His Gift

Mazikeen POV

Waking, I walk down and begin my usual routine of making breakfast. I get everything set up, and Edward walks down and joins me.

He glares at me from across the table.

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t realised just how late I had come home,” I explain.

“It’s a bit late, don’t you think?” he asks, and I nod, knowing that he is right. “I have something for you to look at,” he states, and I watch as he goes into his case and takes out papers.

He places them down on the table. “Don’t touch them yet,” he says as he walks out. Sitting I wait and he walks back in with a mirror.

“I used some of your photos, look,” he says as he places the pictures on the table, I look across them not able to see what he is wanting me to. My body runs cold as I look at the latest pictures he puts down.

“Where did you get these and how?” I stare at him, shocked. These are of me naked. I look at him, waiting for him to explain.

“The cameras, darling, I took still images.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Well, it’s ten years, and I thought I would give you something. Take a look,” he says as he places a picture down.

“At what, Edward? What am I meant to be seeing?” I ask. I don’t like that he’s got pictures of me naked across the kitchen table right now.

“Surgery. It can be my gift from me to you, and I will do it so you know for sure it’s done right,” he explains, and my body goes cold.

“Surgery?” I almost laugh, thinking it’s a joke.

“Yes, surgery. Look at this one. It’s only a small bit, but that small change right now will help.” He points to the picture. There’s barely any difference.

“I don’t think I need plastic surgery right now, Edward!” What the actual frick!

“It’s hardly plastic surgery. I won’t be putting anything in your body, just tightening the skin,” he explains and points out. “See, the longer you leave it, the worse it gets. You’re lucky to be married to someone who can do it for free,” he explains while he smiles at me.

“Edward, I’m not having surgery. There is nothing wrong with my body,” I argue. I don’t think so, anyway. I glance at the pictures again.

“Because you got used to the changes, I can see them even if they are subtle, so the plan is, we pull the skin here and make it tighter, the same as on your face, here and here,” he explains, and my head shakes.

“Consider it while you’re working, okay?” He kisses me and goes. Glancing at the photos, sickness builds within me. Is he for real? I gather the pictures and throw them in the bin. He’s acting like I am old, even though I’m still in my twenties.

Grabbing my things, I walk out and go to work. I get into the class and get set up for the lessons. Everyone begins to join, and I sit waiting. A few minutes later, King strolls in and takes his usual seat.

“Right, today is debate and discussion. We’re focusing on something called Hyperreality. Who can tell me about it?” I ask and watch them while waiting.

“Is it where you’re hyper about reality?” Jessica suggests, and I laugh.

“You didn’t read your recommended pages, did you, Jessica?” I ask, and she shakes her head.

“Hyperreality is an artificial reality that feels real. It’s all around; nothin’ we see is reality, like Jessica’s lashes,” King jokes, and she glares.

“King, refrain from talking about other students, please,” I say, and he nods.

“Sorry, Miss,” he slouches back slightly.

“King is right. We’re in a hyperreality world. If you go back to the stone age, everything they saw was real. They hadn’t seen the other side of the world. Their reality was what they could see. Slowly, as we modernised and changed, our reality shifted.” I explain and walk around my desk, watching as King’s body adjusts to my movement.

“So think of that, give me some ideas,” I look around.

“Jessica’s lashes are real, though, Miss,” Andrea speaks, and I nod.

“They are real, but are they a real part of her?” I ask, and she looks at me. “Look, Hyperreality is a state where we can no longer distinguish between reality and the mere representation of it. So while those lashes exist and are physical things, they are not real as part of Jessica’s body, so any other ideas?” I ask and wait.

“So, Disneyland?” Samuel asks, and I nod.

“That is one example, yes,” I reply.

“Isn’t Hyperreality everything?” King asks, and I smile.

“Why do you say that?” I ask.

“Well, what’s real ’round us these days? We see pictures of a country we never visited, that’s hyperreality. It’s not the physical country. Merely a picture. Models, editing done makes it hyperreality, but then the entire magazine is, it’s not reality, it’s merely a representation of someone’s view of reality.”

Everyone sits shocked, and I laugh. “You are right. You take out your phone, you can search anywhere in the world, and see a picture, that’s hyperreality.”

“Like the panopticon, Miss, Hyperreality and panopticon connect. Those cameras that we see and know are watching us force people into a hyperreality. They act a certain way ’cause of ‘em, when, in reality, there could be no one watchin’ ya, hell, the cameras may not even be on.” King speaks, and everyone sits confused.

“King, Panopticon is next week, but you’re right. For those who are lost, the Panopticon is the idea of being in a space and having people watching you but not actually knowing if they are. You’re told someone is watching you, but you can’t be sure if they are or not.” Sitting, they discuss it more, or rather hyperreality, and I can see everyone is now slowly realising that our world went from reality to hyperreality, and there’s no longer a way out of it.

I watch as they pack up and leave, King walks to me. He leans over the desk, and I shake my head.

“Wanted to ask about the Panopticon, Miss,” he says while smiling.

“Go ahead,” I reply and watch as he looks around himself.

“Aren’t you living in that world?”

“King, that’s not an appropriate question to ask your professor,” I argue.

“Ya see, Miss, ya living like you’re bein’ watched every second of the day, changin’ and hidin’ the real you through fear of that, so aren’t ya just in a Panopticon world?” He leans closer.

“I guess I am yes, you’re right King, I am living constantly with the Panopticon notion,” I reply, knowing he’s right, my every thought and action is changed and cautious because of who might see me. Especially when it comes to Edward and my parents.

“Maybe Miss, ya should start livin’ and ignorin’ those who may be watchin’ and see how life turns out,” he leans closer, his fingers running through my hair, until his hand settles on my neck.

“King, that’s enough,” I argue. He smirks at me slightly.

“Said I wasn’t giving up, Miss, and I ain’t, so you can either accept it and go with it or report me,” he says while leaning closer, and I close my eyes to stop seeing him. “See ya tomorrow, Miss,” he kisses my cheek and leaves.

My body sags into my chair, damn him.