Maia

10

A/N: This chapter contains talk of an ED.
Sorry, this chapter is shorter than usual, I've been lazy :)

Word Count: 984

MAIA'S POV

Alessandro had just escorted me back to my room, gently placing a steaming second cup of tea on my bedside table. As I settled onto my bed, I couldn't shake off the embarrassment of having two of my brothers witness one of my hellish nightmares.

I savoured a small sip of the chamomile tea, feeling the warmth and sweet taste soothing my frayed nerves. It was a gesture of kindness I hadn't experienced before; Mama and Jacob never comforted me like this after a nightmare. If anything, I would be scolded and beaten for making any noise at all.

I carefully placed the cup on the table and glanced to my left where Wiremu had left the bags. Despite his offer to assist with unpacking or summoning the maids to do it, I politely declined his help. I cherished the opportunity of having some uninterrupted alone time to settle in on my own terms.

I rise from the bed and gather the first few bags, feeling their weight in my arms as I head toward the walk-in wardrobe. Stepping into the dimly lit space, I take in the sparse interior. Among the few items hanging, I spot a collection of little princess dresses, seemingly frozen in time. As I set down the bags I can't help but feel a pang of pain as I realise that those delicate dresses must have once belonged to me.

I rummaged through the piles of clothes and realized that the only ones I had with me were the ones on my back. The rest of my wardrobe was still back at Jacob's house. With no chance to shower recently, I was starting to feel self-conscious about the way I must be smelling. As I carefully moved the princess dresses to the very end of the rod, I picked up some spare hangers and began hanging the sweaters first. It was still surprising to see that there were heaps of clothes, more than I could have ever imagined.

I carefully arranged the clothes from the bags in categories. As I turned to retrieve the remaining bags, my eyes caught sight of the door ajar. A sense of unease washed over me and I froze in place. Typically, my brothers would knock and announce themselves before entering, so the sight of the open door left me feeling apprehensive and on edge.

As I turned around, a blood-curdling scream escaped my lips, causing me to drop the bags I was carrying. Leaning casually against the wardrobe was Rāwiri, exuding confidence and pride. A sly smirk played on his lips as I staggered back, my hand pressed against my pounding chest, struggling to catch my breath.

"You scared me," I mumbled as the back of my legs hit the bed. Rāwiri smiled even wider, a sadistic kind of smile.

My hands tremble uncontrollably as he closes the distance to the dropped bags, his steps echoing in the tense silence. He stoops to pick up a delicate white tennis skirt, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh, sweetheart," he scoffs, "the only thing that would suit you is a trash bag."

He then gazed at the tag, a subtle furrow appearing on his brow. "Well, well, well, look at that. It seems my brothers have wasted their money on you."

As I lowered myself onto the edge of the bed, I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. His words echoed in my mind, causing my heart to ache. "This skirt is far too small for someone so big," he said, his tone cutting through me like a knife.

He just let out a deep, taunting laugh as he casually dropped the object to the ground. With each step, he moved closer until his feet were positioned right in front of mine. Slowly, deliberately, he crouched down to meet my eye level, his expression unreadable. He taunted me by contorting his face into a counterfeit look of sadness, almost mirroring the expression on my face. With a hint of sarcasm, he remarked, "Is the little 'princess' upset?"

Before he could continue teasing me, Wiremu rushed up and burst into the room. "I heard a scream. Is everything okay?" he said, his concerned eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble.

Rāwiri simply gave a single nod, his smile reassuring. "Everything's okay. Maia just spotted a spider and got a bit frightened, didn't you, Maia?" Rāwiri remarked, shooting me a devilish, knowing look.

"Oh, okay," Wiremu said, nodding with understanding. "Let's give Maia some time to finish unpacking and settle in." With a comforting smile, he gently urged Rāwiri out of the room and closed the door behind him, leaving me alone.

I hastily rose from my seat and rushed to lock the door, my trembling fingers struggling with the lock. As I slid down the door, my body sinking to the floor, the tears I had been holding back could no longer be contained. I found myself curled up on the cold, hard floor, my sobs escaping silently, consumed by overwhelming fear.

I clutched my stomach tightly, feeling the weight of his words. At that moment, I couldn't shake off the memory of Jacob and Mama telling me the same thing. I was too fat because I had overeaten since being here.

My thighs felt uncomfortably chunky, and my arms seemed disproportionately round. Rāwiri's words echoed in my mind – that skirt would never fit me; it was just too small.

I sobbed uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the desire to attain a slimmer figure and to be loved. I wasted my brother's money today. They should just return everything and get their money back.

I close my eyes, feeling a wave of overwhelming emotions that makes my head spin and my vision blur. I start to feel dizzy as if the world around me is spinning faster and faster. Suddenly, everything fades to black, and I'm enveloped in darkness.