Chapter 8 THE CRASH

I take some safe steps back, driven by shock and the incredulity of what I just heard. I cannot count how many steps, but I am quite a safe distance from these two ruthless animals!

A Merger?

I am the perfect merger to save their fucking reputation and the damn company, and they are so casually and confidently rubbing that on my face.

Me, of all people? The same one they hid for years to protect the same image? How shameless can these people be, honestly? I was tossed into this cell like a nobody. Like a useless pig. Like somebody who did not have any value at all. And now, I suddenly have a value in which they already bargained its worth because I am their supposed savior?

I can’t believe the guts! The temerity of these people! Like seriously?

I am still finding it difficult to believe that they lowered their stars and came to me for this bullshit. Wow! I commend their guts! I guess this proves just how heartless they are, then. I mean, me, of all people? Why don’t they trade their precious stainless steel daughter to this so-called rich tycoon instead? Or maybe this is just a lie. Maybe there is actually no rich guy here, and all they want is to lure me into their trap to marry me off to this ghost devil. If he was as good as they are portraying him, they should have had Grace marry him, right?

Bitter smirk!

I was damn right!

They can never bring good news to me. And once again, yet again, this is not about me or my poor child. We are just collaterals for them. Some pieces of garbage that they can trade any chance they get. This is about them saving their own skin. To think that they used my daughter as their first excuse.

Well, they better think of another way out of their own mess because my child and I are not pawns, and neither are we objects.

“Now that you understand the gravity of the situation, I hope you can use your head and do this for us. At least, I may be able to forgive you for what you did in the past.” Father speaks, and I weirdly smirk.

Forgiveness?

What is that?

Emotional blackmail?

These people can go to any degree to make me bend to this, huh? Well, an apple does not fall far from its tree. If they are heartless, then I have learned from the best. I walk back, arms crossed on my chest, and I face my father with the boldness that I never, at any moment in my life, had. “Never, Father! I will never agree to this. And about forgiveness, keep it, Father, for I am not the one who needs forgiveness. Whether you forgive me or not, I don’t really care because I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive any of you for what you put me and my child through.”

The father blinks countless times. He must be taken aback by my boldness and firm stand. If they thought they would scare me or talk me into this absurdity, they are so wrong! At this point, I don’t care whether they throw me out into the streets. I am damn ready for whatever comes after this. I will bear all the consequences, but there is no way I am giving them what they want.

Mother senses the tension building between me and my father, and she decides to play the Koffi Annan role. Peacemaker, which is a total mockery. If she wanted to play heroine with her caring actions, she should have done something about my case a long time ago. But she stood and watched. I supported all the decisions my father made. Watched as I and my child suffered in this dungeon. I watched as I almost lost my sanity in here. What kind of mother is this?

“Look, you cannot offend your father like this, Ayana! We are not asking for much, and whether you like it or not, we are your parents. You need our forgiveness and blessings in this life. Don’t be sturdy and stupid at the same time.”

I don’t know about stupid, but stubborn is my middle name, and I am never dropping it. Never! They can do their worst.

I look her in the eye, making sure not only my words she gets to hear, but hopefully she can gauge the intensity of them and just take her husband along and their freaking deal and get the hell out of my face! “Even nothing, coming from you both, is too much given what you have put me through. Suit yourselves, but I, Ayana Salma, will not be traded like garbage for your own selfish gains. Once again, you have shown what kind of parents you are, and may the heavens forbid, I would rather die than treat my own fresh blood the way you are treating me.”

“You have to do it if you know what is good for you, Ayanna!” Father speaks as he makes his way from behind his wife.

His voice is raw, giving forth the gravity of how pissed off he is with my constant refusal to accept their madness.

“I know what is good for me. And this, my choice, my decision, is what is best for both me and my child.” I affirm, refusing to succumb to my father’s demeanor.

They have gone just too far this time around.

He nods his head, as if in agreement with my refusal. I was about to try and read his face, but, “Ahh!” I am on the floor with a broken cheekbone from my father’s perfectly launched slap, which I didn’t see coming.

Shieet! My whole face is burning, and...

“Mommy?!”

Shoot!

I forget the pain from my sore cheek and the tears streaming down my cheeks, and I jerk myself up from the floor, looking in the direction of my baby, who is running to me with teary eyes!

“Moommmy!” She cries louder as she falls into my open arms.

I embrace her. Hug her tight.

My solace. My only solace in this cruel world.

I shut my eyes, and for a moment, I forget these cruel souls in this room and just cling to my child as we both soothe each other.