Clubhouse

Tris has always been considered a fine man, the kind of person that naturally commanded attention. He was tall with a confident stance that came from years of privilege, his sandy blond hair added to a certain charm. His sharp, attractive manly features that easily magnet the opposite gender.

But for Tris, it was never enough. Coming from wealth and power, Tris' father had a global real estate company that had taken him to prestigious circles all his life. He saw the world as his for taking. People's opportunities and dreams, everything felt within his grasp. A merger with his dad's company would easily catapult Zach to heights he always wanted to reach.

Tris in turn wants a doll like wife who would look and act exactly how he wants, as his dad's pressure for marriage had become unbearable. He didn't need the loud high maintenance type who filled his social scene. No, he wanted someone more quieter, more refined, someone who wouldn't complicate his life or challenge him. Adele was just the ideal choice or so they thought.

She wasn't so much of a classic beauty compared to the women that hover around Tris but she had certain understated allure, a softness and feminity that was appealing.

She had attractive womanly figures that was capable of turning heads without even trying. Adele but her demeanor was far less attention seeking than the ladies Tris had dated. She had a docile nature and was far more easy to control than the celebrity women he surrounded himself with. Her gentle, agreeable nature only seemed to confirm his assumptions that she was the perfect woman he wanted to mold to his will.

For Adele, the relationship started to show it's dark side. She had thought it would be okay, that she could overlook his flaws as long as he was taking her out of this prison of a home till she got to see him for who he was. She realized that she was about to enter another prison.

She had thought that perhaps his brashness was part of his charm but as time went on she began to see the truth behind his facade.

Tris wasn't just controlling, he was a big philanderer with an ego that needed constant adoration. He went through women like he goes through business deals damning the consequences. And worse yet, his treatment of Adele turned darker as his possessiveness grew.

He had a cruel streak, one that surfaces in unguarded moments, a cutting comment here, a dismissive gesture there. Soon enough, it escalated into something more physical. She had lost count of how many times he has lashed out, pushing her, grabbing her too roughly as if testing the limits of his control over her. Even in the presence of her family as they just watched. They weren't even married yet, they had just met for a month and Adele already felt trapped in a life she hadn't anticipated.

She could feel Tris' hands on her thighs again and his breath near her ears.

" I'm taking you out."

There was a thrill in his voice, one that did not account for her discomfort.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was a nightclub. It was pulsed with bass, dim lights casting shadows that stretched and twisted, giving the entire place an eerie allure. Adele wore a short black gown and white fur coat to shed her from the cold and preying eyes of men. The dress which her mother had insisted on felt more like a costume than clothing, chosen not by her but for her, as if to prepare her for a night she never wanted to have. Her stomach knotted with dread as Tristan pulled her into a private room

Inside, Tris' friends crowded around, laughing raucously, each holding glasses brimming with strong liquor. The table before them was loaded with expensive drinks, champagne, whiskey and crystal tumblers reflecting the low light. A dozen women were ushered in and Adele watched Tris kiss one of them.

Adele sat quietly like the doll Tris wants, hoping her silence would make her invisible, her gaze shifting uncomfortably as Tris' friends eyed her, their gaze never quite her as they drank from the table full of drinks, not bothering to hide their lust.

Tris grinned as his eyes roamed over her. He leaned in, his voice an unpleasant whisper.

" You're looking pretty. Your mother made the right choice picking this dress for you, didn't she?I think she wants me to get you laid as soon as possible." Tris said eyeing her body even in the coverage of the coat.

His hands drifted to her thigh, resting there with a possessiveness that made her skin crawl, as if to tell the prying eyes to back off.

She felt trapped, like a doll he dressed and posed to his liking. His arms tighten around her as he yanked her closer to him, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers.

Adele's heart hammered hard against the cages of her chest. Reflexively, she pushed him away and jumped on her feet ready flee but Tris reflexes were quicker as he caught her right in time and yanked her back on the couch where she had been sitting. His expression darkened as he exerted his strength over, forcing her to stay still.

" F***ing b***h." He kissed, his voice harsh as his fingers collided with her face anger simmering in his eyes. Her head snapped to the side, pain blossoming across her cheeks. He raised his hands, hitting her again, her vision momentarily blurring.

Adele did not have the time to think about the sharp sting from the slap as she felt his hands tearing her dress open, his hands savaging her body ruthlessly.

Adele felt panic surge through her, the taste of fear bitter in her mouth. She kicked and struggled to escape his grip but he was relentless, pinning her down with his weight as his hands tore her dress.

Her body moved on instinct, fighting and thrashing but all her attempts to escape only seemed to fuel his anger. Her kicks agitated him even more as more as slapped her again and again, her head reeling from the impact.

He picked up the glass of whiskey he had been drinking, pressed the glass on her lips and forced the liquid into her mouth. Adele felt helpless, as he tilted the glass, the harsh liquid burned at her throat making her cough almost choking.

She tried to turn away but Tris forced the glass back to her lips pouring more, the sharp taste searing, overwhelming her senses till she had no choice but to swallow.

No one came to her aid as everyone quietly slipped out of the room leaving her alone with Tris. He did not stopping forcing the liquor into her mouth so she continuously had to swallow.

Her vision blurred as she struggled to breathe, her thoughts spiraling in panic.

How could it come to this?

She had been raised wretchedly only to meet a life of privilege later. She had thought herself lucky but all those luxuries felt shallow, her weight overwhelming. All she wanted was to escape this nightmare. The thoughts of her family, her mother, who had chosen the dress, who had raised her to be an obedient, docile girl stung as much as the whiskey making her feel totally abandoned.

She felt his weight lessen on her as he shifted, fumbling with his belt. In a flash of clarity, Adele saw her opportunity. Without hesitation, she reached out for the nearest weapon her hands could find which happened to be a big glass bottle, smashing it on his head. Tris did not see it coming as he attempted to get in top her again, losing his balance and staggering off her.