Erica's fingers traced the peeling paint on her wall. The faded colors crumbled beneath her touch — fragile, like everything else in her life. Her gaze shifted to her valedictorian award, still hanging by a worn thread near the ceiling.
Climbing onto her creaky bed, she reached for it. The wood groaned beneath her weight, crying to be left alone, but she barely noticed. It had become a sound she was used to, not just by the bed but everything in the house.
Her eyes blurred as she read the inscription:
"Valedictorian Award to Erica Williams — Harvard University, 23 October 2019."
The happiness that day was nothing like she had ever felt, the second valedictorian in the house yet nothing to show for it because the society deals with power not hard work.
A tear slid down her cheek, landing on the school's motto: "Excellence through Perseverance." She wiped it away, sniffing hard. Perseverance — for what? To end up trapped in a man's house, paying for debts that aren't mine?
Her phone screen lit up. Mia's grinning face appeared, bright as ever. Erica forced a smile, swiping up to answer.
"Girlie..." Mia's smile faltered. "Why do you look like Cinderella before her fairy godmother showed up? Is something wrong?"
"It's... uhm... it's nothing," Erica said, but her voice wavered.
Mia's eyes narrowed. "You've been my bestie for years now, okay? I know when something's up. What's wrong? What are you not telling me?"
Erica's shoulders sagged. "I'm getting married."
Mia's eyes widened. The plate she was holding clattered into the sink, jarring both of them. She rinsed her hands hastily, grabbed the phone, and stared at Erica like she'd grown two heads.
"What are you talking about? You're getting married? To whom? Why... When… What are you even talking about?1:"
Erica glanced at the wedding invitation on her nightstand. The sunlight filtering through her worn-out curtains made the gold lettering shimmer like a mockery of her fate.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Mia pressed. "Don't tell me you're joking. You know how much I hate that."
"I wish I was," Erica muttered, another tear slipping down her cheek.
Mia softened. "Tell me everything, girl. You know I'm always here for you."
Erica swallowed hard, cleared her throat, and began. "I met with Jamal Jackson."
"Jamal Jackson? As in, your dad's boss? The heir to the Jackson conglomerate?"
"The titles aren't necessary," Erica muttered. "But yes, him."
Mia blinked rapidly. "Why... I mean... what did you meet him for?"
Erica exhaled. "Father fell ill yesterday and couldn't make it to work. He asked me to stand in for him because Jamal had a board meeting and needed to be there early. So I went. After the meeting, I dropped him off when his mother stopped me... or rather, took an interest in me."
Mia froze. "And?"
"She started asking questions. About me. My family. Then she said I was the reason Father was in debt." Erica's voice cracked. "I didn't believe her, but when I called Father, he admitted it. When she demanded the money, I told her I didn't have it. That's when she... proposed marriage. Said I could pay off the debt by marrying Jamal for a stipulated amount of time."
Mia leaned back, her mouth ajar. Then she laughed dryly. "Hold on... are we talking about the same Jamal Jackson? The walking god? The one with more money than sense?"
Erica gave a tired nod. "I know, Mia, but it's not—"
"Are you kidding me?! Marrying Jamal Jackson is a problem?" Mia cried, running her hands through her chestnut brown hair.
"It's not what you think," Erica cut in.
"No, it's exactly how I think," Mia shot back. "As far as I can remember, you've been crushing on that man since high school. Now you finally have a shot, and you want to throw it away?"
"Mia, it's complicated," Erica insisted, her voice trembling. "I'm not marrying him because I want to... I'm doing it because I have to."
Mia shook her head. "Look, I get it. But think about your family. Melissa and Eric still need to go to school, and no matter how bad things get, they deserve better than this mess. This could change everything for them... and for you. Don't let your pride ruin that."
Erica squeezed her eyes shut. Tears welled again, this time spilling freely. She lowered the phone, clutching her head as sobs wracked her body.
Mia's voice softened. " You just have to be positive, Erica or rather see the positive side of it, mabe not just for yourself but for family too. I'm sure Jamal will come to love you and whatever happens... you'll get through it. I know you will."
Erica nodded, no matter how she wanted to see it, there was no way to deny it. Mia was right. They were going to help them alot and truly they needed it.
She nodded, sniffing back the rest of her tears and wiping her face with the old bedspread on her bed.
"You might not want to hear this Erica, but you are so lucky. You are the luckiest I've seen and most times I wish to be in your shoes."
Erica scoffed. Her composure, still intact.
"Until when will you stop saying this," she chuckled. " I mean, you are a Gromani, your father is the second-richest man in the world and—"
"Fuck it, Erica, its nothing compared to what you have."
Erica wiped her eyes more . "C'mon, you say it after every exam and even when I got the valedictorian award. There's seriously nothing to be envious about, I mean, I'm throwing all of that hard work away just to be confined to a man's space and obey his orders."
Silence stretched between them like rubber.
You are right but Jamal is not just any man, he is a billionaire. His father is the first richest, and you know that. You would never have to work till eternity and so will your children."
Erica sat up in the bed " Yes, you are right. I should shape their future now so that they don't end up like me."
"You see, you are finally seeing the positive side, and like your dad will always say, every disappointment is a blessing. You might be disappointed that you let everything go down the drain but there's a positive side. You have just uplifted your generation from the shackles of this society."
"I love you, Mia, I swear, I wonder what I would have done without you."
She scoffed. " Make sure you never take your words back."
Erica chuckled, noticing that her shoulders felt lighter like a burden had been lifted off from her.
"At least we can finally go on our dream shopping, Mrs Jackson,"
Erica laughed harder than she thought she would
It was supposed to sound awkward but it didn't, instead, it made her happy.
"C'mon, we've not gotten there yet, I'm still a William."
Mia smirked.
"I can't wait." she quipped, her tone light.
Erica grinned hard. " Surprisingly, me too."
"So what did your father say about it, I mean, he's more of a yeoman, I'm sure he's against it."
"Yes, you're right, but I'll change it. I will make him see the positive side and accept the marriage."
A knock on the door, shifted her attention.
Erica's face fell. "Uhm… hold on babe…uhh..Let me call you back."