Set me free - Episode 34

Michelle:

"I'll marry Rory." Trust me, I sound stronger than I feel right now. I know I might regret taking this step but I am tired of my father's manipulations. Rory has always been there for me and even right now, he's ready to marry me just to set me free from my father's clutches with hurting anyone. 
 My father's beaming face comes in my line of vision as he hugs Rory's shoulder. My face twist in anger for a moment then confusion. How come they know each other enough for my father to agree to this?
"Smile, princess." For a moment I think it's William's voice and I steal a glance at him. He isn't saying a word but there's a weird look on his face while he eyes Rory down. His eyes suddenly turn to me and his face goes emotionless.
"I'll take my leave now, boss." William says, his eyes not leaving me. I adjust my dark glasses selfconsciously.
"Yea. Dismissed. I have to leave as well. Let's give the couple some alone time anyways." my dad says. He places a peck on my cheek before he walks out. I wait for the sound of his car to die out to make sure he's gone before I grab Rory's arm and pull him to my room. I might have made a decision too soon but I want all the details.
"Hey, no need to rush

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/set-me-free

. We have all our lives to get cozy." Rory jokes as I slam the door shut. I throw the dark glasses to my bed and rub my eyes.
"sometimes I feel really blind in that thing." I grumble.
"Don't worry. We get married as soon as you'll like and you won't have to pretend to be blind anymore." Rory says as he tucks a stray hair behind my ear. I have to step back from the closeness. His eyes are staring down mine and that's when it hits me.
"You can see! Sh*t Rory!" I exclaim.
"shhhh." Rory places a finger on my lips. I push it away and stare at him in wonder. I can't believe I didn't notice that first! Gosh, William really distracts me. My mind is working slower than usual this morning. I just hope my slow mind hasn't made a bad decision.
"Took you long enough to notice, genius." I swath his shoulder.
"I was a bit distracted." I defend.
"Yea. With tall, brooding and handsome over there." Rory raises a brow at me.
"Ofcourse not! Now don't change the subject. What's going on?"
"You just agreed to marry me. You are getting out of your father's hold soon. Then you can do whatever you want. Get a degree. Travel the world. Anything." Rory tweak my nose playfully. His eyes smiling along with his lips. Have I ever seen him this happy? He must really love being able to see again.
"I'm just going to be stuck with you while doing those things." I point out.
"yup. Not a bad deal. I'm hot and rich afterall." he says, totally smug and I chuckle.
"I can't believe all these."
"It's happening princess. I told you I'll get you out of here, didn't I?" His eyes search mine delicately. I step away slowly.
"but how? How do you know my father? How did he agree to this so soon? How did you get your eyes fixed?"
"Your father is a very greedy man as we all know it. I might have offered him a thing or two for this."
"What did you do? Or give rather?" I ask as Rory starts to look a bit nervous.
"We sort of made a business deal." he shrugs but I'm guessing this isn't as casual as he's downplaying it to be.
"what kind of business deal will a man like my father want so much that he gave you his daughter?"
"Control of a harbor where he can smuggle people and drugs without inspection. It's going to make him richer. He is using marriage to seal the deal. He offered before I could even ask."
"oh my God. You joined my father's evil just to set me free." I gasp.
"I promised to get you out." he says like it explains everything.
"I'll rather stay here than let him corrupt your soul as well. He can't get control of you too." my eyes get teary and I angrily wipe it off.
"no, mara. That can never happen. I'm not that high school crush of yours who killed his own father." my eyes bulge out.
"he killed his father?!"
"It was easy getting his criminal records last night."
"oh my God." I can't hold back the tears. This is too much.
"I trusted him last night. I thought he was still the same boy." I sob into my hands. Rory wraps his arms around me as he rubs my back soothingly.
"That's why I'm offering you an out. You need to be free of these kinds of people. We just have to get married." Rory say into my ear.
"But at what cost? My father gets a border to commit more atrocities. You sully your hands in evil. Also, We'll be stuck with each other for life?"
"Your father's end is near. The moment he uses that border, we'll have him cornered. Jessica's father is in charge of said border. It's a trap. I'm not getting involved in anything with your father. And about the being stuck together for life, i won't have it any other way, Mara. You have to see it in my eyes. I did all these for you. I got my eyes fixed so I can see you." he's eyes fill with emotions.
"What are you saying Rory?" 
"I love you, Mara. From that moment at your father's house. You've changed my life. You make me want more. You give me reason to live." his hand pull me closer to him as he stares deeply into my eyes. I don't even know how to respond. Sure, Rory is the only man I've been this close to. I care about him. But love?
"I don't know what to say." i tell him truthfully.
"You don't have to say anything right now. I am contented with being this close to you now. We are engaged. I can visit you whenever I want. I can take you out.

Read " To Hate Emmanuel Johnsons " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. Movies, picnics. Whatever you want. Just until your father takes the bait. Once he's in prison, you'll be free. Then you can make a choice. How bout that?" I nod slowly at this.
"Thank you so much, Rory. For everything." I realise how he's helped me in the last five years. He deserves my love or at least a chance at it. I've held on to an illusion of William for far too long. I need to let go now.
"Anything for you, princess. Now, I'm afraid I have to leave but I'll call you once I get free, okay?" I nod and he plays a light kiss on my cheek.
"be careful of the bodyguard outside those doors." He says before he walks out of my room.