SURVIVOR of the WOODS

(8)

Freya brought me back to the mansion and we were in the kitchen, where she was applying ointment on my bruise. I kept on flinching every time she would touch it.

"Stop moving." She said.

"But it hurts."

For a few seconds we locked eyes and her ice gray orbs stared deeply at my olive ones. Then, her gaze lingered towards my lips then back at my bruise. I remained quiet and endured the pain.

After a long moment, I said, "I'm sorry I ran away."

At the same time, the door opened and a sweaty Damien entered. I could see the fear and restlessness in his eyes. He breathed harder and slowly approached us.

"Freya..." He started but Freya stood up and went to him. She grabbed his collar and pushed him against the wall.

"Why did you leave her alone?!" She asked, furious.

Damien was stuttering but managed to make a sentence, "Freya, I needed to get some supplies and told her to stay there. I couldn't have figured out that she would actually run away. I'm sorry."

Freya let go of his collar and marched towards me. I gulped down my non existent saliva.

"Go in your room and freshen up." She simply said and waited for me to get going.

"Freya, it's not his fault. Just don't be too harsh with him. If you need to be mad, it should be with me. I'm grateful that you saved me today. I'm really sorry for running away like this..."

"Are you done?" She asked, pissed off.

I walked to the door and had a quick glance at Damien, who didn't even look at me. Then, I left.

I really wanted to stay by the door and eavesdrop their conversation but I didn't wanna risk it. So, I went in my room and closed the door. The only thing I could feel is disgust. I'm disgusted with myself. I could've ran away and sneaked into a boat or whatever but instead those rapists came in my way and the thought of escaping escaped my mind.

It's really some sort of luck that I got saved twice in similar situations. One was when my father's men saved me in that club and today is when Freya saved me from being enslaved by those fools. I tried to shake the thought off my head by taking a hot shower.

I wore a simple long beige dress, which was off shoulder. I took some deep breaths as I stood on the balcony. I could sense danger coming as I thought about what will be the punishment that I might face when Freya will come back.

I heard the door handle creak open and I rushed to see if it was Damien. To my disappointment, it was her. She was wearing a different outfit. She already showered and smelled like cherry blossom. She wore a gray sweatpants with matching hoodie. Her hair was wet and her face was expressionless.

Whenever I would look at her now, I'd feel scared or nervous to the core.

"Were you expecting someone else?" She asked.

"No, of course not." I managed to lie.

"You know, one thing I extremely hate is lying. I might as well double or even triple your punishment." She marched slowly towards me as I took few steps back.

"Freya, I'm really sorry for what I did today. It won't happen again. I promise."

"Promises are made to be broken, so don't swear." As she moved closer, I kept moving backwards till my back collapsed against a wall. She placed a hand aside my face, blocking my way to the left and her other hand went to my head. She patted it gently and said, "I could've lost you today. I warned you about not going outside. You're safe here, why don't you listen? Damien would've protected you out there but you fled."

For once, I could see compassion in her eyes. They showed care and sympathy. I wanted to console her as well as myself but nothing came out of my mouth, instead I just bit my lower lip out of nervousness.

Her eyes trailed to my lips then all her attention was drawn to them. She leaned in and kissed my cheek. Then, she inhaled deeply into my neck, which obviously made my legs turn into jelly and shivers ran down my spine. My eyes automatically closed and I felt her breath in the crook of my neck.

Realisation hit me and I pushed her away. "What the hell is wrong with you?! I told you I'm not into girls! And if you hadn't ruin that dinner in Las Vegas, I would've probably been on a date or something! Now that you snatched my family away from me, you're trying to seduce me?! What do you expect me to do other than run away from a psychopath like you?" I let out a shaky breath.

She looked into my eyes and removed her hand from the wall. She stood straight and suddenly grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at her.

"You got no choice but to stay here. If we're gonna have trouble facing each other everyday, it will be harder for me to protect you."

I succeeded in removing her hand away and after taking quick short breaths, I said, "I don't need your protection." I stared fiercely at her.

"If you don't like my attitude towards you, you'd better behave yourself. You are staying here and if you continue being like this, you will be confined for a longer time period. So, you decide, princess, what are you willing to do." After saying that, she left my room.

I was irritated to the core! Why wouldn't they let me go? And why did they choose my family? Or...what did my father do to her? Was the assassination a revenge? I need answers! But, I'm way too tired to argue or eat. So, I dozed off on the bed.

.....

The sun shone brightly in the sky as I opened the curtains to welcome a new day. I breathed in deep and set my goal. Today is going to be my day. I'll set things right. The more obedient I am, the quicker I'll leave from this hell. So, let the games begin!

I showered and washed my hair thoroughly with an almond shampoo. When I opened my closet, I was surprised to see a set of shorts, t-shirt and pants arranged neatly inside. A smile formed on my face as I chose my outfit. Damien is so considerate!

After wearing a denim shorts with an oversized white t-shirt, I stepped outside my room and strode downstairs. Breakfast was ready and the maids greeted me. I smiled at them.

"You're up early today." Damien stood in a corner of the dining room while checking me out, "You look cute."

I could feel the blood rush into my cheeks. I smiled at him. His voice was deeper in the morning and I liked hearing it. "Thanks for the clothes, I missed these outfits and the closet was filled with dresses."

He grabbed an apple from the basket of fruits, washed it then took a big bite, "I didn't get you those clothes."

"Then, who did?"

"Probably Freya."

I guess she's trying to be considerate.

"Damien, did Freya do something to you? I'm really sorry you had to go through her anger."

"It's not the first time she's mad at me. And why did you act like a 9 years old and ran away like this?"

"I really want my freedom Damien. I never wished to be kidnapped by a mafia. I only want a normal life. I don't feel like home here and yet, my destiny is written in red ink. Like written in blood. That's how I felt like those 3 days I spent here. I was hoping to get away and lead my life like a normal 23 years old lady. Now, I'm stuck here with a lesbian mafia queen!" I heaved an exhausting sigh.

"If that's how you feel like then, I can't do anything for you. I'm sorry Dorothea. Freya likes you but maybe her methods of winning your heart is a bit out of the book."

"The thing is, I'm not gay. I don't have any sexual attractions towards girls."

"But you do enjoy her touch?"

I looked up at him, "What?"

"Don't worry Dorothea, just let the red ink lead you to another chapter of your destiny." He finished the apple and went away, leaving me dumbstruck.