Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 32: The Cliff

[Disclaimer: self-harm]

It was already the second day, Arin didn't show up. Omar had led Pari to the highest room of the resort, with its balcony that was suspended over the great cliff. Pari never left the room, she was already in pain of being trampled over again and again by Arin. She felt like he didn't value her anymore, he didn't even bother explaining anything to her. He kept her in the dark and treated her like a possession, Pari was very much aware of it but as they say, love is blind and she chose to be blind. 

Only the Old Madam would visit her briging her meals. She would try cheering her up, telling her stories and things that happened in the resort. Pari did try to go to the bottom floors but she was always so closely gaurded by Omar and the other men it drew unwanted attention and made her feel suffocated. She tried pushing the Old Madam for answers, especially about the basement but she would beg Pari not to worry about it, fear most evident in her shivering voice. What was she scared of? Or rather whom? She heard the men at the door report Pari's every move to Arin but whenever she asked to speak to Arin, they strongly refused. She felt like Arin was avoiding her, but why?

The clock struck 12am, the second day came to an unclimactic end. No sign of Arin. Pari lay on the large bed adorned with curtains, pacing out as she stared at the high ceiling without hope. But just then, click. The door opened. Pari sprung up and jumped off her bed. She was beyond happy, somewhere she knew Arin would come, a very small part of her, but nonetheless, the lingering trust was still there. There was hope for the relationship Pari thought as she accustomed her eyes to the room's darkness. 

But instead of Arin she saw a young women enter. That was odd, no on visited her. Pari switched on a few lights and immediately, she recognized the illuminated face- the girl with the cigeratte!

"You-" Pari stuttered, where was this woman all this time, and why is she here now?

"Hello maid, or should I say fiancé?" her voice seethed with contempt. Pari's face turned red with embarrassment.

"Yes, I lied. But I thought that-" The women cut her off again.

"Oh, save it. I'm not here to hear more lies"

"Why are you so mad? I didn't rat you out or anything"

"Why?!" the woman began laughing "Why would I be mad, I pity you"

"Pity, why so?" Pari looked more bewildered than ever

"Oh, today is your turn love, I hope you had enough time to calm yourself in this place"  the woman said as she strutted along the room, touching the expensive furniture. During that time, Pari noticed what the woman was holding onto, a hot pink bikini that seemingly had no functional value.

"I don't know what you mean, who are you? Where is Old Madam?"

"Ah, that woman is busy napping away, she had one too many drinks. You want to know who I am?"

"That's exactly what I asked"

"Um, okay I'll tell, I am Tania"

Pari froze. Arin's former secretary and rumored lover who disappeared without a trace, what is she doing on this island, Arin's Island?

"Judging by your face you already know who I am" She reached up to caress Pari's face but Pari backed away. 

"I am not your enemy, I'm here to help you"

"Help me?"

"They never told you who those girls were, did they?" Pari's silence was the answer. Tania continued, Arin brought them here, each one of them. They were like you scared, fiesty and wanting to go back. You weren't the first one I met in the forest, many like you came before you."