Chapter 1: Why Me?

"Why me? Why?!" she screamed at Mr. Alex, wondering what he was thinking. "Why do I have to listen to you, and you never need to ask me what I want?"

She continued facing Mr. Alex.

"Daddy, just this once," she exclaimed as she knelt on the floor, her head against her father's feet. "I will obey you forever. Anything you want me to do, I will do it all," Margaret said as she lifted her face to Mr. Alex, but he turned away, unwilling to budge.

She stood up and went toward Mrs. Karen's seat. "Mom, please talk to your husband. Talk to Daddy. Maybe he will listen to you," she pleaded.

"Margret, you need to understand where your daddy is coming from. Don't be selfish. We need you to marry him. Please make this little sacrifice for our sake," Mrs. Karen said, looking into her daughter's eyes filled with hope. Her daughter understood.

"Did you just say sacrifice?! What do you know about sacrifice? Huh, all my life, you've chosen for me, everything! For heaven's sake, everything! Or maybe you've forgotten. I can list them, including my high school, career, and job. You've gone as far as choosing the clothes I should wear, And now my spouse?" she replied to Mrs. Karen. As all the anger made its way to her throat, she immediately started crying.

"And here you are talking about sacrifice. What do you know, sacrifice, huh?" Margaret retorted while sobbing.

She stood up and dusted off her knees.

"No," this time around with no single emotion, "I won't marry him, and that's final." She walked out and banged the door at them.

"Did you just see how she behaved?" he asked, turning to Mrs. Karen, pointing toward the door. I don't know what's wrong with these kids nowadays," he said, looking confused as to why she could be acting like that. What's wrong with her? We will not tolerate that behavior in this house."

***

Margaret walked into her room, but it was as though she didn't belong There. She closed her eyes and imagined not being part of such a terrible family. The family was a nightmare for her, and she was hoping someone would wake her up, as she had had enough of the dream. The hind in the door sounded.

"Who is it?" That was a reminder she was awake, and everything was real. She opened her eyes, and there was no response. It was Miss Whisker Doodle. She hopped on the bed and started licking her tears. It was as if she sensed something was wrong, something Margaret's parents saw and ignored. Miss Kitty began to meow. She turned to look at her, but the picture on the wall caught her attention. It was a picture of Mr. Victor and Margaret in high school. She stood up and went to where her work table was. She reached out to the last drawer, and all the letters she had written him were there. She started giggling as she read through them loudly.

"I'm jealous anytime I see you with Sandra, so stop talking with her."

Margaret picked another one, titled "A POEM FOR MY CRUSH."

"Every single day I walk past you, there's always things I want to say. I hope I get to say them soon" was followed by a heart-shaped drawing.

"What I say is to see you forever, so that way, I won't miss you as much as I do now." Margaret started blushing to herself. She continued.

"Every day, I always look forward to seeing you, but when I eventually see you, I am always nervous. When I walk closer to you, I always get butterflies in my tummy, and when I sit next to you, I can't help but wish this last forever. Victor and Margaret forever!" Their names were boldly written, covering the rest of the page. Tears rolled down her cheeks; Margaret couldn't help but continue crying, knowing fully well all this would forever be a dream, filled with regret because she always had the chance to give him the letters but chose not to. Her phone beeped. It was a message from Sandra, oh yes, the Sandra from her letter she didn't want to see Victor with, and they are now best friends.

"Hey, babes! Are you busy tonight?" Sandra asked while it still showed she was typing.

I wonder what prank she wanted to pull this time, Margaret thought.

"Guess what?"

"What?" Margaret typed, irritated and uninterested.

"That's why I said guess," replied Sandra with a hilarity Emoji.

"I'm not in the mood for all these games, so please go straight to the point."

"Girl, chill. It's not that deep," Sandra said, wondering what was wrong with Margaret.

"Do you want to come with me to the Hilton?"

"You mean The HILTON?"

"Girl, stop dreaming," she replied because getting in without an invitation is impossible. Hilton is a famous club that only celebrities and high-end individuals can access. In fact, you need an invitation before you can become a member. And for that to happen, you need to be influential in the community because even your money can't buy their invitation.

"How will we get in? Huh, or are you on to some black magic shit you aren't telling me about?

"I have the invitation." Sandra snapped.

"How did you get it?" Margaret replied.

"You shouldn't be asking all this now; they are unnecessary questions. What you should be asking is when you should be ready,? "Sandra got tired of Margaret's unnecessary questions.

"Girl, be for real, don't mess around with me." Margaret's patience wore thin.

As they chatted, a picture popped up. When Margaret opened her message, she gasped—it was the invitation.

"What time will it start? Margaret typed excitedly.

"10 pm," Sandra replied.

"Okay, see you later." Margaret stood up from her bed. Life just gave her another opportunity to show herself that she was approved, and she definitely would not disappoint herself, or the universe would give her a chance. She walked toward her closet and picked up a black dress; that dress had been waiting on this invitation. The dress was from Victor for her 25th birthday.

"If I can't marry him, I should at least get to wear it before my parents get me shipped to Alexandra Margaret mumbled to herself. "Staring at the dress.

After finishing her bath, she sat down, looked straight into the mirror, and smirked. She reached for her makeup brushes from the drawer. She knew these were the last days she would get to do what she wanted before marrying William. She stood up, went towards the window, and pushed it open. The smell of the wet ground from the rain and the breeze blew across her face. It was a sign from God, or at least that's how she took it.

She returned to where her makeup chair was and sat; her phone rang as she was getting ready. It was a message from Sandra.

"I'm downstairs."

"I will be down in 5 minutes," Margaret replied.

Margaret was ready, but something was missing in her appearance. She looked in the mirror, trying to figure out what it was.

"Something doesn't feel right," she said aloud.

It was her lip. She picked up a red lipstick from her table and applied it, giving her lip a glossy finish.

She was on her way out when her mum saw her on the stairs; she asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm heading out," Margaret replied.

Mrs. Karen remarked, "Dressed like this?" Her tone was mixed with disapproval and concern.

"What's wrong with my dress?" Her expression suddenly turned sour, her tone tinged with defensiveness.

"OH MY GOD, babes, you look so beautiful." A voice said from behind her; it was her best friend's voice.

"Mummy, we got invited to this fantastic party. Can we go tonight? I will bring her back first thing tomorrow, please," Sandra pleaded, her eyes brimming with a mix of excitement and hope.

"The first thing I want to see is Margaret returning to this house tomorrow. Okay?"

"OKAY, Mrs. Karen," Sandra replied excitedly.

A sleek Benz parked before them as they walked out, and the windows smoothly rolled down. It was the voice of a guy.

"Are you ready?"