Entangled

Chapter- 20

Ariana

My eyes fluttered open when I felt rays of sun falling on me. I sat up on the bed, rubbing my eyes with my hands. I glanced around only to see that I again slept with curtains wide open. I slept in the clothes I wore last night. My eyes were sore because of crying, my throat was hurting because of screaming which was not heard by anyone.

Last night...

Last night was still fresh in mind...that woman's false accusation, the slap, my own mother's hurting words, my tears. And it was fresh in my mind that I was left with no hope of a better life. I was born to be left alone.

I glanced at the clock, it was ten past seven in the morning. Oh no, I slept for long. I have to get ready for work. I ran into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror and what I saw made me wince; my eyes were puffy and red, my hair was messy, and my face—my left cheek had a bruise.

It was the impact of the slap that Mr. Smith gave me. All his four fingers were visible as red marks on my skin. I touched my cheek and winced; tears started welling up in my eyes, tears... not of physical pain, but emotional pain.

I shook my head, it was not the time to cry. I had cried enough last night, but now I had to do something to cover the bruise because I couldn't go to work with the bruise on my face.

I brushed my teeth, then took a quick shower and changed into my work outfit. I then looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes were not red anymore but they were still puffy, and my bruise was as it is.

"I think, first I should apply an ice pack on the bruise and I should also drink lukewarm water to ease my sore throat," I mumbled to myself.

I glanced at time again, it was seven-thirty. Mrs. Molly won't come for a few days as she had gone to Florida to meet her son. And Xavier must also have left for work. So, it was safe to go downstairs without letting anyone know about the bruise.

Walking out of my room, I headed to the kitchen but I halted on my steps at the entrance of the kitchen when I saw Xavier standing there, dressed in his navy blue suit. His back was facing me. Oh no!! What is he doing here till now? He is never around at this time. So why today?

I immediately turned to run back to my room before he could notice me, but I froze when he spoke,

"Wait!"

Oh no, he already noticed me. What now?

"I wanted to ask, umm, how was the party?" He asked in a very calm and hesitant voice.

"Um, it was g..good," I replied in a croaked voice without turning to him. My throat hurts.

"What happened to your voice? And how many times do I have to tell you to look at me when I am talking to you?" He said firmly. I could hear heavy footsteps behind me. No, no, no, don't come near me.

I tried to run but before I could take a step forward, with a firm grip on my arm I was spun around forcefully.

"How many times—What the hell happened to your face?" He asked angrily by letting go of the arm. I looked at him with shock and wide eyes.

Suddenly, he gripped my jaw with his large hand and turned my face to another side.

"Who did this to you?" He asked sternly, scrutinizing my cheek.

I was about to make an excuse but what he said next sent a shiver down my spine.

"And don't you dare lie to me or give any lame excuse like you fell and bruised yourself because I won't believe it. This bruise on your cheek shows a handprint which means someone slapped you. So tell me, who the hell did this to you? And tell me the damn truth." He asked in a dangerously low voice, gripping my jaw tightly while gazing directly into my eyes.