Marry me

(ANNA)

I was hearing different voices in my sleep. I rolled on the bed, uncomfortably. I opened my eyes and sat up. "Ah!" I mumbled, touching my head. It felt like an army of soldiers is marching in my head.

I wore my slippers, stood up, and stepped outside. My eyes almost got out of their sockets when I saw the mob of people in front of our house. It looked more like they were protesting.

A short, old man pushed my mum before I could raise a question. It was too late to prevent her from falling. Everyone widened their eyes and waited to hear a thud but it was not as we expected.

Mrs. Mary, the woman from the previous night jumped out of the crowd and came to her rescue. That was fast.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief after seeing she was safe.

"What the hell are you doing, old man?" My father asked, pointing fingers at the old man angrily.

"What do you expect me to do when you and your family have brought nothing but bad luck to the village?" The old man retorted, his veins almost coming out due to his anger.

"Bad luck? How can you say such when we just got here? We haven't spent up to 24 hours," My father said, holding my mother who has embraced herself due to the shock from the push. I felt for my mother at that moment. Why are bad things happening to us?

Instead of an explanation from the villagers, they all threw the papers in their hands to our faces. I picked one of them and lo and behold. We brought bad luck into the village indeed. It was a letter to notify them that the government will be coming to demolish all the houses in the village because they want to make use of the land.

My parents saw the shock on my face and they also read the letter. My mom's body shook after reading it and she fell to the floor. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and the scene from the previous night came back. Yes, I was sure I saw Derek Hunter when I opened the door. "Derek!" I shouted and opened my eyes, widely. My mom who was already crying stopped crying and looked at me with questioning eyes.

I helped her up and after giving a reassuring smile. "We are so sorry and we promised to do something about it. Nothing is going to happen to your homes. Please go and prepare for today's activities. Everything will be sorted before you all get back from work," I explained. They hissed and dropped the papers in their hands one after the other while leaving.

My parents and I went inside and locked the door. "How can you say that? Do you even know anyone in the government?" My mum asked as soon as we got inside.

"Mum, it is not about the government. I don't know the government but I know someone who can stop all this madness," I let out, settling on the couch and letting out an invisible puff.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Derek Hunter. That mad guy you slapped before we left America. I am sure he is the one behind this. I saw him. He came here last night," I explained.

"What! No! I won't allow you to kneel before him," My mum said, standing up and putting her hands on her waist. I glanced at her weakly and also stood up. At this juncture, we can't be selfish. A lot of people's lives are involved at this moment. Their means of livelihood and their place of abode. We can't allow the villagers to lose that because of my ego.

I held my mom's arms and placed my head on her shoulder. "Mom! Remember this is not about us but about the villagers. They are about to lose their shelter because of me. Remember what happened at the market yesterday? He was also the one behind it. He is a psychopath. Someone like him won't stop unless he destroys me," I said, tears streaming out of my eyes. To be honest, Derek had done enough. I don't mind licking his feet while begging for his mercy. I can't afford to see my parents in so much pain. My mum is becoming miserable but she doesn't want to say it because she doesn't want me to feel bad.

She held my hands and made me stand in front of her. She smiled sadly and kissed the back of my hand. "Thanks, my angel. Thanks for doing this for us," She said. Her voice was shaky and it was sending shivers down my spine. I looked at my father and he also nodded his head and gave me an assuring smile.

"Okay, I will go and look for....," I was about to set out to look for him when a voice interrupted me. I recognized the voice immediately. Though we haven't spent so much time together but the little time we've spent fighting together is enough to know him. Speaking of the devil, Derek walked in and said, "You don't need to look for me. I am here for you,"

We turned and found him standing beside the door. He had a teasing smile on his face and was dressed in a black tuxedo. For some seconds, I forgot he was also a student like I am.

Our eyes were glued on him. We were dumbfounded to find him here at the right time. I wouldn't have challenged him if I had known he had this kind of power and connection to deal with anyone the way he did with me.

He settled on the couch and jolted us out of our shock. "Is this how to treat a guest?"

I folded my arms, hissed, and went to sit in front of him. "Derek, I am sorry," I said, rolling my eyes and he laughed.

"Do you think I will accept that as an apology?" He asked and I had the urge to smack him but sadly, I have to control my urge. I just want to get everything over and done with.

"Oh! I forgot I am supposed to cry while asking for your for....," I tried to talk but my mum tugged the hem of my blouse, signaling to me to stop talking. I shut my eyes shortly and opened them.

"Okay.," I said with a heave and knelt on the floor. "I am sorry, Derek. Please forgive me and go with your troubles. I don't want to have anything to do with you and I promise not to meddle in your business," I apologized sarcastically but that idiot wasn't looking at my face. He was busy playing with his phone and smiling like an idiot. I got angry and hit the table in front of me.

He raised his head slowly and said with a frown, "I wasn't paying attention to your apology. Apologize again,"

I wished I was a werewolf at that moment. I want to jump on his face and recreate his face with my paws. I scoffed and stood up.

"Oh! You can't do that anymore?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. He stood up, tucked his hands into his pocket, and walked around the house. He opened the room one after the other like a king. I wanted to stop him but my father held my hand, signaling to me not to get on his bad side. I can't believe my parents are now scared of him. I jerked my hands away and slumped on the couch angrily.

"You don't have to beg me. No! I don't need your apology anymore. I want something else," I heard him say and he sat on the dining chair. He carried the jug on the table and poured little water into the glass. He had a gulp and stared at me with a mischievous smile. My heart skipped at his smile. I knew a disaster was about to happen and it can't be stopped even if I wanted.

"Marry me," He said and the room fell silent.