How it began

To say that Clair was scared would be an understatement. However, she was ready to face it. She has had enough in this hell hole. She has seen and felt enough pain in this grand mansion that she would rather describe as a dungeon. 

A dungeon where girls were violated over and over again. Naive, young girls the Mr. Stone and his gang kidnap from the countryside. Then they would simply sell them off as if they were cattle, and now, Clair has had enough of it. She too was a victim. She didn't know if it was her good luck or not that Mr. Stone liked her so much that he kept her for himself. 

Clair looked out of the window in anticipation. Lilli had told her that they would carry-out the plan tonight. By the time Mr. Stone returned from the funeral of his friend, this place would have been invaded. 

She heard gunshots. Her breathing hitched. Perhaps that was the indication that they were here already. After hesitating for sometime, Clair walked towards the flight of stairs that would lead towards the grand entrance of the mansion. She knew she had to face it, for the sake of her unborn child. She may have been impregnated by the one who had purchased her, however, she didn't have the heart to hate an innocent soul, which is half of her. 

When she reached the grand room, she saw two masked intruders, making her hesitate. One of them removed her mask, revealing Lilli, the one who had vowed to save her from this hell. 

“Don’t worry Clair. We won’t hurt you. We are doing this because this is the only way we can get him. Relax and trust me.” She explained.

Clair agreed and allowed them to tie her up.

Everything happened fast. Mr. Stone was indeed taken by surprise to see his pet tied up, however, Austin and his gang were faster than him and his bodyguards. 

When Mr. Stone was tied up and his bodyguards killed, they released Clair, adding to his shock. 

“You! You tricked me! I should have known better than to trust you! You worthless piece of shit! Even your mother didn’t want you. That is why she sold you off! She was nothing but a whore just like you!” He yelled, making Clair snap. 

“What do you know about my mom? She had died when I was ten in an accident. I lived with someone who I thought was the closest to me. But turned out to be a heartless bitch. My mom had taught me how to love. She had taught me how important trust is. And if you were worthy of trust, I would have trusted you with my eyes closed Mr. Stone.” Clair was trembling with anger. 

“Mr. Stone, remember when you said that you will pluck my fingers one by one if I don’t give myself to you?” Clair reminded him, her voice suddenly solemn. Mr. Stone looked at her, his face now contorted in fear.

“Where is this coming from.... Clair. You were not like that....” he uttered, completely shocked.

“This is what you have made me. I would have taken any form of injustice and torture but don’t you dare insult my dead parents. They have taught me everything good. Even how to be a good mother. Don’t worry Mr. Stone. I will take good care of this child. He just wouldn’t know who you were.” She spat out at him and shot a single shot aimed at his stomach.

However, that was all. Clair started to tremble when she saw the blood ooze out of his wound. 

"I...I can't…" she stuttered and stepped away. Adira and the others were only too willing to finish the job. At the end Mr. Stone's body was drilled with bullets to the extent that he was beyond recognition. 

Clair heaved deep breaths as she and the others fled the scene. She was saved. Saved from that monster who bought her. She knew she had a long way to go. She had to think of a way to bring her child up in this cruel world. 

***

2 years later

Adira could see how reluctant her brother was to leave. But he tried his best to mask his emotions. Not feeling satisfied about it, she approached Levi who was packing his belongings.

“Hey.” She greeted.

“Hey” he replied, rather gloomily, not even looking up at her.

“What is bothering you Levi?” she went straight to the point, not wanting to beat around the bush.

“Nothing.” He mumbled, clearly irritated by Adira’s question.

“No. It is not nothing.” She stated making him sigh and look up at her.

“What do you want?” he grumbled.

“I want my brother to be happy.” Adira shrugged.

Levi smiled at Adira’s statement.

“I am happy. I honestly am happy that you found your prince charming. I really am happy for you. You deserve it actually. You have gone through so much. And to tell the truth, I am damn proud of you.” He commented.

But Adira just shook her head.

“No. I mean. I want YOU to be happy. I want YOU to find the one for you. Now don’t lie and say that you are fine, because I know for a fact that you are not.” She paused her lips in a thin line, contemplating on whether she should be frank or not. But it was clear Levi was not going to tell her on his own. Perhaps she should go straight to the point.

Sighing she sat down on the bed and looked straight in to Levi’s face. He stared back at her, his face now solemn.

“Can I guess? If I am correct, promise me that you will tell me the truth.” She demanded.

“Do I have a choice?” he shrugged as he slumped on the mattress right beside her.

“Is it about Clair?” she asked as carefully as she could, making him snap his head towards her.

“Huh?” he gasped and Adira giggled. “How did you......” the colour from his face drained completely. “Did she tell? Is she going around telling everyone?” he gasped.

Adira frowned as she shook her head, placing a hand on his.

“What? No. She didn’t say anything. It is just that....I saw how you looked at her and talked to her. It was clear you liked her. I was hoping that something might happen between both of you.” Adira paused.

“Can you tell me what happened?” she asked once again.

Levi let out a humourless laugh.

“You know me too well. Too damn well. I cannot hide anything from you.” Muttering in slow voice, he looked at his sister who was waiting for him to tell what was bothering him.

“You are right. I like her. I even tried to ask her to go on a date with me. I thought she also liked me. But she kind of said no.” He paused for sometime and looked at his sister who was listening to him.

“Actually, that day. We danced together and I loved holding her. She was so......perfect.....” he added smiling dreamily. “I took her to the balcony of this place where we could have a bit of privacy so that we could talk. I loved every minute of it.” He then sighed and looked away, a hint of sadness invaded his face.

“But when I tried to ask her on a date she got worried and started to show excuses. She said that she was a single mother. Something about being damaged goods.” Making a face, he shook his head.

“So she has a kid. So what? I don’t mind.” He complained. “I thought she would say yes.... because of the way she kissed me......” He trailed off, sensing that he had said too much.

Adira was left speechless. This whole Clair and Levi situation was a huge mess. It was far from being a happy story.

“And are you going to just let her go?” she pushed.

Levi shrugged.

“I’ve tried so hard this week. But she just ignores me. I even tried to corner her when I found her alone. But...... I don’t know Adira. Maybe because I am not rich.” He added, in a low voice as he fiddled with his fingers.

Adira shook her head. Clair was not a girl like that. She most probably was traumatized after being with Mr. Stone for such a long time. Perhaps she was doubting herself of worthy of being loved.

“But....” Adira wanted to push her brother towards Clair. Both of them deserved a chance to be together. But Levi sighed.

“I think I should go back to my village and focus on building my career first. Then, perhaps I can think of girls.” He smiled at Adira, who was definitely not satisfied with the situation.

She walked out of the room with Levi and bid her family goodbye. They were all prepared to go to the train station so that they could catch the train home. They left, promising to call and visit often.

Sighing to herself she turned around to go to the kitchen. Just as she was about to enter she heard someone sobbing in the shadows of the huge pillar. Furrowing her eyebrows she peeked from behind to see who it was. To her surprise Clair was trying to control her sobs and cries as she kept wiping her tears away.

“I am so sorry Levi.” She whispered, thinking that no one was in ear shot. “You deserve someone better than me. I hope you find the worthy one. Because you are the sweetest guy I have ever met.” Her hushed whispers made Adira freeze on her spot.

What in the world......