The following morning, Amira awoke in her evening gown; a furrowed brow spread across her face as she recalled how Andrea had shut her in her room, leaving no opening for escape.
She stood up and walked around the room, noticing various doors she had not explored before. She opened it, discovering a walk-in closet filled with a new set of clothes she had never worn before. She was surprised, as she checked them out, and saw how everything was her appropriate size, different designs, her favourite colours, her underwear exactly her size. “What in the name..” she mumbled, how was he able to know her perfect size? Was that why he didn't allow her to pack her things? She noticed how the clothes were expensive, and in different form, some were revealing and tight, some were elegant, comfy and so on. Hearing sound from her room, she quickly left the closet, and noticed the maid Andrea had given to her. “Good morning Mrs Martini.” Brenda greeted accompanied with a respectful bow which Amira found weird and uncomfortable, Brenda was like her age mate or even older, why the respect? Amira ignored her, and asked “how did you get In? Wasn't it locked?” “Yes it was, Mr Martini, gave me the key.” Brenda replied politely looking timid as ever. Amira shook her head and walked past her, opening the door leading to the bathroom. Then another knock was heard which Brenda had opened. Three maids walked in with a soft smile on their face while Amira stood there perplexed. “May I help you?” She asked. “Our boss told us to come assist you in taking your bath.” They said in unison. Amira raised her brows at them, as their statement triggered her. “Why can't I take my own bath? Do I look like a child to you?” In anger she asked? Why was Andrea, always not wanting her to have her own space? Firstly a personal maid, then group of ladies to take her bath? She wondered if she was handicapped, if she was paralysed to the point that taking a shower was a problem for her. “I'm sorry if this sounds so surprised to you, but they came to prepare you a bath, give you proper body massage it was an order.” Brenda added softly. “Then tell your boss that I can take my bath myself, I am not a child.” She replied in her possible calmest way in order no to sound rude. The ladies looked at each other in fear, nobody says no to Andrea, if not he would do something terrible to them just like they had witnessed on a few occasions. Amira was confused at how scared they were. She just wanted to take her bath by herself. “But I don't want you to prepare my bath, please tell him like that.” Amira sighed tiredly, wanting her privacy at all cost. The maids look at eachother, and then fell on their knees which shocked Amira the more. She didn't know what to say or to do. Was Andrea that gruesome? “Please at least, allow us to stay here. We'll give you privacy, when our boss discovered we didn't do as he said, he'll punish us please Mistress.” One of them begged, and Amira cringed at the sound “mistress” She wasn't used to that type of formalities, even though her father was rich and had house workers, but Claudia was the one who was used to all of that. “Okay you may stay, but I'll do everything myself. Please stand up, it freaks me out seeing this.” They both stood up appreciating her, while they remained there while Brenda took a close watch at them in order for things not to go out of place. After her bath, Brenda prepared a lilac dress for her, which Amira wore without any further arguments, and did her hair herself which complemented her beauty. She checked around for her phone but remembered she had forgot to take it along with her, now she would not contact anyone she knows anymore. “Breakfast is ready Mrs Martini, please come with me. The boss's order.” Brenda mumbled softly, trying not to look at Amira in the eyes. Amira nodded, feeling uncomfortable as how she referred to her. “It's Amira, call me Amira. Referring me as Mrs Martini makes me sick.” She mumbled the last part silently walking out of the room, while Brenda walked behind her, giving Amira chance to lead the way. Then Amira remembered she hadn't properly walked around, and never knew where the dinning hall was. “Can you kindly take me there?” She couldn't help but ask, clenching her stomach in hunger trying to silent the loud growl from it. Brenda chuckled timidly, walking in front of her while leading her to where the hall was. There it was, the table so long, filled with different kinds of delicacies, which made Amira's mouth watered. Her stomach grumbled more, as she approached the table and pulled out a chair. Then Brenda gave her a small bow and left her there, but Amira didn't notice either. Then Kira entered, with two bottles of wine, a type so expensive that Amira had never had before. Subconsciously Amira opened the food, grabbing her cutlery but was quickly stopped by Kira. “You can't eat until your husband comes.” Kira whispered softly, but Amira wasn't getting it instead she was angry. “Why do I need his permission to eat? Wasn't I called to have breakfast? I wasn't called to wait for him.” Amira yelled loudly, making Kira shocked and confused. Why was she so bitter against Andrea? Every woman would have died to be his wife, but Amira was a big exception, small but with a sharp tongue. “You don't need my permission to eat, but wouldn't it be polite if you had wait for your husband hmm?” Andrea interrupted in a cold manner, majestically walking towards them. He changed into a long black jacket, his upper body slightly exposed. Kira excused herself and left them alone. Andrea despite being terribly attractive, irritated Amira has he pulled out a chair beside her and pressed a kiss on her forehead which she reacted strangely to it. “You may eat.” He whispered coldly, and without wanting to hear more, she opened her plate revealing her favourite meal. Now this bothers her so much. How does her closet filled with clothes according to her favorite style and color, now her favorite meal was before her. Andrea watched as she stared into her meal, deep in her thoughts. He cleared his throat to interrupt her moments in her head. Amira looked him in the eyes, but couldn't stay as he looks was rather intimidating, he had zero emotions on his face. She opened her mouth to say something but it took her a while before she had regain her speech. “How did you know my favourite meal, my favourite outfit? How did you know all this?” Amira mumbled trying to act tough as ever which Andrea imagined as being cute. “Why do I need your permission before I could eat and take my bath? I am not a kid….” She paused, not knowing how to refer him, and this became funny to her. “Andrea.” He mumbled, knowing that was what she wanted to ask. “Please Andrea, tell me. Why did you choose me? Why did you lock me up in my room? How did you know some things I liked? Why did you marry Someone twice smaller than your age? Why did you marry me instead of my sister, she's more mature and beautiful than me.” Amira posed questions seeking for an immediate answer. Andrea remained silent, boring his cold golden eyes into hers, in a way that could intimidate anyone. Amira felt her heart racing, why was he acting different this morning? “Time will tell, that you'll be grateful I had you instead.” he said, his emotions never changing which kinda scared Amira. The rest of the breakfast remained silent, as Amira could feel his stares on her. Her eyes watered, trying to control herself from crying. After that, Andrea stood up and left, without altering a word and that was what Amira needed, this particular silence. She ate until she was full, and stood up trying to clear the dining table, but Kira and some other ladies ran in. “Madam please this is our duty, don't do this.” Kira mumbled,taking the dishes from Amira leaving her confused. She wasn't used to this lifestyle, she was used to be independent, and doing things herself. All this looks new and kind of wrong to her. “But I'm just taking the dishes, nothing hard. Or am I forbidden to do so?” Amira asked sarcastically. “Yes, please this is our job, let us have it. This is our source of income, we don't want to get fired because of you madam.” Kira replied politely, and the other ladies quickly cleared the dining table. Amira paused for a while, looking around and the. Forced herself to ask “Kira, can you show me around? I promise not to run this time.” With a nod, Kira left the dining hall, with Amira walking besides her. She was showing her all parts of the mansion. This little adventure was satisfying for Amira, as she used this opportunity to plan her next escape route. After that, they went back to the hallway, leading to her room, but something stuck her. A room that Kira hadn't introduced her, she felt the urge to go check it out, going to the door trying to unlock it. “Madam please don't go there. Don't touch that door. It is strictly forbidden, nobody goes in there apart from master Andrea.” Kira warned loudly which made Amira felt shockened. What was in the room, that made it strictly forbidden? She wondered.Amira sat on the edge of her bed, staring at each photograph of Emily. Her smile widened; she was her other half, which she had never realized she had. However, they took her away with the cold hands of death.She sniffled and placed the photo on her chest, closing her eyes tightly. Then she kissed the photograph and placed it on her lampstand.Someone knocked on the door, and she dashed to open it. I noticed Kira standing with a smirk on her face."Come in..." Amira gestured and opened the door wide for her. Kira nodded, lowering her head slightly out of respect."Thank you, Miss." Kira cleared her throat as she surveyed the room. They were quiet for a while before she said, "hmmm, about Brenda.""Yes, how about her?" Her eyes widened with anticipation. Kira shook her head. "I've tried asking around to see where she is now, but I haven't heard back.""It seemed like she vanished."Amira's body tensed; when they parted ways, she thought she might return to Andrea, but where had she go
"So you married me because you see my sister in me?" Amira repeated as she watched him intently. Andrea remained silent, not saying anything; she was correct about the question, and he did not need to repeat himself."Well, I'm sorry; that's messed up." Her voice cracked, and everything he'd said pierced her heart like a knife.He exhaled deeply. "I fucking understand. I was still grieving Emily's death, and I had to marry you so I could see her in you."But then it hit me again," his voice grew louder as he approached me. "If I had treated you the way I treated her, they might have hurt you or taken you away to get to me."He gently caressed her right cheek. His calloused hand felt soft against her cheek."I never wanted them to take advantage of me by using you."Part of her wanted to distance herself from him, but the other part refused to. This was the most vulnerable side of him that she saw. The pain in his eyes became more noticeable."But… I don’t want to be a replacement. I d
Andrea whispered "Emily," which Mr. Banks could hear. Mr. Banks raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering what had Andrea so engrossed in his phone. His heart thumped against his chest, and his body shook, hoping Andrea hadn't discovered anything horrible."Emile…"He heard the name again. He remembers Emily, his little girl before she went missing, and he's not sure why Andrea was calling her name and holding his phone. Does he know her?He started to wonder. "Boss…"He finally called, bringing Andrea's attention to him. "You mentioned Emily..."He raised the phone to Mr. Banks and placed the photo in front of him. "Who is she? She looks so much like her.""Her?" he pondered, trying to figure out what he was talking about. Then he said, "Oh, she's my other daughter. She's much younger than Claudia.” toAndrea nodded, his gaze fixed on the picture. He felt his blood run cold as painful memories of his late wife flashed before him. Mr. Banks became uneasy; he had never seen this side
"She was drenched in her own blood… they really did it."Amira gasped in surprise, her body trembling at the peak of the moment. That was a mix of purpose and wickedness. The ransom was paid, so why did they go ahead and kill her? A sudden flutter stirred in her chest. For her late sister, and for Andrea, whose gaze remained fixed on the photo on the wall and also on the gravestone.She let out a sigh, her mind racing with thoughts of Emily, surely swirling around before they took her life. But what she didn’t understand was why they would want to kill her? She didn't do anything wrong.She wrestled with her thoughts as questions swirled around in her mind. Her eyes were already glistening with tears. With a surge of bravery, she prepared to voice one of the questions swirling in her mind.“What was the reason behind her death? I mean you clearly paid…” Her voice trembled, the ache in her chest swelling. “They shouldn’t have…”“It was their way of getting back at me,” he replied, his
Reagan pressed a hand against Claudia's shoulder while sitting in a dark room; his smirk was a mix of playful and deadly. He muttered close to her ear, "Whatever you hear or see should stay with you."Claudia scoffed, shifting his hand away from her shoulder. "So are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't say this to anyone?""Stop wasting words."Reagan chuckled at her fierce demeanor. His gaze darted around the room as the window opened, revealing the city's bustle. He then addressed her, saying, "If you truly need guidance on how to attract a man who doesn't care about you, then master the use of your tongue."He leaned in, his breath fanning against her neck. He observed her every reaction, noticing goosebumps appear on her skin."Maybe I can teach you another lesson to watch that mouth of yours…"She gasped, her breath shaky. Her cheeks turned red like beets, and she pulled away from him, searching for words to say to him. She didn't like being the weak one or being dumbfounded a
"Ahh… fuck yes…"Claudia groaned, her back to Reagan, who grasped her hair and forced her to bend her back as he pressed his entire length into her."Gosh, you're stretching me so…" she exclaimed, her mouth open. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, the pleasure hitting her from all sides. Although her entire body hurt and her back ached, she wanted more."Is this what Amira enjoys, that she kept tossing you around?" She giggled, hugging the chair tightly, as the automobile between them shook. Reagan chuckled as he tightened her hair and bent down to her."Are you jealous?" He moaned, his hot breath caressing her ears. "That I fuck her this good?"Claudia's cheeks had gotten red. "That's not what I meant, and I can't imagine she could be a cunt, when she has Andrea all to herself, selfish bitch…"He pulled away from her and slammed her again, her moans turning into screams. It was better that they were outside, where anyone could hear their flesh slapping and loud groans."Stop ta