6

Loretta whimpered and climbed down the bed, making her way for the door. She turned the knob but it wouldn't bulge. The door was locked.

The room was dark but she could see his silhouette, standing at the corner of the room. Her nightmare.

Seeing she had no way of escape, she leaned against the door and slipped down, crying so loud.

"Please don't harm me!" She cried, rubbing her hands together.

He said nothing neither did he move. He remained where he was, which only made her lose herself to fear. What was he planning? Was he with a gun? Would he end her life at that moment?

'No one leaves this house unless their lifeless body.'

She remembered what Wilma said and her heart crawled to her mouth, leaving that space empty. A bile formed in her throat, making it hard for her to speak any longer.

All she saw was her death standing before her.

"You don't have to be scared baby, I wouldn't harm you." His voice was soft and low but was enough to send terror running through her bones.

It wasn't soothing to her at all but threatening of the impending danger. She could only whimper as she watched him leave the wall and was slowly walking toward her, not making a single sound.

A heavy wind blew, pushing the curtails away and giving way for the streetlights to reflect at him, making a scary image on his face.

He squatted beside her and wrapped his fingers around her chin, forcing her face up. They could see each other, thanks to the reflection of the lights.

"You are so pretty. I guess I scored a pretty lady this time."

"Just kill me!" Her voice was whimsical and almost inaudible that she couldn't hear herself. She wasn't sure if he also heard her but she wished he did.

He should just end the misery and let her have peace, that way, it would be a win-win for them, right?

He smirked and pushed her face closer to his. "Why should I? You are my most precious possession." He answered.

He did hear her. 

"Don't harm me, please!" She cried and shut her eyes as her tears dropped down to her chin.

"I wouldn't harm you, Loretta. You should be scared of me but you should know I wouldn't harm you. You are my darling and we still have six months to stay together, right?" He answered and let go of her face.

"What do you want with me?"

"I don't want anything with you. I just want you." He drew closer to her until their faces were inches away from each other. "You should get used to this. This is your life for six months, baby." He captured her lips in his which took her unexpectedly.

She sat frozen with her eyes widened and her lips locked in his. He pulled away and stood up. "I will be leaving for a trip for a day. Do not leave this house. Anything you want will be brought to you. Wilma would be by your side too and don't try to escape cause that would only lead you to being punished."

He carried her in his arms and laid her back on the bed. "Good night darling." He muttered, pecked her forehead, and left the room.

Loretta finally released the breath she had held in when he kissed her. She sat up and clenched the bedspread in her fist, breathing heavily.

She tried to calm herself down but the more she remembered his touch on her skin and his lips on hers, she shivered. 

Turning the lights on, her eyes fell on the jar of water and an empty cup beside it. She remembered not bringing water to her room. It must be Fabian who brought it in.

What if it was poisoned? She had a lot of questions running through her mind and because of that, she decided to lay back.

'You should be scared of me but you should know I wouldn't harm you.' She remembered his words and shut her eyes trying to forget his words.

...

The next morning...

BANG!

Loretta jerked up and sharply looked at the door which was pushed open. A young, red-haired lady walked in, staring at her with nothing but disgust in her eyes.

Behind her was Wilma, who was trying her best to avoid the young lady.

"So this is the new woman?' She questioned, examining her from head to toe. "I hate her already."

"Please ma'am Tasha, don't....."

Tasha sharply looked at Wilma, forcing her to keep her mouth shut.

"Wilma is this how a slave like her should behave? She was given a luxurious room in Fabian's house and a bed not meant for someone like her. And not just that, this is eight am and she is still in bed?" 

Wilma jolted back, to avoid being hit by her. "I am sorry ma'am. It was the boss that gave her this room. He never said we should move her and also gave an instruction that she shouldn't leave this place."

"Are you stupid?" Tasha questioned with a scowl on her face. "This woman is nothing but a slave and you dare say the boss told you not to allow her out of this room?" She growled and stomped to where Loretta was.

Grabbing her hair, she dragged her with her going outside the room. "Ma'am, please. The boss instructed. Please don't do this!" Wilma begged, going after them but Tasha gave her a warning glare.

"I am Fabian's girlfriend and my laws stand here."

"Please let go of me!" Loretta cried, trying to get out of the woman's clutch but she gripped her hair tightly, threatening to pull it out.

"Ma'am the boss would kill me."

Tasha laughed and faced her, "Then, what do you have to say about the Tigress? You know what she would do if she found out you tried to stop me from taking a slave out of her son's house."

Wilma pursed her lips and lowered her head. 

Tasha rolled her tongue and nodded, "Very good. Now, we will have to punish this fool for staying in the boss house and also waking up so late." She smiled at Loretta, ready to punish her severely.

Tasha pushed Loretta to the meeting ground where the members of the house began to gather until they were packed in the large space.

Loretta knew her end had come. She thought she would be killed by Fabian, but who knew her end would come in the hands of Tasha?

She was forced to kneel before everyone. Everyone wanted to see how she would be punished. They were all ready to watch her being sentenced to probably..... death.