Chapter 5 Marriage wins

Ahh, Fridays.

A day to chill with friends in clubs or wild places and have fun till dawn, according to my roommates in college. Except, I wasn't the social type. I just preferred to watch horror movies while having a huge bowl of ice cream. Weird I know, but I liked myself this way. Normal seemed boring to me, especially when normal put 'chilling' and 'wild places' in the same sentence.

I felt great. I did what I had been wanting to for months, and I was finally going back home. I knew what that meant. I knew that the moment I called Mr Louis it meant I accepted him. But hell, no more looking for jobs, no more fighting to stay in a house I didn't own. All of that ended.

Taking my last suitcase from Ava's place, I went down the stairs of the building. I called dad already and he was more than happy to send a car for me. The things parents do for obedient children.

"You don't have to go all the way down Ava," I turned my head to look at the green-eyed beauty. "I'll be fine I promise."

"Don't go," she begged, eyes widened. I raised my head up to see someone come down the stairs and I moved forward, moving away from the entrance.

"Come on, it's not like I'm going to jail or anything." I turned my face back to look at hers.

"But you're giving up," she held my arm and turned me to face her just as we reached the bottom of the stairs. This was the first time she had such an expression. She was usually joyful, sometimes more than necessary. It bothered me. "That's not you Isa." Ava continued.

"Well sometimes certain things happen, things we can't control. And I think it was high time I just accepted it," my head tilted to the right as I spoke. I was exhausted, I couldn't sleep because of my shift and what I wanted wasn't what Laura's house could give me.

"Fine, but I'm only letting you go because you look exhausted," she slowly let my arm go.

"Thanks, Ava," I slid my arms around her and squeezed. "You're the best."

"I know," she whispered, gently squeezing back. I caught a whiff of her rose-scented perfume; she always smelled so lovely. After a moment, she released me and placed her hands on my shoulder. "Text me if you need help with your other plans," she offered before stepping away.

I smiled, she really was my friend. "I will," I turned around and headed towards the car. The journey was not going to be an easy one, and I was not referring to the one I was taking home.

And hopefully afterward my life will only get better. By now I was already in the car, I turned to Ava one last time and waved. And then, "Take me home, Sir." I instructed the driver and shut the door.

"Yes, Miss," said the petit driver. And then we started moving.

*~**~**~**~*

"Mmm, so good," I said with half a burger still in my mouth. I had told him to stop somewhere I could grab a bite. Thankfully, dad gave him a new card so I could get a thing or two on the way. I had to admit, he knew his daughter so well. I took another bite of my crispy chicken sandwich and then...

Bliss...

It was going to take about four hours to go from Madison Square Garden to Newport. I had to stock up on supplies. I turned my head to look out the window. Dad must have called whoever it was that I accepted his marriage offer. After eight months of waiting I wondered what he would think of me. A spoiled brat who tried to fight her way into freedom... A stupid girl who chose freedom insead of poverty... There were so many possibilities.

My heart skipped a beat. I had hoped to get married right in order not to end up like my mother did. My mum was my best friend. We would talk about everything, watch movies, play together. She was always happy when we were together. But all I could remember when I thought about her was the way she was rolled out of the house, lifeless. It broke something in me.

Dad told me she took drugs and ended her life but I couldn't accept it. I couldn't believe the person I loved the most left me, abandoned me. She was never fully happy with her marriage and I could see it, everyone could. So I told myself that I would never get married unless I found someone who would look at me with eyes as loving as my mother's, but it all went south.

Guys these days just have one intention, to get what's under our skirts. I'd just have to make a deal with Uncle Joe's son. I didn't want much from this marriage. I'd been in just two relationships and I got cheated on, twice. But it was my fault, if I never caught them cheating, they wouldn't have left me. Everything would have been fine. This time, I just had to be more careful with him. It was easy to leave a college relationship but marriage was another level. I had to make sure no matter what, he wouldn't end the relationship and leave me stranded.

Even if there was no love, there had to be mutual understanding. The car kept moving and after a long drive, I was back in the driveway of my dad's house. I took a deep breath as the gates opened and the car passed the entrance. Finally, home.

I opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle.

Time to face my demons.