Chapter 5 Chapter Five
"Charlie, I beg you to open your eyes. Please big sister, open your eyes and talk to me." I sobbed whilst begging her to wake up.
Although I don't want to partake in this marriage, if you were to rouse, I promise to acknowledge Chad as your husband." I said these words, hoping they would somehow help her to gain consciousness.
Undoubtedly, all these problems were also taking a hit on Charlie's part. It was just an act from her side. I was naive to overlook the fact that I was the only person striving to wake up my sister.
The remainders of the household looked on silently, assuming the role of spectators.
I could not fathom how my sister had stooped so dismally low as to coerce me into this situation. This was how I knew it!
That damn man had managed to manipulate my innocent sister into manipulating me with... well, fine. I approve of their union. Let them wed if that's what they fucking want. After all, that's their own damn life.
Charlie stood up from the floor and gave me an apologetic smile which I didn't return. I mean, why should I?
Charlie, albeit remorseful for her actions, tried to apologize, but I didn't care anymore. What importance did her apology bear now? Their marriage agreement had been sealed already as they all wanted and wished for.
She had even forced me into uttering words I was unprepared for. What can we do now that the damage has been done? There is no going back on what I have stated, for I have made a promise, a promise I know I will come to regret. But there's no medicine for regret as we all know.
I walked back to my room without saying anything. I cannot erase the image of her body at that moment, nor her ceaseless apology as she followed me to my room.
For a brief moment, I found myself elated for her sake. She was to wed the man of her dreams. Yet, was the feeling mutual for Chad? Was Charlie his one true love? Did he love my sister as she loves him wholeheartedly? I highly doubted it.
Chad, who was also standing there silently gazed at me with an expression I could not decipher. In fact, I don't understand this guy most of the time.
I firmly believed that Chad harbored no genuine feelings for my sister Charlie. I pondered interrogating him, but alas, it would do no good. Additionally, such curiosity would brand me as a jealous sister as they all call me. I never trusted that devilish scoundrel.
On further reflection, I questioned why Chad was consistently visiting our house unaccompanied.
Surely, he has a family of his own, as I had nearly crossed paths with his mother several years prior.
Hence, why were they not accompanying him to his supposed in-laws' house? Could it be that they disagreed with his marriage to my sister? Would they accept my dear Charlie?
A man of Chad's caliber would seek a partner who exuded confidence and fortitude, and above all, one who possessed an irksome disposition.
My sister, however, was a fragile soul. She was someone who would sacrifice anything to maintain harmony. \[sigh\] I can only pray that she finds enduring happiness in her marital life.
Then the day of the betrothal came. Our house was adorned exquisitely. Every visitor who graced our doorstep marveled at the impeccable skills of the decorator.
Naturally, that was to be expected. Did they assume I had acquired no education? Me, a fully-fledged interior designer and decorator? My parents beamed with pride at how I decorated our home.
As for my father, \[scoff\] imagine his self-importance and accepting all the praises of my work in the presence of his friends.
Was the incident of him slapping me completely erased from his memory? So hypocritical.
My sister, always the defender of our father, said when she saw the glare of daggers I was sending to my father... "You know he loves you, Marlie."
"Oh, really? Then why didn't he apologize for slapping me? Thanks but no thanks." I sneered.
I knew it didn't work that way, but if it had been Charlie instead of me, Dad would have apologized immediately. Not that I'm jealous of my though. I just wanted fair treatment between us which seemed impossible for my parents.
"Marlie, Dad told me he doesn't know how to face you. He's genuinely sorry for slapping you," Charlie said, trying to please me.
Seriously? Norbert Anderson, my own father?
Maybe I misheard. Did she really say that Dad was afraid to face me? Well, he should be, considering the trouble he has gotten himself into.
"Are you going to demand compensation today as well?" Charlie asked with her charming smile, which even I, her sister, find hard to resist.
"Why not?" I asked sharply with a raised brow.
Shouldn't he compensate me for slapping someone as beautiful and thoughtful as me? I wondered what I should ask for as compensation.
If I asked for a car, that stingy old man would probably tell me to work for it. \[scoff\] I can't understand why he works so hard for money but refuses to give it to me when I ask. He can forget about it!
What if I ask him to call off the wedding?
Wouldn't that make me a terrible person? They're all so happy now because I agreed to the marriage. I can't take away their happiness from their faces.
Then they shouldn't have been happy from the start if I was going to ruin it.
I paused for a moment, and an idea sparked in my mind. I looked at my sister, who appeared stunning in front of her dressing mirror.
"I'm sorry, big sister. I want you to be happy. But I can't stay here," I said to myself. I just couldn't forget what I heard about that family.
I really couldn't. It was scary to even imagine. There were things I couldn't tell her. If I did, Charlie wouldn't believe me. And if she goes to her husband's house, I know she will never find happiness in that mansion.
She was the only one who managed to bring peace to our family. Without her, the house will be in chaos. I was certain that she convinced my father to apologize or perhaps said that to cover for him.
If I were to reveal my sorrow to her, she would have to choose between us – either come with me or decide not to get married.
So I decided that I would help her find happiness. If Chad is her happiness, then so be it. I would pretend to be happy throughout the wedding celebration.
I would be the perfect sister she desired, the perfect child my parents wanted, and damn it, the perfect sister-in-law for that jerk. I had no other option anyway.
Then, after she's gone to her husband's house, I would also leave the house. That's what I wanted as compensation.
Even after years to come, I still recall the moment when I descended the stairs with my sister, heading to the banquet hall.
No one in my position would forget. The witch of a mother was present. Fear gripped me, causing my legs to tremble. They were all curious about what was happening to me. My mother was so concerned that she nearly fainted.
Popping into my thoughts were flashes from that day on top of the library rooftop and the horrible conversation I overheard.
Surrounded in the hall by everyone, even the witch encircled me asking me if I was okay.
She dared to grasp my hand without inquiring if it was acceptable. Truly frightening.
Unfathomable, I took the hand of a malevolent woman who would incinerate me if she discovered my knowledge of her secret.
Trembling incessantly, I felt as though my throat was being choked. Incapable of speaking, I longed to command someone to remove her from mine, yet my voice failed me.
Inwardly, I reassured myself, "Someone can help me... Yes, it's him! He can help me. Indeed, Chad can assist me," I chanted to myself inwardly.
In my thoughts, I screamed, "DAMN IT OLD WITCH! RELEASE ME!" alas, they were unable to perceive my plea in my head.
Could someone decipher my mind? Did I not possess a confidant among them who could retrieve my thoughts and instruct them to relinquish their hold on me?
Fine then, I shall undertake the endeavor myself. I resolved to communicate with the witch's offspring, urging him to distance his mother from me.
My eyes became moist as I looked at the devil, who might also be my savior. "Chad, please help me!" I sobbed inwardly, hoping he would see through my tears and trembling body.
Reflecting upon it... Could he not fathom that his mother instigated my reaction?
Curse you, Chad!!
So be it. If he can see through my struggle, I shall proceed with all my might. I struggled and persisted until at last a word escaped my lips, or rather, a name: CHAD!
I said his name in a feeble voice. How pathetic!!!