Drunkenly Married to the Enemy

Chapter 3

Two months. They want me to get married in two months. With a stranger. For money.

I don’t think my parents still remember that I am their child and not their tool to get more money. It’s just so frustrating and disappointing that my own parents think that they own me because they raised me. It’s not that way.

It has never been that way.

I want to scream and curse loudly at my mother for putting me in this kind of situation. I know I have been distant from them because I chose the path that they don’t think is good for me but I can’t believe they are just giving me away like this.

For the business? For real? I just feel so utterly disappointed that I have to go through all of this because of f*****g money!

I endured that dinner without throwing up in pure disgust at the setup. Mom is definitely a slave for Grayson Guzman. I could only imagine Dad. I cannot believe my parents are doing this for the money. Is money really this important?

“We’ll have to go ahead,” Grayson told my mother as he stood up and placed the napkin on top of the table. He extended his hand to my mother while flashing a wide smile. “I look forward to meeting you more often in the coming months.”

Mom smiled and took his hand for a shake before nodding. “We will definitely be busy preparing for the wedding, Grayson.”

Yuck. She can prepare for the wedding all she wants but I won’t be there. I’ll make sure that I will be out of the State when the wedding happens because I don’t want anything to do with that filthy business. To be honest, this is the main reason why I decided to become a model instead.

Aside from doing the thing that I love, I don’t have to worry about the losses and the stock prices which is definitely a jab to my brain. Going after my passion was one of the best and liberating feelings in the world for me.

Grayson and Allie excused themselves and I was left at the table with my mother. She immediately turned to me with a serious look. It’s as if she is warning me.

“I expect you do what you are ought to do, Jelia. This is about your father’s company.” Her voice was filled with authority and finality. It’s as if nothing could ever change her mind about this.

I scoffed and shook my head before crossing my arms against my chest. “Do you really have to go this far?” I didn’t care anymore if my voice sounded ungrateful. This is my life they are messing with. “Why do you have to sacrifice your daughter because your business is not doing well?”

My relationship with my parents had not seen brighter days since the moment I decided to be a model but never have I imagined myself talking to my mother this way. I still have my respect for them despite not having the same thoughts about life. But now that they are putting my life on the line for their business, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

Did they have a child so that they could that child as a business tool in the future? Was that how I was for them? Was that my purpose to them? I don’t know but now, it seems like it.

“Jelia, your words.” Her eyes narrowed at me with her lips pursed in a grim line. “I don’t appreciate you talking to me like that.”

I stood up. “Well, I don’t appreciate you shipping me off to a business deal like that. Did you think I am happy that you’re messing with my life like this?”

She gritted her teeth, probably feeling guilty because of what I said. “Is this how you repay us for giving you a comfortable life growing up?”

I narrowed my eyes at her in disbelief. I can’t believe she’s telling me this like I am some kind of a charity case that she helped in raising. I have a lot of things to tell her. I have a lot of things I want to say to rebut and explain myself but I decided against it. She probably wouldn’t listen to me anyway. She was all smiles while talking to that man. I doubt something could change her mind about it.

I scoffed at shook my head at her. “I’m leaving,” I told her as I grabbed my purse on the table. “Next time, don’t call me over dinner. I won’t come,” I finished before walking to my car and driving to the nearest bar in the vicinity.

***

I don’t really go to clubs but tonight, I feel like I need a drink. This could probably be my form of rebellion. I should have fun and get wasted. I have never been wasted in my whole life.

To be safe, I texted Prayne and told him where I am. I don’t know what is bound to happen now but truth be told, I don’t think something else matters right now.

The bouncer’s eyes widened when he saw me. “Jelia Anderson? The model?” he asked.

I smiled and nodded as I showed him my ID. Is this how it is for public personalities when they enter a club? Because if it is, I don’t really appreciate it. This could possibly be the first and last time that I am coming here.

“You may enter, Miss Jelia,” he told me and motioned to the door.

Loud blaring music and the loud screams of the people having fun on the dance floor welcomed me. My nose wrinkled at the atmosphere in the club and realized why I haven’t decided to visit one before. I don’t like crowded, noisy places. I would rather stay home and watch Netflix or sleep than stay outdoors with people this wild.

Sometimes, Prayne is asking me if I grew up in Vegas because my personality doesn’t really fit it. People from Vegas are all known to be outgoing ones. We have casinos and clubs all over the city and Prayne didn’t understand why I wasn’t into stuff like that.

I sighed and stopped myself from walking out of the club. I need to overcome this. I need to be here and meet other people so I could tell my mother that I am not going to marry that son of that magnate. So, I walked to the bar and sat on the high chair.

I looked up at the menu and thank goodness that they put the alcohol percent there. I chose the hardest ladies’ drink. The bartender even gave me a second look before making the drink for me.

I smiled and looked down on my phone to stop a conversation to rise from here. People are suddenly coming to the bar to order more drinks because the music suddenly calmed down. I guess there’s also a break time for the DJ.

“Here’s your drink, beautiful,” the bartender told me and I immediately gulped down half of it without even appreciating the drink’s appearance.

I smirked and shrugged off. I guess everyone is just too flirty here, no? Or am I just really overthinking things.

Not long after, I felt someone sitting on the high chair beside me. “One shot of whiskey please,” he uttered in a low voice that made me look at him.

I raised my brow because he was already looking at me. The first thing that I noticed is his eyebrows. They are thick and they accentuate his brown eyes. He is handsome. That is probably the first thing that one would realize upon seeing his face.

“Are you okay?” he asked me in his low baritone. Okay, now he probably thinks I am a weirdo for checking him out.

I pursed my lips and shrugged as if nothing happened. I looked back on my drink and gulped it all down instead before ordering another drink.

“Woah. Are you here to get wasted?” the handsome guy beside me asked.

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. “It’s none of your business,” I mumbled.

He chuckled and it showed a dimple on his left cheek. “Wow, I have never met a woman as cranky as you are,” he commented and I just rolled my eyes.

I waited for my drink and for this man to leave but he didn’t. He stayed there, annoying me like a kid. I snapped my head in his direction and glared. “Don’t you have anything else to do?”

He shrugged. “I am here to get drunk, I guess,” he replied before downing the whole shot. His face contorted at the bitter taste of the liquor before smiling at me again. “Well, missy, you’re not the only one who has problems so let me drink my liquor here, okay?”

I rolled my eyes moved to the corner most seat, making sure that I am away from him. I have no time to deal with annoying men tonight. I just need to get drunk.