Chapter 9

Kiara’s POV

As soon as Tom left my room, not letting me speak for myself again, I immediately went to remove all of that makeup from my face and put something I could finally feel like myself in. I put my hair up into a messy bun, so it didn't distract me. Soon, Valentina came to check on me.

''Hey, Ki. What's up?'' she came with the biggest smile on her face and I already knew what she was going to ask me ''How'd it go, babe.'' she smirked.

I rolled my eyes ''Nothing happened, we just talked. That's all.'' I cleaned the mess I made while I was getting ready ''Our waiter was giving me looks'' I grabbed one cloth ''Then Tom disappeared for a moment'' I folded it ''And then, the waiter was gone the whole time and when I asked Tom about it - he said that he just put him on his place.'' I looked at her and noticed that her jaw dropped on the floor.

''No way.'' she refused to believe.

I nodded and continued to fold clothes.

''Is that all? Nothing else?'' she said disappointed.

''Not at all''

''You're such a dull bitch.'' she left the room and slammed the door. I ran and opened it ''I love you too!'' I yelled as she gave me the finger with a smirk and faded down the stairs.

I closed the door and continued with the cleaning and when I was done, I got one book and began reading. The story was about a girl who never got to find true love because her parents showed her exactly what love shouldn't look like. At the hardest time of their life, she meets a man who shows her what real love is - buying her flowers, respecting her, caring about her, and loving her for what she is.

I couldn't lie that I could see myself in that character. She sounded just like me, her parents traumatized her for a lifetime and so did mine. My father was an alcoholic and when he got back home he abused my mother when he was sober he told her how much he appreciated and loved her. Of course, she fell for every single word and always tried to make me believe that he loved us and tried everything to be the best father, but one night because of him, they both died. My dad didn't leave anything good about him after they passed, my mom didn't deserve it, I didn't deserve it.

Suddenly I remembered about that stupid dinner, I was forced to go. I got up from my bed to put my hair down and brush it. After that, I went down and went to the kitchen. Vincent and Valentina were already there, waiting.

''Hello, Kiara. Tom is going to be here any minute.'' Vincent said.

''I hope he doesn't come,'' I said.

''I didn't expect my wife to talk like that about me.'' Tom leaned at the door's frame, holding a cup of whiskey in one of his hands.

I turned to face him ''Well, I also thought that my future husband would let me speak for myself.'' I argued.

''I do listen to what you say. But you have to understand that dinners are very important to me and I want you to come, but I know you wouldn't do it if I didn't allow you to cancel.'' he began walking towards me.

Just when he was about to put a piece of my hair behind my ear, I sat on my chair, not even trying to look at him. Everyone got in their seats and Tom said to Ms. Betty what everyone would like to drink.

''And for Kiara- champagne,'' he said.

I hated how well he knew what I liked ''No, actually.'' Tom looked at me ''I would like a cup of whiskey.'' I looked at his eyes.

''Princess, isn't that a little strong for you?'' he asked.

''Tom, you're my future husband, not father, remember that,'' I said and smiled at our housekeeper. ''That's it. Thank you.''

After a minute our drinks came and I got my cup, I didn't know why out of all the drinks I picked the one that I mostly hated- my father used to drink that every day.

As I held the glass to my lips, I could feel my stomach churning with anxiety. I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves as I took a small sip of the drink. The taste was sickeningly sweet, and my throat immediately tightened in protest. I fought back the urge to spit it out and instead forced myself to swallow, all the while pretending that I was enjoying every drop.

As soon as Ms. Betty brought the delicious meals to the table, we couldn't help but feel our mouths water. The aroma of the food wafted through the room, enticing us with its rich and savoury scent. We eagerly picked up our forks and began to dig in, completely immersed in the delectable flavours and textures of the meal. The room grew quiet, save for the sound of our utensils clinking against our plates and the occasional satisfied sigh escaping from our lips. Each bite was a new experience - a delightful combination of spices and ingredients that Ms. Betty had expertly crafted together. I took some sips from the disgusting drink I ordered and pretended to love it. Soon everyone was ready with their dinner.

Suddenly I started feeling nauseous but didn't want to walk out, so I just went to get myself a cup of water instead.

"Everything all right?" Tom asked.

I sat on my seat "Yes, I got thirsty." I lied.

He nodded.

After finishing our meals, I realized that I wasn't feeling any better. My stomach was still churning and I had a nagging headache. I tried to hide my discomfort from them as I didn't want them to find out. I knew that if Tom found out, he wouldn't leave me alone and would pester me with questions and concerns. So I put on a brave face and pretended that everything was fine, even though I was struggling to keep it together.

"Thank you for the dinner. I'm going to my room now." with that I took the last sip of whiskey in my mug which felt like burning me and I felt even worse after it. I stood up and walked to my room, pretending that I was okay.

I was a dumbass for doing that but I felt the urge since Tom even knew what I drink every time. I went into my bathroom and took another shower to try to stop my headache or at least make it feel better. I removed my clothes and went into the bathroom. The shower started pouring and I felt the water on my body, which felt refreshing.

My whole body lay down in the bath, drowning me in my thoughts - my father. Maybe that was the reason, I felt guilty when I drank the cup of whiskey and even got drunk of it. Maybe I saw something from him in myself, which was the worst part. I couldn't help but remember the first day that he came home dead drunk. When I saw him slapping my mother's cheek and then pushing her to the floor, my whole childhood was ruined. My whole world was ruined. Every time I thought about this day, I went back to it and felt it through my whole body like I was back in that dirty, small house we lived in.

I heard a loud knock on the door.

"I'm in the bathroom! Go away!" I yelled.

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Tom's deep voice touched my ears and I got nervous. Not because of him, but because I was naked in the bath and he was waiting for me.

I quickly got up and tried to be as careful as I could because the last thing I needed was to fall on the wet floor. I got my towel and dried my hair as much as I could. Then I put on my slippers. I opened the door and saw him leaning on the doorframe waiting for me to open the door.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"I was great before too, I just wanted to take a bath." I lied.

"Mhm, yeah, right. Go to bed." Mr. Big Word said.

"Why should I do that?" I asked. "Besides, I just got out of the shower. I'm a woman, don't forget that. And excuse me but I need some personal space, if you allow me to have, of course." I continued.

He rolled his eyes and turned around.

"Out, Tom" I ordered.

"Put your fucking pyjamas on, Kiara." he coldly said.

I got my pyjamas and put them on as quickly as I could.

"I'm ready."

He turned around and nodded into the bed. I laid on the white sheets, adjusting myself to get comfortable in the bed.

"Happy?" I asked annoyed.

"No. I don't want you to drink that ever again," he said.

"Tom, again, you are not my father and I know what to do. Now, please leave my room, I'm tired.'' I begged.

''Fine, but I want you to call me if you don't feel good during the night. I'll work so I will be up.'' he said and opened the door.

''Why do you work all the time? Don't you have some time for yourself?" I looked at him.

''I don't need a lot of time for myself, I usually give it to my brother.'' he answered.

''Well, Vincent is lucky to have you.'' I smiled.

''No, I'm lucky to have him.'' he smiled back and turned the lights off. ''Good night, little bird.'' he closed the door behind him.

I turned to the side and fell asleep.