Rhenna

TWO

                 It was just as he promised. The moment I stepped inside the lights switched on.
I had to shield my eyes.

"This is your third warning Elinis". His cold voice broke through my stupored manner.
I squinted over at him.

He was leaning against the kitchen counter. Solemn expression.
"I can watch out for myself". I shot back. The alcohal in my system was making me bolder then usual, "You can drop the warning shit Jae".

He lazily cocked his head and smirked, "Someone's a little tipsy".

"And someone's being an over controlling asshole".

He rocked on his heels then waved me over. I stayed in place.
"Come here Elinis".
"No".

"Come. Here". He barked. His tone left no room for argument. I dragged my feet as I went over to him.
"Drop the bag".

I shrugged off my pack.
"This has got to stop".
But it wont, I wanted to say, but I knew it'd only land me in dangerous territory.
I kept my mouth shut.

"Do you hear me?"
"Yeah".
His hand shot out before I even had a chance to step back. He grabbed the front of my shirt and yanked me closer.
His eyes were venomous when he spoke next, "I will put bars on the windows if you dont cut it out".

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Dont you fucking dare".

This place was already enough of a prison.
"I wont". He answered; his voice reasonable again, "If you stop".

"Why should I?" It wasnt a smart thing to ask, but I was angry.

"It's dangerous out there Elin!" He exclaimed, "Your a minor which makes you my responsibility".

I slapped his hand away and took a step back, "Your not responsible for me".

That was defiantly the wrong thing to say. Jae's eyes turned to slits. I mentally braced myself for the impact.

"Why dont I send you back?" His voice was steady. It was worse then the screaming. "Go back to that hell you were born into".

"Maybe I will". I snapped. My stubbornness was the one thing i had to blame for all my trouble.

Jae snatched a handful of my hair in the back. He pulled my face inches from his own. "You little bitch".

My confidence drained in an instant.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Jae I-"
He slapped me. The force sent little white dots across my vision and it left a sharp sting in my cheek.

"How ungrateful can you be?"
He forced my head back.
"I pay for your rent, your food, your clothes, and everything else you own".

I never asked him to.

"I saved you from that filth".

"I'm s-"

"You wanna go back?" There was a challenging glint in his eyes. "You want me to drop you off with dear old mommy?"

I shook my head.

"What about the streets? You wanna go back to that life?"

No.

I lowered my gaze, "No".

"Look at me when I'm talking!" He shouted. The change in tone made me flinch.
I met his honey eyes.
"Your abusing the terms I set".

"I'm sorry Jae".
He laughed, but it wasnt humourous. "Of course you are".
"I wont-i wont do it again".

He loosened his hold on me.
I let out a silent breath.
"You promise Elin?"
"Promise". I muttered.

He swept a loose strand of hair behind my ear then gently took my chin in his hands. "That's a good boy".
I cringed at the name, but he didnt seem to notice.

I went stiff when he pecked me on the cheek. "Let's go to bed Elinis".
I nodded softly.
He pulled me closer and we walked up the spiral staircase together.

I felt really cold when we reached the master bedroom. No amount of snuggling with Jae could change that. There was a chill deep in my bones.

And he was the cause.

--------

"Morning my sunshine". Jae's voice echoed in my ears. I groaned and rubbed away the drowsiness. "I hope you slept well?"

I forced a fake smile then rolled over to face Jae, but he wasnt there.

My chest spiked with panic until I realised it was a recording.

"I had to leave early Elin. I hope you dont mind".

Like I'd give a shit.

After what happened last night I really needed space from the guy.

"The companies setting up for a charity banquet that's taking place tonight. I'm giving a speech..." their was a brief pause before, "I want you to be there for it. There will be a car waiting outside by seven. D-"

I shut the machine off.

I shoved my hands back through my hair and let out a sigh.

I hated company events.

They were uneventful and dull. Plus, always filled to the brim with over titled rich folk.
I didnt fit in. Jae knew that.

I glanced at the clock in the corner. It was nearing eleven.

Eight hours left until the torture.

I kicked off my blanket and,without a lick of energy, sat up. I subconsciously felt my cheek, wincing against the sore strain.

Jae's hand-me-down ring could really do a number.

I pulled on a pair of fresh socks before rolling off the bed.
Just as I reached the top of the staircase the sharp whistle of the doorbell rang.

What now?

I took my time getting to the door. Whoever was on the other side was just gonna have to wait.

"Who the hell rings a doorbell this early?" I started, while propping the door open.
"Its eleven". A even voice answered. I glared at the intruder.

He just stared back.
"What do you want?"

The man raised a curious brow. "I have papers for Mr. Ventis". He withdrew a skinny stack.
I leaned against the doorframe. "He's not here".

"No?" He looked rather suprised by that statement.

"He's getting ready for some event".

He tucked the papers back under his arm. "I see".
"Are they important?"
"What?"
I gestured to the stack. "Are they important?"

"Yes".
"You better get them to him". I said, turning away. "He doesn't like mess ups".

"I-I will".
Jeez, what's with this guy?
He was acting like some middle class intern. By the looks of it, he was probably near his forties.

The grey specks in his hair were a give away.
"Mind leaving?" I asked, not to nicely either. I wasnt fond of loitering.
He cleared his throat, and with that, took off.

I shut the door.

An ever present silence fell over the apartment.

At times like these I vaguely missed living on the streets, or even with my mom.

I take that back.

I would never go back to that women.

Never.