Nikki Darling (18+)

Little Darling

Discretion advised, mild triggering content of sexual abuse.

"Every school boys fantasy she was"
Morning Papers by Prince

December 21st, 1974

"Happy birthday!" Mrs.Cordon coos. She extends her arms and hands me a nicely wrapped present.

I give a small smile in return. I focus on Mrs.Cordon's eyes- inwardly cursing at her for her inability to see the truth.

I can feel eyes on me. It's as if swords are sliding themselves into the front of my shoulder. I place my left palm on my bare shoulder to cover my revealed skin.

"Your dress is simply beautiful, it's breath-taking" Mrs.Cordon's fingers envelope around the fabric of my elaborate dress.

"Thank you" I respond short.

My mother passes the three of us and heads straight into the lively ballroom. Our heads turn at the sight of the glamorous dress my mother bares, at least Mrs.Cordon and I do.

"You definitely got your looks from your mother," her head turns back to face my own. "Your father must be having a hard time, fighting off all of the boys who fall to your feet. You'd be having a grand old time if she was our daughter, hm?" Mrs.Cordon turns to face her husband with an amused bout of laughter escaping her rouge coloured lips.

Mr.Cordon's smile grows fast. "I'd loose my mind" his eyes dagger into my own. I remain a unbothered gaze, attempting not to break underneath his.

"We should get going, Sebastian must be looking for us, dear" she interrupts her husbands stare with a wave of her palm.

"That, we should" his eyes scan me one last time.

"Sweetest 16th to you, Nikki Darling", and with that; Mrs.Cordon zooms out of sight, with Mr.Cordon following her as a Shepard would a flock of sheep.

I let out a held breath and grab handfuls of fabric whilst holding the wrapped present.

I walk up the staircase - from the main hall to the top floor - and feel the weight of my dress's fabric dragging behind me.

As I walk up the fairly empty halls of the second floor I notice our maid, Helen, is mopping my father's office floors.

She stops her mopping motions at the sight of me. "What's wrong?" Her face is riddled with concern.

For a moment, no words exist my mouth. "Nothing, Helen" I smile lamely before moving swiftly around the yellow basket and I enter my room.

Peace. Serenity. Refuge.

I close the door and throw myself backwards onto my bed, allowing my present to roll off of my hand.

The comfortable mattress soothes my aching back and stressed calves, resulting in a sigh.

Stress returns as a familiar voice fills the hall and slips through the bottom of my door.

I stand up at once, when Helen's voice confirms my fear. "Hello, Mr.Cordon, how could I help you?"

"Could you be so kind to fetch Sebastian for me. I have business to speak with him."

"It's the middle of his party, he'll be reluctant to leave the ball-room," she speaks in a skeptical tone.

Silence fills the hall and I begin to worry. I run over to my bedroom door and place my ear to it.

"Okay.. I'll get him", his intimidating glare must have been his only response. "And where will you be?"