A Week To Live

HOME NOT SO SWEET HOME

My fork dropped on the plate making a loud noice. The last bite of the meat ball churned after those words left Mrs Mendes's lips.

"I..What?"

"Yeah! Isn't that great? Oh- who am I saying? Of course you're shy right now, anyone would be. But, don't you worry-we are more that excited to take you as our daughter-in-law.."

My stomach did another summersault hearing those words. My visions turned blurry as I kept my eyes on the faces of my parents- guilt flushed over their eyes- and hatred in my heart. Never in my life I imagined I'll ever say out the words hate and parents together in a sentence.

I darted my eyes to Aiden. Regret, guilt, anger, disgust clouded his eyes. Both Henry and Jared kept quite- apart from Henry's occasional smirks. Cilia kept blabbering and my breathing kept getting ragged.

"Ex..excuse me" I ran towards the my room and shut the door sliding down the door, I hugged my knees to my chest as the dam broke letting the pool of tears fall. Marriage. Henry. Being betrothed to him. How? When? And most importantly, Why?

"Annie, little one- listen to me" Aiden knocked slightly on my door.

"Go away Aiden, just please, Go" I barely managed to say through my hiccups. But the door opened- didn't I just locked?

He smiled sadly "dad had your locks removed"

"Of course" I whispered as Aiden slouched beside me. "why? What did it went wrong? I never disobeyed. Is it because I am finally independent? I though he got over that phase-" I tried to say them out loud but nothing more than a whisper would leave my mouth.

Aiden cut me off as he stood up making me stand and wrapped his strong arms around me . but I stood still, my brain unable to respond. I laid my head on his chest until my eyes grew heavy.

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I woke up with a banging headache and sore eyes. The scenes form yesterday night began playing in my head. I walked up to the washroom and cringed at my reflection. My eyes were bloodshot red, mascara smeared all over my face. I quietly took a shower scrubbing my body as if it will clear all my thoughts until it was red. I washed my hair and pulled on baggy t shirt and a knee length leggings and went downstairs , the lump in my throat growing with each step I took towards the breakfast table.

"You barely ate anything last night, I made your favourite- chocolate pancakes and banana milkshake" mom passed me the plate with an apologetic smile. I don't know what clicked in me – I snorted sarcastically , the words leaving my mouth before I could even stop "Yeah thanks , Amber"

I never called my mom by her name . I loved calling her mom. Her smile dropped in a split second and everyone in the table went silent.

"Mrs Mendes was pretty upset with the act you pulled up last night- I think you shouldn't have done that. They are very genuine people so they invited you over lunch today. Do not miss"

"They'll live if I ditch Charles."

Now you could cut the tension with a knife. I became this new me overnight and the scariest part is I liked this. It's just like I switched my emotion switch off. I finished my plate and was about to leave when Aiden stopped me

"join me for a jog?" he eyes were so hesitant. I just slightly nodded my head and skipped upstairs to slip on my sports bra and tie my hair in a tight ponytail . finishing my job I went downstairs waiting for Aiden. He appeared from the stairs with a small smile. I returned him a tight smile and jerked my chin towards the door "let's get going"

He nodded pulling out a pair of headsets ,opening the door for me . I took a long breathe and want out . the fresh air hitting me, making me feel free, like a bird.

 Was my house a prison for me then?