Forced Marriage

Chapter 5

Marcus

On my way home I could only think about what Catalina had said. I have always blamed God for a choice that my mother probably made.
As soon as a step inside my house, my mother that is sitting on the sofa smiled at me.
"Mother we need to talk. " She tapped the space next to her. I made my way there and sat next to her putting my arm around her. " I have to ask you something. Why do you stay with my father? I have always blamed your religion for it.. but is that why you stay?"
She looked at me surprised, but even that didn't falter the smile on her face. Her brown hair was tied in a bun and her green eyes that mirrored mine looked at me with so much love. She put her hand on my face.
"No my sweetheart. I stay because... I don't know if you remember when you were younger and I wasn't home and your father beat you so bad that you needed medical attention?" I nod. " Well I had run away that day, I was preparing a house so I could go get you to take you with me but your father came home earlier that day and found out. He said that if I ever left he would kill you so I never did. " I felt my anger rising.
"Mom I'm not a child anymore. Why do you not leave him? We can kick him out!" She caressed my face.
"Because my love I don't know where he has a gun hidden in this house and I don't want you getting hurt. Maybe I'm just not brave enough, but I rather take his anger than seeing him hurting you." Tears started pooling on my eyes, my mom was already crying as I embrace her. I have to find that gun and kick him out for good.

Sunday came fast. And here I am getting ready for church. I didn't even know what to wear. She said it was a different type of church, so I decided on black jeans and a button up shirt. My curls are neatly arranged on the top of my head, since the sides are shaved. If I didn't have my beard I would look baby faced. I chuckled.
I step out of my room, my mom is already waiting for me outside my door. She has a knee length navy blue dress on. Her brown hair with loose curls in the ends and natural makeup. She looks beautiful. My mom is the reason I don't go out much with girls that trow themselves at me. Cause my mom always told me, that a woman that doesn't respect herself will never respect her husband. I'm no Saint but for a serious relationship I want a serious woman that I can count on. Someone like Cat. What am I thinking?

We arrive to the church. I honestly didn't expect a building this big, but it definitely doesn't look like a traditional church. They have so many screens, cameras and people look excited, some look sleepy but well not everyone is used to wake up early on a weekend.
I see a petite woman approach us.
"Hello. My name is Mariana. I am part of the staff here. Are you two here by Cat's invitation?" I am surprised that she prepared something for us since I never told her we would be coming.
"Yes. Good morning my name is Marcus and this is my mother. Can I ask you something?" She nods with a smile. " I never told Cat we were coming, or that I would bring anyone... How did she know?"
Her smile widened. " Well Cat is a very sweet person, she told us that she invited you and she hoped you would bring your mother with you. So she asked for two spots to be reserved. She also gave me a description of you." I am surprised to say the least.
" Is she here? I would like to introduce her to my mom." Her smile faltered a bit.
" Unfortunately she is part of the worship team, she does everything that is needed to be honest, but she will be seated next to you after that." She signaled us to follow her and seated us in the forth row in the middle, we had an amazing view from the stage and I have to say this place is huge!

After a while music started playing and got to say even it being worship music it was awesome I have to admit you would never see this on a "normal" church, it's amazing how people are pumped and singing and jumping it's like a concert but instead of them being here for the band they are here for God! I can't believe what I'm seeing. Everyone is so friendly as well like family. I look to the right and there she is.. her smile so wide as she sings along, she is wearing a green shirt almost the same colour as my eyes, with some black slim jeans and black heals. Her brown hair flowing as she moves and a natural makeup. This woman is gonna be the death of me, more than my head problem!

After the worship everyone sat down and moments later Cat made her way to us, she sat next to me smiling. I smile at her.
" Well hello there! How is it going so far?" She said. Damn this woman.
"Hi Cat. This is my mother. Mom this Catalina the girl I told you about." They said hi to each other, my mom actually moved in front of me to hug her and I smiled at them. I could get used to this. " Answering you question, it's going nice, not what I expected but the most important part is yet to start. I just hope it's not really boring." I chuckle. She looks at me and smiles.
"Get ready to be surprised".
And Jesus was she right. Pastor Michael was awesome he kept it real, I found out that he was addicted to porn, manipulative person and even cheated on his now wife. I got to say with a pastor like that, that had a real life and made mistakes and grew from all that to became a Pastor is something else, cause you can actually relate.
There was a part where he was talking about the people that we should be surrounded by and said that if God says something to you and even you parents don't agree sometimes we have to go against their will, and I saw Cat looking at a couple that was in the row in from of us. The woman was almost the same as Cat except her hair was blond. They were her parents for sure. The woman was talking to a youth guy and seemed to be trying to please him with everything she said. Bad vibe. Is all I have to say. And for some reason I think he is the reason of the sad look she had the moment she looked at them. So me being me I decided to ask.
"Cat" I look at her and she seems surprised I talked.
"Yes? Are you bored? Do you not like it?" I smiled at her to which she returned.
"No, I like it he is very relatable. I was wondering cause that couple are probably your parents so who is the guy sitting next to them?" Her smile fell off her face to be replaced by a sad look.
"My fiancé" I was taken a back by that.
"You don't look very happy about that?!" She gave me a sad smile.
"It wasn't my choice." It's all she said.
It's 2021 and this beautiful woman is being forced to marry someone that she doesn't want to? How does that still happen? I wanted to ask more questions, but as I was about to a felt my mom's hand in my arm, I look her way and she shakes her head as if telling me not to do it. I sight and nod.