Chels. If not, the bouncer wouldn't hesitate to crush your finger bones. I picked up the pen with my shaky hands, looked at Ryan in fear and wrote the first part that needed my signature.

I noticed Victoria moving silently behind me. I could feel her movement and every turn. To be honest, it was creepy and made me very uncomfortable. The contract was on the table but the worst thing flashed right before my eyes. 

Contractual Marriage Agreement.

An excruciating pain pierced my finger. I gasped, jerking my hand back. Victoria stood beside me now, a silver fork pressed into my skin, her other hand tangled in my hair. She leaned close to my ear.

“Keep writing, whore.”

Ryan's voice broke me. “Mom, stop this. She doesn't deserve–”

The bouncer grabbed him from behind and started dragging him towards the door. He struggled while moving towards the door. Head turned facing me while he screamed my name.

“Leave him. Let him watch.” His mom smiled. 

“Chelsea , do you know the paper before you is a free ticket away from this neighborhood. Away from me and my daughter. I know how much you've always wanted to leave here. Okay I'm not being truthful, I know how much I've always wanted to throw you out of ALL OUR LIVES. Sadly, all my attempts have been futile. But now … the time has finally come.”

“So you have the opportunity to leave. Right here, right now. “ Those words came out from her lips and landed on me like rotten food tossed on a platter. The whole living room was quiet. I could feel all eyes on me, expecting me to make a decision or the very least say something. What can I even say in this situation though.

Besides me was Ryan giving me the signal of rejection. Victoria was standing few feet away from me 

You're getting married. So you have the liberty to choose now my little dirty slave. 

“Mom, slave is an understatement. She's a whore.” Victoria exclaimed with hatred in her eyes. “So choose Chelsea. In five, four, three, two–”

“NO!” he shouted, voice raw with betrayal and pain. “Chelsea! Don’t sign it! NOOO! Let me go … CHELSEA!!”

I looked at Ryan and whispered the word “I'm sorry.” Then signed without hesitation.

They hauled him out anyway. His desperate screams echoed down the hallway until the heavy door slammed shut, cutting him off.

The room became silent. I stood there, still trembling in my fingers, suddenly my eyes found my way across the room to where Nadia was seated. She didn't look unfazed by the situation happening at all.

That was when it dawned on me. “You knew.” My voice was low but firm. “You fucking knew about everything, that was why you sent that text.”

Nadia didn't utter a word, instead she uncrossed her legs slowly and got up so she could smoothen her dress.

She walked towards and the fragrance from her perfume almost choked me. This was the birthday perfume I saved for three weeks to buy. 

“Knew?” Her hands came up and for a slight moment I thought she might hit me. My eyes squinted already preparing for another. To my greatest surprise, she didn't but instead she tapped my cheeks countless times. 

“Darling, I didn't just know.” She stepped close enough for me to feel her breath on my skin.

“I designed this whole thing.”