AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mine.
CHAPTER 7
LOTTIE
A glass sits in front of me, begging me to drink the contents. But I can’t. Alcohol managed to get me into the dilemma I’m in right now. I can’t stomach it getting me into anything else.
“Just tell me what’s wrong with you. All you’ve done is mope and not touch your drink since you arrived.”
“Father hasn’t gotten any deliveries today?” I ask, looking toward his office.
“No, why would he? What’s wrong?” My mother lifts a glass of champagne to her lips and takes a sip. Maybe I get my drinking from her.
I push the glass farther away. That needs to change right this minute.
I would like to say my mother was a nurturing woman when I was growing up, but she was far from that. To her, I was a way to keep my father happy. He wanted kids, and she wanted him. And while she has tried, you can always tell its forced.
“I heard a story the other day…” I look up to see my mother already pouring herself a second glass. So, I continue, “One of the Governor’s daughters made a sex tape, and her family disowned her…” I pause, giving her room to speak.
“Lucky for us, you aren’t that stupid. Imagine what your father would do.” She cackles.
I laugh. It is dry and false. All my life my father has had unrealistic expectations of me; it’s something I have always known. He will gladly tell me when he is disappointed in me. It hurts to hear that often, so you do whatever you can to make them happy, while still rebelling.
“What do you think he would do?”
“Probably the same as the governor. Scandals shouldn’t be present around us.” She rolls her eyes and walks out, then straight back in with another bottle of champagne. “Why are you asking?” She pauses to think about my question, and then I swear I almost see a light bulb go off in her mind. “Don’t tell me you did something stupid like this?” I watch as her hand starts to go white as she squeezes the bottle’s neck, hard.
“No,” I breathe through the lie.
Mom lets out a hard breath and goes back to pouring herself another glass of champagne. My father calls her name, and she walks off. When I check my phone, I see I have two messages. There’s one from Emma, and I open it first.
Emma: You signed, didn’t you?
She knows me well. I was hoping to prove her wrong. But as always, I do what’s best for my family. Public image is everything to them.
Me: I’ll explain when I get home.
The text back is instant.
Emma: I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll bring the chocolate.
Going to my other text message, I see asshole as the sender and wonder if I should even open it.
Asshole: Engagement party will be in two weeks. Best to inform your parents now. Would you like me there when you do so?
What the actual fuck!
Two weeks.
Is he crazy? I didn’t even think of actually telling my father I’m getting married. I guess I thought I could hide that fact from him. At least until I could make sense of this whole situation. Now, I’m guessing I won’t be able to. But how do I explain the fact that I’m marrying my father’s friend––which, come to think of it, are they even truly friends or just business acquaintances?
“Lottie, your mother said you stopped by.” My father’s presence is intimidating, always has been. I’ve never been able to lie to him.
He’s always been an okay father, never around much unless it was time to show the family off by going to events. But…They have always been very vocal about the fact that I do not step out of line, that scandals are prohibited in this family, that they have no issue’s with cutting anyone, even family, off—and they have, too. My mother’s sister was cut off when she was caught dealing drugs, she was told to leave the city and never return. As far as I know, she could be dead. They never spoke of her again, but that’s just one instance; my father has done that to many people. They come and go with his say. And despite how much I want to say or believe I am living my own life, I know that it would kill me inside to not have them there, even if they aren’t the best of parents to me.
“Yep, I need to talk to you both.”
My father scrunches his face up. “Can this wait? I’m waiting for a very important call.”
