C16 PLAN TO ESCAPE

"Dinner is ready..." Roselle's beautiful voice was heard from the dinning room.

The rich aroma of a sumptous feast enveloped the dining room as the family gathered for an extravagant dinner. Beatrice eyes sparkled and she heaved a sigh of relief, when she finally saw Hazel ascend the stairs wearing a light smile that masked her problems.

"Here, sit beside me" Beatrice offered pulling out a chair for her.

"That's not necessary, she is not handicapped, and she can sit wherever she chose" Greg spoke, his voice laced with irritation

"Is okay father, let her sit beside me" Beatrice spoke, silently dismissing him

"Woah, Mom, this spread is incredible. What are we celebrating?" Beatrice's curiosity bubbled forth.

With a hesitant smile, Roselle casted a side glance at her husband before unveiling the reason "well, you see, your father has been blessed with a wide significant plot of land at the outskirts of town, and he's going to begin a huge project soon. she beamed, isn't that worth celebrating?" Silence hung in the air

"That's huge, congratulations father." Carl chimed in, taking a bite his meal

"Co.... congratulations sir" Hazel stuttered nervously, trying to avoid eye contacts with him

"Hmmm" was the sound that escaped Greg's mouth, as he took a sip of water

Sensing the tension rising, Beatrice decided to intervene."That's just nice, so father what project would you love to carry out there?" She asked

Gregory nodded in acknowledgment, eventually diverting his stern gaze from Hazel. "A hospital," he declared firmly.

Roselle beamed, "Well that's just wonderful as we barely have medical facilities in our community. Why don't we celebrate. Sammy!" She called the butler

"Yes ma'am" he bowed

"Get us wine" she ordered him

The tension in the dinning room relaxed and everyone began chatting lightly. Roselle asked Hazel how she was fairing and how Carl treated. Hazel politely replied with a curt nod. Gregory didn't hide his dislike for Hazel as he didn't fail to flash her his disapproving gaze once in a while.

"Hazel dear, if you need anything, don't fail to come to me okay?" Roselle assured her, as she noticed her stiff attitude

"Yes ma'am" she gave a light smile and nodded slightly

"Ohh mother, don't spoil Hazel. She's going to become naughty." She teased

"The naughtier the sexier" Roselle replied and they all laughed.The dishes flowed, the wine circulated, but a palpable unease settled over Hazel's head. Why did it seem things were going unusually smoothly for her? No! This was unusual, it seemed, not real. She thought as she ate her meal.

Just then Sammy appeared carrying a tray filled with their drinks. They each took a glass aside from Hazel who stuck to her water.

"Hazel! Carl's voice was heard, you don't want to cheer with my father?" He asked dropping his cutlery on his plate

"No dear, you're misunderstanding me, I want to, but I don't feel like drinking tonight" she gave a bleak laugh

"Come on, a little sip won't hurt. Carl persuaded. Go on now"

The room's celebratory air vanished, replaced by an uneasy silence. Hazel sensed the storm brewing, seems her water choice had brought more problems for her.

All eyes turned to Hazel, it felt like that air in the room has suddenly become hot. Picking up a glass, she brought it up to her mouth...

"Stop! Roselle intervened, what the hell Greg. She frowned at him. Why are you bulling Hazel. And you Carl, she stuck out a finger at him. Why would you let your father treat your wife such way. Am disappointed in you. Hazel dear, she turned to her. You don't have to drink if you don't want to. As long as you mean well for your Greg, you don't have to prove anything to him." She concluded giving her a warm smile

Hazel let out a sigh of relief, as she placed the glass on the table, gazing down at her thighs. Her heart sank. What did she ever do to Greg that made him hate her so much.

"Come on Hazel, Beatrice stood up. Let's go get some air." She held out her hand.

"Go on dear." Roselle nudge her.

After they had left, Roselle glared at her husband. "I guess that's what you want right? You just ruined our meal"

"Keep calm woman." He exclaimed, as he wore an unbothered expression sipping his wine.

Roselle shooked her head sadly. "You both should carry on with the dinner, I think I just lost my appetite" pushing her chair backwards, she rose and left them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Post-dinner, outside the study room, Roselle stood silently, her ears to the door.The door swung open abruptly, Carl almost collided with his mother.

Oh, Mother, it's you. Are you looking for Father?" Carl's inquiry caught Roselle off guard.

"N-no, in fact, I came to hand you guys some snacks," Roselle stuttered nervously handing him a tray that contained the snacks, a light smile on her lips masking her true intentions.

"This is nice of you mother."

"It's nothing" she waved at him and left.

Car walked in and places the tray on a stool in front of his father.

"Who was that?" Greg asked

"Oh, it's mother. She came to give us some snacks"

"Hmm, I doubt. Gregory sneered suspiciouslyHave a seat, I've got something important to say to you". Gregory motioned to him

Carl wrinkled his face. The air thickened with unspoken words.

.

Fr the hallway, Roselle rushed down to Beatrice room. Without knocking, she twisted the knob and rushed in. Slamming the door loudly behind her. The sound alerted Beatrice who quickly got up from the bed.

"What the fuck?! Who the...mother? What is going on? Why the rush? Is everything okay?" She asked as worry lines etched all over her face

"Yes. I'm sorry, for the loud noises. Her gaze swept through the room. Hazel? Where is Hazel?" She asked moving closer to Beatrice and grabbing her shoulders firmly

"She's.... she's...ouch my shoulder mother. She squealed as Roselle's grip on her shoulders tightened

"Sorry love, but where the hell is she!?" She rose her voice

"In the bathroom. Could you tell me what's going on?" Beatrice studied her face

Roselle stumbled towards the bathroom and called out to Hazel. Before heading back to meet Beatrice. The two ladies stared at each other blankly. As they were anxiously discussing Hazel's situation in the adjacent room. Suddenly the bathroom opened and Hazel stepped out. Completely dressed, she moved towards Beatrice and Roselle

"Why did you ask Hazel to leave in such a hurry?" Beatrice questioned Roselle.

"I overheard a conversation. Something's wrong in this house, and Hazel needs to get out before it's too late," Roselle replied cryptically.

"Mother, don't you think you're overreacting. You might be paranoid" Beatrice said to her

"Don't say that Bea.Hazel? Her voice became calm. I know you're with a child, Shocked, they faced her speechless and wide eyed. Stop! What's with that expression. I'm a mother, I figured out long before you unwillingly announced it today. Roselle told them. That by the side, Bea, I want you to take Hazel with you to the city. She can stay with my sister Mabel."

"What! Mother, that is..."

"I was not asking, am telling. Hazel get a coat, you both leave now." She concluded and got up ....

.

.

.

.

"I can't believe you, Father. Hazel and I have always been careful" Carl exclaimed in disbelief.

Gregory maintained composure. "That girl is pregnant," he declared, unwavering.

There was a silent pause, Carl needed some minutes to digest the news. What would he do?, how would Hazel take it? He doesn't even know how to be a father. He wasn't ready yet.

"What do you want me to do, Father?" Carl's composure mirrored his father's.

Gregory's fury surfaced. "Nothing! Leave her. I have someone else in mind for you. Someone more suitable."

"What?! He raised his voice. That's not possible, I can't imagine being with another woman" angry lines etched on his forehead

"I won't accept that girl as my daughter-in-law. I have someone else in mind for you," Greg asserted, his voice filled with authority.

Carl decision however, was resolute. "I won't abandon Hazel just because you have someone else in mind. I love her, and I won't let you dictate my life."

Gregory's face darkened with anger. "You dare defy me, your father? I won't tolerate disobedience. This is about the future of our family, Carl."

Carl, frustrated, retorted, "To hell with the future of our family. I have let you take away my future from me. But NO! I won't choose a stranger over the woman I love. I won't let you control my happiness."

The argument escalated, the room became heated reaching a point where Carl, fueled by a mix of emotions – anger, love, and defiance – decided to leave the room, slamming the door behind him.

.

.

Back in the study, Gregory seethed with anger. Greg greeted his teeth, he won't let his son ruin his plan.

Determined to assert control, he vowed, "If Carl won't listen, I'll take matters into my own hands."