Impending Doom Page 5

  Chapter Four

  1

  “Latianna, are those invitations done yet?” Mr. Dyebuko asked, yelling from the kitchen.

  “Almost. They’re printing off now,” she yelled back from the den, then wondered if she was going to get in trouble for yelling in the house.

  “Good, and you’re sure you’re printing enough?” he asked, walking into the room holding his own concoction of a bloody mary in his hand. Latianna shuddered at the smell of it, and yet she instantly felt hungry.

  “Of course, here they are, daddy,” she said, handing them to him. Mr. Dyebuko looked over them and then frowned.

  “We’re missing one, sweetie,” he said. Latianna sighed.

  “Must we invite Ivan, papa?”

  “Latianna, you are fully aware of our agreement,” Mr. Dyebuko retorted strongly as Mrs. Dyebuko came into the room.

  “I felt his presence here today,” she said.

  “He came by for a short while,” Latianna said. Her mother smiled at her and rested her long slender hand upon her daughter's shoulder.

  “Oh, mother! I’m so nervous!” Latianna exclaimed, bursting into tears. Mrs. Dyebuko brought her into a loving embrace.

  “You saw how it was done earlier tonight, Latianna. You shouldn’t be nervous; it’s just something you have to do,” Mr. Dyebuko said sternly.

  Latianna's eyes welled up and she wondered why her father was always so strict. She couldn't remember one time when her father had pulled her in for a hug and told her it would be okay... not one, single, time... instead, he showed his love for her in a different way... a way that she did not like and hated to think about... a way she could never tell anyone how... or could she? The thought of innocent Ivan Harvey came to mind, though he was not incredibly off topic.

  “I know, I know.”

  “Come here, my child,” her father beckoned and she walked over to him. He ran his fingers along her neck and down the side of her body. “It's been a long time since we had a night just you and me,” he said as he smiled at her. “You're growing up so big and beautiful. You're like a goddess, Latianna, you're special, oh so special.” That was the way. Latianna's stomach became knotted.

  “Leave me alone!” she demanded, turning her head and her heels to walk away. Her father caught her arm and yanked her close to him with a nod at her mother. Her mother promptly left the room, shutting the door behind her. Latianna felt the sudden urge to call after her... but she knew it did no good... her mother didn't listen... she refused to listen... refused to believe.

  “Don't struggle, Latianna, this will be much easier for the both of us if you don't,” he said, stroking her hair.

  “Please, no,” she begged, biting her lip and tears welling up in her eyes.

  “My first dinner party changed my life,” her father said, lightly running his fingers up and down on her back. “Later that night I married your mother. Planning dinner parties is such fun now. It brings back so many memories,” he said, pulling the string that tied behind her dress. More tears came to her eyes and her heart began to swim in fear. “I remember when your mother got pregnant with you. We had the biggest dinner party you could imagine. There was much celebration. The entire town was there... five-hundred people, Latianna. Can you imagine that? Five-hundred people were all there for you. We rented out a camping ground for that dinner party... Ahh, such sweet memories. You look just like your mother did when she was sixteen. You are so special, my Latianna, and so beautiful. So alive, your heart beats and I can smell the fear coming out of your pores. Come, give daddy a kiss,” he said, pulling her closer.

  “Please, father! Don't do this,” she begged, tears running over her lips as her father's hands ran down the front of her body.