Three- Sarah's Warning

SARAH PIERCE

I looked away from Nathaniel. “Who her father is… is none of your business.”

“Can you see, Mr. Storm?” My father pointed at me. “She cannot answer. She has always been a whore. When she left home, she was always sneaking around with a man, I am certain was a criminal. You cannot marry her.”

I almost laughed. The supposed criminal I was sneaking around with was Nathaniel Storm.

“Exactly, Nathaniel!” My sister added. “She is used up. You don't deserve her.”

“Mr. Pierce. Miss Rosaline.” Nathaniel got up. “I apologise for the abrupt change in plans. But my mind is made up. I will get married to your sister. The wedding plans will proceed without interruption.”

“This is bullshit! Your father will hear of this!” My father stormed out. As my sister raced after him, her loud cries overpowered his angry words.

“Miss?” Nathaniel called, and I was tempted to slap his head for his continuous pretence.

“Stop this silliness, Nathaniel,” I warned when I stepped closer.

He looked down at me. “Excuse me?”

“Don't give me that shit, Nathaniel. Call me by my name. You know my name.”

“Are we close enough for you to call me by my first name?” he demanded.

And I frowned. Nathaniel was never good at hiding his emotions, but right now, he is doing a good job of acting oblivious to the existence of our past relationship.

“What is your deal?” I asked.

His dark eyes narrowed. “I do not know what you are talking about. Anyway,” the tight lines on his face loosened, “we have agreed to get married. You can not change your mind.”

I see he is determined to take his pretence all the way. What a prick.

My arms folded while my heart ached with anger. And I asked, “Why did you say yes? You have obviously chosen to act like you don't know me.”

“I am not acting.” His sharp gaze continued to focus on me, and no matter how I glared, I was yet to see a glint of lie in his eyes. “I do not know you.”

“Or you have gotten too good at lying.” I looked away and muttered, “This is crazy.”

“Are you going to remain here?” His voice pierced my chaotic thoughts.

I watched as he looked around the room and replied, “This is my father's house. Where else will I stay?”

He nodded curtly. “We will get married next week. I do not feel good about leaving you and your daughter here.”

“Don't think too highly of yourself. You are not a knight in shining armour. You are just -”

“Sarah Pierce.” Without warning, his towering height stepped closer, and his chest almost touched my head. “Why are you doing this?”

I looked away from our close eye contact. “Why should I answer that?”

His breath rustled my hair, and it took a lot to stop myself from head-butting him.

“Is revenge your reason?” he asked.

“What if it is?”

“Then, this will be interesting.” He stepped back before my anger could turn into something worse.

“Huh?”

“Goodbye, Sarah Pierce.”

As I watched him leave, I was suddenly reminded of the last day I saw him years ago. Somehow, it felt as though what happened after that day would repeat itself. But I could not move to hold him back.

I stayed still even after I heard the front door close.

Seconds later, the thought of Raya being hungry caused me to head inside.

“How dare you, Sarah?” Rosaline’s deep voice almost startled me before I reached Raya. Her fury was not hidden, so I maintained a distance. “How dare you come back to snatch my man? What gives you the right, you fucking bitch?”

“I am not going to explain myself to you.”

She laughed wickedly. “Can you still say that when I take away the only thing you have?”

That statement only meant one thing, and as Rosaline intended, I was triggered by it. “What? Repeat that nonsense,” I said furiously.

“I am talking about your little bastard. Do you think-”

“Rosaline.” I moved forward with fire in my eyes, and I watched as her boastfulness failed. “If you call my Raya a bastard… If you do as much as lay your filthy, extra-dry hands on my daughter…” She hit the wall, and my gaze drilled into her as much as I desired. “Rosaline Pierce. The day you dare go after my daughter, I will make sure you lose everything that makes you human.”

“How dare you fucking open that dirty mouth to threaten my daughter?” My father walked in. “Are you out of your freaking mind?”

I did not back down. My finger pointed at him in warning. “Tell her to watch her words. Warn her not to threaten my daughter. If either of you tries it, I will make you pay.” My fury grew so much that my ponytail loosened. “Raya is not me. You stupid folks can mess with me as much as you want. Beat me up if you wish. But!” I feasted on the shock on their faces. “If you touch my daughter, you will cry blood.”

“Ha,” my father gasped. “This brat! Insolent! Just rude!” He eyed me. “That deadbeat area you are coming from must have loosened a few screws in your head. You should have never left.”

“Oh!” I laughed to hide the ache constricting my chest. “So you know where I have been?”

“Why would I concern myself with you? You have been nothing but a disgrace.”

“Say what you will.” My lips eased into a smile, I hid my inner turmoil well. “Nathaniel Storm will become my husband. This ‘disgraceful’ child you hate so much will live the best life ever. My daughter will live a great life, and there is nothing you two can do about it.”

I stormed out before anything could leave their mouths. And I locked the door to my room once I entered.

Suddenly, shuddering exhales left me as my back leaned against the door. My eyes focused on Raya, who was frowning at me. I slid to the ground, and like that, the turbulence in my soul turned to tears.

“Mummy?” Raya gently called after a few careful steps closer.

“Raya.” My tears failed to cease. “I… am… f-f-f-fine.” My sniffles made it hard to be audible. “Mummy is fine.” I just could not stop myself from wailing.

She closed the gap left between us and sat on my lap. “Mummy?” The subtlety in her tiny voice told me she recognised my pain and wished to know the cause.

And damn right that worsened my crying.

“My baby,” I cooed as I pulled her into a hug while the innermost part of my soul kept digging up the pains of the past and present to add to my unceasing wails. “Come here, my Raya.” I hugged her tighter as the coconut scent of her hair filled my senses. “Mummy loves you so, so much. Ohhh… my baby.”

“I lauv mummy too.”

I moaned with great delight, and her beautiful response added to the reasons for my tears.

As I held her dearly like the cutest treasure she was, I cried my heart out while silently promising myself that I would never again shed tears in front of Raya.

~~~~

NATHANIEL STORM

I hate delays.

Also, people, things, and other factors that cause delays.

However, in this particular hour, as my car struggled to move in the traffic, I was too occupied with thoughts of that woman to notice the fading of my precious time.

Sarah Pierce.

I rested my elbow on the door and covered my upper lip while my sunglasses continued to give me a view of the gridlock.

There is something about Sarah Pierce. Something that makes me react.

Beyond her tired appearance, when I saw the piles of burdening emotions in her eyes, I became very curious about her, and that curiosity widened when her fiery tone suggested that she knew me.

But I did not expect my curiosity to lead me to say yes to her marriage proposal.

Or perhaps it wasn't the fault of my curiosity. Maybe I have a loose screw in my head.

Why else would I have said yes so easily? That too, to a woman I don't know.

Or could it be pity?

No. It certainly isn’t that. Sure, the wickedness I watched her suffer within that short time could not be ignored, but it is not my thing to pity strangers, especially since I do not know their stories.

Shit…

It might take a while to figure out why I said yes.

I think I am better off focusing on the positive side of this situation. Thanks to the change in plans, I won't get married to Rosaline Pierce, whose guts and loud voice I have always hated. Also, I will get to force myself out of my father's will to control my life.

I guess I have to thank the heavens for sending Nolan Pierce's second and never-mentioned daughter at that very moment. With a single appearance that embodied sadness and feistiness, she has helped me find a way out of my predicament.

My phone's ringing snapped me out of my multiplying thoughts. I glanced at the screen and picked up my father's call.

“Come home. Now,” his gruff voice ordered. “You have five minutes.”

“I am stuck in-”

He ended the call, and I sighed. The battle I will meet at home will be a long one. But I will make sure to win. As I have always done.

About forty minutes later, I strutted into my father's study room- an exquisitely designed room often featured in magazines.

I have always hated this room. I hate how it lacks natural air.

“You called,” I simply said once I sat on one of the couches in the centre of the room.

“What authority do you think you have, Nathaniel?” My father, Edward Pierce, turned to reveal how gracious old age looked on him. His embrace of grey hair worked in his favour, and his regular workouts made him look younger. “How could you change the bride?” However, his limping gait serves as a reminder of his real age.

“Because it is my life. I changed the bride because I was not comfortable with your choice. I don't get why you are angry. That woman…” It strangely feels wrong to regard her so loosely. “Sarah Pierce is also Mr. Pierce's daughter. I do not see what the problem is.”

He stood before me and showed me his temper. “What about getting married to Rosaline Pierce, do you not understand?”

“Again, Sarah Pierce is also his daughter, there is not much difference.”

His brows arched. “Says who?”

“You have no reason to be against this.”

“She has a daughter with an unknown father!” he complained. “What are you thinking? Don't you realise she will hurt your image? Our image?! Listen, boy.” He poked my chest. “Rosaline Pierce is your bride. Stop being stupid and do as you are told.”

I scoffed. And that shocked my father.

He asked, “Are you in your right mind?”

“I believe I am. And this will be the last time I say that I won’t change my mind.”

His concern grew bigger. Yet, contempt remained in his voice. “Are you bewitched? If not, you have no reason to be this stubborn.”

I got up with ease. The battle was not as terrible as I thought it would be. After adjusting my tailored shirt, I firmly said, “Accept Sarah Pierce or watch me cancel all the contracts between us.”

“How dare you-”

“Goodbye.”

With a slight smirk of victory, I walked out, and I became more confident about my choice. Now, what's left is for me to cement everything.

I must not leave any stone unturned.