Burned By Desire

Vanessa:

"Please, Dad... Please, don't make me do this." I pleaded with my father. My voice breaks, and my eyes suddenly become moist as I try to hold back my tears.

"It's been eight years, Vanessa. Eight good years. What makes you think you can just come back here and ask for money?" His words pierced through my heart, causing me to break down even more.

I feel a teardrop roll down my cheek as I continue to beg my father."I beg you, Dad... My little boy is lying helplessly at the hospital; he needs me now more than ever. I can't just abandon him now."

"Give me a break. He's not even your real son," he retorted.

"What!? He is a six-year-old with leukaemia, and all you could say is this? What about me, uh, am I not your daughter!?" I yell in resentment, my tears pouring freely now.

Elvis happens to be the son of my best friend. He might not be my biological son, but adopting him as my own was the slightest kindness I could show after all his mother did for me.

She was not only a best friend; she was more like a sister, and after her death, I made a promise to always look after her son. And now that he has leukaemia, I was willing to do anything to make sure he gets better.

"You made your choice when you decided to cut ties with your own family, Vanessa!" He yells back before sitting on a single-seater sofa, placing one of his legs over the thigh of the other leg and sipping from the drink he has in his hand.

"And you think getting married to Scot Greyson is the best thing to do?" I asked, sobbing.

I went down on my knees, both my hands pressed together to further portray my pleading heart to my father, who sat down in front of me with the slightest concern on his face. "Please, don't make me marry a man I do not love. I promise to pay back the money, but please don't make me marry him!" I begged.

He scoffed and went silent for a moment as he took another sip from his drink. This was not the man I used to know.

My father used to be a caring and overprotective man who would never refuse to grant any of my desires.

A man who was ready to go the extra mile just to make sure I was happy and satisfied. He was not the richest parent, but the endless love and support he showed were way more than anything a child could ask for. Where did all that love go? I ask myself.

"We both know you have no job. Come on, Vanessa, this is the only way you can repay me," he announced.

I tilted my head to the side where my stepmother, Shirley, was leaning against the doorway, her arm wrapped around her chest. I quickly ran up to her. "Please... help me talk to my father. He's just a little ki-"

"Don't you touch me!" She yelled and pushed me back, stopping me from touching her any further.

"Just look at yourself," she says after examining me for a second. I didn't realise that I had become a crying mess.

"Don't you have any shame? Coming back here after eight years. Do you think you can just waltz back in here and expect us to embrace you with open arms and give you whatever you asked for? No, that's never going to happen." She snaps, and I flinch from where I was.

I didn't expect her to be of any help since she was the reason I had left in the first place. Ever since my father married her, our home has been a chaotic mess, all because she wanted her daughter to get the attention of my father.

And by doing so, I was the scapegoat of her deceptive scheme, which left an everlasting crack in the relationship I had with my father. I couldn't keep up with the torture both she and her daughter made me go through; I had no choice but to leave after they successfully turned my father against me.

And even after eight years, he still dances to their tune.After I left, I'd promised myself never to set foot into this house, let alone ask for help from them.

But here I am, back at the very same house where I would presumably commit a felony just so I wouldn't get to enter.

At this point, I didn't care about how hurtful and deep their words might affect me. I was beyond vulnerable, and all I wanted was to save my little boy.

I didn't come back so they could welcome me back home, far from it. I wouldn't want to live under the same roof as my stepmother and sister.

"I gave you an option, Vanessa; it is left for you to decide," my father announced, his brows tightening as he hoped to get an answer.I shake my head slowly in disgust, tears still plunging down my eyes, making my vision blurry. I tried to wipe my eyes with the back of my palm, but the more I tried, the more it streamed down.

"But I can't do-"A buzzing sound shrouded the room, cutting me off from speaking any further. My father dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He raises his index finger before he slides the answer button.

"Yes ,Arthur?... Right now?... Alright, I'm on my way," I hear my dad say into the phone as he lowers his glass of wine on a drink table next to him and stands up from where he was sitting.

"Since you have nothing else to say, then I better leave. I have some business to take care of."He adjusted his suit, took some calculated steps to where his wife was standing, and kissed her on the forehead before starting to walk to the door.

My heart sank, and my legs suddenly became straitlaced as I watched my father twist the knob of the door.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as different thoughts commandeered my mind, sending a fresh wave of panic through me. He was the last hope of help I had.

I try to convince myself it is for a good cause, but nothing seems to ease the rapid beat of my heart.

"Wait!!!"

Vanessa:

My father turns to face me. I inhale deeply, letting my head hang low as I stare pointedly at the ground, hoping it opens up and lets me in to save me from this misery the universe bestowed upon me without much of a choice, but it didn't.

The next words that came out of my mouth were something that could change the trajectory of my life."I...I'll do it."

A smile plastered across his face as he sauntered to where I was standing.

I wiped my tears. "When am I getting the money?" I asked in a low voice.

"Don't you worry about that? I'll make a deposit when I get to the office, and I'll have Arthur take care of the rest right after the wedding," he clarifies.

"Wait, you're seriously going to give her the money?" My stepmother raised her hand, and my father turned to face her and nodded.

"Of course, you're going to give her. She always gets what she wants since she's the favourite daddy's princess." She mocks but earns a smile from my father in return."I'm sick of this!" she yelled and trailed up the stairs, leaving me all alone with my father.

"I can't believe you would make me do this," I blurt in disgust.

"This way we could both get what we want, Vanessa," he explains. "I would get to merge my company with that of the Greysons, and your so-called son will get his treatments. It's a win-win."

I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arm around my chest.What does he think I am? Using me as a bargain to expand his business.

It might have been one of his dreams to get investors such as the Greysons to fund his company.

But I have a dream of my own, and getting married isn't one of them, at least not at this time.He tried to cup my cheek with his hands, but I took a step back to isolate myself from his comfort.

He shot me a smile, knowing I was not happy with the decision I had just made."Sometimes, we have to make some tough choices not for ourselves, but for the sake of the people we love," he added before patting my back and walking away.

I didn't bother entertaining his words, but it left me grappling with questions I'll never get answers to.I took my time as I wiped my remaining tears and adjusted my dress before walking to the exit of the house.

Twisting the knob, I felt the door being pushed from the other end as it hit me slightly on my forehead, making me stumble backwards."Ouch!" I whimper in pain, stroking my forehead.

"Well, well. Look who we have here." A female voice draws my attention. I raise my head to see Helena, standing in front of me.

She looks better than what I remember. Her porcelain white skin stood out from the beautiful black dress she wore, which showed an inappropriate amount of cleavage the way.

Her honey-blonde hair was styled gracefully.

The cunning smile she shoots me could make even a security guard stand on higher alert."What are you doing here, you b***h?" She asked, her tone coming off rude.

"Why I'm here is none of your business. Now get out of my way," I say, giving her shoulder a nudge as I try to walk past her.

"I'm not done talking," she said, grabbing me by the arm and making me turn around. "Whatever your reason is, I don't care. We don't need you here; you are as good as dead to us," she spat, her words shooting venom at me.

I couldn't break down in front of her. That would make me look more pathetic than I already was.I opened my mouth to speak, but the sound coming from my phone beat me to it.

Sliding the answer button, "Hello," I say into the phone without checking the caller ID."Miss Vanessa Brown, we need you at the hospital. Your son, Elvis, is having a serious nosebleed," I hear a lady's voice say from the other end."What?" I exclaimed, "I'm on my way." I hung up. Immediately, I turned on my heels and left without saying another word to Helena.

She said something when I slammed the door behind me, but I couldn't care less, as I had more important things to take care of. My son needed me, and that's all that matters.

**********************************************************

Arriving at the hospital, I headed straight to the room my son was in, and on getting there, I saw my boy, Elvis, lying helplessly on the hospital bed.

I stood at the entrance as a nurse cleaned his face and changed his hospital gown, which now had some stains of blood on it."Mummy", he said weakly when his eyes landed on mine."It's okay; I'm here now, my love",

I replied, walking to the side of the bed and keeping my purse on the bed. I sat on the chair close to the bed. His long black hair has some strands falling to his forehead. His face was paler, and his blue eyes masked the amount of pain he was feeling.

F**k! I wish I could take that pain away.The nurse was done, and she turned to me. "The doctor will be with you shortly, ma'am," she announced, and I nodded in response.

I thanked her and watched her walk away.

Turning my head back to my son, I cupped his hand and kissed it. My eyes water, but I tried my best to hold back the tears forming at the fringe of my eyes."Mummy?" I looked up at him. "Am I going to die?" he asked.

His question pierced through my heart, leaving a hole in it. I burst out a sob as my eyes failed me, and the tears rushed down my cheeks."No love," I caressed his hair, "You'll be okay", I told him, kissing his hand again, and the tears from my eyes touched his hand.

"Don't cry," he said."I'm not crying," I lied, looking down to avoid his divine blue eyes.

The doctor walked in on us and cleared his throat before greeting me. I stand and wipe my tears, taking some steps away from the bed-away from Elvis and ready to take in whatever the doctor has to say.

He begins."The latest test results show that your son's leukaemia is rapidly progressing, and I'm afraid if we don't start chemotherapy anytime soon... it could get worse," he finished.

Even though I knew less about how threatening the disease he said Elvis had was, I could tell from his expression that it was nothing to joke about and I might have just made the right decision by accepting my dad's proposal.

I slapped my hand over my mouth as fresh tears trailed down my cheek. I heard my phone beep back on the bed Elvis was lying on, but I ignored it.

The doctor took a step closer to me and heaved a sigh. "Look... we are trying to give him the best possible care, but without chemotherapy, all our efforts will be futile," he informed me.

"I'm trying my best here, Doctor," I say weakly."I know," he said compassionately. He gave me a rub up and down my arm before walking away.

I heard my phone ring, but before I could wipe my remaining tears and walk to my bag, it ended.

I pulled out my phone and saw a missed call from my dad.

Checking my message-$500,000!!!

Vanessa:

It was finally the day of the wedding - my wedding.

My father had already met with the Greyson family, and they seem to have reached an agreement.

At least that, I believe; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting down, getting my face coated in foundation and mascara.

The Greysons are filthy rich, and they seem to make all the arrangements ready with just a snap of the finger.

The hired makeup artist took their time to do their work, and after what seemed like the whole day, I was finally ready.

I stared at the gigantic mirror right in front of me, and I was pleased with the outcome."You look adorable, ma'am," one of them said.

I looked over my shoulder and shot her a smile that didn't reach my heart as I mumbled, "Thank you." I took a deep breath in, and then out, as I stared at my reflection in the mirror one last time.

You got this.

I arrived at the church just in time as the music started to play on cue, and everyone stood up.

Their attention was focused on me and my dad, who walks alongside me.

I couldn't walk all by myself even though I wanted to. After all, I still have a father, and he has every right to walk me up the aisle. "You look divine," my father whispered, and I delivered a forced smile as we continued.

I shift my gaze to look up at the altar, and I find Scot's eyes locked on me.

His black suit fits perfectly, almost as if it was specifically singled out to be worn on occasions like this. His blonde hair was styled silkily. And I must admit-the man is beautiful.

We stopped at the front of the aisle, and my father handed me over to Scot, who slowly took my hand and helped me up as his eyes roamed over me with lust.

After what seemed like the whole day, the priest began with the vows, and I could only pinch myself from falling deep in thought as the priest spoke.

And right then, the moment I never thought would come anytime soon finally surfaced.

A feeling of nervousness creeps into my mind, my legs flutter and my throat suddenly goes dry as I hear the priest throw the next question."Do you, Vanessa Brown, take Scot Greyson as your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and to love, in strength and in weakness, to support and honour him for as long as you two shall live?"

I summoned every bit of boldness I had in me to suppress the voices in my head that screamed at me to say, 'No, I don't'. But then I reminded myself of the reason why I had gotten into this in the first place.

The hall was silent as seconds turned into minutes with everyone's eyes locked on me, waiting for me to speak.

I look at Scot and back at the priest.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before opening my mouth to speak. "Yes, I do." He threw the same question to Scot, and he firmly responded."In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

My heart rattled as I slowly looked up at Scot, and my eyes interlocked with his. I move my eyes from his lips to his piercing hazel eyes. His face was carved to perfection, almost as if it had been designed by a professional sculptor.

I stood motionlessly as he slowly leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. Shivers break down my spine as our lips touch. We separate after a few seconds as we hear the crowd cheer and applaud. His hand lingers below my back to help me regain balance.

I looked back at the crowd only to see my father with a grin spread across his lips, and next to him were two people: my stepmother, Shirley, and her daughter, Helena. It was supposed to be the most memorable day of my life, yet I feel disappointed, not at anyone but my father. I was a prospect to flourish his company. It's all he has always wanted, and I just made that dream of his a reality.

**********************************************************

Everything else went by so fast, and I noticed I've been deep in thoughts since tossing my bouquet to people I've never seen in my entire life.

I have no friends. Not since I lost the only one I had. And ever since then, I had not really been a fan of crowds - something about them makes me nervous - so I decided to sit back and watch everyone else enjoy the rest of the reception.

My eyes drift to see Scot talking to his father, Mr Mark Greyson, and his friends. I sip from the glass of wine I have in my hand and place it on a round table where I am seated - alone."Hello, Vanessa," a voice intrudes into my space. I turn to see my stepsister, Helena, taking a seat close to me. "Congratulations on your big day," she added.

"What are you doing here?" I responded as I raised my glass, ready to take another sip.

"I'm not here to cause any trouble; I only came to congratulate you." I roll my eyes. Like she does care."You did that; now you can leave." I take a sip from my glass again.

"Wow... Someone isn't happy even on their big day."

"And how are you supposed to know that?" I asked, getting irritated already.

She scoffed. "You, sitting all by yourself, explain a lot," she informed.

"Me sitting all by myself should pass the message that I don't need more people around me, so it's either you shut up or, better still, leave if you have nothing important to say to me." I spat.

I thought I had finally gotten some time away from people after countless failed attempts to sneak past Mr Mark Greyson from further introducing me to his confidantes, only to be stuck yet again with my step-sister."You know your father forced me to come to the wedding. Otherwise, I don't see a reason to come to a wedding based on personal gains and not love."

"Look, I don't have time for this. If you're not going to leave, I will," I say, standing up from my chair.

Helena and I had not always got along with each other. She's always wanted my dad to pay more attention to her than he does to me, and that was what led to the crises in my family.

Her jealousy made her mother, Shirley, do all she could to make my father turn against me, and by doing so, I decided to leave home.

I wouldn't blame anyone but my father, who decided to follow through with getting married to another wife after my mom passed away.

He had always said he did it for my own good, but I was never convinced he did.

Even though I loathed the idea of marrying his secretary, I accepted both her and her daughter with open arms just to make him happy.

I gulped the last drop of my wine, dropped the glass, and turned on my heels to leave since she refused to say something significant. I was centimetres away when I heard Helena speak up. "Why?"

"Why what?" I questioned as I turned to face her. Anger boiling inside of me already. She walked towards me to cover the gap between us."Why did you agree to this marriage when you know the kind of person he is?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"It is because of the money, right?" She blurts out loud enough for people close to us to hear.

"What?"

"Don't act like a saint now. You can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me," she said. "Oh, plea-"

"What the hell, man!!!" A familiar voice echoed as some glasses shattered to the ground, drawing everyone's attention.

"You bastard!!!"