Forgotten

Chapter 18

Another couple of months had passed. I've been spending as much time as I could with Jacin. His apartment has become my safe haven. Even when he is at work, I come here and wait for him. We have become home bodies. We don't go out as much as we use to. We prefer cuddles in front of the TV or afternoon naps on the bed. One of my favourite things to do is to cook with him. I like that it's something we can do together. Adrian and I have become friends since I'm always over there and she has fallen in love with my food. She and Liara seem to hit it off too. Adrian is studying to be a lawyer, but in the meanwhile she works three campus jobs to pay her tution. As for her name, she was supposed to be Adrianna, but her father got distracted when he registered her birth and only filled in Adrian. Her mother loved her goofy scattered father and decided to keep it like that. Adrain swore she would change it, but after her dad died she couldn't do it.

As for my birthday, we had a blast. We all decided I'd have an early birthday weekend since my dad has plans for my actual birthday and none of my friends are allowed to attend. We were talking about it at school and everyone was bummed that we couldn't party until Mika offered up her family cabin by the lake. She said we could go for the weekend. So we arranged everything. Mika, Zielle, Liara, Adrian, Jacin and I went down to the cabin for the weekend. Friday was a chill day since we only got there late at night. We had stopped on the way to get dinner. When we got there, we started a fire and all of us just cuddled up around the fire. Saturday was amazingly fun as we spent most of the day on the lake. Mika's family has a boat and jetskis. I wasn't brave enough for the jetskis so I mostly sat on the donut that was dragged along with the boat. Of course, after a lot of convincing, because Liara had made me watch Lake-based movies the week of the birthday weekend. Which included placid lake and shark night. I was honestly to terrified at first to even go near the water. When the night came around, we had planned to make some burgers and hang by the fire. It didn't go like that. Zielle had decided to invite a bunch of people over for my birthday party. It was a huge party. I was worried about the party. I was worried that the drunk idiots would drown or set fire to the surrounding trees. Mika didn't care. She wasn't a fan of the place. It was too cold. She is the image that pops up when you Google spoiled. In the end, I stopped worrying and started to just enjoy myself. After a couple of hours, Jacin had led me away, saying that he had a surprise for me. He had planned this thinking we'd have some time alone, since he didn't know about the party either. He led me to near the lake where he had set up a picnic blanket with battery-operated fairy lights. In the middle of the blanket was a birthday cake. He had made it himself using one of my video recipes. It was cute for a moment and then it got hot as I licked icing of his lips. We had hot outdoor s*x under the stars. It was the perfect ending to my birthday.

"Your friends are unbelievable! I can't really imagine you as one of them. That party was insane. The amount of drinks they drove up there should be illegal. I mean they are all underaged. How did they even get it all, they probably robbed a brewery. No one of them just bought a brewery." This was Adrian's first clash with all my friends. Jacin was prepared because he had been to the beach party. She hasn't shut up about it. She has been judging Mika and Zielle a lot, but she loves them too. She just doesn't get the rich life situation. Her family was okayish. To her, Liara is rich. She said they struggled a bit after her dad died, since he had been the one who worked. They used his life insurance to pay everything off, but then they still had their monthly bills to cover. Hearing stories like this I know I should be grateful for what I have. Today is the day before my actual birthday and I'm hiding out in the apartment. Our house is being cleaned and set for my birthday party and it all looks like too much for me. It's going to be one of those stiff and uncomfortable parties with my father's associates and their snobbish children.

"Earth to Al!" I looked up at Adrian.

"Sorry I got lost in my own thoughts." I apologized for not listening to her. For someone with three jobs, she is home a lot.

"Daydreaming about hot as hell Jacin?" It should bother me more that she thinks he is so hot.

"No, about the boring as dust party at my house tomorrow." I told her, rolling my eyes.

"It can't be that boring. Jacin will be there with you at least. Daddy said no friends. He didn't say anything about boyfriends." I can just imagine it now. Me walking in with Jacin at a party that is clearly intended for me to meet the right boys.

"Trust me, it was implied. My father doesn't know about Jacin. He has my life planned out and Jacin doesn't fit into that plan. He wants me to date some spoiled rich son of one of his associates. He would never accept Jacin, which is why I haven't introduced him to my family. I don't think my father cares about love anymore. I think he only knows of companionship. I believe that he loved my mom and then he lost her. I think he wanted companionship and not love when he started dating again. At least that is what I hope, because if he truly loves my gold-digging stepmother, then there is no hope for him."

"I don't get it. You think he won't accept Jacin because of his financial stability and status, but you say he is married to a gold digger. As far as I know, gold diggers don't have a lot of money, which is why they go after rich men. The point I'm trying to make is: why can he date someone like her, but you can't date Jacin, who is a hard-working guy that loves you with all he has." All very good points and all things my father won't care about.

"What can I say? My father is a hypocrite. To him it's about the money I'll inherit. He wants to give it to someone he believes deserves it. Marrying me off so that he can get a merger out of the deal is better for him. It's my punishment for not being a son he can give the company to. If I marry the right guy, he can expand his empire while he is in charge and then one day, when I have a son, there is more for him to inherit and if I have a daughter, the process just repeats itself." I explained to her how my father wants my life to go.

"That is sick. It's daughter trafficking. He knows he is your father and not your pimp, right?" I laughed so hard because I don't think he knows what he is doing isn't right.

"I guess it's just how it is. I think it would have been different if my mom was still alive. I don't think she would have allowed him to do it. They fell in love hard and fast. I like to believe that is what she would want for me too."

"Your mom should haunt your dad and scare some sense into him." I laughed, shaking my head at her as I got up to go make the dinner before Jacin came home. My father was a self-made man. He started at the bottom and worked his way to the top, he became a partner and slowly he bought out all the partners. He never had to marry someone to improve his wealth. The option was there and he didn't want to get his wealth that way. You'd think that would make him open to the idea of me dating a hard worker, but he is against it completely. Now he just wants to use me to improve his own wealth, but he doesn't see it like that. He sees it as helping me. He thinks he is providing a better life for me. I don't think that life is worth it if there is no love.

The party starts in an hour and I'm already irritated. Lyssa has been fussing around me like a proud mother hen. She wanted my makeup to look just right, not too much and not too little. I was supposed to attract attention, but not seem too earnest for it. The same went with my hair. She couldn't decide if it should be up to show off my face or down to show off my pretty hair. She decided to let it loose, but with it pulled away from my face. She picked a white dress for me to wear. It is strapless with a sweetheart cut. The bodice was tight and had pearls hand-stitched all over it. The skirt is made of tulle. I felt like she was being too obvious. I get it they want me to meet someone at this party that I can marry someday. At least they are giving me options, but for me there is only one guy. I will always choose Jacin. I always want to be with him.

I don't know why it has to be so hard. Lyssa gave me a hug before she left. I prefer mean Lyssa to this. Maybe if she was always like this it wouldn't feel so strange. She knows tonight is one of her chances to get rid of me. I might as well be wearing a sign around my neck that says for sale. That's how this makes me feel. I looked in the mirror and hated how I looked, because I looked beautiful. At least if I looked plain, things would have been different, but with me dolled up I'm sure to catch the eye of someone. I hate this.

I stayed in my room until my father came to get me. There was no way that I was going to go out and be with these people for a minute longer than I had to. The party was stuffy, it didn't seem like an eighteenth birthday. There are a bunch of flowers everywhere that count as decor, a pianist playing the slowest melodies I've ever heard and a bunch of waiters walking around serving people with what only looks like goo to me. It doesn't even look appetizing. Taking a closer look at the spread of food laid out, I noticed something very disturbing. All the foods are aphrodisiacs. Lyssa pulled out all the stops, but I don't believe in aphrodisiacs, just like I don't believe in ghosts. I shook my head and moved on. It was an hour into the party that I noticed that I was the only young girl. The party consists of mothers, fathers and their sons. I was outraged, so I went to my father.

"Do all your friends only have sons or did you purposely just invite single men?" I was irritated and I knew he could hear it in my voice.

"Most of them were blessed with sons. Of course, I invited those with sisters too." He just didn't invite those with just daughters.

"Bill, where is your daughter? My little girl seems to be intimidated by all the men." I wasn't intimidated, I was infuriated.

"She couldn't come. She has a big project due for school. She'd rather go to the library than come to a party for a couple of hours." Parents are so stupid. They would believe almost anything if you say it's for school. We are nearing the end of the school year. All our projects are done. We only have finals left. She knew what type of party this would be. My father shrugged at me like it was out of his hands. When I knew it was his guest list and inviting one other girl meant her fate was the same as mine. The rest of the night was spent with my father or Lyssa throwing me at guys. Most of them being older than me. I need to marry a successful man, not a boy on his way to success. My guess is that most of them are around the age of 25 and up. I was sick of their smiles and light touches. Each and everyone disgusted me. What sort of man would go along with this? Not the proper type. Another hour later and I was at my breaking point. I couldn't take it anymore. No more of men looking at me like I was some prize. I went up to my room, grabbed my purse and climbed out of the hallway window and down the tree. The guard at the gate was so busy looking at the cars coming and going that he didn't notice me leaving.

I walked a couple of blocks before I finally saw a cab. I got in and gave him the address. When we got there, I paid him and went up the stairs. I forgot my key in my hasty escape so I knocked on the door frantically. I was trying hard not to cry. I felt like if I cried. Then they won, but as soon as the door swung open. My eyes collide with Jacin, making me burst out in tears. I was sobbing and ugly crying. Jacin pulled me in his arms. I heard the door open up behind me, but I could care less. I just wanted to be in Jacin's arms. I don't ever want to let go. I don't know how long we stood there before he led me to the couch. I tried my best to calm down as I sipped at my tea. When the tea was done, I had calmed down. I started to explain everything to them. Jacin rubbed my back while I told them. I knew I was overreacting. It wasn't like any of the men touched me inappropriately. I just feel cheap and degraded by all of it. I saw Jacins one hand clench. I was just finishing my story when my phone rang. It was my father. He must have noticed that I was missing. I sighed as I got up and went to the kitchen before I answered.

"Where are you, sweetheart?" He was speaking sweetly, but I heard the anger in his voice.

"I left. I was tired of you trying to be my pimp." I heard him excusing himself.

"You know that isn't what I was doing. I'm just introducing you to future suitors. Are you at Laira's house? I'm sending a car to get you." Like I would ever get in the car.

"I'm not at her house. I'm at a new friend's house, Adrianna's house. I'll see you tomorrow." I ended the call.

"I can't believe the nerve of him after everything he put you through tonight, he wants you to go back! I'm glad I haven't met him. He should pray that I never do.' I've never seen Jacin mad before. I walked over to him noticing Adrian left.

"It's okay. I'm okay now that I'm with you." I hugged him tightly, laying my head on his chest.

"He doesn't see it like me. He really believes he is doing a good thing." I told him as I pulled away slightly. I don't want him to hate my father, because one day I will have the courage to introduce them and on that day I want Jacin to be the better man.

"Don't defend him right now." I nodded. The damage is already done.

"I'm going to go and take a shower. Then we can get in bed and cuddle." I grabbed some underwear and one of his shirts. I'm going to keep this one. It's one of his favorites and always smells like him. I want to shower to get this make-up off and most of all their lingering touches. I got in the shower and scrubbed my skin. When I felt all clean, I got out and climbed into bed with Jacin. He pulled me tight against his side, holding on to me tightly like I would disappear. I felt safe in his arms. That's how I fell asleep. I dreamed of a better life where money didn't matter. I introduced Jacin to my father and he welcomed him with open arms. He gave us his blessing. We moved into the apartment. I used my savings to go study knowing that as soon as I have my business and marketing degree I can get a good job. Then I can pay for everything while Jacin goes and studies with his savings. It was the perfect world until my view cracked like a mirror and shattered. Out of the darkness I heard my father's laughter. Out of the depths of that darkness came an army of men standing in queues to meet me. Their mouths started to water as their teeth grew big and their eyes shone bright. I was frightened and then all of a sudden they came charging towards me. It was like I was the last meal left and they were hungry wolves. They were ripping each other apart. Only the strongest, most brutal would get to me. Then I heard his voice calling my name. I shot up out of the nightmare right into Jacin's welcoming arms.