Royals'

Sixteen.

"So tired of the turmoil that is occurring in my heart, will there ever be a release?" --Cymplicity

I watched the hands on the clock slowly creep its way to the time of Mason's private driver's arrival. When half past five came about, I was notified that it was time to face the music. Words could not explain the feeling of dread that I now had coursing through me. Everything inside of me was yelling and begging me not to join Mason that evening at the roller rink. I should have listened to my first mind and headed home. Instead, a step at a time, I walked out of my building that I loved so much and into that car. 

The seats were hard and rough against my anxious skin. I could not help but move around uncomfortably. This was not the first time that I have sat in this very spot, it just felt different and wrong some how. The scent of the leather seats were nearly stifling.

"Mrs.Royals' is everything okay back there?" Mike, Mason's favorite driver asked peering up at my from the rear view mirror.

"I need air." I choked out, wiping my forehead. Why was I sweating so much? Oh, I felt a burning fever coming on.

"Yes ma'am." Mike uttered turning the A/C on full blast, which only intensified the stench of the car. 

"No! Mike, turn it off." Before my mind could form the thought of rolling my window down, my finger had already found its way onto the button. Just as quick, I snapped my head towards the fresh air that was invading this terrible car. The powerful roar of thunder was heard up above. 

Leaning back into my seat, head still turned towards the window, I closed my eyes and tried to control my nerves. I have dealt with Mason's sick games many times, this time would be no different. Everything will be just fine.

Just fine.

***

I made my way into the quiet roller rink and made a mental note of where all of the exits were.

"Mason?" I called out, too afraid still to hear my own voice.

"Yasmine! Oh baby you made it!" Mason cheered coming around the worker's counter with a bottle of rum in his hand.

"Where is everyone?" I questioned.

"Everyone?" He asked more to himself than me.

"Oh! I rented out the building for the night." He replied back snapping his finger. "I wanted tonight to be a little intimate if you catch my drift. Come baby, give me a hug." 

Walking up to him I looked behind me towards the exit -to safety- then proceeded to give my husband a hug.

"Oh there we go." He smiled, breathing his hot breath onto my face. I flinched when I felt his hands grope my behind. I could remember a time when I used to enjoy him doing that. So much has changed his then.

"Are we going to skate?" I asked, trying to come up with an excuse to put some distance between us.

"You know I can't skate Yasmine. We are going to eat though. I was going through some stuff in the back and found some ingredients to make pizza." He said walking away from me. Pushing a hair behind my ear, I followed behind him. I watched with caution as he moved towards a table that was off to the side of the room. Was I really terrified of my own husband? That can't be so.

"Pizza..that sounds...good." I replied as I took my place in front of him at the table. Playing nice would be my best bet if I planned on not leaving this room with bruises on my skin.

"It might not me all that great, but it's eatable. Yasmine you know that I love you right? I really do and baby i'm TRYING. I put my hands on you, because I love you." He said raising the bottle to his lips. 

"Yes Mason, I know that you love me." I replied, reaching for the glass of water that was on the table, before I could pull it towards me, Mason had a grip on my wrist. 

"Then why are you preventing us from carrying on our legacy?" Oh here is the drizzle to the storm. Looking him in his eyes, I replied with, 

"We have the money and the fame, but we aren't ready mentally."

"Oh?" Releasing my wrist, Mason sat back in his chair looking a little disappointed. The look was gone as soon as more liquor was placed on his tongue. Taking a few gulps of my water, I waited for his reaction. 

"You think that i'm crazy?" He whispered.

"No! I-I just think...woo." I breathed out then started again, "I just feel that even though we are financially capable for children, neither one of us are ready for the emotional aspect of caring for child. Statistics sh-"

"GEEZ Yasmine! Listen to yourself: emotional aspect, statistics show? I am your HUSBAND, not someone that you're trying to break a business deal with." Mason growled throwing the rum bottle over my shoulder. An inch closer, it would have struck me.

"Mason."

"There's all this we talk when it's really YOU, that just refuses to bare me a child. I don't even know why i'm getting myself all worked up over this." Running a hand through his hair, a nudge towards the platter of pizza was made. 

"I'm really not that hungry." I spoke up, while loosening my blouse. The heat in the room was rising suddenly. 

"If Sherwin would have made it, i'm sure you would have been more than eager to eat some." He challenged. Sighing, I grabbed a slice and said a silent prayer.

"Why so hesitant? You used to love my cooking." 

Looking him in the eye, I raised a slice to my lips. If anything happened to me, it would be on his conscience. That's if he even used it these days. A few more bites and forcing myself to swallow, I felt the room swaying.

"Mason?"

"Yeah baby?" He asked coming over to my chair.

"Mason..." I whispered, a tear rolling down my eye.

"Shh...everything will be alright." He cooed, kissing on my forehead. All I could recall next was his rough hand tugging at my shirt before everything went black. 

Since when did rape in a marriage become a thing? That however was not the storm,simply the silence before it rolled over and drowned us with it's misery.