01

The sun streaming through my curtains awakens me as I yawn tiredly from my lack of sleep last night, I sit up on the edge of the bed my feet touching the cold wooden floor.

I stand up walking to my bathroom and looking at my self in the mirror, my brown curly hair is like a birds nest. My hair is quite long compared to others such as my mother and sisters, just the way I like it.

I turn on the warm water from the tap and splash the water on my face, I turn off the tap and put my hair in a messy bun since I’m not going any where today.

I walk out of the bathroom and into my walk in closet, I pick out a grey crop top and black shorts.

I put on my undergarments then my clothes, I walk out of the room to be met with shouting.

« Mum she’s always taking my makeup and smudging it all over her face ! It’s expensive you know. »

« Amelia she is 5 stop being so rude, your sister was just trying to have some fun » mum says.

« She wasted perfectly good makeup ! » I hear crying and I sigh knowing that Amelia made Issy cry yet again.

« DO NOT TREAT HER LIKE THIS ! I told you that she is young, if you are so angry about it then I will provide you new stuff » mother roars, my eyes widen.

Mum never shouts, she’s always calm and rational in situations ; so calm that it tends to annoy me.

I finish my trek down the stairs and rush to Isabella, I pick her up to comfort her from Amelia and mums shouting match.

« Mum, Amelia » I cough trying to get their attention « SHUT UP ! » I shout, they both go silent and look at me « Amelia not everything is about you, you’re not the perfect child, people make mistakes and mother, shouting never solves anything » mum walks to me and grabs Isabella off of me.

She composes herself « my apologies » she says « I’m so lucky to have a problem solver in the house » she winks at me and waddles off.

I look to Amelia who’s arms are crossed over her chest and a deep scowl set on her face « mother thinks you are so god damn perfect » she hisses.

« Um no… She really doesn’t. »

She looks at her nails « hmm… You’re right, she thinks I am like we all know that » I roll my eyes.

« Stop obsessing over yourself » she flips her hair over her shoulder and sashays her way out.

« Claudia I need to speak with you » father says popping up out of no where, I nod and follow him to his office.

I stand awkwardly in the room fiddling with my fingers, dad never usually calls me into his office to discuss anything.

« Take a seat » I sit down on the leather chair and lean back into it, « there is something important that I need to discuss with you Claudia, I need your undivided attention » I nod.

« Of course. »

« So you know mr Miller ? » I nod, « well we agreed in a peace offering » I smile.

« Really ? That’s great ! Finally after all these years there can be peace between us, I’m so happy » I cheer.

« But there’s a catch… » I tilt my head to the side waiting for him to elaborate « you are going to marry him. »

I look at my so called father in front of me with my mouth agape and my eyes wide, how could he do this ?

I stand up the chair sliding on the carpet and collapsing to the floor « Claudia lets be rational about this » he says in his usual professional tone.

« No ! I will not be rational when you sold me off to get married for a treaty ! I’m 18 years old, couldn’t Amelia do it ?! » I drop to the floor sobbing.

My life is ruined…

« I asked him to choose who he wants to marry and he chose you so no it can’t be Amelia » I look up with my tear filled eyes.

« But Amelia’s older ! Why don’t I get a say ? » I whisper harshly.

« You don’t get a say because you will do this in honour of our family and the company, you are 18 years old so you do not get a say » he angrily says.

« THATS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT ?! » I exclaim « you care more about honour and the company then your own daughter ? » I hiss brokenly.

« Stop putting words in my mouth Claudia » I shake my head wiping my eyes.

« I will not marry a man who is 5 years older then me, I have my whole life ahead of me and your giving it away ; I HATE YOU ! » I scream.

« THATS ENOUGH ! » He roars glaring at me from where I sit on the ground « you will be marrying him, you will comply, you will honour, you will be respectful and you will meet him in 5 days. »

So much wills when I can’t, why is he doing this ? He cares about a treaty more then my life.

« I hate you » I stand up backing away « I wish you never were my father » I turn around and walk out slamming the wooden doors behind me.

I run to my room and jump on my bed sobbing, I’m getting married to a man who is 4 years older then me, isn’t it illegal ?

I don’t even know

All I want to do is cry and cry and cry ; but crying isn’t for respected families apparently.

I can’t do anything, I don’t have a free will ; if I run then father will search for me and so will Isaac Miller because that’s what he does.

He will ruin my life without a care, he’s already ruined it and I haven’t met him.

A knock on my door stops my wandering thoughts, I don’t answer so they walk in.

« Go away dad. »

« It’s not dad it’s me » I look up to see my mother and I shake my head.

« Are you in on this too ? » My voice cracks and her features soften further.

« I don’t like the idea of my 18 year old daughter getting married but it’s for all of you, your father doesn’t want to do this but he has to for all of us ; we owe Isaac money and we weren’t paying up because we didn’t have enough money, he threatened to take all of our assets so we had to make a treaty between us Claudia. Please understand » my lips quiver.

« How is that my problem !? » I roar, angered that they have brought their adult problems onto their 18 year old daughter.

« What do you think we are going to do without our house ? Our money ? Our cars ? We will be homeless ! You will be homeless ! Think about that. It is your duty to this family if you would like to remain in this family ! » My mother shouts at me.

I stare at the floor, tears pooling in my eyes whilst my throat unbearably burns. How could they do this ? She threatens me knowing I have nothing. I know this is my fathers doing. She’s probably afraid of him.

« I will do it » I whisper.

« So your not angry at your father anymore ? » She questions.

« No, « I lie whilst crying.

« You’re a brave young woman and you can do this. You’re saving our family. You’re doing the right thing sweetie, » she coos.

« I hate crying » I admit wiping at my eyes.

« Why ? » She tilts her head to the side.

« It shows weakness » she shakes her head with a small smile and cups my cheek.

« Crying isn’t for the weak it’s for the strong for not giving up » she retracts her hand and pats my thigh « go talk to your father » I nod and walk out with her.

I knock on fathers door « come in ! » He shouts, I open the door slightly and peak my head through the door.

When he sees me he sighs in relief « Claudia » he says and opens his arms wide.

I walk into them and hug him « I’m sorry » I whisper.

« No don’t apologise, I’m the one who should. I yelled at you when it wasn’t necessary, I need to be more understanding that your young and have to get married when you don’t want to » I nod and he smiles.

« I will do it father, mother told me everything » he raises an eyebrow.

« She did ? »

« Yes » I whisper, he hugs me and I hug him back.

« Let’s get through this… Together. »