The knock came again, shifting Erica's attention back to the floor.she was about to drop the call when Mia's voice halted her not to.
"What's up? It might be my mom or dad,"
"You have to be strong with your decision, you know how your father is, he can make you change your mind which you will regret later. Just stand on your ground and make sure, he doesn't see that you are still thinking about it."
"Alright babe." Erica said before she hung up, quickly straightened her hair and smoothed down her dress. She opened the curtain, letting the reflection of the sun inside the room to brighten it up.
"I'm coming…" she said, hearing the knock come again for the third time, and this time, a little more louder. She let out a deep sigh when she saw her father standing on the other side through the door hole.
"Can I come in?" he asked softly, his grey hair roughly tousled and dark circles shadowing his tired eyes.
Erica folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe. It was time to put Mia's advice into action.
"Depends. If you're here to stop the wedding, please, in the name of God, leave. If not… you can stay."
Her father's look shifted, "Stop the wedding? What wedding?" Nevertheless, he stepped inside, taking a seat at the edge of her bed.
He sighed heavily, looking at her with eyes that were tired, full of regret. "I know how you feel rejecting their proposal but I want to tell you this is all for the better, something good will surely locate us."
"I'm sorry, father. I changed my mind." Her father's gaze shot up at her, shifting in confusion.
"What are you talking about? We already—"
" I'm sorry father, but that won't happen." She cut him off. "They are our saving grace, because in this society no matter how hard we work no one sees it nor cares." She sighed. "I'm tired of letting my hardwork be in vain and this kind of opportunity is rare. It comes once in a blue moon.
We have talked about this already, why are you backing out now, you cannot marry him, his mother only wants him to because of the company, He cannot take over, still single."
"i don't care, father, This is our chance at least to take back what the society has taken away from us."
"No. Loyalty pays Erica. I'd never lie to you. Just believe one day, your hardwork will pay off and you will—"
"Spare me the sermon, father." She said, rolling her eyes.
"You graduated just the same way I did, as a valedictorian from business administration for that matter and yet in this society where our economy relies solely on commercial trading, your company couldn't survive, why? Because of the vultures of this society." She swallowed hard seeing the pain in his eyes.
She bit her lower lip, forcing her tears back in as she continued.
"Now you are nothing. Nothing, from being a CEO to being a chauffeur of no one other than your old school friend and his son." She whispered, moving to the other side of the bed.
"I don't want to end up like you, father. Not after all it took for me to go to school." She sniffed back tears. " This debt is equally mine, it's only fair that I pay it."
"Erica, there's no one in this world who loves you more than your parents. We just want what's best for you, and—"
"I know, Dad," she cut him off, avoiding his eyes and focusing on her phone. "You've said it a million times. My ears hurt from hearing it."
"Erica." He reached out a hand but pulled back before touching her. "We are trying our best."
She finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. "I'm starting to doubt it."
Her father's voice trembled as he continued, "You have to listen to me, Erica. I am your father." His chest tightened.
"You cannot and will not marry Jamal Jackson! Not under my roof! If you want him, go over there and have him. And the moment you do that, I'm done having you as my daughter."
The words hit her like a slap. She stared at him, stunned, before anger flared in her eyes. "So you're going to disown me because I'm marrying the man of my dreams? Wow, Dad, I can't believe this—even you?? You are disowning me!? It's fine, I never belonged here anyways." She grabbed a bag from under the bed and began throwing clothes into it with furious energy.
"You know what? Don't count yourself as a parent who wants good for their kids. And Fine! I'll leave and never speak to you again. It's clear, Melissa and Eric have always been your favorites."
Her father's face crumpled as he reached out to stop her packing, but she pushed his hands away. "If you cared so much about your kids, you shouldn't have been a debtor. You should've been rich and cool like Jamal's father or Mia's father. Maybe then you'd have the right to choose who I marry." Her voice cracked, but she held back the tears that threatened to spill. "Do you have any idea how I was bullied in school? Always the poor girl with nothing cool to show for it? If you knew, you wouldn't dare to stop me."
Her father's shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry, Erica. I shouldn't have said that. I was angry. I didn't mean any of it. Please don't leave. You know I can't survive without you."
But she had already made up her mind. "No, Dad. You've done your worst. I belong to the Jacksons now. Kudos, you've got just two kids left. Remember the lesson you always preached to me: 'Every disappointment is a blessing.' Well, I'm about to find my blessing."
Erica stepped out only to meet her mother's tear streaked face.
"You… you… are being serious." She rasped, taking slow steps backwards as her hands found its way to her chest. She fisted the fabric in her chest, but the pain was still there.
"Mom?" Erica's anger melted into panic. "Mom!"
Her mother swayed, and Erica dropped her bag, catching her just in time before she hit the ground.
"Help!!" she screamed.
Melissa, Eric, and their father rushed out of their rooms.
"What happened?" their father asked, voice shaky.
"She… she collapsed," Erica stammered, trying not to cry.
"Get her heart meds. Now!" her father shouted.
Erica bolted into her parents' room and grabbed the bottle from the shelf. Her chest tightened.
It felt too light.
"Erica!" her father's voice echoed down the hall.
She sprinted back and handed him the bottle.
He opened it quickly—and sighed. One pill left.
Erica felt her knees weaken with relief as her mother opened her eyes slowly after taking the medication.
"You almost killed Mom," Melissa muttered, her arms crossed.
"Don't talk to your sister like that," their mom said weakly.
Erica tried not to cry in front of her siblings, but the tears came anyway.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she sobbed, covering her face.
Her mom gently reached for her hand. "It's okay. Just promise me you'll stay."
Erica bit her lip and nodded.
"I'll stay… anything for you, Mom."