Page 1 of Unbreakable

Arianna

Thelasttwoyears here at college have been amazing. I’ve even managed to find a way to suffer through the countless “potential husband” meetings my father has subjected me to on the one weekend a month I’m home. Thankfully he doesn’t fill the holiday breaks with them and allows me a few moments of peace to do what I want. Most often those moments were spent with his work associate, having orgasm after orgasm.

I found an amazing job here as well, doing the things I love, dancing and showing off my body. I was out bar hopping one night with my suitemate when we came across States, a gogo club. I didn’t even realize it was an actual thing. Walking inside, I was immediately drawn to the men and women of the club dancing on the stage, while some were in cages hanging from the rafters, dancing without a care in the world. At that moment, I knew that was where I wanted to work. I immediately filled out the application and was hired on the spot.

But today has left me confused and is the main reason I’m here first thing in the morning when I would much rather be in my dorm room still sleeping. I worked late at the club last night then had a brief but rewarding encounter with one of the patrons in the back seat of his SUV.

Now, I’m sitting in a chair in the office of the financial manager at my college waiting for her to return. I can't stop looking at the letter in my hand. I know they’ve made a mistake and my parents will be furious if they find out. I already know what they would say about this soiling their reputation, I can already hear my father’s rant in my head.

The words pop out on the page, not matching something that should be tied to the stature of my family name.

Payment returned for insufficient funds. Tuition must be paid within forty-eight hours or enrollment will be terminated.

I hear the door open as the counselor returns with a folder in her hands.

"Miss. Racanelli, I’m sorry about the wait but given the situation I wanted to recheck our records. Unfortunately, you may want to speak with your parents because the tuition payment has in fact been declined. I’m sorry, but if it is not paid within forty-eight hours you will be withdrawn from the school.”

“Mrs. Michaels, are you positive?” I ask again, almost begging for her to indeed say it’s an error.

“Unfortunately, I am. Maybe you would like to take the time to contact your parents, just be sure to handle the matter quickly. I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you.”

I tell her goodbye and turn to leave her office, my body still in shock over the news I’ve just been given. Deciding this is something I definitely need to speak with my parents in person about, I ditch classes and take the three hour drive to see them. I send my dad a text just to let him know I’m coming and need to talk to him.

Three hours later I pull into the driveway of my home, a three story Victorian. When I was growing up, I always thought of my house as a castle and I was the princess. At the time I didn’t understand what money was, I thought everyone had homes like this. It wasn’t until I was older and in high school I realized that wasn’t the case at all. It was then I became aware of how oblivious I was, that people actually lived paycheck to paycheck barely having money to pay bills or put food on the table. I also became very aware of how snobbish my family was, only allowing me to befriend those who they considered to be of stature.

Hell, even with my dance classes. I had to practically beg my mother to take a hip hop or contemporary class. To her it was beneath us, ballet and ballroom were the only acceptable dances.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, I really do. I just don’t have the same snotty beliefs they do. Attending college has been amazing, I’ve been able to express who I am without the constraints of my parents. Pulling myself from my thoughts, I pick up my purse from the passenger seat and head inside. I'm in no way looking forward to the conversation that is about to happen.

“Dad, are you home?” I call out as I open the front door, stepping inside.

“Arianna, we do not scream out into the home like heathens. That is what riff raff does. Follow me to my office please.” my father instructs, as he enters the room from the hallway that leads to the dining room.

I’ve only been in my childhood home a minute and I’m already feeling stifled. I just hope I can resolve this quickly, get my tuition payment and get the hell out of here, back to college.

Entering his office, he moves behind his desk and takes a seat in his chair. His office looks the same as it did when I left for college two years ago. Nothing out of place, no dust and not one picture anywhere.

“I was pleased to get your message today, however you know text messages are not something I approve of. Nonetheless, I was going to call and have you come home this weekend regardless, as I need to discuss something with you.” he says, his voice void of any emotion.

“I actually need to talk to you about something important as well.” I tell him, eager to get this over with.

“I received a letter from the financial office and spoke with them today, there was an issue with the tuition payment. I need to pay it and I was hoping to get a corrected payment from you today.” I tell him hopefully.

“Arianna, it’s time you grew up. There was no error with the tuition payment.” he says and I look at him in disbelief.

“Due to some financial miscalculations, we are in serious debt. I have found a way to resolve all those issues and it involves you. That being said, you will not be returning to college, but staying here instead. An associate of mine will be helping to take care of my financial issues and in return you will be marrying him upon your twenty-first birthday.” My mouth drops open at his words and I’m in complete shock. Am I really hearing this right?

“What?!” I gasp. “You want me to marry someone?”

“I think you misheard me, Daughter, you WILL be marrying him, the deal has been signed. So you see, there is no need to waste money on college when you will not be needing it. You are to go back to college, pack your belongings, and return home.”

“NO!” I scream. “I will not marry anyone.” As soon as the words leave my mouth he is standing and moving around the desk towards me.

“Silly child. Do you think you have a choice? You will marry him or be responsible for the death of your parents. Is that what you want? You are the reason we are in this predicament and you will be the reason we get out of it. Do you understand me?”

“What are you talking about?” I ask frantically. How am I responsible? Death? This is just too much.

“Do you think college and dance classes are cheap? We have treated you like a princess. I made some financial deals that did not work out to ensure you had everything you wanted, and now we are barely able to afford to live. My associate thinks you will make a fine wife and bear him many heirs. You will do this, or we are all dead because I owe him for his help, and you are the payment.”

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