Marriage for Debt only

At a young age, I experienced hardship, to be the child of people who have a lot of debt. There are many enemies. There were times when I struggled to find out and understand why people have so many problems, especially my family. To this day, as I grow up, I include my two siblings who are also struggling. I always ask my parents why we still have to borrow from so many people.

"Aren't you going to work?" I turned to Marla, carrying her child. I picked up the child so she could get ready for school.

"My shift is later tonight," I replied while still looking at my cute niece. I am twenty-seven years old, Marla is seventeen years old, she gave birth when she was sixteen years old. We didn't know who Mia's Dad was, my niece. One day, Marla came home crying and with her clothes torn. We asked her why, she also did not speak for several months until we found out she was pregnant and she admitted someone raped her. She didn't know who did it so we didn't go to jail and we also didn't have enough money to file a case.

My sister went through depression while she was pregnant with Mia. I made a way to find those devils that made her but our parents stopped me, they said karma will take care of it to whoever it is. I was angry at what they said, my heart turned away from my parents when I realized they didn't seem to know what had happened to Marla. My sister was injured, her life was ruined but it seems like they can't do anything or maybe they just don't want to. From then on, I paid for my siblings and Mia myself. I always make sure that my siblings and Mia have a good life even if it is difficult to earn money. I let Marla study again, it wasn't an obstacle for her to have a child to just stop studying. He dreams of graduating, and I also dreamed that.

"Ate, lend me this ah?" I turned to Mariz who was already holding one of my shoes, making sure her shoes were broken again. "I lost your pair of shoes," she added, still smiling. All I did was grin.

"Yes, you two hurry up and you might get late at school again. I'll take care of Mia, Marla. Just hurry up and go home later so I can go to work too." I smiled at the two of them and then they left the house.

I left my mother's house with my siblings and Mia. They were fine but I was tired of arguing every day when it came to money. They owe anyone but I am expected to pay that. I am also a human being, struggling and tired of what they want to happen.

"You stay here, okay? I'll just finish washing your clothes baby Mia." I put her on her bed and kissed her on the cheek. I'm not done with my laundry yet, the amount I still have to do at home. I will still clean before going to work.

As I was doing my laundry, I was stopped by the sensation of someone approaching. I slowly turned to our wooden gate and saw my mother carrying an eco-plastic. Even though I didn't want to stand up I was forced to do something to greet him.

"What are you doing here, Mom?" She frowned at my sudden question, pretty sure she's mad again.

"Are you that rude? You won't let me into your proud house?" Her tone is full of anger, I can't blame her either because of my behavior.

I stepped aside to let her pass, but she ignored me and entered the house voluntarily. I took a deep breath before following him. I had to restrain myself from what we were going to talk about again.

"Where is Mariz?" she asked. I wondered when I looked at her, why was she looking for my sister? Mariz is our youngest, sixteen years old and still in senior high school.

"She's at school, she will be home this afternoon." I went to the kitchen to get her something to drink. Surprisingly, Mariz is the only one she is looking for that Marla should be involved in, she always does it every time she comes here.

I handed her the water, then she took Mia who was still awake, I thought she was asleep when I came out. I just watched my Mom while Mia was playing. It's fun every time they face the child, we feel good but when it comes to the things they need, our dealings with each other will suddenly change.

"Please tell Mariz to come to my house, we'll talk."

"What for, Mom?" My polite but cold question. She suddenly looked at me badly, I was just asking. I know she didn't like me questioning her again, my sister is the one involved here so I should know.

"We'll talk, you're out of there." I clenched my fist and approached her to pick up Mia, maybe what else will happen to the child if we argue again.

"Will that be good for Mariz, Mom?" I really tried to hold back but I knew my Mom.

"What do you think of me, going to ruin my daughter? You haven't proven anything to us yet, Amanda, and if you act like you already have. Fix your habit, I didn't raise you like that!" I closed my eyes firmly, I asked well but if she could react she was defensive.

"Mom, I'm in charge of Mariz so I should know what it is. I take care of them, I can't be ignorant of what you're going to do to them."

"What will be done to them, Amanda? Is that really how you think of me, the way you think to your father or us? The one who did something bad to your sisters and to you huh? I'll take Mariz to you and we'll take care of it and support her in her studies! "

I shook my head, she should take my sister. I have a bad feeling about this. "Mariz will stay here, Mom. She won't come back to your house, she can visit but she's not allowed to go back there."

"Your arrogance. Oh well, tell her to go home. Don't bother to stop me because you don't matter to us anymore!" I bit my lower lip to hold myself from crying, after all, they really don't care about me anymore? Even though we are not in the same house, I still think of them. I sent all that they ordered.

"O-okay Mom, I'll tell her when she gets home."

"Just make sure, Amanda. You're so stubborn, you don't follow us anymore." I only nodded in response. I let her out of the house and I slowly sat down.

Am I so worthless to them, even though I am sacrificing my education to pay off some of their debts? Maybe that's how life is, no matter what you do people still criticize you wrong and what's even more painful, those people are your blood relatives. What else can I do if they are like that? Respect, because they are my parents but sometimes it's hard to give respect when you're the one who's having a hard time.

It's getting late so I arranged my things for work, I've fed Mia a lot and now she's sound asleep. It's only been an hour since the two of them arrived so I cooked their dinner as well. I always do it every night during my work shift. I also didn't have time to eat with them every dinner, so I just prepared something for them. So that after they eat they can immediately do what they should do as students.

I stood up when I heard the sound of the door, a sign that someone entered. Marla came in first frowning. "What's your problem?" I asked, I looked behind her when I saw that Mariz did not follow. "Where is Mariz?" my additional question, she looked at me obviously mad.

"Earlier while we were going out, we saw Mom, she was waiting for us and took Mariz. Mariz really didn't want to come but Mom was completely embarrassed in front of many people." I closed my eyes firmly, holding back again. That came from here before, I will follow her to tell Mariz to go to their house. Why does she even have to take Mariz to her school voluntarily? What does she really plan?

"I'll take Mariz now, you stay here." I would have turned my back when she stopped me.

"Don't worry, sister. Mariz will be back tomorrow. Just go to your work," she said. No, maybe they'll do something to Mariz. After knowing who they are, I don't trust them. "Go ahead. I'll just let you know if she's home here today or tomorrow."

I took a deep breath and calmed down, I had to go to work as well. I can't be absent today because there are big guests and we have to be good at work. "Text me right away when she comes home, okay?" Marla nodded in response.

Even though I'm not comfortable with what's happening and what Mom was up to before, I can't do anything right now. I have to work hard because the examination day of the two and Mia's birthday are also near.

"All right, I'll go first. Be careful here and then the windows and doors, lock them. Make sure, Mariz will come home tomorrow," I reminded her.

"Yes, I will surely do. Please be careful." I smiled at her and then left.

Exactly, a jeepney arrived so I got on right away. I hope I can always get on this fast so that I won't be late for work. There is a pay cut every time we are late and every one of those deductions is wasted on me.

When I got off, I immediately ran towards the restaurant I was attending. My job is as a waitress, the trip is two hours and my shift is sometimes night until seven in the morning and sometimes, morning to night. Depends on the events that happen at the restaurant.

"Stop running, we're not late." My friend Jenny stared at me, she was a cashier.

"So as not to miss," I replied to her and then pinched her on the side when I saw Marvin pass by, the only bodyguard our age in the restaurant. He was with Daniel, the man who had been courting me since I started here.

"Daniel has been waiting for you for a while, when will you answer him?" I ignored Jenny but I just looked at Daniel who was smiling at me. I'll admit that I also like him but I don't have time to have a boyfriend yet, my priority is for my siblings to graduate first.

"You, when are you going to answer Marvin? The stickiness of your look." I pointed at Marvin with my snout, Jenny's cheek showed that it was red.

The preparation has now started. Daniel came to my side and offered help but I refused since he had a lot to do also on his side.

"Do you know the guests?" I stopped when my colleague Joanah suddenly approached. Why is it asking me, I also don't know.

"I know, maybe super rich people." I didn't talk to her anymore after I answered her question, I went straight to my job of arranging tables.

"Do you need help?"

"Three - D-daniel? You again, I told you I can handle this." I averted my eyes from him when I saw his eyes smiling at me, one of the reasons I liked him too. His beautiful eyes.

"I'm sorry, if you need help I'll help you." I frowned and looked around, he had more to do than me but he was here to help.

"I can do it and then I'll be done soon, you have a lot more to do." I smiled at him. "Maybe later we'll be reprimanded here because we're talking, go ahead." I pushed him slightly and I immediately removed my grip on his chest when I felt a tremor. What was that?

"After that, can I invite you even if it's just for a walk in the plaza?" I'm not surprised every time he treats me because it's just repeated and I also repeatedly refuse it.

"Maybe on our day-off," I said and forced a smile. Honestly, I'm ashamed of him because I've always rejected him but I also know in myself that I have a plan to answer him, I just don't really know when.

"Tomorrow is our day-off, I'll pick you up. Don't say no, you just agreed." I flinched as it pinched my cheek, "you're cute." I bit my lip to avoid looking at him and just went back to what I was doing.

"I'll just finish this." I stuttered without looking at him, I also felt that he had left. I took a deep breath and calmed myself, as if I were a child when thrilled. But I still can't really answer Daniel even though I'm twenty-seven years old, I still have a lot to do on my own.

When everything was done with the preparation and the guest had already started arriving, we waitresses were also just on the side lined up. "A lot of handsome," whispered the one next to me. I ignored one of my colleagues because I didn't really care what the visitor's faces looks like or who are they were. I am here for my job not being fangirling.

"Amanda." I was immediately alerted when our Manager called me, she motioned for me to come closer.

"Yes ma'am?" My polite question. I looked at the man next to her in a tuxedo and obviously stuck, just face. "Good evening, sir." I bowed as a greeting and I also immediately stood up as I received no return greeting from the man. I went back to Ms. Lucy.

"This is Mr. Byron De Mevius, please guide him to their VIP table." I bowed.

I smiled at Mr. Byron, "This way, Sir." I stepped to the side and pointed the way, I thought he was going to speak or say thank you but he didn't even open his mouth, he just walked straight. Stuck, he doesn't even want to smile.

I was about to follow him when Ms. touched me. Lucy, "I heard he doesn't want women to approach him so be careful. I should order John but they also take care of a lot." I smiled at her to let her know that I could handle it. Many times, I have experienced this situation where the customer is stuck but just really trained.

"It's okay Ma'am."

When I got to their table, I heard the laughter of some of his companions, but he did not join.

"Bryan, when will your youngest get married?" I heard the old man ask. I just put their food on the table.

"We've found someone to marry her or even a surrogate mother so she can have a child," replied the rich man next to Byron. I didn't really know why I was listening to them talking, someone in myself said that I should listen. I do not know.

"Who's the lucky one to marry our youngest, Dad?" One of the young men asked.

"You know son, many owe us and even only one child of them can pay." I was suddenly stopped by their dad's answer.

"Whose family is that, Dad? Maybe they have a lot of daughters."

"The family of Amando Armani."

"Damn!"

"What the hell ?!"

Whose family? He mentioned my dad's name.

"Miss, be careful."

I heard it clearly, right? Our family? Oh shit!

"Amanda, what happened?" I was shocked to see Ms. Lucy's angry face. I turned to the people standing and they were looking at me, I also bent down to look at the broken plate. I swallowed twice and went down to pick it up.

"Damn it, stupid girl!" I know, it's Byron's voice but I don't know, I'm thinking about what his dad said earlier. What else did my parents enter? Is this another problem and what is marriage?

"Stupid, take this woman away from me."

"What's the matter with you? You broke Sir Byron's plate, you weren't careful."

I ignored Ms. Lucy. I understand why she is mad at me, but if I tell her why that happened to me earlier, will she understand? The answer is vague. They don't understand because they are not in my situation, my family is involved here. What I heard before, the mention of my Dad's name was the collapse of my world again. Debt? Getting married to pay off our family debt? For their son Byron to have a child, which is obvious from his previous behavior, it is no longer good. I can't agree, whoever they give Father to our siblings, I can't agree - wait, Mariz!

I don't know if many people are looking at me now while I am removing my uniform, I want to go home.

"What's going on? Your shift isn't over yet," Jenny whispered to me as she also helped me get dressed.

"I have to go home, I'll talk to my parents."

"How did this happen before, you might lose your job?" traces in her voice the worry. I looked at the person who had just entered the locker room. Daniel.

"I will accompany you," he offered. I shook my head, he couldn't be bothered.

"Your shift isn't over yet, I don't know if I'll lose my job after today. I need to talk to them now." I said and then turned my back on them towards our exit.

"Amanda." I stopped when I heard Ms. Lucy, I slowly turned to her and there was another trace of anger on her face. "I'm sorry, but you're fired."

I heard the breathing of my colleagues, I was no longer surprised. I knew this would happen with the little mistake I had made earlier. I will admit it hurts inside me that I was fired but I am reluctant to argue or even fight this job of mine, I am depressed. I have no energy right now.

"De Mevius is our best and biggest client, he is angry with you for what you did. It would have been okay if it was another customer but the De Mevius family is the one you sinned against even if it was small, they are a nightmare to many." I just smiled at what she said at length and then I nodded. Do I have a choice?

"Thank you, Ms. Lucy. And I'm sorry," I said and then turned to my colleagues with a smirk, refraining from crying in front of them. "Be careful and be organized so that you don't be like me. Avoid the name De Mevius."

I kept turning my back on them and when I came out, there I shed the tears I had been wanting to let out. My chest tightened, I was having a hard time getting into my mind what had happened. By my simple mistake, I lost something again. I will think about it again where I apply for a job. I wiped away the tears that were on my cheeks and then waited for the jeepney.

I was about to get into the jeep when it stopped when someone suddenly pulled over to my side, I looked at him in shock. I even watched him wearing his uniform. "D-daniel, what are you doing here?" I wondered.

"It's late and maybe you'll still be able to. I'll be with you." I frowned at what he said.

"Your shift isn't over yet, is it? Come back-"

"Will you come in or just flirt?" I looked at the woman who said, Daniel and I looked at each other before getting into the jeepney.

"Why did you follow?" I whispered.

"Don't worry, I said goodbye to Ms. Lucy and she agreed, she said she would just reduce my salary." I felt a headache when I heard those words from him, I knew a lot would be deducted from his salary then. I hope he just didn't.

"It's a waste of time, Daniel. I can go home alone."

"No Amanda, there's nothing you can do because I'm already here. It's dangerous on the road so let me take you." I was always bitten when he was so close to me, the few passengers were so close that I could feel the air from his mouth when he whispered and I wasn't happy with how I felt, I was nervous. But that shouldn't be what I think, I have an even bigger problem to face when I get off this jeep. So I let him do what he wanted.

When the jeep stopped and we immediately got off, he went first and then he helped me even though it was not necessary. I know their house is still far away and I don't know why he came down with me.

"You shouldn't have come down, you should have gone straight to yours." I stopped first to face him.

"I'll take you, Amanda. If I can, I won't go home until you're okay." I averted my eyes, he didn't know what was happening to me but I knew he could see something worse than what I was going through.

We also walked while talking on the road.

"That's just work. I can look for others." That's not true because it's hard to find a job nowadays.

"That's not what I mean, as long as you need sympathy for everything I'm just here. Not because I'm going to court you but because I want you to feel like someone else cares about you."

I want to hug him now, I want to pour into him the hardship I am going through in life.

I smiled at him when we reached the front of the house of my parents, the house was still lit so I knew they were still awake. "Thank you, Daniel. You can count on me to approach you if I need sympathy," I said. He smiled and messed up my hair. "Thanks for the accompaniment, be careful." He nodded and smiled even more.

"Just call me if you're going to cry," he said. I just nodded and then asked him to leave first.

I turned to my parent's house and kept knocking. Mariz opened it, and she was surprised to see me.

"Let's go home," I said immediately and grabbed her arm but I heard Dad's voice to stop us.

"What are you doing here, Amanda?" in his baritone voice.

"To get Mariz," I replied coldly.

"Here she will sleep, we have plans tomorrow."

My ears were touched by what he said so I stopped and turned to him. When I entered the house, I put Mariz in the back. "Stay here," I said.

"Where are you going tomorrow, Dad?" I asked boldly, he was obviously nervous because he couldn't look at me. I shifted my gaze to Mom who also looked at me badly, she was on Dad's side. "So, where are you taking Mariz tomorrow?" I asked again.

"Your sister and I are just going somewhere." I nodded at him, why not tell me where they were going?

"Are you going to Mr. De Mevius, Dad?" they looked at me in shock, I don't think they expected what I would say. "Is that right Ma, Pa? You're going to make Mariz pay off your debt to the De Mevius family?" I'm still calm but as I say that, I feel like I'm being crushed.

"H-how do you know that unrealistic news, Amanda? Why would we sell your sister?" They can't even look at me, they're still lying.

"Mom, why Mariz? She's young? Sixteen years old but you're going to use her to pay the debt? Are you still human to do that to my sister?!"

"Don't shout!" My Dad shouted back at me that he was about to slap me but he did not when Mariz pulled me.

I could no longer contain my anger at them and my tears, I swallowed first before facing them with full courage. "Mom, Dad. I let what you did to Marla then that you didn't pursue justice for what happened to her. I didn't fight against what you wanted, to just let justice disappear and until now Marla still hasn't achieved it. But now, Mom, Dad. I won't let you do what you're going to do to Mariz. "

I'm done with them, even though they're my family, I won't let them do it again with Mariz, it's too much.

"What are you talking about? Are you going crazy again ?!" Mom shouted so I laughed. Acting like she doesn't know what I was talking about. I looked at Dad who now had a look of anger on his face.

"You know Bryan De Mevius, don't you? You owe that family and the plan you're going to pay is for your daughter to make their son marry, am I right?" He can't look at me directly.

"Well, how much do you owe them so we can pay it off. Just don't use my sister, I feel sorry for you." I find it hard to pronounce those words, I am fainting.

"We can't afford to pay that amount, it's just the way we don't have to think about big debt, Amanda!" I was even more angry at what Dad said. Is this the way? To dedicate my sister?

"The family is looking for a wife for their youngest child or even just a surrogate mother so that their youngest can have a child. Amanda, this is the only way so that you won't have any trouble thinking about paying our debt-"

"Bullshit!"

I could no longer take what they were saying, I could already hear Mariz sobbing behind me. I find it even harder, they are the one who destroyed us.

"Bullshit! Are you really our family? Why are you like that? We used to be fine, you made us feel that you love us very much and how important we are to you. What happened? Just because of the debt, Because of the money, will you forget us? Mom, Dad! We are not puppies that if we are no longer your favorites, you will just give and sell, we are human beings. We are your children ... "

I was sitting on the floor when I could no longer bear what I heard from their mouths, I felt Mariz support me. "Let's go home sister," she whispered to me in a cracked voice. I swallowed and lifted my head to look at them again.

"How much do you owe, I'll talk to De Mevius." Dad shook his head as if my words were hopeless and ineffective.

"Two million, Amanda. And if we don't pay, you'll be affected. It's hard to talk to De Mevius, we don't want you to be affected either. They'll kill us, Amanda." I was almost depressed especially when I heard that, two million? Why are they in debt two million?

I took a deep breath and stood up, adjusted myself and faced them. I held Mariz tightly in her arms. I don't know if I'm going to do the right thing, maybe it's the right thing to do so as not to ruin my family, especially Mariz. She is too young for this.

"Is it enough if I marry their son?"

They fell silent and looked at me in shock while I still looked up at them.

"Sister," Mariz's voice cracked. "There's no need for you to be the one to sacrifice again." I turned to her without emotion.

"I also won't let you pay the debt that you have nothing to do with." I turned back to my parents who still can't seem to believe it.

"I will marry their son, Byron De Mevius."