COERCED MARRIAGE

The night was still calm, fresh, and re-energized. The Air reeked of honeysuckle birdsong drifting in. Nick was having a discussion with his girlfriend Chloe in his room when he heard someone scream very loudly from the outside.

"Who was that? Did you hear that sound? I could swear I heard someone scream. Stay right here while I go confirm what's happening out there."

Nick hurriedly stood up in an attempt to walk outside but she held him back.

"Hey, come back here.

What the heck are you doing?"

Chloe clutched his shirt to prevent Nick from stepping out.

"Have you suddenly gone deaf? didn't you hear the sound? I'm going outside, of course. Someone might be hurting there. I need to go save him," Nick responded.

"Stop playing! Are we done talking? What about the car I requested for my birthday next month? You haven't said anything about it yet. Last time I checked, you were neither a superhero nor a Doctor. Don't move an inch out of the room. We must finish this discussion."

Chloe grabbed his shirt but Nick remained obstinate and was determined to know what was happening outside.

"Can you please stop? Is your car more important than the affected life outside? You're so despicable.

I won't forgive myself if anything bad happens to the person out there. I am going out there to see who's at the door and don't you dare stop me,"

He tossed her to the bed and dashed to the living room. An extremely handsome man.

He's the managing director of his father's company, Cannon Group. Despite being the eldest son, his father had always loved Neon, his second son due to Nick's waywardness and promiscuity.

"Hey, who's there? It's late. Go back home! You might get hurt.

It's so dangerous out there." Nick questioned from inside and grabbed an empty bottle of champagne to defend himself from an impending danger.

"It's me, Joe. The company's security guard. I wish to speak with your Dad. It's urgent! Please let me in so I can see him," Joe shouted from the outside panting heavily.

"Joe? That can't be. What's he doing outside? Isn't he supposed to be at work?"

Nick mumbled. He was quite apprehensive and imagined what Joe could still be doing late outside when he ought to be guiding the company. After a prolonged silence, he finally let Joe in.

"Nick, are you there? Where's your fatherrrrr!? I wish to see him,"

Joe stuttered and gasped for air. Despite the air conditioner turned on, he was still sweating profusely.

"Shut the fuck up and take a chill pill, old man. Where else could he be? Of course, he's sleeping in his room after a hectic day at work.

You can tell me whatever it is."

Nick demanded but Joe declined.

Is it Sir Calvin or no one? Joe inclined.

He doesn't think Nick is spirited enough to handle the situation on the ground. After the prolonged refusal of utterance, Nick finally relented and rushed inside to fetch his father.

"You know how I hate being interrupted from my slumber.

Can't it wait until tomorrow,"?

Calvin was pissed off at Nick as he wore pyjamas and stepped into the living room only to find Joe seated on the ground weeping like a pathetic poor widow.

Immediately Joe saw him approaching, he crept like a centipede and clutched his leg.

"Please forgive me! The worst just happened. I have goofed."

"What the fuck are you talking about? You know I hate suspense. Spill it already. What have you done this time?" Calvin was lost.

He peeked at his son, Nick seeking answers.

"Okay, I know that look. I know nothing about this. He demanded to see you. He wouldn't speak with me." Joe vindicated himself.

"If you don't speak up, I'll bundle you out of this place like a common criminal. Aren't you supposed to be at work? What are you doing here?

Did you realize you just disturbed my endearing slumber?

Now I can't sleep anymore because you showed up."

Calvin got infuriated and frightened Joe.

"There was a robbery at the company an hour ago. They....they," he paused and continued. "Gosh! How do I explain this to you?"

Joe finally disclosed and faced the ground in fright.

He wouldn't dare look Calvin in the eye.

Nick and his father were flabbergasted and couldn't believe their ears. They thought it was a dream or mere hallucination, but unfortunately, it wasn't.

It's just reality rubbing their faces in the mud.

"Joe, can you describe what you saw at the company? I thought the company was under your watch for tonight. I don't even know what to believe anymore. You're beginning to agitate me the more.

Calvin interrogated Joe and pushed him to the ground. He felt like sniffing the life out of Joe and dumping his body in a lagoon where no one could find him.

One minute his company was on the verge of becoming the largest oil-producing company in Los Angeles California, and the next minute they got robbed, losing millions of dollars.

"I was asleep at work. I don't even know how that happened.

The next minute, I woke up and found some armed men who had their faces all covered in masks.

They pointed a gun at my head and threatened me to drop the keys to the warehouse. I got so terrified and obeyed.

Right in my presence, they drove inside and carted away with all the raw materials from the warehouse." Joe explained with both knees on the ground.

"I'm loving this story. What's the name of this movie? You deserve an award for this performance.

Have you tried putting the movie in a Cinema? Now tell me.

How would you like your jail term? 10 years, 20, or death by hanging? When I'm done with you, you would look good in a prison uniform,"

Calvin threatened and instructed Nick to call the cops and get Joe arrested.

"Death? Ah! I don't wanna die. Please, sir. Consider my daughter, Sonia. She's all I've got.

How would she survive without me? I can fix this." Joe pleaded and scrubbed the floor with his body.

"Fix this? We both know how wretched you are. There's nothing you can do. There's only one way to fix this mess. Do you wanna know how?"

"Yes, please.

Whatever it is, I'm ready to do it."

Despite the damages Joe caused the company, Calvin still pitied him.

"Are you sure about this? You might wanna think this through."

"You can't be serious, are you? Way out? I still don't get it, Dad. Let's get this son of a bitch locked up in jail immediately. Why the sudden empathy?"

Nick was furious at his Dad.

He just can't wait to see Joe rot in jail.

Calvin motioned for the bar, poured a slight portion of tequila into his glass, and returned to Joe saying,

"This is what I want. If you can do this, consider yourself a free man again. I'll drop all charges against you. You won't have to die by hanging anymore.

I want my son to get married to Sonia, your daughter.

That's the only way out of this mess. Now listen well. I'm not seeking your permission, it's an order! and you're allowed to go home and think about it, But trust me if your daughter forbids, she might as well start prepping your funeral 'cause you'd be dead before completing your jail term,"

"My daughter? I thought it was just me. Why do you have to get her involved? What has she done?

She's innocent. Please don't make her pay for my crime,"

Joe pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.

Calvin couldn't be convinced.

"My decision is final and there is nothing anyone can do about it. If you don't accept my demand, then be ready to spend the rest of your days in jail. I've been good to you enough. You should be happy I'm considerate. Now leave."

Joe was chased out like a housefly.

Nick stood in dismay and watched in confusion while the drama ensued. He thought it was his kid brother, Neon getting married to Sonia until he asked his Father for clarification.

"Dad, are you sure Neon would like her? I mean, these folks stink with poverty!"

"Son, you're getting it wrong. Neon is never in the picture. It's you. You don't even have anyone in your life right now, do you? And I hope you do not consider getting married to Chloe a wife?"

Sir Calvin reaffirmed and left Nick in astonishment. Everything seemed like a movie to him.

Nick yelled at his Dad which resulted in an altercation. "Me?

When did we discuss marriage? Last time I checked, I never told you I needed you to find me a wife.

If I wanted one, I know the process. But....but I'm not ready yet for marriage. Besides, I don't even love this so-called Sonia. Dad, for goodness' sake we are not in the 90s. How do I even explain this to Chloe?"

"I'm your father. I dictate everything about you. Now this is me saying you must get married to that girl. Don't dare disobey me. You've got less than 7 days to walk down the aisle with Sonia or kiss your inheritance goodbye.

Neon will be chosen as the heir apparent of my legacy. I want Sonia to reshape your life. Just look at you. You're nothing but a complete disappointment to the family. At age 29, you still live under my roof and your brother at his young age is doing very well for himself. I just wish your mom was..."

"Oh, don't you dare speak ill of my mom like that? Take her name out of your fucking mouth. Allow the dead rest."

Nick clapped back and was rewarded with a thunderous slap. He caressed his cheeks in anger and returned to his room only to find Chloe packing her stuff and set to leave the house.

"What are you doing? I didn't ask you to leave."

"You're not blind, are you? Do I need permission from you before leaving? This isn't my home. I heard everything. I'd rather sleep in my apartment tonight. I can't stand the heat,"

Chloe wailed as she attempted to exit the room with her luggage.

"Wait, don't. I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay.

it's not safe out there. It's almost 10 pm. You might get hurt or something. Please stay for the night. We can still discuss this, right? Please don't leave me..you all that I've now. Everyone is against my peace "

Nick says as tears welled up in his eyes holding Chloe's hands.

Nick pleaded and grabbed her box.

"There's nothing to discuss. Your dad said it all. I can see he has other plans for you. Didn't you hear the conditions? I mean he was very clear and blunt about it.

You'd be stripped of your inheritance. You're not that stupid to choose me over fortune, right? What I don't understand is why your Dad keeps controlling you as though you were still a kid. I can't take this.

I'd be back when the drama ended. But right now, I'm out of here."

Chloe wept like a child and departed. Departing with her luggage out of Nicks's room in pain.

All efforts to make her stay proved abortive.