Sombre

Chapter 18

My eyes snapped open and I felt him jump back when the door to the restroom slammed open. A couple of women entered laughing and giggling. When they saw us , a look of disgust crossed their faces. I didn't wait and pulled the dress down and ran out past the women. I wiped my face once I was out and slammed right into someone.

" Where the fuck did you go!" Preston yelled

I looked behind me to see if Salves followed me and I saw him get out of the restroom as well. Preston looked behind me and saw him as well.

" I want to go back " I said as a tear spilled. I was tired of crying again and again. I was struggling to stand straight. My hips hurt where the sink had been . I just wanted to go and sleep.

" No! We still have to meet a few people "

" I..I want to go back " I said and glances behind again. I was shaking and I knew I must be looking like a mess.

" Fine " he said after a few seconds and gestured to a maid . She quickly came to my side and took me to my room . As soon as I was inside , I stripped out of my clothes and sat in the bathtub. I had no more tears to shed. I was still shaking . The fact that Preston had sent him disgusted and sickened me.

I got out when the water got cold and went straight to sleep. My pillow was wet with tears and I was scared that Salves would come back to finish it. I kept my back to the door and fell asleep.

...

I didn't eat anything, whenever I did I felt sick. All I did was lay in my bed. Preston kept sending the maids for food but I kept sending them back. I made excuses that I was sick and if they didn't listen I just dumped the food in the toilet and told them that I finished it.

I pull the blanket over my head as a  cramp hits me. I close my eyes and try not to think about the pain. My bladder was full and I hadn't gotten up to empty it. I didn't have the strength to get up . I forced myself to use the toilet when it got too much painful.

I slumped back on the damp bed . I had been getting a fever on and off. I hear the door open and I know it's Serena. She quickly comes to my side and pulls the blanket off my head.

" You have a really high fever " she says as she checks my forehead. She quickly moves around the room and sticks a thermometer in my mouth. I watch her gasp and run out of the room.

" Serena" I try to call out but she is out before she can hear me .

She comes back a few minutes later with tablets and I fall in a deep sleep after taking them.

...

"Please eat something, you haven't eaten anything in two days. Just have some fruits"

" Please Serena, I told you I'm not hungry. Let me sleep " I tell her

SHe sighs in annoyance and starts to leave when Preston comes.

" Leave the plate and bring some rice and curry as well " Preston says

The maid does as he says. I don't come out of the cocoon of blankets. He suddenly snatches the blanket off me , making me almost fall.

I scowl at him , " I'm not hungry Preston !" I tell him

He grabs the bowl of fruit and brings the slice of apple to my lips , his gesture surprisingly is gentle. I open my mouth instinctively , too shocked to reply and eat the slice in silence.

He stops feeding me once the bowl is almost empty.

" Why did you send him yesterday?" I ask

" Send whom?" He asks and my anger towards him returns

" You sent Salves to rape me ! " I yell as my tears return back.

" Why would you do that ! I.. I know what I've done ! I fucking know ! But you can't do this to me ! You can't humiliate me and then feed me fucking fruits as if nothing happened!" I scream

" I did not send anyone !" He says at once

" Stop lying Preston! You saw him , when I ran out of the restroom ,you saw him ! And yet you weren't surprised !"

" I didn't do shit ! " He yells back

" So I'm lying? " I ask quietly

" I trust him , I know he wouldn't do anything like that " he says and another tear falls down my face.

I nod and look away from him.

" Your mother called " he says and my face snaps to him to see if he is joking.

I feel an ounce of happiness at that but it disappears when I remember the call with my dad. All the cruel things he screamed at me . I can't bring myself to talk to them. I don't think I can ever face them.

" I don't want to talk to anyone " I say and he nods.

I flinch when he raises his arm but instead of hiting me , he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.

" I don't want to hurt you Alicia " he says surprising me.

"You said you will make sure that I'm always covered in bruises" I say

" I changed my mind but that doesn't mean I won't hurt you if you do something. I'm willing to give you a chance here. If you behave like a loyal and nice wife , I won't hurt you "

" And if I don't?"

" Then you know what will happen"

I don't say anything. I'm sure what he means by a loyal and nice wife. He wants a fucking puppet for a wife who will do as he says. I have no options here. I have to do everything he says or I have get beaten like a fucking animal .

I notice a small smile on his face when I nod. He takes the plates and leaves the room . I groan and snuggle in the blankets yet again.