Tainted Innocence

C H A P T E R 1 4

Leilani

The next morning I woke up to sound of my alarm blaring in my ear. I groaned as I shut it off. My clothes were pilled to my skin by sweat. I groaned in disgust.

I looked in the mirror. I looked exactly how I felt in the moment. Like shit. My bonnet was in the other side of my head and I looked pale—which unusual considering my natural caramel complexion. I smacked my lips together because my mouth was very dry and my plump lips were chapped.

I went to bathroom and brushed my teeth and threw my hair up in a bun. I scrambled and put on a plain white tee shirt and some denim shorts. I didn't put too much effort in my outfit today.

I walked downstairs slowly, remembering that I woke up late yesterday. I internally groaned Ms.Kuznetsov was for sure going to unleash her consequences.

The kitchen was empty was I stepped foot in there. There was a note on the table with my initials on it. I picked it up and it had a list of all my chores for today. "Clean out the goat pins?" I whispered to myself as my eyebrows scrunched up.

Suddenly the front door opened revealing Ms. Kuznetsov. "Yes, your chores are going to be more difficult so that you can learn some discipline. If you're in my house you have to abide by my rules. You know this and you still decided to wake up late Leilani." Ms.Kuznetsov spat at me.

I was going to be quiet and compliant as I usually was but something snapped. " I've been following your rules since I came here! I wake up late once and you act like it's the end of the world!" I sprawl my hands up around as my heart beats against my chest. Bump Bum Bum Bump.

"Watch your tone when you speak to me, girl." Ms.Kuznetsov took a challenging step towards me but I wasn't backing down— I have nothing else to loose here.

"I didn't even ask to come here! And you're talking about your house your rules," I said using air quotes to mock her "and I'm not some little girl. I'm eighteen for fucks sake—"

Ms. Kuznetsov cut me off with a slap. My hand went to my cheeks as a reflex. My cheek stung. I just stood there for a second—frozen. My hand stayed on my face as I blinked rapidly, trying to register what just happened.

A slow breath escaped my lips, but it shook halfway out. My eyes were glassy now, not because of the pain, but because of the humiliation. It wasn't just the slap. It was everything. It was the way she looked at me like I was nothing. Like I owed her my life.

"You done?" Ms. Kuznetsov asked, her tone still sharp but calmer now. As if hitting me gave her some kind of sick relief.

I didn't answer her. I couldn't.

"I want the goat pens cleaned before noon. The chicken coop after that. And I suggest you finish quickly, because I'll be inspecting it all. Understand?"

Still, I said nothing. I just nodded once—slow, robotic. Like I wasn't even in my own body.

She scoffed and walked away, heels clicking like a gavel behind her.

I stood there until I couldn't anymore. My knees felt weak, but I forced myself toward the back door. The sun was already glaring outside.

The pail in my hand felt like it weighed fifty pounds.I marched out of the house as if I had something to prove. My dignity to myself, I thought.

I pass the barns and pass Alexei. I know he felt my presence because he tensed up but he didn't look my way. My chest stung but not more than my cheeks. "Be that way then." I scoffed under my breath. Everyone is this place was so full of shit.

I entered the goat pens and I had to suppress a gag. It was absolutely disgusting in the pens. Flies and maggots gathered around everywhere. And the smell. Oh the smell was even worse.

It was rancid. Sour and thick. I had to put my shirt over my nose because if I breathed in too deeply then I would be able to taste what I was smelling. My shirt barely did anything the smell seemed to sink into the cotton until it reached its target,  my nostrils. It was hot which made my situation even worse.

My white tee shirt clung to my back for dear life because of how hard I was sweating. This was humiliating. Degrading even. I wanted to cry, but I didn't— I was beyond that. I had cried enough tears.

I just focused on my task at hand, robotically and swiftly so that I could get the hell out of here.

***

I finally finished cleaning the pens in what felt like hours. Once I exited the pens the sun was setting creating a warm ambiance outside. I examined my surroundings. My spit was thick and hot in my mouth forcing me to spit.

Alexei, who was tending to the gardens, heard my glob of spit hit the ground and made a face at me. I didn't even care enough to wipe the drool on my face, for it was already tainted with sweat and dirt.

I carried on the dirt path into the house. I peeled of my muddy shoes and tossed them beside the door. To my right was Ms. Kuznetsov was preparing dinner, she didn't say a word to me and neither did I to her. I huffed and made my way up the stairs to my room.

The crisp air conditioning in the house made my clothes stick to me even worse. I felt disgusting and sticky. I ripped the clothes off of me, not bothering to put it in the dirty clothes hamper. I turned the shower on, not even looking at what temperature I put it on.

The steam filled the bathroom up quickly so I knew the shower was nice and hot. I stepped into the shower and saw all the dirt from my body empty into the drains. Finally the musty funky smells washed off of me. The shower burned but I didn't mind.

I was succumbed under the shower peddles until I lost track of time. I wasn't thinking about anything in particular, I was just numb. I must've been in the shower for a while because soon I heard a knock at my door. "Leilani," the voice whispered.

***

I actually been had this written. Like most of the chapters. Thanks to my one commenter that comments lmao and thanks for everyone who is reading this book.

It's a slow burn but it'll be worth it trust