SURVIVOR of the WOODS

(2)

It was the 25th of July on Sunday, where I was getting ready for the family dinner. We were in Las Vegas and the event will be starting at around 7 p.m. I was in the hotel room, applying my final touch of makeup. Jake opened the door without knocking and as we locked eyes, he looked at me disgustingly.

"You look dreadfully pitiful. I mean look at you, this amazing dress would've fitted perfectly in that girl who was on my bed the last time you interrupted us." He gritted his teeth.

I was even more disgusted than he was. Suddenly he grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.

"This is a very important night for us. You better not ruin it for your dad. You might pay a price that's beyond your imagination." He chuckled.

I simply stared at him.

"Come on now! Fake a smile while you greet the family members and friends. Don't worry about the questions they'll ask you, your father will answer them." He grinned while tapping my cheeks.

I followed him to the awaiting Limousine and as we drove to the location, the ride was one of the most boring and displeasing ones I've ever been on.

"Dorothea, make sure to look fit in front of my friends. Like um...take a sharp breath to hold your bloated tummy inside so that you look fine. Cause they are all very athletic! You don't wanna look like a ridiculous bitch out there right?" He said out of the blue. Was that the only way to break the silence?

"I can't help my bloated tummy since my menstrual cycle just finished." I said.

"Oh I see, then work on it."

I looked at him in confusion. What is wrong with him?

After half an hour, we finally reached the restaurant. My father had booked the whole building for our family dinner and there he was talking with an unknown figure. A part of me wanted to run to him and plead for letting me live my life the way I've always desired but I just remained seated, knowing that whatever I told him, won't make any difference.

Jake held my hand and gently said, "Come, they are waiting for us. Make a good impression alright? Bitch!"

For a moment I felt quite relieved but after he said bitch, I was devastated. I sighed as I descended the car.

We walked to the front door and when my father noticed us, he excused himself and came to greet us.

"Good evening Sir!" Jake shake my father's hand.

"Hello son, how are you?"

"I'm all good dad!"

He tapped Jake's shoulder, indicating how proud he was of him.

"Good evening father, how have you been?" I asked him.

"I'm fine, dear." He gently hugged me, then we parted. For a few seconds, I felt at home.

"Come on in, I've got some important people to show you." Father said, trying to sound delightful.

As we entered the restaurant, the room was filled with unfamiliar faces. I could only recognise the assistant and my in-laws.

"Hey sis! How are you?" My brother came from nowhere and shook my hand.

"Hi, it's been a long time. I'm so glad to see you." I smiled at him.

He reciprocated the gesture.

"Hello there Dorothea!" Linda came over with her son, "Aunt Dore!" He wrapped his arms around my hips. I gently patted his head, "How are you Kevin?"
He looked at me with the most genuine smile on his face saying, "I'm happier after seeing you!"

The evening was going well so far but I did not get the opportunity to speak to my father as Jake was being super clingy and making me meet all sorts of strangers. I was totally uninterested but in order to avoid possible misunderstandings, I tried to play along. We all ate at around 8 p.m and Jake was being the most gentleman ex husband I could never have.

Suddenly, my father got a call and he had to answer elsewhere, so I excused myself for pretending to go to the washroom only to follow my father in a corridor.

"Father? May I speak to you for a moment? Last time I tried calling and you were busy." I said, standing right behind him.

He turned around to look at me, "Dorothea, dear..." He held my hands, "Marcus told me you are now divorced?" He said, referring to his assistant.

"...Yes father." I looked down.

"May I know why?" His voice was no longer soft, but more  hoarse and higher.

"Jake was cheating on me with another woman and I am not happy to live with such a disgraceful man. I even took a picture as a proof."

"Listen Dorothea, I know your life has always been in my hands and I tried my best to provide you with every basic needs and desires. Everything you could possibly wish for, I've provided you, so couldn't you have make this man yours? It's your responsibility after all."

"You're saying that it's still my fault?"

"No dear, all I need you to do is be happy with him and marry him again."

"What? He tortures me!"

"It's a man. We all have this animal instinct. Don't worry much about him. Once he gets to know you, he'll eventually fall for you." He cupped my face.

"No father, I'm done with this. Whether you want it or not, I'm divorced now and I'll pave my own way to reach wherever I want." I removed his warm hands from my face.

"Oh Dorothea, after everything I did, this is how you repay your old father?"

"I'm sorry father, but I don't recall having you by my side during my first steps, my first word and the very first time I was on my period. You were only there for my wedding, the day you'd probably never see again unless it was occasional. I never wished for all the fancy toys or private education, I just needed you. Your time, your love and care." Tears streamed down my face as my lips quiver.

He remained silent, then gently grabbed my hand, "I'm sorry." Was all he could say.

Suddenly, I spotted silhouettes of men coming inside the restaurant from the glass windows of the corridor.

"You know dear, our family, the Woods, never needed to pave the way. So, I've been following the steps that's already been paved for me. So should you." He caressed my face.

Before I could blink, there were toxic gases spread all across the room, my father grabbed me and pushed me towards an exit. "Run!" He shouted. He then took out his gun and shot a man who had just entered the building. I was already coughing due to the intoxicating smoke. My father was shooting but eventually got hit and all I could do was watch helplessly. He laid there, on the cold hard floor, blood oozing out of his body. Shotguns and screams could be heard as I hid behind a pole and covered my ears, closing my eyes tightly. "Please, please, please..." I whispered to myself, hoping this was unreal.

"There she is, grab her!" I opened my eyes to see a man standing right in front of me and he grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to stand up. Then, someone from behind pressed a cloth on my nose to leave me unconscious.