Chapter 17
Avidya
With a deep breath in, I closed my eyes, letting the pain meds take effect as I stood against the bathroom counter. Opening them, I met my paler than normal complexation. Makeup did wonders in hiding the dark handprint on my cheek and tired eyes. Too bad it did hardly anything on the other bruises that covered my body.
It wasn’t often I wore makeup, but times like this was the perfect time to use the untouched makeup.
Zachariah had sent a dress for me to wear with matching black sandals. I couldn’tnotwear it since he took the time to find me something nice, something that fit me to wear to meet his parents. Why, though? I couldn’t wrap my head around why he wanted me to meet his parents, as I didn’t see it would do any good.
The dress was no doubt priced higher than anything I owned, but it was something I liked. The thin straps sat on my shoulders, and the cotton-like fabric went down to just above my knees in a black wave. It wasn’t overly dressy, but yet still classy. I couldn’t help but like how it fit me, except that it clearly showed the marks on my arms.
Before leaving my room, I slipped my arms into a light cream sweater. I could easily pull off the lie of being cold to keep my arms hidden. The thunderstorm late last night made today a bit cooler.
“Avidya,” father yelled up the stairs, causing me to jump.
With one more sigh, sending up a prayer that I could make it through the next few hours, I left my room and made my way down the stairs. My heart beat widely in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that I would have to be in the same space as my father, or being able to see Zachariah again. I wasn’t willing to admit that I was looking forward to seeing the man in question again.
“Hurry up,” father grumbled, taking a once over of my appearance. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled that I was wearing something that he normally didn’t approve of. He hated the idea of me wearing anything like this for some reason. Normally, I didn’t wear thin straps, nor did I wear so much makeup. But when he left marks on me, what else was I to do? It wasn’t often, thankfully.
Once in the car, father began the drive to wherever we were going. I had no idea what to expect. Jeez, I didn’t know what to expect hour by hour anymore. My parents were mostly the same, but father was moodier than before. Mom seemed to be more stressed and drinking more often, although hiding it from me well. There was something more to all of it.
Forty minutes after leaving our driveway, father pulled up to a three-story house that sat atop what looked like a three-car garage. The wood siding matched the dark roof and the rock like stairs that led up to the front door. Huge windows looked out over the land, as the house was built back a bit from the main road. Trees could be seen by the side of the house, and I assumed that the back yard was just as forest like. It was a sight to behold, and I knew just from one look that the owners had more than money than what they knew what to do with.
“Can’t believe I’m going along with this,” father grumbled as he stomped up the stairs.
I stayed silent, following my mom up the stone steps, taking note that they had to be made of real stones. Each was placed perfectly, even the stone banister.
I was used to the small but homey two-story home I grew up in. It was big enough for the three of us, and that was about it. It worked, and I never wanted more than that. I had my own room, a closet, and bathroom.
Before father reached the door, it opened by a woman who had black hair left down past her shoulders. Her light brown eyes were filled with happiness as she greeted my parents.
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Ray,” she opened the door wider, allowing us in. “And Avidya,” she gave me a smile, almost like she knew exactly who I was. I gave her a polite smile back before stepping into the house.
The inside was just as grand as the outside. A huge entryway with light hardwood flooring and a wide staircase off to the side.
“I’m Julia, Zachariah’s mother,” she spoke, her voice still soft but filled with love. “It’s nice to meet you. Zach should be here shortly, as should his father, Carlos,” she went on. “Please, let me show you to the living room while we wait.”
“You have such a beautiful home,” mom said, looking around in awe. That was extremely true. This house was amazing. High vaulted ceilings, light cream smooth walls, and just so much character that things fit perfectly everywhere.
“Thank you,” Julia smiled, pleased. “This house was passed down to us when I married into the family. It was a wedding gift, you could say. Through the years, I’ve worked on painting and refurbishing each room, making it have a more modern feel, but keeping everything original as much as possible.”
In the living room, the white furniture was placed perfectly towards the windows that faced the front yard, and a brick fireplace that was placed in between a set of wide windows.
My parents sat on the loveseat while I took the chair in the corner that faced the front door a bit.
“The men had planned to be here before you arrived, but something came up,” Julia went on after taking a seat on one of the other empty chairs.
“No worries,” father spoke, breaking the thick atmosphere. He waved his hand in the air as if it really didn’t bother him. But it was bugging him. I could tell by the twitch in his eye. “Did Zachariah tell you how he came across our daughter?”
“He said they ran into one another a while ago, at church I believe,” she said, looking at my father without batting an eye. “And when he heard through the grapevine that she was available to marry, he couldn’t help but seek her hand in marriage.” Turning her attention to me, “He did pick well. You a sight a behold.”
“Uh, thank you?” I replied, blushing at the attention.
“There’s a light in you that he needs. I am truly happy that he chose someone that can hopefully show that life is not all about work,” she said, giving me a bright smile.
“He seems to be just fine without a wife,” father mumbled out.
“Okay, Mr. Ray,” Julia spoke, leaning forward in her chair and staring him down. “Listen here, and listen closely, because I won’t be repeating myself. I know you are less than thrilled with how things are going, and that’s perfectly fine. As a businessman, I am positive you have things already lined up to the dot, on how everything was going to work out. But now, things are far out of your hands, Mr. Ray. My son will marry Avidya, and if you fight him, he won’t hesitate to bring you down. We have helped you out more than once, and now, it’s time for us to take charge. Understood?”
