Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 2

Emily rubbed the sponge on the bowl plate and added it to the pile of plates by the sink. She picked another plate and continued scrubbing. She couldn't stop thinking about last night. He had done it again. He had beat the hell out of her again till exhaustion. She just couldn't get it out of her mind no matter how much she tried to. Her body still hurt from the beating he gave to her last night, she could see his face, he looked like he was having fun, she shook her head, no, she didn't want to think about that man right now, she just prayed that he left for work as soon as possible so she too could get ready for work. If she heard his voice this morning, she might break down. The dishwashing liquid foam splashed all over her apron due to her lack of concentration. She could hear footsteps approaching, there were only two people in this house, she and him.

Mark walked into the kitchen shirtless displaying his complete set of packs, well complimented by his smooth and broad chest, the ropes on his blue sweatpants dangled from left to right as he walked. He scratched his bed head with one of his hands and let out a loud yawn. In his hands was a bottle of hot gin. He reached for the glasses and took out his shot glass. She heard his movements but continued to wash the dishes. He poured the drink into the glass and took it in one gulp.

There was silence as she refused to say anything but continued to rub the sponge against the already clean dishes.

"Beautiful morning" he started, looking at her from behind. She swallowed as she tried to ignore him. "I see you don't greet me anymore, that's a new development" he said after there was no response from her. Her hand suddenly stopped moving letting the sponge slip into the washing water. He stood from his seat and approached her. She could feel his body as he pressed against her back. She froze. He had no idea how much her back hurt at this point, his pressing against her only intensified the pain from the wounds he had inflicted last night.

"Is there a problem?" He asked, feigning Ignorance.

Is there a problem?! How can you ask if there is a problem? Are you kidding me? How could he always act like nothing happened just the other night the next morning after he had destroyed her body? So many words ran through her mind but there was no courage to let them out.

"You know, the Bible in Ephesians chapter five verses twenty-three says women should be submissive to their husbands" he whispered in her right ear. "But look at you, you're not even greeting me, don't you think you're sinning?" Emily closed her eyes and tried to hold her breath. She needed fresh air but his alcoholic breath was all over her face. "Or did your sins not go away last night?" Her eyes flung open. He placed both hands on her shoulders and stroked them running his fingers to and fro to her elbow.

He would hit her again. She had to save herself.

She huffed, "Good morning, Mark," Took her long enough. He smiled, withdrew his hands and gave her a gentle tap on her left shoulder.

"Good girl, that's better"

"Breakfast is on the dining table," she said to him. He walked away from the kitchen and she heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God, he was gone. She took off the gloves in her hands and went to sit at the counter.

&$@&@&#

The office was a bit rowdy today, the workers moved up and down between spaces carrying files along with them. The noise distracted Emily a little as she was working. She had a deadline to meet and she had come to the office to meet some files on her table. She was a typist in the media organization so she was always staring deep into her computer, typing the information given to her and transferring them to the edit department. Working in an open office, one sure was exposed to distractions.

"Emily, I'm back" she heard the feminine voice say as someone sat beside her. She didn't need to look, she knew exactly who it was. It was Donna. Not taking her eyes off the computer screen, she asked,