Compelled

1: In which disaster strikes.

''Breaking news today at this early hour comes in the tragic fall of well-known business man, Mr Dan Miller. Said business man was seen in and out of multiple casino's in the course of the last month running himself into debt. A huge amount of money, the exact amount unknown to the press yet, has been constantly borrowed-'' I angrily switched of the television since the voice of the short petite and familiar news reporter felt like it was drilling a hole into my head.

Awoken by the insistent ringing of my phone at seven a.m and attending to the call of my worried friend, Liana, instructing me frantically to turn on the news. She had never called me so early unless it was guy problems or something terribly serious. Which it was.

My dad, Dan Miller, is- I guess was- amongst the top five leading business men in the state. I knew something was up with him when I visited home after work at the medical centre last month. He was unusually snappy and smelled of alcohol. My mother said that it was work but didn't elaborate any further and I assumed she didn't know much.

Articles regarding the sighting of him in clubs and casino's were frequent in the few weeks that had passed. My mother and I tried speaking to him but it was of no use. He yelled at us saying he knew damn well how to manage his finances. Well, I guess not.

I stared blankly at the rectangular screen that hung from the wall. Knowing my dad, he didn't have a back up plan so he was basically screwed. It wasn't like him to be so reckless and careless. He had convinced me since I started my training for the medical centre that he'd help invest and grow the accumulated earnings of mine to reap more. My salary was deposited into my account which I had joined to his two years ago.

As a starting of nurse in training, the pay wasn't enormously huge but it was decent if not a little over that. Last week, the account was drained of its contents and I had asked him the reason for doing so to which he'd said he had found a really good investment policy with great returns. He is my father so naturally I trusted him but now I knew where all my hard earned money went.

My phone buzzed again and I glanced at it, seeing Ian's name on it. ''Hey, I just heard the news. Are you okay?'' Ian, my boyfriend of two months, asked worriedly. I didn't understand why I was being asked if I was okay.

I was independent and as far as the cash issue between my father and I no one else knew. My fathers financial melt down may only effect my image with me being his daughter but not my living. I'd live decently off my salary so it didn't make sense. This wasn't about me but my father.

''I'm alright. I've seen the news too and I best be on my way to my parents. I'm sure some support would be necessary in these difficult times. I shall call you later.'' I said politely before disconnecting the call.

Ian and I met at a bar and instantly hit it off. I was working there as a weekend thing and he came In for a bite. He shyly asked for my number and called me the very evening. He was polite, gentle and so cute. His blue eyes were the lightest I've seen but it paired amiably well with his dark brown hair. I didn't possess the deepest of feelings yet for him. We were just still at the 'getting to know you' stage. Ian was completing his training in engineering this year and he too, like me, started pursuing a career later than normal.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face and sluggishly walking to my closet, not bothering to shower since I had done so the night before, I threw on a pair of dark blue jeans and a grey chiffon blouse. My long red hair, something I got from my grandmother, was all thick and in unruly tangles. It took me a good five minutes to comb and tame the mess every morning on days that I was lucky. Throwing some flats and a small sprits of perfume, I dashed out of my apartment.

The drive to my parents wasn't long since they lived not too far away from me. I pulled up into the black iron gates that security guarded to avoid the many people who gathered outside from entering. When Wayne, the tall security guy that knew me, saw me he instantly opened the gate for me while the others created a human barrier between the people and the entrance. I didn't bother parking my car where it usually does when I visit but switched off next to the swanky new two door Ferrari that I knew wasn't my fathers.