Melissa: She has a story in her eyes.
"You. Are. Mine." He said, emphasising each word so that they carve in my brain.
"No. Stop it." A tear stained my cheeks.
His teeth grazed my neck, leaving angry marks. A soft whimper escaped my mouth.
"I won'...
Please, vote and comment. Add the book to your public reading lists.
_____________________________________
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The soft fabric of the gown clung to my body and I smoothen it further with my hand. The white material glimmered slightly under the yellow bulb attached to my dressing mirror.
I put on the three inch matching heels which were hand painted, specially made for the gown and the blue mask which had a long feather in blue at the right side.
Presently, I was at my mother's house getting ready for the masquerade ball. Blake brought me here himself because this would be a great opportunity for his business purposes, he showed me off as his prized possession to the business world. So he treated me better outside in the public.
I put the last pearl pin in my hair bun. The pill bottle stood silently on the wooded dresser, gawking at me. Should I take two or not? I contemplated. The night can be good or bad. There are chances of it being bad mostly because for a long time only bad things are happening in my life. I need it to keep me safe and in control.
I took three pills and drank it with water. I immediately felt the calmness settling inside me. I looked at the mirror and forced a smile. A smile that didn't reach till my eyes. Previously, it was literally painful to fake smile but by now I am used to it.
"Wow! You look gorgeous, Sweetheart." My mother, Evangeline Black- the CEO of The Black Enterprises came in through the door, wearing on an elegant maroon colour gown. She smiled at my and appreciated my look with a once-over.
She was impressed which means I really look great. It's really hard to impress this woman, which I tried to do for my whole life and never fully succeeded.
"Thanks mom. You look beautiful as always." I complimented her in a soft and clipped tone which to her was classy and elegant.
"Now. Now, be quick and come down. Blake wants to introduce you to some important people." she tucked a small hair behind my ear which couldn't get fixed in the bun. "Make your husband proud by being an obedient and good wife. He loves you. He told me you aren't listening to him these days. Please Melissa, don't do something that you'll regret later." Mom said in a soft voice but the warning was clear behind her words.
I nodded and told her I'll be down to an obedient wife to my husband.
Obviously, I didn't say that, I only nodded my head.
_____________
The musician played a beautiful number in the huge organ than was placed in my mother's living room which was now turned into a ball room.
I always hated this type of party. Wearing heel and long gown, a glass of champagne tucked between my fingers and meet and greet people with a fake smile. Now, you must be thinking, I should be used to this by now, wining and dining with the rich and proper of the society, no, all this beauty and glimmer is just a fabrication over the truth.
This is a world created by money, not love, truth and honesty.
"Smile." Whispered a cold, menacing voice in my ear. Blake took hold of my waist tight and rough and walked us into the crowd of industrialists.
"Mrs. Evans, good to see you again." Mr. Newson greeted as his dirty eyes raked over my body. "You look mesmeric!" On the other hand, Mrs. Newson, too, gave me an overall look and her face formed into a pathetic sneer.
Judgemental looks! Again! These people think they are any better than me...
"Melissa!" Mr. Moore clicked his tongue on the L of my name. He smirked at me and took a sip of his red wine. "You're glowing than last time." The guy didn't have a dirty kind of look but obviously his one night stand was standing in front of him, he had to pass the look.
"She is the Queen. A woman like her has some expensive needs which a man like myself, a man with wealth needs to fulfill." Blake boasted. "Luxury makes a woman pretty." The men laughed.
Luxury can make you glow and to some extent it will make you happy but it will never give you a sense of fulfillment. It will only make you greedy and increase your dependency on money and finally it'll lead to your downfall.
"Thank you gentlemen." I forged a smile. "Hope you are enjoying the ball?"
Newson nodded.
The conversation went on smoothly for the next two hours. My Cheeks were hurting from too much of smiling. I had two dances, one with Blake and another with Moore. Yes, Moore. The guy apologized, don't ask for what because I don't see his fault. He was taking advantage to his benefit and fun. But I can't seem to have a good feeling about the man. I never trusted them anyway.
"Hey Sweetheart, dance with your old man." Dad came and took my hand in his and led me to the dance floor. "You look like a princess. But, Princess seems to be in trouble." His heavy yet soothing voice laced on my raw wounds like a cold healing medicine and my immediate reaction was to cry. But, as usual, I held my tears in. Instead, I gave him a small smile which was genuine.
"I am good, daddy." I just wanted him to tuck me in his arms and rock me back and forth. I wanted to cry, feel his warmth and smell his calming odour. I just, for once, wanted to go back in my childhood and become his little baby girl. Again.
That was not going to happen anymore. I am a big girl.
"Don't lie! That rascal hit you again. The mark is in your forehead! You can't hide your pain from me." His eyes blazed with pure rage. "I wish... I wish... I could help..." he lowered his head in shame. "I can't see you like this... I can't let you be in that prison of marriage..." A tear escaped dad's eyes but we swayed with Mozarts number played on the piano.
I couldn't see him cry. So, I wiped his tears, holding back mine. "Daddy.... Please."
"Just promise me something... " he said and I nodded for him to go on. "... You'll escape." he looked straight in my eyes.
He was dead serious, his eyes spoke volumes. "I can't... Dad." I masked my emotions though I was already wearing a blue mask.
"Why?" his desperation showed in his eyes.
"I am not strong enough anymore. I tried before and the consequences were bad. Dad, it's not easy. I am no more your fighter daughter. " The pity that I felt for myself was strong but the shame that I felt for pitying myself was stronger.
"Not now maybe. Maybe, when you are stronger again. You'll always be m fighter daughter. You just have to feel young to do something young and rebellious. " He kissed my forehead. " Promise me, Melissa."
