Blackmailed

Several weeks rolled by, nights when one of Shane's friends would drop by. The beating had gone mild, but

his words didn't fail to sting. Shyra rolled out of bed, groggy and dazed. She slept awfully late and you can guess why. She looked over at

the stranger who slept beside her and Shane sleeping soundly on the other side. Her heart felt numb and all

she can think about is if this were worth it. She tiptoed out of the room and down to the kitchen. She poured a glass of orange juice and turned to the

cup board to reach for her pills: birth control pills. After agreeing to Shane's plan and arrangement, he had Shyra go to a Gynecologist for contraceptives. On

the later year, Shane plans on getting her a coil so she won't have to take pills anymore. Swallowing the pills, she takes a big gulp from her glass and strolls over to the TV. Today is Monday, his

work at the engineering firm starts today with the stranger in bed, an intern I suppose. Scattering of footsteps upstairs can be heard but Shyra kept her focus on the show running infront of her. After a few hours, two men came downstairs well-dressed and off to work, "Mrs. Parker, we're off to work

now" the stranger says before leaving "Thank you for the lovely evening" Shyra waved her hand out to the

stranger for a goodbye, then Shane walks over to kiss her forehead and left without a word. Shyra sighed in relief as she can finally have some peace and quiet. No more strangers to please and no

abusive husband onsite. Time went on for hours, Shyra finished all her house duties as well as watching her favourite show. She has

never felt more safer on her own, happier than ever. It's been years since she last sang along to the Friends' theme song and danced along to the beat. The afternoon rolled by and Shyra woke up from her nap, a book in her hand and her blanket covering her

enough. She groaned as she realized the day is almost over and her husband will be coming home soon. Days like that would be Shyra's happiest days, where she was left alone and finally be free. She wondered

to herself if she'll ever leave Shane, or perhaps even have the guts to do so. She imagines that Shane would

perhaps get into an accident at work resulting in him dying on the spot, the thought made Shyra

understandably happy thinking Shane would think the same towards her if he were in her shoes. Where did she ever go wrong? It wasn't difficult for Shyra to love Shane, and it wasn't at all as bad as where

she is now. He saved her from a life of misery from her parents. He was her savior, the man who sided with

her when the world turned their back. He believed every word she told him, from her parents beatings and verbal abuse to the countless nights of Mr. Stewart's assaults on Shyra. Maybe that's where she went wrong, those times when he would listen intently how she cried out for help

when his father would take advantage of her and ask so many explicit questions that made Shyra

uncomfortable. He tried so hard to get her in bed, until he finally gave up. She couldn't remember how they

ended up marrying each other exactly, all she could recall was the day of the wedding. Shyra looked around the living room for their portraits of their wedding day and found the frames at the

fireplace stand. She eyed the photos one by one, reminiscing days where they were happy. Trying to

understand where did it all change. She glanced back at the big framed picture of them dancing in the

moonlight, her head resting on his elbow laughing and Shane looking at her with a wide grin. A tear slids

down her cheek, "Where did it all go wrong?" she whispers to herself. Then she remembered. At the dining table, infront of their family and friends. He announced his love for Shyra and his plan on

marrying her. He knelt down in front of her, with everyone wide-eyed full of shock even his father was in

enraged at the seen. Everyone was against it, they thought she tricked Shane into marriage or she was after

his money. That time, Shyra had her prince to protect and love her. She thought then that she can live her

days of becoming one of those princesses having their own happy ever after. The night came and Shane arrives alone at home. Shyra sat at the living room sofa reading a book under a

lamp light, Shane comes rushing over to Shyra with a peck on the cheek. "Guess what, hun?" Shane smiles

widely. "What is it, hun?" Shyra says still not taking her eyes off from her book. "Hun, look at me" Shane yanks the

book off from Shyra's lap and put it down on the coffee table. She looks at him in shock not knkwing what to

do, "Okay, I want you to fully understand where I'm coming from with this" Shane starts, and my mind goes

blank at what he says next. "Father invited us over to his mansion at Highbury, England" He starts, patiently

looking at her and observing her reaction. "Hun, haven't I already had enough?" Shyra trails off, the words coming out easily. "Your father denied all of

what he had done to me and did not even care about his wife dying-" She realizes what she says and without

a second thought Shane slaps her across the face. "How much longer are you going to act like a virgin?" He

spat at her, insulted by her remark. "For a second, I thought you finally understand and you're on my side on this" He huffs in frustration, "you've

been doing it with every one of my friends, yet you're still acting like a virgin of all people". "Haven't you

already moved on?" he grumbles, slamming his hands on his forehead and sitting down infront of her. "Can't

you just do this for me?" he looks at her with pleading eyes. "I've only been doing what you ask me to, it's not like I have a choice! " Shyra yells, standing up she hurries to the bedroom and hears Shane run behind her. He grabs her by the arm and she looks at him in a

defensive position, readying herself for anything. He lets out a sigh and lets her go. "This will be the last time, I'll ask for anything else" He mumbles out and looks down, "I want you there with

me" he says while he took a step forward towards her. Shyra looks disappointed, and turns to him with tear

brimmed eyes. He sighs, "It helps to know you want this and it builds your trust on me and other people". Shyra stood not

blurting a single word yet gave defeat on the tears she has been fighting back. Unfazed, he softly spoke "we

can pick out what you'll be wearing tomorrow...". Shyra couldn't think of anything else to reply, but anxiety filled her mind of what could happen if this turns to

the worst. Yet, an idea popped in on her. What if she could run her way out of her situation from Shane? Anyone could take the fall once Shane

comes running to find her, right? Only way to find out... "Alright..." Shyra yelps in an attempt to sound brave, that made Shane smile. "Get dressed, we're going out

to make a last minute shop" Shane grins and kisses Shyra's forehead, "I love you, you know that right?". Shyra knew those words and what they truly meant, they were Shane's way to lure her in.