TANGLED

CHAPTER TWO

"You know I have more to offer if you'd let me," Caleb says in a seductive manner, he's always wanted more than just casual s*x, he wants a relationship, but I don't think I'm in for the love things I just hate attachments. Or maybe it's the pain that comes with heartbreaks that I'm afraid of, I'm afraid of being heartbroken and abandoned. I'd hate if someone would love me and then get tired of me eventually and spit me out. At this stage, I don't think my pride would let me get to that point because I believe I was never born a weakling. And more so Caleb is just some joker that I'm so sure will never date a girl for more than a week.

"No thank you I'd rather stay single than dating you"

"Ouch!"

He knows it never really hurts him because he understands the kind of Playboy he is.

"Anyways, 'Livia I know you are not okay, don't hesitate to share your problems with me, I may not be your guy but at the very least I know you'd trust me a little."

"I'm okay, just exhausted" I need to change the topic before it gets weird.

"So when are you joining USIU? "

"Next week I guess, I just need to get a new car and I'll officially be on campus, you?"

"Not so sure but I hope it's next week too." I really don't know because my parents have never touched on that topic, so I am obviously going to push them because apparently, all my friends would have joined by next week. I don't want to be left behind.

Just then Magic's rude song starts singing, it is my phone, my dad,

"Hello, dad,"

"Hey, dear better come home early today we have something to discuss."

"Okay dad, love you"

I wonder what I have done this time, I didn't hit someone's car, hopefully.

"I should be on my way, see you later," I tell Caleb

"That would be at USIU hopefully."

I manage to give him a smile as I leave for the car. I know he doesn't want me to study in the states because he wouldn't be having someone to be screwing.

I get home at around seven in the evening, I can smell fried chicken from the kitchen. I know that's my mom, she never lets anyone cook dinner if not her and since I can't cook, I am out of the question. The smell makes my stomach grumble, her food is always delicious I love it. I head straight for the kitchen to find something to put in my mouth because the hunger is too much.

"Hi mom," I take pineapple juice from the refrigerator

"Hi, where have you been?"

"Just around."

I hate how she never warms up to me.

"So how long, to dinner?"

"Not so long, you should go set the table and your dad has something for you."

I leave without saying anything, she always avoids my presence, like I'm some sort of plague, and I really don't want to set the table, so I find Mercy one of our house help in her room cleaning I guess, and lie that mom sent me to tell her to set the table.

I find dad in the study room, the lights are off except for the lamp on the table. He hears me walk in and stop his studies, he removes his reading lenses and looks at me

"Hey, dad,"

I give him a kiss on the cheek and I can notice he was smiling.

"Hey dear."

"I guess you have something for me?"

"Yes my dear it's an entry letter to college but I'll let you check it out after we've eaten, now let's go and have some dinner."

I don't know how he knew food was ready, maybe mom had texted him, but then he never carries his phone to the study room, nevertheless, I can never describe how I love my dad, he is this rich and famous guy but he's never liked the crowds and all the noise that comes with it. I know he got his vote for his seat because people love him for his generosity and hard work. I guess that's where Oliver got all those traits from.

Before he became a governor less than two years ago, he was just this wealthy businessman who knew how to make good money, but when the constitution changed mom insisted he give it a shot. Dad was reluctant but that woman I call mom can really be pushy, like a sparrow, so he vied and won, but trust me he is the Governor but mom calls the shots. Such a woman.

That aside, I was almost forgetting dad had said something like an entry letter for me, had he really gone to the extend of getting that for me? Not that I wouldn't do it myself, oh, how I love this man.

The food is breathtakingly delicious and I can't seem to get enough of it. When I'm done I take the letter in the envelope and run to my room to check it out. I am so excited I can't await opening it, the amazing contents it carries, the declaration part,

I .......understand the contents in,

I can't wait. I can finally join campus like my friends. Some of my friends had joined immediately the next year after we had finished high school but I had stayed home for more than a year but finally, my letter is here. I wish Oliver would be here to see how excited I am. I quickly tear the envelope and open the letter.

I expect to see a USIU logo, but I'm met with a Garissa university logo, what? Where is that school even located? A local university? And not just any other university but Garissa university, is that supposed to be in the North-Eastern part of the country? These people must be kidding me right now. I run downstairs and find my parents in the living room watching the news.

"Mom! Dad!" I think I have awoken the whole neighborhood with that shout. They both turned to face me and by the look of their eyes, they'd seen trouble

"What the f**k is Garissa university? Of all the local universities you thought this was the best option for me?"

They stay silent for a couple of seconds and then my mom is the first to say something.

"Baby, this is what's good for you."

What's good for me? She's never even cared to know what is good for me my whole life, I knew this is all her doing.

"You've finally found a way of getting rid of me mom, I have always known you never liked me in your house, you guys can't be fair, Oliver is at Colorado university in the states and here I am going to God knows where."

Silence

"Come on dad say something, aren't you supposed to be the man of the house?"

"Olivia it's just that......."

I'm so mad at them right now I don't want to hear anything they have to say, I throw the filthy letter at them and run to my room.

This isn't fair at all, I know I'm a spoilt brat and I do things that no parent would be proud of but this is just too much of a punishment.

No, Olivia, you are not shedding a single tear, that's not you, you don't cry, this is too small you can handle it. My subconscious tells me.

But then again, it doesn't mean you can't destroy everything that's in this room right now.

I agree with my subconscious and begin throwing things all over. The first thing I hit is the dressing mirror, it makes me feel better but I'm still angry, I'm never a good person when I get angry I ruin things, precious things.

"No you should be the one to talk to her, she hates me and you know it." I hear my mom's voice from outside my door

"No she doesn't, I told you it wasn't a good idea but you insisted."

I know they can hear me mumble in the room and I won't open the door, so before they can unlock it, I have to do this one bad thing, I take the lamp by my bedside and throw it with all my might at the TV.

Good girl. My subconscious smiles as I see mom and dad rush in panicking. Mom has that 'whose-daughter-is-this' look on her face.

"I don't want to talk to anyone."

"Benjamin you better handle this before I chop off her hands."

She leaves the room in rage, she always hates it when I destroy things, she thinks I do it on purpose to get attention. Which she is actually right. I love attention, especially when it comes from my dad.

"Sweetheart, can I please talk to you for a minute?"

I keep quiet for a few, then,

"This is all mom's doing, I know and I won't give her the satisfaction."

"Okay sweetheart you have to stop blaming your mom for every decision we make, it was actually my idea, I just think it would be best if you went to a school away from this noisy city."

"But dad, why? I know I'm a bad child, I do bad things, I'm irresponsible, but please don't do this to me I promise I'll change, or at the very least take me to where Oliver is, dad please."

I'm already in tears he sometimes makes me cry when I am angry and I guess it is because he is the first man who ever loved me truly.

"Olivia, please do this for your daddy, you'll actually love it there it's a really nice place,I lived in that town for a year and I loved it, you'll make new friends and I promise to send you a car once you are done with your first semester."

So I wasn't even taking my car with me, that is if I accepted.

He always finds a way to convince me and I hate it. Despite his convincing, I am still not in for the idea, but I manage to cry on his shoulder until I fall asleep.

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