Description
My breathing was rapid, and my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest from pounding so much. I struggled against the drugs to regain my focus. My eyelids fluttered open to reveal that my situation hadn't changed. Desperation filled me, sprinkled with the raw pain coming from my body. I looked down to find new bruises on my arms. One had a trickle of blood coming down from it. It matched the blood coming from my busted lip. It all came rushing back to me, how this happened. I had tried to be good, to behave like Damonic had wanted, but failed. His hand found swift retribution across my lower lip. I had learned what he wanted and didn't like. At least, I thought I had. I enjoyed two hours out of my chains yesterday. Today, I was back being chained to the bed. I knew he would return later to take what he wanted from me.
I shuddered as the door opened but was relieved to see it wasn't Damonic; it was his younger brother Anthony. Anthony was kinder and gentler with me than his brother. He treated me like a person, not a possession. He walked over and began cleaning my most recent wounds. "I am sorry he did this to you; you are here. I am going to clean up and bandage your wounds. Please don't tell either of them that I was nice to you. If they come in, I will have to put on an act." Anthony picked up my arm to bandage it, and chills ran up my spine. He didn't seem like his brother or father, but I didn't trust him. That was how I ended up here, falling for a guy, trusting him too soon.
Anthony cleaned my lip and said he would return later to bring me some food, but he couldn't be here too long. As the darkness enveloped me again as he closed and locked the door, my mind went back to that day, several weeks ago, the last time I had been happy. Damonic approached me while placing fresh flowers on my brother's grave. Jayden, my brother, had been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. Our parents had died two years earlier, killed by a drunk driver, and we were all the family we had left. Jayden had died of Cancer. It had been long and painful. I had taken care of him every day. He was always encouraging me. I felt I could stand up to the world as long as he was with me. Now I was all alone, until Damonic. He had seen me shivering, putting the fresh flowers down, and shown me such kindness.
He came up behind me, gently putting his jacket on my shoulders and handing me a cup of coffee just as I liked it. We had said hi a few times, passing each other around town, but never really stopped to speak with each other until then. I had felt so alone and torn down by the world. Like I was alone and didn't have the strength to stand for one more minute. His acts of kindness meant the world to me. It made me feel like someone still cared for me. I mattered to someone. We started dating; I could never have imagined the monster inside him that he was unleashing on me.
We had begun that day with lunch after the cemetery. We walked into a local place, and they knew him. Walking in, they took us to the best table and had drinks before we had scarcely sat down. He pulled out the chair for me like he wanted to honor himself. They also immediately brought fresh flowers for us. We sat there, and he ordered for me perfectly, knowing exactly what I would like. They brought out each course with pride and presentation like they were serving the king or something.
He was a critical, wealthy man. They treated me like a queen. Our lunch was lovely. I had the best time and forgot my utter misery for a few hours. By then, we were feasting on the delicate chocolate mousse; the rest of the world had utterly disappeared. In the following days, he texted and had flowers sent to me, along with a gift.
Theatre tickets and a lovely piece of jewelry with an invitation for two weekends from now. The box brought a smile to my face. The necklace was beautiful and quite extravagant. I quickly replied yes. He sent back the smiley face with the hearts all around.