THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XXIX

She smiled at me that same way when the man lifted me up to his shoulder and drag me to that dark closet where there is no light and no one to hear me scream for help.

I stood up and walks inches from the wall. I manages to lift up my injured arm but I think the other one will send much excruatiating pain.. enough pain to exceed the pain stirring at the pit of my stomach. I lift it up and begin punching the wall hard, abrasing the skin on my knuckles. Mr. Jayden pulls me away but I struggle and scream at the top of my lungs. He made me face him but I pound his chest so he have to grip both of my wrist so I can stop.

"Ssshhh.." he husd softly, his eyes teary. "You can cry now... Blythe..."

My whole body's trembling, pulsing and I glared at him in disgust, Bliss still stood in front of the window, unmoving, oblivious to either of us.

I don't know what to say and I fall weakly on my knees. Mr. Jayden tries to embraces me but I continue to struggle. Its only anger and wrath within me as my mind tries to picture myself hunting them down, killing them with my own bare hands. I want them to know the consuming pain I suffered.. Bliss and I suffered.. but there's no pain now, only an unfathomable rage burning bright struck in my heart.

Without any warning, the edge of my eyes starts to fill with hot drops of liquids that soon flows down my cheeks. My throat tightens. "I cannot stop them... DAMN IT! I CANNOT STOP THEM!" I yelled. Mr. Jayden hushes and wrap me around his arms.

No matter how I tried to stop, my body seems to be reacting opposite my will and for the first time in that twelve years... I weep, mourning the death of my adopted family as if everything happens an hour ago. The memories flooding my mind, returning me back to the body of that ten year old girl watching helplessly as Gregory falls dead right before my eyes.

I'm on that winter night again with the cruel wind shattering the pieces of that wall I build all these years believing that I can be whole again... only to realize everything was in vain.

-----

I lost track of time and when I lift my face from Mr. Jayden's chest, the bright sunlight blinds me momentarily. My phone keep ringing and ringing but I never plan of even picking it up.

With Crystal's help, she sends a message to Boss Cheston saying that I'll still be there at the dinner arrangement and that he doesn't have to worry because I spend the night here with my brother.

When he calls again, Crystal picks it up and press the loudspeaker button.

"Im sorry, she's on the bath right now.." she lied.

"Please tell her to call me right away and I'll be having an appointment this afternoon so I'll just see her at the restaurant's lobby at 7pm.." he said, his voice sounds cheerful.

After Crystal turns it off, she reach for my hand and says that I don't need to go if I don't feel like going. But I said that I should be there, I need to see his parents. The very people who brought us our downfall.

Mr. Jayden carries me and let me sits at the edge of the spare bed opposite Bliss who pass out earlier and is fast asleep. I just sit there. Motionless, staring blankly at the floor as tears continue to swell from my eyes.

"Its all clan war.. do you want to tell me the details?" he whispers.

I didn't bother to answer him but I know he knows that my silence means that I intend to know everything myself.

"I'll leave you be.." he said and walks out of the room.

Why?

I wonder what I did for fate to turn to me like this. But I never believe in fate, do I?

Just as when I'm loving him too damned much.

After a couple of hours, I push myself to drove back to our house and fetch my things. The boss's nowhere there so before leaving, I turn to look around for the last time, trying to carve on my memories how this place had been a nest of happiness for the past months. There's two months left before my house can be given back and I ran my mind on the alternative places that will be home for me while waiting.

An hour before the dinner, Crystal help me wear the dark blue cocktail dress which she compliments to fit my slender body well. She fix my hair and put a pearl hair clip to hold my bangs away from my face, applying slight make-up in order to hide my swollen eyes.

"You're still exquisite, little dove.." she murmured.

Bliss gets up and watches us from behind. I glance at him from the mirror.

"After this night..." That's the first three words I dare to say after that long night. "Don't you ever dare follow me.."

He looks away, nodding gently and without a word, he turns around.

------

My moon and stars was sophistically dress in an elegant black suit. He has all eyes on him as always.

When he saw me walk towards him, he rushes and examines me with worried eyes.

"What happened? Your face and eyes... have you been crying? Its too red.." he blurt out. "Why did you spend the night with your brother all of a sudden? Did something came up?"

I shrugged him off and said that we should enjoy the night but he said that he'll be hearing me out at home after this.

I notice the bodyguards around. For his parents maybe, because they know that the confrontation between us will be inevitable if I happen to remember everything. It all makes sense, the picture of Bliss and me when we were seven, did they plan to let us live? Perhaps, to live in misery. Too bad I came to love their adopted son.

We walk towards the reserve table, his arms around my waist. Mrs. Margerie smiles at us when as we approach.

"Good evening Sir, Ma'am.." I greeted, his parents sitting beside one another. This is the first time I met Mr. Albert and by the way he looks at me I can say that he dislike me instantly.

"So this is the young lady you exchange for the Green's daughter... How stupid.." he said.

Boss Cheston utters words to defend me but I am hearing nothing. All I can think of is that the people who killed Gregory are finally right before my very eyes. I waited for this all my life, I can barely hold my anger.

We sit in silence as the waiters starts serving the meal.

"I heard you're from the Bondemer Family?" Mrs. Margerie ask.

"Yes Ma'am. I'm one of the successor actually.."

"Really." Mr. Albert said. "I heard your remaining clan at the countryside are getting back to business."

"I guess its true Sir, though we still have a lot more things to accomplish.."

I watch them eat as I also force myself to.

Boss Cheston's leans over and said. "Swallow that already, little doll.."

The conversation between me and Mr. Albert continues.

"So, currently you're what?.. aside from being my son's latest obsession?"

I smile knowingly at him but he frowns. "I'm working at the central office just as our Family's agreed upon... and, investigating the murder which I can't forget for these past eleven... oh, twelve years.." they couldn't ignore the sarcasm on my voice.

Mrs. Margerie slightly choke off. The boss handed her a napkin.

"How was it then? Have you already identify the culprit?"

"I guess I'm close to them than I am yesterday.. in fact I may be sitting with them, pretending to be all so nice and sweet"

Out of the corners of my eyes, I saw boss Cheston's face turns grave.

Its too late, I thought. The wheels had already been set into motion.