Neighbors with Benefits // BTS

Stigma

May 28th

These past two weeks were a living hell for me. Being alive was torturous and death was the only option I could think of. I would be sore every morning for the rest of the day and before I knew it, I would be even sorer tomorrow. I adjusted my body under my blankets, feeling unbearable pain. Every morning my money would be taken away from my safe; every night, a rapist would appear before me. My anxiety had risen up ever since. 

I was slowly losing costumers and the thought of it made my heart dropped. Sooner or later, none of my loyal costumers would show up. That would be the end of my business. 

At least BTS was coming back to Baby Bell Street this week. It would be a time for when I could expose Mei. Mei came first on my list, for she kept my necklace as a hostage. Next was Arthur. I wanted Arthur to move back to France or whatever he came from. I wanted him away from me. The thought of him made my heart race in an unhealthy way.

I also wanted Mother to know Arthur had been raping me. I just needed my phone and everything would come to an end. I closed my eyes to get some more shut eye till I heard a knock. 

"Felicia, don't you want some breakfast? It's croissants, your favorite." 

There was no way I'm going to listen to him after all he had done to me. I had enough of abuse throughout the past weeks. If I were to fight back, would the fighting be for nothing if my necklace went down the drain? It was a win-lose situation. I either don't fight and get my necklace or fight and kiss my necklace goodbye. 

"Felicia?"

He acted like he never done anything to me. Every day he would put the same act and then at night he becomes a beast. I stuffed myself deep into my blankets. I tend to skip all meals if I had to. There was no way I'm going out.

During these past weeks, I felt more uncomfortable around him. I tend to be aware more if men were coming into my restaurant. I even puked a couple of times because of my fear. This fear.

I didn't want to be the same person I was in the past. 

"Felicia!" He was still there?! Arthur started banging on the door as if he was planning to break it open. My heart raced like it was dancing on spikes. Regardless of my sore legs, I leaped out of my bed and did my best to jog to my bathroom. Once I locked myself in there, I could still hear the banging through this door.

I needed to leave; even if it meant risking my necklace on the line. Anger boiled inside of me as the feelings of regret came into my mind. I should have made this choice sooner or later.

I was just so scared.

The banging stopped after a few minutes and I used the time to clean myself. My goal was to leave my own house for a couple of days until BTS came back. It was a risk I was about to take.

O~~~~~~~O

A few hours later, I was still in my room. I packed a few clothes in my pink bag along with my hygiene stuff and my wallet. I wore a brown heavy leather jacket under my blue short dress with black leggings and black sleek boats.

I stared at my safe in the corner and grabbed it. I moved it into my closet so it wouldn't be visible.

I was ready physically but not mentally. I tried counting to ten while staring at my door. What if Arthur was in front of my door, waiting? I leaned my ear against the door for any suspicious noises. I could hear the television and nothing else.

I cracked the door open. Arthur wasn't at my door, probably watching TV. I slipped out of my room without making any bothersome noises. Slowly tiptoeing with my boots, I made it to the stairs. Arthur was there. I almost lost my balance when I saw a thread of his hair. There was someone else with him. I leaned my head more to see Mei with Arthur.

I was disgusted, they weren't even watching TV. They were making out instead. I didn't have the time to get angry, I needed to get out here. Luckily, the TV was loud and their backs were facing me while they did their thing.

Carefully and steady I made my way downstairs. Still wasn't noticed. I held my breath, now crawling to the door. I made second glances just to make sure.

Mei suddenly moaned and I quickly hid behind the couch. Arthur started chuckling and the couch began to shake.

"Yes, Arthur! Harder!"

"You like it hard don't you?"

They kept at it with their dirty words. Their presence was going to make my house smell of sex. While the couch kept vibrating, I continued my journey to the doorknob. I looked back at them before leaving my house.

O~~~~~~~O

I ran out of Baby Bell Street. I ran till my feet ached. I was crying because I hated myself for not doing this sooner. I could have saved myself from so much pain and suffering.

I slowly came to a walk when I was on the main street. My next move was to go to a grocery store and buy some food for my hunger.

I spotted the same grocery store Jimin and I went to. It brought a smile to my lips from the embarrassing memories. I grabbed a couple of snacks and a few sandwiches. It honestly felt so relaxing to be out.

"Ah! I want to meet BTS!" A young girl passed by me with her friends.

"Me too! Just imagine meeting them at a grocery store!"

Well, it kinda happened. If only they were there at that time.

After I purchased my food, I left the store. While unwrapping my turkey sandwich, I continued my walk to a nearby hotel that took a couple of miles to get to. The outside looked decent enough to know there would be free breakfast every morning.

When I opened the glass doors, I was greeted by a woman with a bright smile right across. "Hello, welcome to Comfort Inn."