She is mine 1

©️ Fardaykhemy Raheem.

The rain has stopped falling and everywhere feels more colder.

People scurried out of their hideout while Alice also joined the crowd that left the mall.

She walked towards the bus stop in order to board a bus.

Not too long,

A bus stopped while she entered the bus alongside with other passengers.

She found an open space and sat on the seat.

"Excuse me, dear". A strange voice said while she looked up to a young guy standing beside her.

"I'm sorry, can I sit here?".

"It's a free world". She responded while he sat beside her.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'm Charles and sitting beside you is like hiding from my friends".

"Your friend, how? This is an open space?". Alice asked and look over to the other side.

"They are sitting at the front and I don't feel like talking to them this evening".

"If you don't feel like talking to your friends, so, you're free to talk to me.

I am.a stranger to you". Alice responded

"You don't look like a stranger to me.

I just don't know, I felt at ease when I walked over to your space. I'm sorry, can I get to know.your name?".

"Why?".

"It's nothing..i.meant no harm". He said.raising.his two hands up.in surrender while Alice chuckled at his gesture.

"It's okay,

I'm just trying to play safe here.

My name.is.Alice".

"Wow! Alice, you've got a nice name.

Can you share your contact with me?". He asked stretching his phone forward while Alice smirked and rejected it.

"You're too forward. I'm not that loose!.

"You're not, like I said earlier, I meant no harm.. I promise! He promised in a lovely tone that Alice had no choice than to collect his phone.and.typed in her number.

"Thank you". He said while.the bus stopped and he walked away.

Alice plugged in her earpiece to listen to a music till the bus reached the last park.

She Alighted from the car and walked towards her parents house.

She reached the door and pressed the door bell.

"Who is there?". Someone asked from inside while she introduced herself as Alice.

Becky opened the door while she walked in.

They refused to exchange pleasantries.

Alice walked to the sitting room and met her two parents there.

Her father is busy going through the newspaper while her mother is watching movies.

"Good day, dad and mum". She greeted.

"Welcome dear,

Come and have your seat". her mother said.

"Can I sit with you, mum?".

"Of course you can". She responded with a sweet smile.

Alice was confused because her mother hardly allows her to sit beside her. What's with her sudden good attitude.

"How's work today?". Her mother asked while she responded with "good".

"Would you eat now? Or should I serve your drink?.

Let me call on Becky.

"Becky!

"It's okay, mum. I'm full.

"Why? Are you angry with me?". She asked with a change countenance.

"No, mum. I'm not!

I'm just okay.

Please, can I go to my room now?".

"You can't, we have something important to discuss with you". His dad said all of a sudden.

He dropped the newspaper that he is holding and sit upright.

"I need you to tune down the volume of that movie, dear". He instructed while Alice mother tube down the volume.

They all sit upright while Becky also sat with them.

"I know that...this look strange to you, but, it is what is needed to be done!

We are all family right?

And family help themselves in whatever situation that they found themselves.

Do you all agree with me?".

"Yes sir". They all chorused.

"My dear, Alice.

This family is in huge debt which you are aware of.

It wouldn't be good if your parents are dragged away because of the debt that they incurred in other to take care of you kids.

I would be embarrassed for the rest of my life if I couldn't pay up the debt.

That is why...

"I'm sorry, dad.(Alice interrupted).

I warned you about the debt before you apply for it.

What are we going to do now?".

"We've found a better solution for it, my dear.

It is a lifetime solution and we wouldn't be poor anymore for the rest of our lives". He said.

"What type of favour is that, dad?".

"Promise me that, you will accept anything that I want to tell you now ".

"Why are you acting weird, Dad.

You are scaring me?". Alice asked.

"Derek has offered to clear up our debt".

"Just like that?

That's generous of him". Alice said.

"But on one condition '' His dad interrupted.

"What condition is that, dad?".

"Alice, you are a respectable and beautiful daughter. You've been our pride in this house ever since you're born.

I and your mother is so proud of you.

It wouldn't be good if we were dragged on the street and embarrassed because of a 5,000 dollars debt.

Derek promised to clear up our debt if you agree to marry him". He said.

Alice took a while to reflect on his last statement before bursting out into a loud laughter.

"Is this a joke or what?

I don't understand, dad.

Marry who?". Alice asked to be sure of what she heard.

"Marry Derek".

"It's impossible, dad!

It's just impossible!

"How is it impossible, sweetheart.

He is rich , influential, cute.

What else do you want in a man".

"I can't marry that rude man,

We didn't fit.

We weren't compatible.

And most importantly, he is married.

What does he need me for?".

"I'm still your dad, daughter and whatever I said in this house should be respected if I'm not mistaken.

I and your mother has made up our mind.

And you're getting married to Derek.

Start getting it into your skull". He said with a cold voice before walking out of the sitting room.

"But, I didn't love him". She said to her mother hearing while she snubbed her.

"Wouldn't you say anything about it, mum.

Is this how you will keep quiet about it?

"What do you want me to say, sweetheart.

Should I go against your father's word and remain in poverty or I should approve whatever he says and remain rich ".

"Is that all I am to you, mum?" .

"I don't have any more words to say to you.

Start preparing for your husband house". She said and walked out of her presence while she was left with Becky.

"At last, she is leaving the house for me". Becky said with a mocking tone.

Alice doesn't react to what she said.

She slowly raise up and walk straight to her bedroom.

She locked it up and cried herself to sleep.

The time struck 11:00pm when a call came in.

It woke Alice up while she picked it.

"Hello".

"Hi, Alice.

It's Charles.

Hope I did not disturb your sleep.

I couldn't call you when I got back home.

I....

"Please Charles, I'm asleep".

"Sorry dear, I will call you tomorrow". He said and ended the call while Alice hissed out.

She dropped her phone and went to the bathroom to use the toilet.

She had barely walked into the room when another call came in.

"Hello''. She said placing the phone on her left ear.

"Hi, girlfriend. Amanda said over the phone.

"Hi".

"What's up dear, I've been calling you since".

"I'm sorry dear, I was not with my phone..

Can we talk tomorrow?". Alice asked.

"No problem ". She responded.

Alice dropped her phone and sighed out loud.

No one is ready to listen to her explanation.

She hardly knew Derek but she knew that he had a rude attitude.

He had two wives already.

A legal wife and a mistress but they all live in the same compound.

The news circulating that man is not always good and how the hell is he interested in her?

He hasn't met her before

Neither has she gone to his place.

Hope it's not her parents that wanted to give her away?

How would Derek stooped so low to accept her kind of person.

He would never request for her

Except...if something went wrong?

Her parents should be behind this?.

Alice laid on the bed tiredly while different thoughts keep running through her mind.

To be continued.....