l

lpable. That's understandable since the strictness of our famil

I retort, amused by her eagerness, and I loo

aste of the drinks and what it's like to dance with a man. Oh Ollie, tell me! Don't hide anything fr

the lights running from one side to the other causing a strange sensation in our heads. My friends chose to drink be

that spoke firm words mixed with gentleness and understanding, yet they were too captivating. His possessive touch on m

handsome! And he was tall, so ta

ll you his name?"

know anything about him, and h

now?" I laugh. Maybe

iately lie down, pretending to be deeply asleep. Then the light

a job?" Kim asks now softer

ne next week." She smiles

love yo

too, Kim!

dnig

ch influence my father has over people here in the neighborhood, especially the shopkee

do that? It'l

tice my absence. In other words, I'll have a few hours to dedicate to

actually get something to do, and it's at that

e shops is starting to close. I sigh when I think that only our family sleeps with the chickens, while some young people my age do young people things. Wi

*

nth la

ighborhood in search of something to help me achieve my goals, and no matter how much I beg for a measly job, it's denied to me, or t

m complains noticeably nervous as soon as I ent

my shoes and hold them with two fingers.

change before they wa

irs, I kiss her cheek and thank her. "Thank you for covering for me;

efore you get us

I hiss and d

anage to find something that guarantees us a comfortable p

and more modest. However, as I hurriedly walk to the door, my head spins slightly,

mmediately run to the bathroom. "What's wrong? What's the matter with you?" She inquires, following me. However, I don't have time to answer because I imm

me," I say with some difficulty as ano

e my head and take several deep brea

r. My sister helps me to my feet, and then she wraps her

oving away, but I grab her hand,

to, Kim, it's

ttress and taking deep breaths, feeling

o go to the kitchen, where Mom receives me with a stern face,

rritably. Kim stammers not knowing what

I wasn't feeling well, an

mediately gets up from her chair to place a

; it was just

strong, after all, to marry a man like Edie, you need to have the strength

arriage?" I look at my mo

weekend with his family to

ng to marry him or anyone!" I

der yourself lucky that we've found a good man to take care of you.

take care of me!" I g

via. I'm your father, and as long as you live under my roof, you will do as I please. And when the Durand family enters this house, I want you

ves a dismissive hand, releasing me. I leave the room with wide steps