An arranged marriage with the devil {Robert Downey Jr.}

Moving out

That morning was like being woken up from a bad dream.
I thought it was just one of my usual mornings in Pasadena California.
I was ready to get up, change in my school clothes and go have my usual sucky morning in that awful high school.
But it wasn't like that. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.
As I tried to understand why I felt so awful so deep into my bones, I overheard my parents talking in the hallway
"We need the money Sara"
I heard a long sigh
"I know Steve. But she's just a kid" her voice was shaky
"It'll be good for her as well. We don't have enough money to send her to a proper school or buy her the things she needs and don't get me started on college."
My mom started crying
"But what about Cindy? What will she do without her?"
I heard another long sigh
"We all will have to learn how to deal with it. It's best for everybody, especially for Alethea"
What the fuck is happening?
I asked myself as the voices stopped.
My door slowly opened, and my parents stood there, their faces low and sad.
"Al?" My mom started saying but her voice was too shaky
My dad put a hand on her shoulder
"Alethea, we have to tell you something"
I furrowed my eyebrows, my dad walked towards me, sitting at the end of my bed, while my mom stood next to the door, tears falling from her eyes.
"We want what's best for you, you know that right?"
I nodded still very confused
"A man.. he's.. well.. He saw you the other day, and.. well.. he asked for your hand."
I didn't even have the chance to register what he said that he started speaking again
"He stopped me.. he's kind of important around here. I told him you were just a kid but he offered the best life for you. I know this sounds scary but you will finally have what you deserve that we can't give you. I promise it will be okay"
My eyes filled up with tears
"You said yes? " I whispered in disbelief
He looked down and nodded
"I can't believe this. You said yes to a fucking pedophile wanting to marry me"
I yelled, he shook his head, his eyes getting watery
"Al.. I-I Made him promise not to.. well.. to wait.. to wait until you were old enough.. he will not disrespect you in anyway"
I rolled my eyes and sarcastically laughed
"Oh! Okay! Thanks dad, that sounds awesome. So when can I see him? I can't wait!!" I told him with sarcasm in my voice
"He will come this afternoon. To sign the papers"
I gasped
"The papers? You're marrying me today?"
He nodded.
I shook my head
"I can't believe this." I said, tears falling from my eyes
"I promise you, it will be fine"

So I had to say goodbye, to my mom and then my sister, who was crying in my arms and wouldn't let go.
My pride and joy. My little Cindy who I love too dearly.
I have to let her go.
As I stood in the living room, telling Cindy that it would all be fine (but not believing it myself) I heard the doorbell.
Cindy, the little 6 year old who was holding onto my waist like I was her last chance in the world, started sobbing.
"Come on Cindy, shh. You wanna sit here?" I said, closing the door to have last moments of my old life with Cindy.
I sat on the couch, taking her with me.
"I don't want you to leave. " she said in a sweet little voice
My heart broke
"I don't want to leave you either, Cindy. But I promise we will see each other all the time."
I heard the voices from the hallway, my heart beating far too fast
"It's gonna be okay" Cindy said, feeling my heart breaking into my chest with her little head pressed against me.
"Alethea?" I heard my dad say.
Cindy tightened her grasp on me, but I had to go.
I had to use all my will power to untangle Cindy's little arms from my body and stand up
"Okay Cindy. I want you to stay in here until mom and dad come to call you okay?"
She nodded, her eyes low and full of tears
"Listen to me. I love you, I will come visit all the time. But you need to be a good girl and listen to mom and dad okay?" She nodded again, tears falling from her eyes
I kissed her head, tears spilling from my eyes too but I quickly dried them with the sleeve of my hoodie
"I will see you later okay?" She nodded again
"I love you" I whispered as I walked to the door, and into the hallway.
I closed the door behind me not wanting Cindy to see the man who was ripping me away from my life.
"Alethea?" I heard my dad say from the kitchen, so I took a deep breath and walked in.
He stood there.