Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
“Even if you walked away from your family’s wealth, your life would still be in danger without all the safeguards they’ve put in place because you can’t escape who you are. And just so you know, I’m going to be worse than they have ever been when it comes to the safety of you and my kids; be prepared.”
“What? What craziness are you talking about? Two hours in their presence, and you turn traitor.”
“No, actually, it’s something I’ve always pondered when I looked ahead to my days in the pros. I’ve read or heard too many tales of wives and even children being harmed by out-of-control fans. Fans who go to the extreme and follow you home, go through your garbage, break into your home. There are documented instances of fans hurting loved ones of their idols.”
“Are you trying to scare me?”
“No, I’m trying to get you to see another point of view other than the one you’ve had your whole life. Your family isn’t trying to control you. Didn’t you see what just happened in there?”
“No, tell me because I’m still confused.”
“Here’s where your judgment is clouded by your prejudice against them. Had you been thinking, you’d have asked yourself why my parents were there. If they wanted to break us up or harm us in any way, they wouldn’t have involved them.”
“I don’t get your point.”
“Your dad is a doctor. What is the Hippocratic oath?”
“First harm none.”
“Exactly. He’s taking care of my dad, who’s suffering from a life-threatening illness and is being used as a test dummy, if you will, for his new experiment, something he himself came up with. Would he put his tester in danger?”
She looked confused for a second, and then the light dawned. “You get it now? While your grandmother was speaking, I was reading the room. If your family intended to harm me, my mother would’ve warned me, and my dad would never have allowed it. I knew when they kept still while your grandmother was doing her bit that one, they knew what was going to happen before we even got there, and two, it was good for me, for us.”
“You saw all that? All I saw was my life flashing before my eyes.”
“Your prejudice again.”
“But they’re forcing you to get married.”
“Who says? Listen, I put relationships on hold for a reason, and I found that reason, you. If I wanted to move on from us, there would be no us.”
“I always thought my reason for not dating anyone was because of the game, but the moment I laid eyes on you walking across the dining hall, that went out the window. There was no question then, or now that you’re it. It doesn’t matter if we get married now or ten years from now, it’s going to be the same. Since they won’t let us live together until we’re married, I choose to do it now. How about you?”
“Of course, I want to. It’s just….”
“It’s just that it’s their idea, so you have to fight against it just because, right? Sometimes I forget how young you are. Or is it that you don’t want to be with me?”
“Don’t be silly; of course I do. But doesn’t it seem strange to you? We’re so young.”
“Your grandparents also got married young. They’re from a time when that was the norm. Your parents were my age when they got married, and my parents were your age when they did the same. What’s so strange about it?”
“I don’t know; it just feels forced.”
“Forced or not, it’s what we both want, so what does it matter? Don’t worry, baby; I’ll stand in the way from now on. When it gets to be too much, I’ll take care of it, okay.”
“You say that because you don’t know them. There’s no taking care of, no way around them, and they come in droves. Whenever you see that pack coming, you’d better run and hide because I’m telling you right now, as soon as the ink dries on our marriage certificate, they’ll make your life….”
The doorbell rang, and I got up to answer it, thinking it was the boys coming to hang out. I’ve been neglecting them all weekend, and I know they wouldn’t wait until practice tomorrow to hound me. I opened the door and hid my surprise when I saw the pack standing there. “We’ve brought dinner.” Her mom held up one bag and her dad another.
“Come in!” I stood back as her grandmothers looked around the small dorm room apartment. It was a one bedroom with a living room, dining room, and a very minuscule kitchen, but it was better than most.
“You’re right, Othelia; we need to get the apartment situation taken care of asap. How can they breathe in here?” Oh boy! Lisa’s about to lose her shit again if she hears this.