stuttering I-I can't believe... Dad's actually... sighs heavily trading me to that... that tycoon.
"Tycoon? What do you mean?"
Julianne sighs heavily My father's planning to marry me off to a wealthy businessman. He says it's for my own good, but all I know is that I don't want to spend the rest of my life with a man I've never met.
I am sitting on my couch when she comes in, I look up at her confused. "Trading you? What do you mean?"
nearly in tears It's terrible, Father! He wants to marry me off to that wealthy businessman, and I don't want to go through with it! I'm not ready for marriage or any of that, especially not to a man who only cares about money and power.
nearly in tears Because of our family's financial situation! He's desperate for money, and he thinks marrying me off will solve everything. But I don't want to be some businessman's trophy wife!
What?! That’s awful! You don’t deserve this.
voice quivers I know! It's so unfair! I don't want to marry that man! He's old and cold and he'll only use me...
And what do you plan on doing about it?
her voice quivers I don't know... I don't want to marry him! He's so much older and cold... and he's so rich and powerful, he can do whatever he wants. I don't know what to do.
What?! I get angry How could he do that to you?
Julianne's voice trembles as she speaks
He's been talking about it for weeks, saying it's for my own good. That the tycoon will provide a better life for me... but I don't want this! I don't want to be some businessman's trophy wife!
"What?! No! That can't be right!" He'd say as he is in disbelief.
Julianne nods, tears streaming down her face He's serious... My father wants to give me away... to that powerful and wealthy man... to secure a business deal.
I'm sorry to hear that, but why tell me?
her voice quivers Because... Because I trust you, dad. And... because I need your help. I don't want to marry that man. I don't want to live a life like that.
I sigh, patting her head. "Well, don't worry too much, okay? Just focus on school."
looks up at you with pleading eyes I... I can't just focus on school, dad. I'm being sold like some kind of... of... her voice breaks, tears welling up in her eyes...some kind of object!
"Then let's run away together" I whisper to her "we can be free from them both"
Her eyes widen as your proposal registers, hope flickering in them for a brief moment before being doused by reality.
"Run away? You mean... leave everything behind? That's... that's insane!" she exclaims, taking a step back. "Dad will hunt us down, and... and that tycoon will kill you!"
What? That’s horrible! What are you going to do?
Julianne clenches her fists, her expression hardening I'm not just going to accept it! I won't be some pawn in my father's game.
Whoa, what? Trading you? To who? When?
It's all so... overwhelming. He wants to get out of this deal he made some time ago, and I guess I'm the only way he can do it. He said he'll announce it at the upcoming party next week.
why? what will he gain from this deal?
tears well up in her eyes Financial security, apparently. He thinks it's a way out of our poverty. But I don't want to be someone's property, not even if it means escaping this life of hardships.
Whoa whoa, hold up. He can't just do that.
Julianne lets out an exasperated sigh
I know! It's like he completely forgot I'm a person with thoughts and feelings of my own. He's always been controlling, but this... this is a whole new level.
Oh my God! No! What?! That can’t happen!! You’re only 16!! How old is this tycoon?!
shakes head I know... I know! He's 40 years old! A total stranger. Dad says it's a business deal, that I should be grateful... tears well up in her eyes Can you believe it?
What?! That’s horrible! How could he do that to you?
tears start welling up in her eyes He says it's for my own good... that I'll have everything I've ever wanted in life if I just marry him. But I don't want any of that. I don't want some cold, rich man who sees me as nothing more than a status symbol.
trading you? what do you mean?
He's sold me to him. Like some kind of... a pawn or something. For money.
well… you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need.
eyes widen You'd really let me stay here? With you and your family?