TWO

MEANDRA’S POV

A gasp escaped me at the feel of the cold icy sensation that pierced through me. My eyes fluttered open almost immediately and I hurriedly adjusted in a sitting position. My heart was suspended in a state of frenzy and panic. When I was finally able to get a hold of my bearings. I raised my head to look up at the guard that glared at me like I was the filth of the earth.

My eyes shut closed for a moment as I tried to regain some composure. I shivered as what was left of my clothes glued to my skin.

I was soaked and drenched in ice water. I bit hard on my bottom lip to stop my teeth from going to have to get some sort of control.

“Are you just going to keep sitting there or am I going to have to drag you out, my fucking self,” he growled, baring his yellow teeth at me.

I was heavy with exhaustion and my muscles screamed in protest as I forced myself to rise up from the ground. This wasn't the time to allow my mind to linger on the exhaustion that threatened to consume me.

Although I could feel the chaotic pounding in my head. I chose to ignore it as I closed my eyes for a brief moment, I placed my hand against the wall to steady myself.

My legs shook for a brief moment. It was then that I noticed another person standing beside the guard. A girl.

Her eyes traveled over me not so subtly like she was trying to figure out whatever it is that I would be hiding. I closed my eyes and sighed.

I was oddly relieved. I don't know if it's because it's been a while since I've seen a female or maybe it was the look in her eyes.

They didn't hold judgement. It was more curious than judgment.

She tilted her head to the side as she took her time observing me.

Even though I felt slightly conscious, my expression remained neutral as I returned her gaze. I didn't look away.

“The Lord demands for your presence. You're to follow the maid to get dressed. You cannot be in his presence looking like a pig,” the guard's gaze traveled over me.

His eyes clouded over with disgust and something else that I couldn't entirely put my finger on. I didn't want to imagine it either.

“My name is Shantai. Please follow me,” she said. The tone of her voice was soothing and empty of the resentment that other people used to approach me.

My legs still wobbled and I was still exhausted but I managed to walk behind her. I felt the guard's gaze piercing into my skin and I resisted the urge to shiver.

I closed my eyes and sighed. I needed to get it together. She paused and looked back at me. I noticed that she slowed her pace when she realized that I had difficulty keeping up.

My brows furrowed a bit in confusion as I wondered why she was even putting in the effort to be kind to me. I was no less than a slave.

I've been degraded, tossed around, brutalized and yet even if she knew there would be no consequences if she treated me differently, she still chose to be nice to me. Something fluttered within the confines of my chest.

I hated feeling any sort of emotion. My thoughts came to a pause when we stopped in front of a door. She unlocked it with a key and I walked in after her silently taking in the luxurious space of the bedroom.

My gaze lingered hungrily at the sight of the queen sized bed that lingered in the corner of the room. I closed my eyes and sighed I would do anything to let my back experience the soft surface of the bed. I couldn't remember the last time, my body enjoyed the luxury of a bed.

It usually only happened when the lords had their way with me and they granted me a night in their bed as reward. I could hear the water running in the bathroom. I could tell that she was preparing a bath. After some minutes, she finally came out.

“The tub is ready for you,” she said.

My body hummed with excitement at the thought of having to experience a bath. I haven't had a bath in ages. The air hit my skin almost immediately as I stripped from my wet clothes.

I headed over to the bathroom and paused to take in the luxurious space of the bathroom and the tub. I could already perceive the lavender. I stepped into the tub and settled in.

The feel of the warm water against my skin was comforting. My eyes watered with tears as I took in the luxury. Shantai ran a towel over my back and helped me wash my hair. I was tired and exhausted as I leaned back against the edge of the tub as she helped me rinse the dirt and the grime off my hair.

An hour passed before I was properly cleaned up. I settled in front of the mirror. My gaze lingered on my reflection. My eyes were empty. I could hardly recognize myself. I was as empty as I felt. All they have done is taken and taken, I wondered if there would be anything left for Lord Alejandro to take. In my gut, I knew what was coming, what he would want.

I decided to take my mind away from it immediately. There was no point feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't going to solve anything.

“You're really beautiful,” my attention returned to Shantai who caught my gaze through the mirror.

I caught a reflection of my hair. It was neater, slightly shorter, the curls were still there. It didn't look as lifeless as it was earlier.

“Thank you,” my voice was dead and lifeless.

When she was finally done, I put on the dress that was folded on the bed. It was a sleeveless silk dress that clung to the curves of my body. I hated it.

“I'll take you to him” she said and yet there was something about the way she said it. It was almost as if she sounded sorry for me.

We finally left the room and we headed down the long expanse of the hallway. Shantai hesitated before she knocked on the door. Twice.

“Come in,”

She tilted her head towards the direction of the door, signalling for me to go in. I did. I didn't bother to take in my surroundings as I stepped into the room.

Alejandro sat behind the huge office desk. Piles of paper was scattered across his desk.

And when he raised his head up, his cold gray eyes fixated on mine. His expression, cold and unreadable.

I gulped.

My heart raced within the confines of my chest as I tugged at the straps of my dress.

It fell away from my body, leaving a puddle around my feet. I ignored the lump that formed at the back of my throat. I needed to be done with this.

He raised an eyebrow at me. His brows furrowed as his gaze lingered on my naked body.

“Where do you want me? The table, the sofa or the floor?”