Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I don't know how long I was already looking at myself in the mirror. I just took a bath but was not dressed to go out. I decided to stay here for today and finalize the designs of the dresses for my clients.

I exhaled while I couldn't take my eyes off the bruise from Elijah's hand last night. It has turned gray already and people will surely notice it at one glance. He indeed pressed my arm firmly last night and I didn't have the strength to stop him.

I went downstairs, having no energy left in me. As usual, our dining table is filled with tons of food but the chairs are empty. This is not a new film to me. Each day that I live with Elijah, I get used to it.

“Did he do that?” My eyes were lifted up at the same maid who asked me again and didn't fail to notice the bruise on my left arm.

I quickly pulled my shirt and tried hiding it. It was useless though, she already saw it.

“We fought,” I chuckled with my own words.

How can't I? Isn't it funny? We do not even talk properly and everytime we do, it's a huge fight—a fight that he always wins and I always lose. He's too dominant for me to win over him. We live together as if we are just the borders of this mansion.

“What did he do?” She asked. I froze and glanced at her with a massive curiosity. She had been accompanying me all this time and I don't even know her name.

“What's your name?” That made her pause. I witnessed how her eyes widened a little, probably not expecting me to ask that all of a sudden.

“Mariel,” she replied with a short smile.

I nodded immediately. At least now, I know what to call her.

“I'm sorry if I'm being nosy. I'm just worried about you, especially now that I saw how Sir Elijah treats you.” She was painted with anxiety—she always does.

“I don't mind. I actually appreciate you siding with me,” I avoided her eyes that moment and forced myself to eat once again.

“Next time, tell them not to cook too much food for me. I'm only trying to eat to survive,” a bitter smile flashed on my lips.

“Why are you bearing all of this, Ms. Faith? Why are you turning a blind eye?” Her questions stunned me that I wasn't able to move as if my entire body became paralyzed.

I was lost for words once again, even though these questions are not new to me anymore.

“I love him,” I answered. I really do. My mountain of hope for him will not waver.

“It's blinding you,” she mentioned.

“Huh?”

“They said ‘love is blind’, and seeing you in this situation makes me believe that saying.” She simply shrugged and poured a drink in my glass.

“Mariel, where are you?” I heard one of the maids calling her from the kitchen.

“I'm here! Wait a minute,” she quickly finished her job to serve me food before she hurried to leave the dining hall, leaving me alone there.

After eating, I started sketching the designs of my clients. Why do I feel like working at home with this silence and peace is much better?

“Ms. Faith, someone is calling, looking for you.” Mariel broke my silence while she was holding the telephone near the sofa. I didn't even hear it ringing. I guess I was so glued to my work.

“Who could it be?” I asked with my brows crossed.

“No idea. But it's a man,” she replied.

Having no idea at all, I stood up and grabbed the telephone.

“Hello, good afternoon. This is Faith K—”

“Hello, Faith! Sorry, I already know you, you're a famous designer.” The man chuckled over the phone while I couldn't paint my face anymore.

Really, who is he?

“Sorry, but may I know who this is?”

“Oh, yeah, I'm Brian Clifford, you know? The model?” My brows crossed even more. I was a bit befuddled about his identity, but I know for sure that I have heard of his name already.

This is what I hate the most in this industry. I'm always having a hard time remembering the names of my clients, unless I often work for them.

Brian Clifford?

My lips parted and my eyes widened. I almost dropped my jaw, too stunned after realizing who I was speaking with. He's the fucking model—a very famous model! Goodness, how can I forget how Freya was obsessed with him? She's a big fan!

“Brian Clifford—yeah, of course, I know you! My sister is a big fan of yours,” I chuckled. My hands suddenly shivered and I felt my chest pounding all of a sudden. Why do I feel nervous right now as if I am talking to the president?

Fuck. I'm talking to Brian Clifford! It is such a dream, especially for Freya. Only if she's alive and finds out that Brian just called me, she would probably die in joy. Can you believe it? He knows me!

“I see. Anyway, Lucas recommended me to you. I need an attire for the upcoming Awarding for models, actresses, you know.”

I was still trying to calm myself down. My damn heart is still racing. I was still processing everything. Am I having Brian Clifford as my client? Holy shit.

“Well, I can help you with that. You can visit my office or my shops tomorrow. I'm not there right no—”

“Actually, Lucas gave me your address and I'm here outside.”

Everything just stopped. My eyes are bawling out.

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“Ms. Faith, a man is outside.” Mariel said to me.

“Let him in!” I exclaimed. I hung up the call as well and cleaned up some of my mess in the living room.

I was fucking shivering while waiting for Brian Clifford to come in. Damn it. I was only busy working right here and now I am meeting one of the famous models in the industry in a blink of an eye! Perhaps, I was overreacting. I'm used to meeting celebrities, but it's just that, Brian is Freya's biggest idol and crush.

“Hi!”

A broad smile plastered on his lips immediately as his eyes roamed around our house. I was not in my right mind. I knew that I lost my senses from the moment I saw him in person. Shit, Freya was right all along. He's freakin’ handsome.

“H-Hi! Sorry that you have to come all the way here. Take a seat,” I bit my lower lip as my face crumpled discreetly. I was fucking nervous.

“No, it's not a problem. I really wanted to meet you, too.”

I was lost for words when he said that. Why do I feel like he was sending me another message with those words of his?

“Anyway, do you have a suggestion about your attire?” That's how I broke the ice before awkwardness invaded us. If I didn't do that, we would probably be just staring at each other.

“Oh, I trust you. Just do whatever you want, I'm confident that I'll like your designs.” It flutters me to hear such words from him.

“Alright…” our eyes were locked to each other as I just lost my words. I didn't know what to say anymore. Did he come all the way here just to say that? He could have just told me over the phone if he didn't have any ideas and suggestions.

“I didn't know that my wife has a suitor,”

My eyes widened when I saw Elijah. I gulped when I saw his dark eyes pinned at Brian. I knew that something bad might happen, judging by Elijah's face. It seems like he's into his own self right now.

“Elijah,” I uttered with a glimpse of anxiousness from my voice.

“Are you married?” Brian asked with surprise from his eyes.

“Y-Yeah. We got married recently,” I quickly replied, trying to act like everything's fine.

I guess he didn't hear the news that I married the lover of my sister who just passed away.

Mariel captured my eyes when she began to send me a signal about Elijah. I understand it right away. He's fucking drunk again. I didn't even know that he's actually home.

“Sorry, Brian. Can we talk next time?” This is almost a good day for me, but here's Elijah, ruining it again.

“Yeah, of course. I'll stop by your shop. Just call me if everything's done, the event is still next month.” I don't know if Brian was only benevolent or he just pretended like he did not feel the bad ambiance with Elijah's sudden presence.

“Sure. Thank you so much, the maids will accompa—”

“Why are you making him leave?” Elijah smirked arrogantly. “I won't disturb your suitor.”

I closed my eyes emphatically, already ashamed of what he was saying.

“Is he okay?” Brian asked, still wearing that smile.

“Sorry, he's drunk. Mariel, can you go with Brian?” I quickly said before Elijah creates a mess here and involves Brian. For god's sake, he's my new big client.

Mariel quickly went with Brian out while I was left there alone with Elijah.

“Who is he, huh? You're flirting with another man now?” He cackled. The reek of alcohol invaded my nose immediately. He's really fucking drunk again. If he's not having an affair, he's drunk.

I didn't answer his nonsense words and began to march out, going to my room instead of talking to him.

“I’m talking to you, Faith!”

“Let go of me!” I exclaimed and quickly pulled my arm away from him.

“Think whatever you want, Elijah. You're the one who's cheating here, not me.” I said that firmly with so much bravery as I entered my room.

“What are you doing?” I asked when Elijah came in as well and locked the door.

My chest started to pound, foreseeing something bad that is about to happen. His dark and sharp eyes terrifies me. It's like I was in the same room with a monster who can eat me alive.

“Elijah, what are you doing? This is my ro—ELIJAH!”

I shouted his name as soon as he pushed me on the bed and now pinned my hands, making me unable to move properly.

“Didn't I tell you that I should be the only one to punish you? This is your punishment for being a slut when you are married!”

“No, Elijah! Please!”

Tears escaped my eyes again as Elijah started to invade my lips and ripped my clothes once again. What he did on our first night together travels back in my head.

“Don't do this, please. I'm begging you, Elijah.” I uttered in my weakest voice while I couldn't move anymore.

He didn't listen, just like he always does. I felt his hand traveling every corner of my body again and his kisses being planted on me. I felt his tongue licking me, and I didn't feel any pleasure. Instead, it was despair and devastation once again, losing my hope.

“Stop, Elijah. Please, stop.” I begged once again as my voice cracked.

Before he could even insert his manhood to me again and make me fully naked, he stopped. I almost cannot see him clearly as my eyes were welled out by my tears.

The next thing I knew, he stood up and I heard the closing of the door. He left me hanging there, almost raped again.

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