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Chapter 11
In the early hours of the morning Vaun had snuck in with the intentions of throwing me an elaborate breakfast in bed but when I awoke later that morning it wasn't to the smell of pancakes.
"What's this?" I have barely opened my eyes before he throws a bouquet of flowers at the foot of my bed. I freeze and as I do I realize it's the worst possible answer to his question. He can't even look at me. "Get out."
"Wait let me expla-"
"I said get out!" he runs at me catching me off guard. He grabs my arm as he tries to yank me from my bed. I yell as I manage to kick him off of me and try to make a dart for the door. He beats me to it and this time he hits me, hard, sending me falling to the ground.
I gasp on the floor, breathless and frightened. He leans down now so our eyes meet and suddenly his intentions change. His hands snake around my neck and I close my eyes understanding exactly what he plans to do.
"Look at me damn it!" I open my tears trying desperately to keep the tears out of my vision. "I could kill you now you know that don't you." I nod as the grip around my neck tightens. "You are mine, your body is mine, your heart is mine and your god damn respect is mine too."
You may have wondered why I didn't leave this man. Why I hadn't run away into the sunset yet with my true love and never looked back. The answer was simple: life wasn't meant for happy endings. Trying to leave Vaun and run out of the deal my father had committed me to meant the death of everyone I loved, even Mitch.
Theres a knock on the door as we both freeze. "Anniel! I brought the lamb feed!"
His eyebrows raise as he takes in the look on my face, "It's him isn't it? Isn't it?" he squeezes my throat shut and he watches as I squirm on the floor trying pathetically to free myself from his grip. The attempt is vain though, as useless as a salmon fighting off the claws of a bear.
He lets go and I roll onto my stomach as I gasp for air. He leans down and whispers to me as he gently pulls back a strand of hair from my face, "Go get rid of him," I nod as I scramble up before I have even have had time to caught my breath completely.
"Anniel! Am I going to have to break in ag-"
The door swings open revealing Mitch effortlessly carrying a fifty pound bag of lamb food over his shoulder. The bright smile on his face quickly withers away into one of horror.
"What in the gods names has happen to you."
I close the door hiding my torn nightgown. "You need to leave Mitch." my words are cold; emotionless
"Anna what's going on?" he steps forward with all the intention in the world to help me; save me though he doesn't even know whats wrong yet.
"Look Mitch I don't love you! I know your pathetic little brain may think I do but I don't. It's been fun reconnecting and all but now it's just getting sad. Why don't you do both of us a favor and LEAVE ME ALONE!" I try to sound mad even though I feel my heart breaking. I try to make the look on my face seam like its from revoltion at the thought of loving him rather than from the tears of letting him go.
I can see myself in his eyes and I feel sick. "Get a life Mitch" I say, hopefully for the last time as I slam the door in his face.
I curl up into a ball and weep uncontrollably as I hear his car start up and rev down the road. I hear Vaun slowly descend from the stairwell. He scoops me up into his arms and pulls me close as he coos gently in my ear. He acts as if he is the knight in shining armor, not the monster that threatens to consume me.
I am a flower lost in darkness, a wilting rose who has lost her sun.
~*~
I am sitting in the living room, nothing but the skeleton of who I once was.
People walk in and out as the preparations are made for the wedding festivities. Vaun has moved up the date yet again.
People keep trying to talk to me; florist, caterers, my wedding dress designer. All I can manage to say to them is a simple 'yes' or 'no' and if there really lucky the occasional 'whatever you think is best'.
Vaun tells them that I am either sick or that it's the pre-wedding jitters taking hold. No one really believes him but of course they say nothing.
After another long day of planning he and I retreat to my room to 'relax'."Darling this is going to be the most marvelous wedding!" and it was. He had spent a small fortune ensuring that this wedding couldn't be topped.
"Yes, I suppose it will." the bruises left on my body ensure that I behave for Vaun, even if he knows the whole thing is crap.
He leans in and kisses me. "I know your still mad at me my love but you will get over it! Trust me we shall be the happiest couple that ever lived." I don't reply; don't have the energy to keep up this game.
A flicker of amusement lights up his eyes. As I sit unmoving on the foot of my bed he comes closer to me. I feel one hand snake down the side of my waist and down to my hips while the other entwines it's self in my hair. He came closer still letting his lips gently graze the soft flesh of my own. Then the kiss was no longer gentle. I felt the roots of my hair nearly give out as his hand ripped at it forcing me to kiss him harder. I closed my eyes waiting for him to be done with me all the while so aware of the feel of his tongue as it slithered between my lips.
Not soon enough the kiss is over, but even then he doesn't move from his spot beside me. I sit there motionless as the hand that had strangled me now traces the soft features of my face. "Anna you have no idea how excited I am for our wedding night." he whispers into my ear. The hand on my hips moves up and it grazes the curve of my breast.
After he is gone I sit on the edge of my bed staring into the nothingness of oblivion; nothing more than a prop in the unravelment of my own life.
One of the maids brings in Charlie, which is what I had taken to calling my little lamb. It is the only thing of Mitch Vaun allows me to keep, if only for the sake of my sanity.
Off it's leash the little cloud fluff dances about the room not knowing what to do with it's self. It has been nearly a week since I had rescued it and the little thing's recovery was amazing. Seeing me it runs to me on it's nimble little feet. I laugh as I pet it; a horribly wonderful reminder that life goes on.
