Page 2 of Bad Boy Neighbor

“I gave you four years in college, Gabriella,” he reminds me as if he handed me a winning lottery ticket. “What makes you think you deserve more time to…” he pauses, his gaze piercing, “… do what exactly on your summer break?”

My heart is racing, filled with hope and determination to find my purpose. When I returned from college, I thought my father would look at me with pride and give me the freedom I desperately crave. I was wrong, and now I find myself trapped in this home once again.

“If Nicholas King is to be my husband, and I am to fulfill the duties as his wife and to this family, please let me have this summer to myself. Once summer ends, I will return and walk down the aisle to seal the deal.”

My father appears ready to break out into laughter again, which is odd considering he has no sense of humor, and his laughter only means he’s ridiculing me for being a fool to question his authority.

“Perhaps, Edward, let her go. Besides, I can handle all the wedding plans myself.” My mother turns toward me, eyes blazing with a sneer on her rosy, stained lips. “We will tell society you are visiting hospitals to expand our charity. Your wedding announcement will be published on the exact day of your return. You will not embarrass nor shame our family on your summer break. Or else, Gabriella, you will suffer the consequences of your actions.”

The consequences?

They wouldn’t be so bad if I had something to my name.

A single dollar to call mine and start a new life.

Yet, I’m surprised my mother is voicing an opinion. It’s as if she’s telling me to go, standing up to my father like she has a backbone for once.

“I will allow you one month, not an entire summer break, to do whatever you insist on doing. The marriage will take place before the next election. Am I making myself clear?”

I nod once, agreeing to his demands.

This triumph should be worth celebrating, but instead, I wait for further instruction from my father because this is far from over.

“You may leave next week after our dinner with the Kings to announce the wedding will go ahead.”

The dreaded dinner.

As much as I want to avoid the dinner where Nicholas and I sit in silence while our lives are planned out before us, I know my luck will get me only so far.

“Yes, Father,” I simply say.

Silence falls over the room while I wait for my dismissal from this conversation. My father’s stare is unrelenting, his stern words echoing in my mind.

I can not, will not, destroy our reputation.

If I do, I am nothing.

I will have nothing.

“You may leave the room,” Father finally announces.

I’ve never left the room so fast, running down the long hall toward the gardens to breathe in the fresh air I so desperately crave.

One month is all I have to taste freedom.

I dream of sunshine, the ocean, and the taste of salty air on my lips. Beach houses, bike rides, long walks, and watching the sunset.

A smile graces my lips, but as alive as the dream becomes, reality chases it like a hunter following its prey. It won’t be long until I’m back here, walking these gardens in a wedding dress my mother insists I wear. My father will have chosen the guests carefully, and every wedding detail will be strategically planned to ensure our family stays on top of society.

I’m destined to be captive.

Unless, of course, some knight-in-shining armor sweeps me away from the hands of my father along with this godforsaken world and shows me how to fight for the one thing I so desperately want.

Freedom.

Two

Oliver

---