2 Voluntary mess

One week later...

I twist my key into the lock and enter my house with six huge shopping bags in both my hands. I put them down on the nearby and see my parents waiting for me and the dinning table. I signal them saying I'll be back in two minutes. I dial Amy's number and pace into my room.

"What the fuck did you buy?" I yell as she picked up.

"I was sad!" she whines.

"So you bought the entire store? Bitch, you have to get over this break up!"

"Easy for you to say. Dylan and you are still in good terms and then you met this hot guy kissed him and are now friends with him. What was his name again?"

"Nathan Walsh. He has a girlfriend, it's not going to happen. But, seriously you have to get over your break up and if I find you drinking in a pub again I am not going to pay your bill and leave you there to do the dishes."

"You are the worst best friend ever!" she whines.

"Just listen to Victoria Greene's songs, you'll feel better. I'll tell Zack to come over there with chocolate ice cream!" Victoria Greene is our favourite pop star, she is famous for her break up songs. Her songs helped me during my break up.

"You are my true love!" She cooes on the other end.

"I love you too. Pick up your stuff tomorrow! Bye!" I smile and hang up the phone.

"Come on, sweetie" my mom says, "We are waiting!"

"Oh okay!" I pull out a chair and sit.

"So..." my dad starts as my mom serves me food, "I have got news."

"Really? What?" I say as I eat food.

"Ummhmm," my mom clears her throat, "We have decided something."

"What?"

"We are collaborating with the Walsh' business." My dad answers.

"That's great!" I say, "Good for you."

"Uh, and it is good for you too!" my mom chirps.

"Uh, how's that?" I look at hr speculatively. Do they want me to join their business as Nathan does? I am already prepared to say a firm no.

"So, a week ago, Robin suggested that we can do a sort of arrangement where our businesses can collaborate and you and Nathan can get together!" dad looks at my hesistantly.

"Come together, how?" I do not like this conversation.

"You know how you see merger happening and breaking all the time, right?" my mom starts, "Well, Robin said if this merger is supported by your marriage with Nathan then it would build a good foundation."

Marriage? Did I hear her correctly? No! Of course not! She has got to be kidding. I open my mouth to say something but my mother beats me to it.

"At first I found it ridiculous as well, but then after meeting Nathan, I really liked him. And honey, the market is very tough right now this merger is important."

"Wait a second...Did you already say yes?" I ask my dad. He looks at me apologetically.

"Oh I don't believe you!" I get up and leave the table and take my plate along with me. I run into my room. Agrhhh!! I am so frustrated. I throw the pillows on the floor and bury my head into the bed. Oh God! I don't believe my parents!! They are the worst people in the world! They are trading me!! They are freaking trading me!!

I felt so suffocated. I have to leave... I need to go. I take my wallet and mobile and leave without even looking at my parents. I hate them so much. I find a lone park and sit on one of its benches. I take my phone out of my pocket and search through my contacts. Should I call Amy? No, she's already so upset with this break up, I probably shouldn't burden her.

I can't believe my parents were ready to trade me for business. Tears emerge in my eyes but I hold them back. But then it struck me, Nathan already has a girlfriend, there is no way in the world he would say yes to this proposal. But then again, what if his parents had already discussed it with him and he had said yes. I hug my knees and curse my existence. After a while my phone rang. It's an unknown number. I pick it up.

"April Grey?" a voice asks on the other side of the phone.

"Yes?" I answer, "Who is this?"

"I'm Robin, Nathan's father."

"I know you."

"Andrew told me what happened, and child I understand that it would be a shock to you. But, I want you to come and meet me in my office once."

"Will my dad be there?"

"No, just you and me." he says, "Can you come right now?"

"What is it about?"

"Well, to put it precisely, it's about some numbers. You have done business management, you'll understand as soon as you come."

"Alright, I'm coming." I say and hang up. I take a taxi to his office. He calls me in as soon as his assistant tells him.

"Good evening, April!" Robin smiles at me, "Please sit."

"Evening," I say as I sit, "Why did you call me?"

"As you already know, I proposed the deal of collaborating the business and yours and my son's marriage. Now let's talk about numbers." he passes a file across the table to me and relaxes in his chair. I look at the file. Wow! These are some heavy numbers. His company sure is powerful.

"So? What do you think?" he asks.

"I have one question." I lift my head.

"Shoot."

"If you are this powerful, why do you want to collaborate with my parents and destroy my life?" I bitterly end the sentence.

He looks at me and laughs, "Kid, you have no idea how good it feels to have power. And when, if ever, you are in my position there will be only one thing on your mind. To expand this power."

I look at him with wide eyes. What the hell!! He is ready to destroy his son's and my life just for power.

"What if I say no?" I ask him.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice!"

"Yes, I do!" I protest, "It's my life!"

"No, you don't. Because if you say no, I'll destroy your father's company." he threatens me so comfortably.

"What?" I gasp.

"Yes kid! You see, I don't like competition. I like to dominate. Your parent's company is my competitor. You should be thankful you are given a choice. Otherwise I would just crushed them."

"What about Nathan? He is your son!" I say.

"I am not discriminating, child. Like you he won't have a choice too."

"But he has a girlfriend!!"

"Do you think I care? Look, child, the decision is yours. Either you let your parents collaborate with me and marry Nathan or you can watch me crush your parents."

I sit there without saying a word. I forget to talk, I forget to breathe.

"You have it till tomorrow morning," he gets up and opens the door for me. I get up and move out. I walk my way back to my house. When I reach, my parents try to talk to me but I just lock myself inside my room.

In the morning, after a lot of thinking all night, I approach my parents.

"Okay," I say to them, "I have made my mind!"

"Regarding what, honey?" my dad asks me.

"I have no problem in marrying Nathan." I gather all my courage and say.

"Really?" my mom says delightfully.

"Yes!" I say half heartedly.

"I'm so happy! I'm sure Nathan is the best match for you!" my mom squeals and hug me.

I hug her back and hold back my tears. Oh my dear mommy, you have no idea why Robin is doing this. He is just showing mercy on you. Shortly after, my parents leave for work. I sit in my room and hug my knees when I hear a knock on the door. I get up and open it. As soon as open the door someone pushes me against the wall.

"Nathan!" I gasp. Nathan looks down at me furiously.

"What the freaking hell are you trying to do?!" he yells at me.

"I-I" I try to say something but nothing came out of mouth.

"ANSWER ME!" he yelled.

"My parents wanted me to do this." I managed to say.

"SO?"

"I did this b-because..." I stutter again.

"You know what, I'll tell you why you did it!!" he released me and I breathe again, "You did this because you are FREAKING GOLD DIGGER!!"

"What?!!" I say, "No, no, Nathan I'm not--" I am cut off by his furious, dark, green eyes. He pace closer to me and I squeeze my eyes shut.

"Look at me!" he orders and I obey, "You are going to say no as soon as your parents come back!! Do you understand?!!"

"No." I look down and whisper.

"What did you say?!"

"No," I say a little louder. I am not going to let someone ruin my parents.

Nathan gives me a death glare. He looks like he could kill me right now,it scares me a bit but I have no choice. His father left me with no choice. He groans in frustration and then leaves. Oh my God, why is this happening?!