Chapter 4 The way out

CHAPTER FOUR

Charlotte couldn't guess what her mum would say,she began thinking within herself,what could the news be? But she was unable to find an answer.

Mum,talk to me, what's the news? Charlotte became uncomfortable with the suspension her mum was giving

I made your favourite dish today, Grace said stretching her hand to give Charlotte a plate of her favorite dish.

Forgetting whatever she encountered earlier during the day, Charlotte jumped like a dog does after seeing bone.

Wow! Thank you mummy,Charlotte happily said

You're welcome my darling,you deserve it,Grace said smiling

Where is Dad? Charlotte asked suddenly after she couldn't see her Dad

Oh Dad? He's in his room,he has refused to come outside since we returned from work,Amelia replied

Huh why? Charlotte asked

We do not know, Grace said spreading her two hands as she eats

After they were done eating, Charlotte led them to Alfred's room where he was seen sitting upright on his bed with his head down.

Dad, what's wrong? Charlotte questioned

Why have you refused to come outside since? Amelia added

Sigh... Alfred breathed out like he was ready to remove a big object from his nose. He shifted to the edge of the bed where his wife and his daughters were sitting and signaled to them to sit down.

Grace,Alfred called out

Yes,my dear. Grace replied

After your daughters complained about the life they've been living the previous day,you pleaded with me to go and meet Oliver right? Alfred asked

Yes,I did. Grace affirmed as she adjusts herself and concentrated more

I went to Oliver to ask for help and he did accept to help me but he gave me a condition.

He said,if he would help us,one of his sons will be betrothed to Charlotte. Alfred added

With surprise in her face, Charlotte opened her mouth in disbelief and couldn't put her lips together again as she opened them wide and looked like she was startled.

Dad,I believe you didn't agree to that,did you? Charlotte asked

Oh no,you should agree. Grace cut in

What do you mean mum? I don't want to be sold out like that,I....

Charlotte halted her statement as she remembered what just happened earlier in the day.

Dad,is Charles Astor the owner of the mall where I worked the son of Oliver ,your friend? Charlotte asked as she was trying to figure out what was confusing her

Yes, Charlotte. Charles is the second son of Oliver and how did you know he is the owner of the mall you work in? Alfred stretched his hand out to ask thinking Charlotte already met Charles and they are in love already.

Dad,that bastard bullied me at the mall today. He harassed me. He let his guard roughly handle me like I was a slave. Charlotte said in a sad and broken tone

Mummy,you need to see how Charles mocked me for being from a poor family. I was on my own doing my work and suddenly his guard came to meet me and said Charles wants me. Charlotte explained

As I am ignorant of who the owner is,I rejected and continued my work but the guard suddenly carried me on his broad shoulder and took me to Charles. That was it Dad,he embarrassed and cursed my family because he told me he liked me and I turned him down. Charlotte added

I heard one of the lookers in the mall mentioning his name to be the owner of the mall and son of Oliver Aston. Charlotte concluded

Really Charlotte? Charles did this to you? Oh my goodness! Alfred said with frustration

Grace was left speechless because she was just about agreeing to what Oliver said and was ready to let her daughter go.

But Oliver's first son could be different. Grace suddenly said

Harry? Alfred asked

Yes,he is a very good and gentle man,he wouldn't dare do something like that. Grace encouraged

So are you saying... Amelia cut in as she covered her mouth swallowing the rest of her words

Yes,my dear. There you go,we should agree to Oliver's condition. Harry would be a perfect option for our daughter and as a result we will get rich too. Grace said as she smiled

Mum, are you serious? I should get married to the elder brother of a beast like Charles. If Charles can be this bad, definitely Harry will be worse. I'm done with this discussion. Charlotte angrily said as she stood up and walked out of the room.

In disappointment, Amelia stood up slowly giving her mum a murderous gaze as she walked out too.

These kids do not understand a bit of the benefits we would get if Charlotte gets married to one of Oliver's sons. Grace thought in her mind and she secretly glanced at Alfred sitting just beside her lost in thought of what to do.

Oh you really won't accept this huh? Alfred you won't accept this offer right? I knew it,I knew I was wrong to have married a wretched man like you. You just walk your ass around the house to give excuses and leave me starving. You're just a good for nothing husband with no promising future. Grace said as she yelled at Alfred and jumped like a dog wagging his tail, pointing her hand at Alfred as if she would dig his eyeballs out.

You good-for-nothing husband,I regret ever having you as my husband,psst. Grace hissed and angrily snapped the bedsheet from Alfred as she covered herself and slept.

The whole house was as silent as a graveyard after the incident and only Alfred was left awake sitting still on the edge of the bed as numerous thoughts ran through his mind.

I think I know what to do,he said to himself as he pushed himself backwards on the bed and slept off.