Twisted Fate

The Punishment

Lia's PoV-
I stood up from the couch just as I heard footsteps down the hall. I had the stack of papers in my hand. Dad came in my view. He eyed the papers and took a seat in one of the couches. I was still in my school uniform. My jacket laid on the couch along with my school bag. I felt my stomach twisted with nervousness because I was only able to write the notes seven times. And by the time I was about to finish my eight time dad walked in. He doesn't like unfinished work so it left me with only seven copies. He motioned me to give him the papers. He scanned them and looked for explanation.

"That.... Uh...." I fumbled with my words because I didn't know ow what to say. I sure as hell can't give Damien's name after the reaction I got last time.

I had the notes written eight times by lunch time but while I was exiting the cafeteria I bumped into someone and the papers fell in the bucket of water that the janitor was using to clean the floor." I somehow made up a lie and said with as much confidence I could muster.

"I think you should've pursued literature instead of business in your final year because I'm sure that these stories would've helped you there." He said with poison lacing his tone.

"I-I'm not lying dad. Please. T-Trust me." I said with tears in my eyes because I knew what was coming next.

"Yeah sure." He smirked and gripped my wrist, dragging me towards his secret chamber in his office.

"Please. P-Please d-dad." I cried looking around for help. Where in the world was my mom.

He flicked on the lights and grabbed a rope to tie my hands and then blindfolded me. I have experienced this many times so my hearing is quite good. I hear him move somewhere around the room and turned on the tap of water. He picks something and wets it. The dripping of water is heard as he slowly moves towards me. He stands a step or two behind me and just like that I was on the floor gasping for air. One second I was standing the next I was on the floor. I felt something wet around my back and a stinging sensation met me. Shit! He was using a wet whip on me. And it hurts like hell. So much so that you would be thankful if it was a dry one. Water filled my eyes just as another one met my back. And another one. I was sure my shirt had been ripped open. He threw the whip on the ground.

"That's for not finishing the work. You had not written it thrice so three whips."

I tried standing up on my legs but just then I felt a punch on my hands. I sobbed. I k ew better than to speak while he was beating me up. He did not like people begging. So I kept my mouth shut while he I took the next two punches he threw my way.

"That's it for today. Three punches and whips for not completing your work. How can you not? Seriously." He said while he untied me and removed my blindfold.

"Next time I won't be so merciful." He said as I left his office.

I limped towards my room which was on the first floor. I stripped myself and just like I thought, my shirt was ripped in a slant way. Just as the shape of the lashes on my back. My hands could barely work on their own due to the damage. I don't think I can write anything for a few days or sleep well on that note. I slipped inside the shower and welcomed the burning sensation on my skin once again.

I stepped outside and waited for a few minutes to let my body dry itself because I can't use a towel. I took out a first aid kit from under the sink. I hissed as I bent down. "Fucking hell." I cursed. I tried to wash y hands before grabbing an ointment and tried to apply it as properly as I could on my back. My hands could hardly reach there.

He did not believe me once again, just like that day three years ago. I don't know what changed that day. He had always loved me growing up. Until that day three years ago. Until my sixteenth birthday. Until that disgusting event happened that changed my life. And when I tried to tell him the truth he did not believe me. Did not even think that it could be true. He assumed I was just spinning lies like today. From that day onwards our relationship has become rocky. He never really talks to me now. I just wished I had never celebrated my sweet sixteen. He used to love. I don't fucking know what changed when I returned home from that miserable event. I thought that he would understand, that mom would understand, but they didn't. This all started when I came home from that disgusting event and was dragged towards the chamber and my mom just watched with hate and disgust in her eyes. Like I was the one who did terrible things. And when I tried to show the proof of what had happened they just got even more furious. I want the man who loved me so dearly bad. I want my dad back.

I had bandaged my back and hands as best as I could with my broken hands. I stepped out of the bathroom and slipped into my bed. I skipped dinner and tried to sleep.

Damien's PoV-
Lia did t co e to school yesterday. I was in the library having my sweet sleep when someone shook me. Hard.

"What the hell?" I looked up. Seb.

"What are you doing here?"

"Trying to get some sleep after my dad trained the hell out of me saying I need to get ready for the position." I said tiredly.

"You really stirred up some drama that day."

"Yeah but she did the same. She was the who poured hot coffee over me."

"You kinda deserved it you know."

"Whatever." I put my head on the table once again.

"It's Chemistry class. Professor will scold you if you skip it again.

"I'll deal with it."

"No Damien, you can't risk it again. You know what will happen once your dad finds out."

"You can leave now." I ordered him.

He grabbed me by arm and made me stand up.

"You know ow I'm not one of your men whom you can order around." He said furiously while we walked towards the classroom.

I saw her as soon as I entered. Her smile was faint while she talked with Ariana. Our eyes met when I started moving towards the last desk. There was no light in her eyes this time when she looked at me. I nodded towards her but she ignored me. Ariana just watched us.

I took my seat at the last desk. I had a great view of her from here.

"We have a guest here students." The professor said eying me.

"Welcome to the class Damien Calloway." He said sarcastically. "Seems like you have no better job to do right now. Am I right? Otherwise you would be attending that business first."

"There are way more interesting things I can attend to than your class but I chose your sorry ass for once, just so that you would be glad. But that backfired I guess. I can still leave, you know." I said, utterly bored.

"Okay, let's start the class now." He said ignoring me.

I watched her the whole time. Her hands were wrapped around in a white bandage. I don't know why she didn't come to school yesterday but I can't help thinking that it is somehow connected to the papers I tore. She turned around to find me looking at her. She turned back around, embarrassed I caught her, more she caught me staring at her. I decided to sleep. Just as my head touched the desk Seb gave me a look.

"What?"

"Damien, please for once, pay attention."

"I don't give two fucks about school and you know it. I can score grades by studying myself."

"Yes, Sebastian. Let Damien sleep. He must be so tired." Marco jumped in.

"Haven't your parents taught you not to jump anywhere uninvited, Marco?"

"My parents have taught me way more important things than your parents can ever teach you."

"Don't you dare go there."

"Why? You can go anywhere but I can't? What type of bullshit is that?"

"Come I'll show you." And like that I punched him.

"Fuck you." He said punching me back.

"Stop it." The professor intervened. We continued.

"Stop it I said." We stopped.

"Detention. Now." We exited the class. I looked back to see what Lia was doing. She looked at me with worry in her eyes.

I gave her a faint smile and left.

~Taurus