Somniphobia

Chapter 7. Becoming his

Aria POV
"What the fuck is going on in here!" someone yelled, making me flinch awake instantly. I grabbed onto Caleb's shoulders tightly as tears rushed down my cheeks from how terrified I was.

"Shh, it's okay, princess," he whispered soothingly as I cried.

"Aria! Get off that man's lap right now!" my mother yelled. I quickly climbed off his lap, trembling in fear as I stood in front of her.

"What were you doing on his lap, you whore?" she snapped.

"N–n–n–nothi—"
"Speak correctly!" she screamed.
"N–n–nothing," I stammered through heavy sobs.

She grabbed my arm and dragged me out of Caleb's bedroom toward hers and Dad's room. Panic shot through me as she pulled me inside. I tried to yank my arm away, but I was too weak.

"You're eighteen. You need to start acting your age, not sitting in men's laps like a child!" she yelled, slapping me across the face so hard I sobbed louder.

"I–I'm—"
She slapped me across the mouth before I could apologize.

My father got out of bed and stormed toward me angrily. I backed away, falling to the floor and screaming. I squeezed my eyes shut, screaming for him not to hit me. My body shook uncontrollably, and I peed myself in fear as he raised his hand.

"Get away from her!" a dark, demanding voice growled. I trembled harder, keeping my eyes shut.

"Get out of my room! This is my business, not yours!" my father yelled.

"She is my business. Now get the fuck away from her," the man ordered.

"She is not your business—she's our daughter!" my mother argued.

He laughed darkly, the kind of laugh that made your whole core freeze. "She's no longer your daughter. She's mine now."

"You're not taking her from us! She's our daughter!" my mother screamed.

"Too late, Mrs. Smith. She was mine the second I saw her. You still haven't paid me back. I'll bring her back once my money is in my hands."

"You are not taking my daughter!" my father yelled.

"I am. And you're going to watch me."
He picked me up off the floor, throwing me over his shoulder and covering my backside with his jacket to hide my accident.

I clung to his shirt, crying softly as he carried me out, with Aaron walking behind us.

He headed downstairs toward the front door. I looked up to see my parents at the top of the stairs, glaring at me like they wanted me dead.

He opened the back door of his car and tried to set me down, but I refused to let go, terrified my parents would drag me out if he stopped holding me.

"I'll drive, Caleb," Aaron said so Caleb could get in the back with me.

Caleb sat first. I slid off his lap, embarrassed about peeing myself earlier. I sat beside him, gripping his shirt tightly and praying he wouldn't smell anything. I was so anxious I kept peeing little by little as they drove.

He pulled me closer, resting my head on his chest and brushing his fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes as tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stop trembling. I was sure they'd come after me and kill me.

A long drive later...

The car slowed to a stop. Doors opened and shut. I opened my eyes slowly, still crying. Caleb lifted me up and carried me toward a massive house—three, maybe four stories high.

Guards with AK-47s stood all around the property.

Inside, the chandelier hanging above us sparkled so beautifully I forgot how to breathe. I felt embarrassed even looking around. I'd never been anywhere like this.