Serena shifted uncomfortably on the seat where she was bound, trying so hard to keep her eyes open. She'd been here for three days, longer than she has expected and she was already tired. Her hands were aching and legs were stiff from unuse. She wouldn't be surprised if she found it terrible to walk after she was released. Damien hadn't done anything all this while and it had only maximized her fear. Fear of what would happen if he finally laid his hands on her. Already her mind was already tired of making a light of this situation. There was absolutely nothing normal about it. " Let me go...." She groaned for the hundredth time, pinning damien with a glare from a distance. " I'm not the one you have business with, why are you holding me hostage?" She asked, her voice scratchy. " It's quite simple darling, I need you to get to Gerald." He replied, easily, that stupid smile on his face. " And what makes you think he'll come for me?" She asked, glaring at him.
Gerald opened his eyes but closed it back, his vision blurry. He tried to move but his limbs wouldn't cooperate. He tried opening his eyes once more, his vision clearer but everywhere was dark. His head was throbbing and a part of his face felt sticky. " Someone has joined the party." A voice filtered into his consciousness but he couldn't place who owned it. Still dazed, he groaned, his head pounding. He hears a soft whimper that felt awfully familiar. Serena, his mind whispered to him. He stiffened, as his mind cleared. He raised his head up and his gaze landed first on Serena. His eyes widened as horror filled him, memories assaulting him. " Serena." He groaned, instinctively trying to stand up. That's when he realized he was tied. He looked around him in shock, when did this happen?. One more glance and his heart broke further. She looked so tired now, dried tears on her face and more in her eyes. His heart broke futher and he increased his struggles. " Tsk, tsk... All futile
Damien froze at first but soon it dissolved and he let out a manic laugh, pleasure thrilling his body. He was enjoying this, way too much. This was the perfect way to mess with Gerald. The both of them. He loved the helpless looks on their faces, their pained whimpers. Damien hadn't realized how much of a sadist he was until today. He waited till Gerald was a bit calm before speaking up. " I hear you but I won't stop. Instead, why don't I turn it up a little?" He suggested, the evil glint back in his eyes again. He watched Gerald's eye grow wide. Gerald glared at him with all the hatred he could muster even as terror gripped him. " I told you to stop. If there's anyone you should be hurting, it should be me. Leave Serena out of this!" He threw at him, his voice angry and terrified. All his pleas and threats seemed to fall on deaf ears and Damien reached for Serena, ripping her clothes off. Serena's scream resounded in the dark room and Gerald instinctivel
( Three days later) Gerald sat beside Serena, watching as she slept, her face relaxed. Occasionally she shuddered, her hands moving but her eyes remained close. He was waiting for her to wake up, there were lots of things he wanted to say to her. The past few days had been hell. His fists clenched at the memory, his eyes closing shut. They didn't go away, instead they clawed at him, driving him crazy. When he opened his eyes, they were much darker. He already had Damien and Scarlett arrested and they'll be facing their judgement soon. After Serena fainted three days ago, he'd rushed her to the hospital. He found out she'd gone into shock and had been severely dehydrated. It only got worse. She been slipping in and out of consciousness since then. When she was awake, shed push him away, screaming that she did want to see him before passing out. And when she was asleep, she was plagued with nightmares, her subconscious replaying those horrible moments, causing her
( Two years later: Miles away from the capital. Araith.) " I'm almost done!" Serena called out to the old lady standing at the porch of her house, straining to see if she had finished spreading out her clothes. She had offered to help her wash when she saw her washing in front of her house since they were neighbors. Pouring the soapy water away, she placed the basin in a dry spot. she walked towards the lady, a contented look on her face.. " Thank you so much, love. " She said, her voice filled with gratitude. Serena smiled back, shrugging it off. " It's nothing. It's normal for me to help you Clara. You've done so much for me." Serena said, smiling. The older lady held her hands, squeezing them gently and pulling her closer. " Still, you're doing so much for me." Her eyes misted. " Oh, why don't you come in and have some biscuits? I baked some yesterday." Clara offered, gesturing inside. " I would but I still have things to do. Maybe later in the aft
True to her word, Serena visited in the afternoon. The two women began discussing about everything that was important to them, from the latest gossip that was circulating around town, to the increasing costs of cotton. Clara told her that she wanted to get new linens so she could make new curtains for the approaching weather since it's going to be wet. Serena offered to help her buy it. She had refused adamantly. " No...." She said, shaking her head.. " I can go by myself. No more help from you, young lady." Serena chuckled at the woman's stubbornness. A warm smile on her face, she held her hands. " But I'm also going to get embroidery materials Clara. I can just help you choose the linens you would need. Besides, you need the help I'm offering. Your son isn't around to lend a hand. Let me do it for you." she coaxed the older lady, giving her puppy eyes. Clara sighed, a forlorn look on her face. " I feel like I'm just giving you more work." " It's not wo
Gerald arrived at the Count's house wherever was welcomed by the family. A few introductions and they settled to work. It was a huge deal Gerald was trying to finalize which would be of great benefit to both parties so they needed a quite a bit of time to negotiate and finalize. While he was there, Gerald tried to get the much needed rest. The pace of life in Araith was a lot more slower than it was back home and being a countryside, it came with it's charms. Gerald found himself slowly unwinding. One day, he was out on a walk in the Mansion garden. Returning back to the house, he found the Count's wife discussing with a lady. Not wanting to disturb them, he continued to his room until he heard thier voices. He froze, his heart skipping a beat. He listened to the their conversations then. They were talking about the new embroidered clothes that she delivered. Clenching his fists, he hurried back to them , his heart racing. He stopped at the door, fixing his eyes on the stranger. I
(Two days later) " Are you okay, darling?" Clara asked when she saw the pensive look on Serena's face. Serena glanced at the older woman, raising a brow. What she said seemed to sink in and she shifted in her seat. She tried to smile but it didn't quite come out right. " Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't be?" She said, trying to sound cheerful. Disgusted with her act, she let out a sigh, her shoulders dropping. Clara shrugged, still watching her. " Well, because you've been looking over your shoulders for the past few hours, not to mention the terrified look on your face. Is something wrong?" She asked and Serena shook her head, concentrating on her fingers. Clara allowed herself to think of the worst. " Is it because of me? Did you have a dream that I was going to die?" Serena jumped on her seat, startled. " No!...no!. Of course not!!" She sounded alarmed. Clara chuckled at her reaction, a smile on her face. " That shook you didn't it?" Serena br