Chapter 3

2 years 3 months ago

Sometimes life’s not as hard as people portray it to be. Let it hurt and then let it go. It all begins and ends in one’s mind. What you give power to, has power over you. What you sow, you reap. My annoyance simmered to life yet I gulped it down with a deep breath. Let it go.

With heavy lids shifting to the left, my gaze fell upon the glass window, revealing a distorted reflection. A sigh escaped my lips as I beheld the image before me—a familiar face, but one I despised. The girl staring back was a facade of glossy charm and feigned sincerity, adorned in a custom-made dress that hugged my figure, like a mistress sneaking through the shadows. If Mama caught sight of me in this state, she might again had a heart attack.

I detested this role thrusted upon me - a glamorous, shiny trinket meant to be paraded around by my father as a testament to his success. If only I could escape to the distant lands of the East, where I could pretend to lead a normal life, unburdened by the pressures of my lineage. Alas, such dreams were not afforded to the daughter of a notorious entrepreneur. My father, lavishly wealthy and quick to anger, held my fate in his hands. Were I to displease him, I would find myself shackled in marriage to some corpulent, middle-aged man, driven solely by carnal desires.

“She’s my daughter, Rara Morris.” Papa introduced me to his guests ripping my attention from my reflection to stare in front with a strained fake smile on my bright red lips. Papa cast me a look that promised retribution for my absent-minded attitude. I gulped as he squeezed my wrist. Uh-oh.

“Hello, nice to meet you.”

“Gorgeous, isn’t she?” Papa said proudly making a shiver run down my spine. I better not disappoint him tonight. I gave a tight-lipped smile to strangers who seemed twice my age with a greasy smile and protruding belly.

“Yes, divinely.” The man agreed with a suggestive voice, his eyes taking over the slit of my dress to the cleavage. An involuntary shudder of disgust skated down my spine. If my papa scared me, his business associates terrified me. There was always unfiltered ardor filled in their eyes as Papa presented me to them like a product he ought to sell.

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Papa gave a warned squeeze to my wrist, and then with a sigh, he let go.

“Hurry back, I need to introduce you to more guests.” More old freaky, shameless men who think with organs between their legs.

I gave a small smile to his guest, mumbling a small sorry with a slight bow as I turned around. As I walked to the far left where restroom was, I caught a murmur of voices and drunken laughs of people drowning themselves in alcohol. I could see old men with their young wives, all glammed up and perfumed, smiling at every rubbish escaping their so-called husband’s mouths. I was not oblivious to the idea that Papa brought me here to find a potential husband for me. My fists clenched beside my sides as I gracefully walked to the restroom. Several eyes turned to me with admirable eyes, or either lewd gazes. I was no stranger to these things.

The day I turned sixteen, I was introduced to this world. This dark world was so twisted, lethally inescapable. It feed on young souls like myself and leaves nothing but a dead cadaver of hopes and dreams.

I was passing the hallway when fainted murmurs and sharp cries caught in my ears. Confused I looked around. The hallway seemed very empty with only two women standing at the far end fixing their makeup and giggling. I straighten my back. Did I imagine it? I blinked a few times when I heard it again. This time, it was audible.

To my left, there was a door, slightly ajar, and dark. Something curious in me bubbled with the dire need to know what was happening behind those doors. I was sure I heard the voices coming from here. I shouldn’t do this, I shouldn’t. But that barely stopped me as I took a careful step forward, and then another. My heart raced tentatively as I eyed the women standing in far. If anything bad happen, I could scream. There were people here it couldn’t be that bad.

Naive.

Too naive.

Cause the moment I tilted my head to glance inside, I was met with a horrifying scene that had an involuntary gasp left my lips. My hands flew to my mouth as I stared wide-eyed. My legs were trembling, and my breathing much faster than normal. I watched frozen in place, not knowing what to do. A sane person would probably run, but I couldn’t bring myself to. H-How could I?

I caught glimpse of terrorised eyes and a silhouette hovering over the man. His muffled screams blocked by a piece of cloth, struggling, and I could see blood spraying everywhere as the one bowering over him sliced open his face, leaving behind a deep bloody gash. I gagged reflexively, my stomach heaving, but he was far from done. He pressed the knife into his upper arm, cutting off a strip of flesh. His agonized screams echoed in his mouth joined by my own hysterical gasps. I felt his terror as though it’s my own, and I couldn’t bear it.

“Oh, you wanna say something?” A smoky voice with hint of raspiness whispered in the dark room. I assumed it came from the man hovering over the bleeding poor man. My wide eyes couldn’t lift, it felt like my limbs were trembling and I couldn’t move. A hand extended to grab the little fabric and pulled it out with strings of saliva following behind. I-I shouldn’t-

“K-Kill me already!” The man laying in pool of blood yelled and I flinched grabbing the side of the wall for support. Who were they? A-And what were they doing? I watched as the silhouette crouched down, even in the darkness I could see the shine of leather boots and jacket.

“Don’t be stupid, Larry. You won’t be any fun if you’re dead.” The man sang with a fake humor. Strange how chills immediately ran down my spine. “Also, I’ve got enough blood on my hands already.” He tilted his head raising his hands as if he was showing his palms and I noticed his hairs shining in the limited amount of light coming from the small window. I gulped. I-I should run and tell papa or call the cops. The moment I tried to back away to run, my trembling legs gave out and I stumbled on my heels backward. My hands flared in air with panic. I cried out in reflex, my ankle buckled painfully underneath me. Before I could fall, strong hands were quick to seize my arms stabilising me, and I found myself looking into the darkest pair of eyes I had ever seen. The man holding me was muscular, and tall.

It took me a moment to grasp the situation. My breath hitched. I swallowed hard as those dark, hooded eyes raked over my face, lingering for a moment on my awkward and panicked face. He was unfamiliar. I’ve never seen him before. My heart was pounding and my skin felt strangely cold, especially where his eyes gazed. There was something wild about him, something untamed in the tousled black locks falling over his forehead and in the sharp, almost cruel lines of his jaw. Even his cologne, with its subtle notes of smoke and leather, reminds me of dark winter forests and the dangers lurking within.

Struck speechless, all I could do was stare. The man in front of me was terrifyingly stunning. Not handsome, nor good-looking, not even attractive. Just terrifyingly stunning. His glossy jet black hairs were thick and fluffy on top of his head adding more definition to his impressive tall height. His face was sensually masculine and supported the most perfect features I had ever seen on a man before. High cheekbones, defined thick eyebrows, a staring angular jaw, thin yet attractive lips-it was as if he was a living version of a Greek God. Even his olive skin appeared flawless and clear as if it had been airbrushed.

He looked foreign, exotic….deadly. And a murderer perhaps.

As soon as the fact was registered, my heartbeat spiked again and the reality of my situation hit home. It didn’t matter if he was divinely gorgeous, what I needed to was to run away. The man’s soft pained moans filled the room making me let out a fearful whimper.

Breathe, Rara, breathe. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a small rational voice kept repeating those words. That same oddly objective part of me noted his symmetrical face structure, with golden skin stretched tightly over high cheekbones and a firm jaw. As I continued staring at him with wide saucers like eyes, he tilted his head almost as if he was assessing me and then I heard another startling deep voice from behind.

“Well, we have a spectator too.” The deep timbre of his voice held a tone of amusement. The man holding me let go of me. The shake of my legs had me fall on the floor with a thud. “This was almost getting too boring.” The man stepped in front revealing the palest of blue orbs reminding me of the hottest of fire of hell. The dark amusement shining brightly that it made me shudder back.

His black leather jacked stretched on his muscular yet lean frame hiding the same monotone T-shirt underneath. A white handkerchief in his hands that seemed deepest shade of red as he wiped his fingers with it. A grin plastered over his face like he just hadn’t bleed the man.

I need to get out of here. The fear was strong that even my legs felt numb. The silt in my dress shifted with my movements as my left leg exposed. The one with suit caught the movement. Something dark as frightening tinge of impatience shinned in those dark eyes as I immediately adjusted my dress. The one, who I assumed was Kilian, chuckled throwing his head back. I was ashamed of my own cowardice, but I was so afraid of pain. Would they harm me? Hurt me?….kill me?

“Come on, Alexeiiiii. Don’t ruin the fun.” His manically taunting amusmed voice sang as if he had no care in this world. Now that I could see his face clearly, it seemed very familiar, but my brain was too coped with fear that I couldn’t process anything.

I trembled frozen in place, while Alexei started walking towards me. Or rather stalking, I thought stupidly. His every movement reminded me of a panther sinuously approaching his prey.

All the whole, his eyes never left mine. The sudden reduction in dis race had me observe the grey flecks in his grey black eyes and thick long lashes surrounding them. I watched in horrified disbelief, the curve of his lips twitched.

Goosebumps. A dizzying nauseated feeling felt in my stomach. H-How did I even landed myself in such situation?

I watched, cause that’s the only thing I could do, my limbs freezing as he stopped when he was less than a meter away and stared down at me. I felt my blood turn to ice, leaving me paralyzed in place and helpless to do anything but stare at the predator who now seemed to be examining me with interest as he crouched down. I instinctively flinched away.

“What’s your name?” He practically commanded, his voice low yet smooth, slightly accented, his nostrils flared for a second as if he was inhaling. I swallowed nervously.

“…” I took a deep breath. “R-Rara…”

“Rara,” he repeated slowly, seemingly savouring my name. “Rara what?”

“R-Rara Morris,” oh crap? Did I made a mistake by telling him my name?

“Rara Morris,” his smile just got wider exposing a dimple in his left cheek. “Have you ever encountered a murder before?” I exhaled sharply, realising I was holding my breath. My eyes widened for a fraction of second before I looked to my right. I was proud that I was still conscious and not laying on the floor.

I gathered my courage. “What,-“ another swallow. “I-I won’t tell anyone.”

“Oh, believe me, love, I’ll make sure of that.” To my horror, I felt tension building inside me again. I was writhing inside. The sweat lessening the friction between the floor and my palms. If he’d move more closer, I might die of lack of oxygen.

“What do you want?”

“For now, a word.” I didn’t missed the ‘for now’ part. He looked he was about to slam me against the wall and choke the life out of me. My eyes unconsciously moved to his palms that seemed big enough to wrap around my throat and calloused enough to squeeze the breath out of me. The way he kept looking at me with those unblinking cerulean eyes was unwavering.

Desperately looking around all I could see was silenced and dark room. The one behind him who looked more of a living version of Ted Bundy. Would papa look for me if I take enough time? Would he even care? Oh god. Please. I don’t wanna die. Please. I’ll do anything. Please don’t let me die. Not today at least.

I unconsciously licked my dry lips. Only if I could turn back time, I’d never dare to stumble in their path. These men, I had no words for them. If one could describe danger as a person, they were ideal.

I’d do anything if I survive tonight. Please god! I was only nineteen, vulnerable, and unemployed daughter of a business man-

A scream tore through me as as the one behind me grabbed my bicep jerking me up roughly almost dislocating my shoulder and dragged me to the centre of the room. Normally, I was a brave girl, at least that’s what I liked to believe till now. I could smell blood in the air.

“No! Let go!” I screamed in hope someone was outside the door or the women in the hallways heard my desperation. In response, the man grabbing me chuckled throwing me on the wooden chair.

“Alright, you just sit here, on this chair and keep looking pretty.” He passed a smile. “I’ll go finish my work.” My limbs were caught as I felt Alexei’s presence behind me. I flinched as his big palms rested on my shoulders as he pressed them down. I gasped sensing his hot breath on the back of my neck. The hairs on back of my neck rose as I gulped. Oh God, please, please-

“Watch, Rara…” Kilian ducked his hand in his pocket, his eyes held my wide ones, pulling out a small barely palm sized blade from his pocket. Was he-Was he going to-

The man screamed as Kilian plunged the blade mercilessly into the man’s left cheek. Bile rose up my mouth as Alexei’s palms strained me. The smile not faltering off his face.

“Leave him alone!” I shrieked. “You fucking bastard! Leave him alone!” He didn’t, of course. He continued cutting him, his dark eyes shining with excitement. He was enjoying this, I realized with sick horror; he was not doing it just to kill him. The man struggles grew weaker, his cries turning into sobbing moans. There was blood everywhere, he was practically drowning in it. I didn’t know how he was able to remain conscious through this. Black spots swim in front of my vision, and I feel like the walls were closing in on me, my ribcage squeezing my lungs and prevented me from drawing in the air.

Suddenly, his body jerked, and he let out a strange gurgle before falling silent. All I could hear now was the sound of my own harsh, sobbing breaths. He was lying there unmoving, a pool of blood spreading out from his neck area. Kilian got up, wiping the knife on his pants, and faced me. “That was an expedited show for you, sweetheart,” he said, smiling widely. “I didn’t want to drag it out too much, since I presume it’s your first time. Of course, if you open your mouth, the next show will be much, much longer.” Taking a step toward me, he ran one bloody finger down my cheek. “You’re too pretty to die today.”

This time I couldn’t resist the reflex of my mind. The oxygen in my brain reduced, and I felt nauseatingly dizzy before my rolled back and darkness engulfed me