5. The price to pay (2)

*Venus's POV...

Dad: But... (sighs) Ahh... How much?

He's really willing to do anything to sell me. Honestly...I couldn't be more disappointed than that. Okay... In that case, I wouldn't feel remorseful about him either if he's my father.

Me: You will have to transfer me sixty thousand dollars per year and this as soon as the marriage contract is signed.

Dad: (breathes) Okay.

He doesn't even hesitate. Pff...

Despite myself, I can't help but be sad. I lower my head then get up.

Me: Okay... If that's all then, I'll go. I just arrived so I need some rest.

As he doesn't say anything, I hang my bag on my shoulder ready to leave, but he blurts out:

Dad: On the other hand, once married to this young man, I would not like to hear any complaints. I would like you to behave well during the five years that you will live with it and so...

Me: (sighs) Ahh...

What did I expect anyway? My father never really knew what kind of person I was, so it's not now that I've spent years away from him that he'll know. He just can't trust me.

I turn to him with a fake smile.

Me: You can rest easy, dear associate. I would be the perfect docile wife once my salary was paid. Your son-in-law will not suffer from anything.

I notice he makes a weird expression when I finish my sentence.

Me: Anything else?

Dad: No. Nothing.

Me: Um...

Dad: You'll be here tomorrow night for dinner, I hope? Preparations and arrangements for the wedding should be discussed with his family.

Me: Yeah. I'll come... See you later.

*Liam's POV...

She seems stunned at the time. I knew it would obviously shock her. I came to see her in her apartment so I could calmly explain to her the situation with my family. Last night when I left home, I went to meet my friends. They were the ones who advised me to talk to him about it calmly. Of course, I intended to tell him, but I didn't know when or how to do it.

Me: Neiya...

Neiya: What did you say there?

The latter stares at me with eyes full of anger. All night yesterday I kept thinking, but until then I don't know what to do. Apparently it's tomorrow that we have to go meet the family of this girl that I don't even know. I couldn't bring myself to hide it from Neiya until the end. Surprising her suddenly could have shocked her.

Me: Sorry Neiya.

Neiya: Are you really planning to marry this girl?! Are you going to marry him?!

She asks me, suddenly getting up from her seat.

I don't know what to answer him.

Neiya: And me in all this?! And our relationship?!

I breathe, running my hands over my face.

Me: My parents say it's just for five years... It's just a contract with this girl's family.

Neiya: And after that it's just a contract? This is not an excuse!

Me: My inheritance is at stake Neiya! Everything my parents built... We risk losing everything!

Neiya: (annoyed) So you want to throw me out just for that? For money Liam?!

Me: But who talked about throwing you away? I never said I wanted to leave you! I don't even intend to.

Neiya: So what do you plan to do? I warn you, I don't share! So, you choose... Either you oppose this story and everything will be fine between us, or you get married and you forget about me Liam Miller!

No but what...! She didn't understand anything I said to her?

Me: Can you hear yourself talking there? I hope this is a joke!

Neiya: I'm serious. Choose!

Without answering him, I get up from my seat then take my phone and my car keys that were on the table and put them in my pocket.

Neiya: What are you doing here Liam? We haven't finished talking, let me know!

Me: I'm going.

Neiya: (dazed) What?!

I had barely taken a few steps when she grabbed my arm.

Neiya: Listen Liam, if you leave here without giving me a precise answer, I will consider that you chose her and therefore that our relationship will end here and now!

Is this blackmail she's blackmailing me with? Yet she knows how much I can hate it. Especially since now is not the time for that.

I turn my head towards her already upset.

Me: Stop! Honestly, that's enough!... Do you think I'm not suffering? You are not the only one in the story!

Without another word, I start walking again.

Neiya: (yells) LIAM MILLER KNOW THAT IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS DOOR IT'S REALLY OVER BETWEEN US!

Without answering her, I just turn my head for a moment and look at her face before opening the door to go out.

Neiya: Liam, stay there!... LIAM!

It is best not to continue this discussion. I might say something to him that I'll really regret. Certainly, she reacts like that because of the shock and I understand her. I would also have taken it badly if she had told me that her family wanted to marry her off to someone else. Seven years of relationships is not nothing and it hurts me to think that I am going to have to marry another. On the other hand, the situation is not so simple. I can't just think about myself in this situation. There are my parents too.

Once in my car, I sit there for over an hour hoping that at some point she will come out since she didn't hear my car start, but nothing.

So is it going to end like this between us? Just for that she decided to stop everything... Pff, honestly. It annoys me that she reacted like that. I wasn't asking him to jump for joy, but still...

I take my phone and call Quentin. One of my friends. He told me earlier that he would go out with the others.

~Call...

- Quentin: Yo big!

- Me: (breathes) Yeah big... Where are you?

- Quentin: Well at the Bleau Bar. And you ? Are you still with Neiya?

- Me: No. I'm coming.

- Quentin: Uh okay... On the other hand, you have a funny voice. Didn't it go well with her?

- Me: (sighs) I'll tell you about it once I get there.

~End of call...

I hang up then drive off. I might as well go join my friends. I need a drink to clear my head and maybe then I can at least sleep tonight.

~Ellipsis of the journey to Bleau Bar...

As I enter the nightclub, I send a message to Quentin to tell me exactly where they are. So it didn't take me long to find them. They are seated at a table not far from the counter. There is Matty, Yoann, Jason, Tiger and Quentin of course.

???????????????

Kisses ?