Tenebrous [h.s]

Chapter 03

𝒵ℴℯ'𝓈 𝒫𝒪𝒱:

I'm walking towards my father's office and dread courses through my body. Aries is a really bad person. Inside and out. I left the other six behind telling them that I'm going to meet them outside. Liam looked at me with concern washing over his face asking me with his eyes if I'm going to be ok. I gave him a knowing look telling him everything's going to be fine. I don't want anyone to know that when it comes to being around my father from a confident independent woman I become vulnerable and as terrified as little Morana was every time he came home.

I despise him with every inch of my body. He made my life a living hell. I hate the way he talks, his attitude, his demeanour but mostly I hate the way he treated my mother, not me, my mother. Because I deserved it, whether I like it or not.

Lost in my thoughts I hadn't realised I had reached his door. With a deep breath I raise my hand and knock on the door in front of me. I composed myself and I heard him say "Come in". With that Ι open the door.

His office is dark as much as his soul. The only source of light was from the door that I left cracked open on purpose. He is standing behind his oak desk, with his back facing me. His voice is cold, no emotion whatsoever "Zoe Morana Harper-" his demeanour is sending shudders all over my body. "-Will you explain to me why you were four hours late today?"

"Um, well I'm not gonna hide behind my finger, so after our introduction to the entire mafia we decided to leave. We went to 'The Ace of Spades' and decided to relax a little bit." I was rubbing my hands intensely while explaining. I love confrontations when I'm the one in control, but confrontations with my dad become literal nightmares in the end. I never want to be in the same room as him, until I can some day muster up the courage to say everything that I've been holding back.

"Drinking your asses off is a way of relaxing? What do these kids do these days , I don't get it." I knew where this would lead and I prepared myself mentally. But as much as I'm used to it, I'm never able to prepare myself physically. "That is inexcusable behaviour for the reapers, especially since it's the first day that you are out officially. Being late to training shows nothing but disrespect towards your associates and causes you issues. You should know better."

I hate that I know better, that's the problem, father. 

I am feeling out of it, I could tell that the shot is taking over my senses. Which had as a result, made my survival instincts go haywire. I can't let him have his way, I need to defend myself. I can already tell this is going to be an awful argument.

"Yes, I know and I'm sorry, I will make amends." My vision becomes blurry and I continue "-I need to go." There is no way to go against Arie's wishes, you have to apologise even if you know you are right, but in this case he is right. 

"You are not going anywhere, you hear me? You are not leaving until I make clear that next time is going to involve a punishment, you so much love." My body tenses as he comes face to face with me "Zoe I'll make sure you become what I am, a heartless emotionless merciless son of a bitch."

He comes closer " Do something that will stain my name again and we are going straight to my office in our house." 

Fuck no, I will not go to that house again let alone the office.

Before I can stop myself I say something that I know I'm going to regret: "You don't control me, I'm done being a puppet that you can do whatever with. You don't get to say anything because this is my life and I do what the hell I want!"

"You got on my last nerve Morana, you never learn, do you? This is all your fault. It's always your fault" He raises his hand and I brace myself for impact. I flinch away knowing what is going to happen next. It always leads to this moment every single conversation of ours, every memory is tainted with a slap or a push, or even worse.