Control

Chapter 17

Ella

It's amazing how experiences in life can alter your outlook on priorities so greatly. Up until this point, I had devoted almost all of my time and energy into my education so that I could afford to come to this University. I had almost nothing else. Hardly any friends. No social life. No other hobbies besides music. My life was not one you would describe as well-balanced. My dream came true and I left all I had known to continue pursuing it. Never could I have imagined the nightmare it would turn out to be.

One night.

One night was all it took for me to be willing to throw my entire life's work out of the window, simply to escape the monster caging me in his embrace. I no longer cared what career I would have or where I would live. To be honest, I had no concerns with any long term aspirations. Everything was short term. How do I survive the next day, hour, minute, second? How do I escape? Consequences be damned.

I felt him rouse from his sleep and it took all that was in me to not devolve into complete panic. Terror iced my veins immediately as I was pulled even deeper into his embrace. Fear froze my bones as he nuzzled my neck while stretching himself awake. I waited on bated breath.

"Mmmm. Good morning, gorgeous. I think that I could get used to this. That may have been the best sleep I've ever received."

I still couldn't breathe. I've never felt so tightly wound and frantic at the same time. I kept waiting.

I heard him heave a sigh followed by an amused chuckle.

"Ella. If I couldn't practically hear your pulse thudding, I'd think you were frozen to death. Relax, baby girl." He kissed my pulse point. "We have too much to do this morning for me to ravish you right now."

With another kiss and chuckle he released me and rolled himself out of bed. I could finally breathe. I looked behind me as he walked inside of the closet and not a minute later came out carrying another bundle of clothes. Why does he own so many women's clothes?

Tension rushed back into my form as he neared.

"I'll make breakfast while you get ready. We need to pick up your things and go shopping for a new wardrobe as I assume yours is abysmal."

Once he left the room I thawed immediately, excited to put on more clothing. Not daring to disobey at this point, I donned the green sundress and pumps; still feeling uncomfortable but marginally less so than what I'd slept in.  Avoiding the mirror I timidly left the room in search of my tormentor.

Following the sounds coming from the kitchen I stopped when the front door came to my view. It called out as a beacon and although logic was screaming at me that it was futile, the warring escape instincts kept me frozen in place, wanting so badly to go through it and to keep running until I was at the farthest possible coordinates than where James was.

He cleared his throat, pulling me out of my stony state and I looked to see him leaning against the entryway to the kitchen with an annoying  smirk on his face.

"Going somewhere?"

I quickly shook my head and turned my attention to my feet, not trusting my voice to actually utter any response or explanation. As I sensed him nearing my now trembling frame I took matching steps backwards until I was trapped between him and the wall. He reached his hands to frame either side of my face and simply stared while I continued to avoid his gaze. It felt like eternity passed before he leaned in closer and took my earlobe in his mouth.

"Delicious. F-cking delicious."

I released a shaky breath as he backed away and tentatively met his gaze as he stood appraising me in seemingly deep thought with his hand holding his chin while his jaw clenched. After shaking his head to come out of a daze he grabbed my hand to drag me along behind him to the kitchen.

"Come on, baby girl. I need to make sure you're well fed and energized for the day ahead."

I saw the table already set with yogurt parfaits and juice and to my mortification was pulled onto James' lap. Before I could even react he held a spoonful to my mouth waiting for me to partake. My mouth dropped open in incredulity and he took the opportunity to shovel the yogurt into my gaping mouth.

I sputtered and blushed as he continued to feed me against my will, occasionally planting kisses along my jaw and throat and letting out amused chuckles at my horrified expressions and humiliated countenance. He chatted happily, explaining where we would shop today and how excited he was to see me dolled up to his preference.

Hardly paying attention, I focused my thoughts to escape. Surely, being in public would make it so much easier, right? If all else failed, I would just scream rape and run for my life. Literally.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Taking my chin, James demanded my attention with a sudden change in demeanor and a cold, calculating gaze.
"If you try anything while we are out, from running away to even refusing to try something on for me, I will end your friend's future at this university or otherwise. Allison, right? I don't think you understand yet, though you will soon enough, the power and influence I have. This isn't an empty threat, love. Do you understand?"

Tears threatened to spill over as I shakily nodded my head, feeling hope drain from my being and be quickly replaced with dread.

"I need to hear you say it, Ella."

"I- I understand."

And just like that, his mood shift was swift and left me reeling as he pecked my lips and lifted me from his lap to usher us on with the day.

What am I going to do??