ADAM'S CURE

Chapter 9

<9>

• The Proposal •

Natalia's POV

A Week Later

I sponged myself in the tub, thinking the same thing over and over again, to get rid of the unseen dirt that had been there eversince Adam took me by force.

I didn't go to the police, for what reason I knew not. A few weeks had gone by but still I was haunted by the image of a single man.

Adam Williams. Or should I say, Chase. I had cried rivers of tears because of being molested far many times. I was disgusted of myself, hated myself for being such a coward of not doing exactly what should be done, and that was to do everything in my power to send him behind bars.

I didn't want to see him ever again. I hated him. But for some reason, I pitied him. How must it feel like to be controlled against your will? It must be terrible. Even so, I shouldn't have been dissuaded because of pity. I must learn to protect my own from those people who intended to take advantage of my weakness.

My plan to go to Paris had been canceled. Instead I bought a small place in Weasleton Road, not far from Buckingham. But it was unlikely for stepmother to be loitering around here. This place was known as haven of drug lords and other criminals you wouldn't want to cross. I must have gone crazy for ever staying here let alone set foot in this god-cursed place. But the apartment around here was the only thing I could afford for now.

I didn't have the heart to sell all my paintings. That's why I wasn't able to accumulate certain amount of money to buy a decent place to live in. For now, this place would do. It's a small place with a small kitchen and a comfort room. I just moved in couple of days ago but I wasn't in the mood to redecorate or fix things up. There's alot of work to do. The walls needed painting, the tap needed replacing, even the lights were out and I had to do with candle for days since an electrician wasn't available. He'd come by on Wednesday. It's only Sunday today, so I would have to wait up for three days more and I was getting impatient. The night's freakishly creepy in here. I could never do without lights.

Since that particular night, I hadn't been in the mood to create a new masterpiece. I was thinking of giving up painting and just find a job to earn money to survive. Sometimes passion could never sustain a person's living unless you're one of the best. And apparently, I was far from being in line with those famous painters in the world.

People might say that patience was a virtue but I was tired of believing in that saying.

A woman next door, offered me work. Something told me it was an indecent job. Although, I shouldn't judge her, seeing at how she dressed herself up, I knew she's one of the many unfortunate women who resorted selling her body for a living.

And this time, I accepted the offer. Besides, I wouldn't lose anything now. Now that I was left with nothing but my body. I lost everything. My innocence. Some might choose to die, had they been me. But death was not my choice.

I chose escape. And that's my mistake. I should've done something not just run away like a scared rabbit.

"Natalia! Are you in there? It's time to go!" It's Becky, my new neighbor. "Customers are waiting, honey! Get your pretty little ass movin'!" Her voice called out with certain impatience but a trace of understanding was still there.

I got out of the tub and moved swiftly. Grabbing my towel from the hang, I wrapped myself up and rushed out of the bathroom.

"Natalia!"