Chapter 29 Ball Dance

Chapter 29 Ball Dance
"I’m telling you, come with us. It will be great." Emma said 

Morning came as quickly as possible and I’m stuck here with Emma and Jessica at breakfast. 

I had no intention on having breakfast with them. In fact, because of what happened last time, I wanted to ignore them but that couldn’t work because the second I got into the dining room to eat breakfast, they came from nowhere and joined me.

Now, I’m forced to have a conversation with them. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I don’t like them, it’s just that they are Malik’s family and I’m not interested in being close to anyone from Malik’s family.

"What do you say, Eli, it will be great. I promise you." Emma added. She’s been trying to convince me to join her and Jessica for a ball dance today. I have no idea why though but they keep insisting that I should come.

Jessica added "It would be a great way to get to know the other Lunas. You might as well make some new friends and just enjoy your time instead of sitting back here all day doing nothing."

"Yes exactly. Just come with us. It will be fun." Emma chirped in 

"Even if I wanted to come, I can’t. Malik makes the rules, I don’t," I said 

"So you’re saying you can’t make little decisions for yourself by yourself?" Jessica asked in disbelief 

It’s hard to believe but it’s true. Malik is on my neck and throat. I can’t do anything without asking him. It’s almost as if I am a hidden prisoner and not his wife. 

Quietly I replied to her "Yeah."

Her eyes widen slightly as if she were shocked. I mean, didn’t she know how much of a control freak her son is? 

"Well, that’s a shame." She shook her head as he took a sip of coffee "I get that he wants to be in your life and make sure things are going right but him taking every power you have towards yourself is just awful. You can’t go out without his permission?" She asked again. 

I nodded

"That’s unbelievable. Are you serious about this?" She asked. 

At this point, I didn’t know if she was trying to mock me or just really concerned but it’s starting to make me feel uncomfortable. 

Before I could even reply to her, Malik’s presence filled the air. He marched toward us, saying a quick "Good Morning." And then he took his chair.

The maids rushed to serve him breakfast and as he began eating, Jessica spoke "How was your night?"

He didn’t bother looking at her as he responded sternly "Fine."

"Good." She nodded "I was just talking to Eli and I mentioned the ball dance happening tonight…"

He didn’t let her finish talking as he quickly cut her off "She’s not attending."

"But why?" 

"I think we’ve already had this conversation before. I’m not going to do this again." He said still focused on his plate 

"Come on Malik, don’t be that kind of husband. Let her have fun, besides she really wants to attend."

Malik stopped eating, and he glanced at me "You want to attend?"

I didn’t know what to say, I looked at Jessica who was giving me a hopeful smile, and then at Malik who looked really upset as usual. Not knowing what to say, I casually shrugged "Maybe."

Emma quickly chipped in "Not just maybe, she really wants to. She said she’s never attended such an event before and would love to check it out."

She was lying. I never said anything like that. Yes, I’ve never attended such a high-class event before but I never said that to her. 

Malik looked between Emma and Jessica, and then at me. He looked like he was trying to analyze something and then finally he said "What’s going on? Why are you so eager to go to the ball dance with Eli? What’s your plan?"

"Plan?" Jessica laughed dryly "We don’t have any plan, Malik. We just want to get to know each other, that’s all."

"And you can’t do that at home when I’m around?" He questioned 

"You know that’s different." She said 

Malik looked like he was about to speak when suddenly Joseph walked in "Good Morning family," 

Malik’s face twisted with anger.

Joseph walked closer and took a seat "Why are you guys suddenly quiet? I know I heard voices before I walked in." He said looking at each of us. 

Jessica started to explain to him about the ball dance and now Malik doesn’t want me to attend. 

When she explained everything, Joseph couldn’t help but ask "Why are you so stiff Malik, it’s just a dance, let her go."

Malik didn’t say anything but he was fuming with anger. He looked like he was about to walk out but surprisingly he didn’t.

"I’ve been saying that same thing to him but he doesn’t want to listen," Jessica said. "It’s just so bizarre the way he behaves toward Eli. It’s like she had no right of her own and he just does whatever he likes."

"You need to loosen up Malik. Eli is not a property, she should be allowed to do whatever she wants and go wherever she wants." Joseph said 

Malik instantly snapped "She’s not your wife, you can’t tell me how to treat my wife."

"I’m your father, I think I have that right." Joseph pushed back

"No, you lost that right the moment you decided to…" His words broke up as he exhaled heavily. He didn’t say a thing anymore, he just faced his food.

Silence was quick to encircle the room. No one said a word for almost a minute and then Joseph broke the silence. 

"I guess if you don’t want Eli going to the ball dance with them, it’s fine, she can stay back. I’ll keep you company Eli." He smiled at me 

Malik glanced at the two of us, he fumed "You’re going to dance with them,"

"What?" I asked confused. Why did he suddenly change his mind? I thought he was hardcore on me not going 

"You heard me, you’re going." He declared.

I nodded and took a bite of my food. It’s weird how he just changed his line. Joseph leaned closer to me, "I knew my plan would work," he quickly leaned backwards so Malik wouldn’t notice a thing.

I smiled as I understood what had just happened. 

I have no plans on going to the ball dance, I haven’t even been to one before but I guess it would be great to attend one.