MEETING MR DASHIELL

CHAPTER ONE: MEETING MR DASHIELL

My eyes flickered open like the blurry Christmas lights at the far end of a NewYork street. I tried to move but my head felt like it had been nailed to the hard, black tiles, and I could only manage to lift a finger or two.

My mouth quivered as I felt liquid surrounding my cold body, I began to wonder whether I had taken a piss on the floor while unconcious.

Using the strength I had left, I raised my fingers up to meet my eyes. My vision was blurry but I could still decipher that the liquid on the floor wasn't piss but in fact blood.

I was surrounded by my own blood.

I shut my eyes as I recalled how this came to be. It wasn't the first time he had beaten me, but this was the first time that his fists led me to draw blood.

I have endured it for eight years and running. All the beatings, the scars, and the pains. With no one to run to but the good memories of my distant past. Spent running around with a boy that lived close to me.

People talk about how envious they are about my wealth and status in society, but how taken aback would they be when they find out how I truly feel.

I honestly detest my wealth and status, because it hadn't allowed me to finally be free.

Ever since I had been born into a wealthy Eres household, my life and dreams were put on standstill.

The fifth child and only daughter of Danyal Eres, born into wealth and married off to wealth and pain.

I had been groomed to marry Malek since I was 6. My mother often said that our marriage would be the talk of the season and that it would bring our family wealth among many others.

But, what good is wealth when you are not allowed to be happy?

I remember when I told my father that I wanted to join his company, His mocking snicker drove a hard slap to my face and I was driven back to my cocoon, my place of solitude, my writings.

I have attempted suicide times without number, being the mother of a four year old son wasn't easy, but how would I care for a child who was taken away from me at birth?

The second he came out of my vagina, my husband called his mother and she took him away and hadn't allowed me to see him.

I was only ever allowed out of the house when my husband hosted a party with his friends, or when he was invited to one.

I let out a loud grunt as I struggled to get up, my hands harshly gripping the edge of my bed frame, while using the other to support my stomach. I grabbed the leather coat on the edge of my bed and left for the pharmacy.

*************

Using the coat's hood to cover my face, I stepped out of the pharmacy, clutching the drugs to my stomach as I limped like an injured antelope.

"Ma'am! It's starting to get windy. You should stay here until the sun starts to shine!" The front desk lady who ran after me, called, allowing me to face her and shake my head to refuse.

In my heart, I felt like everyone knew about my husband's mistreatment towards me, but what could they do other than offer unprofound sympathy?

"I'm fine. My car is just around the corner," I lied, my mind screaming for me to just get inside and sit there until my ass starts to peel. I wanted nothing more than to avoid Malek, but I knew how furious he was going to be if he didn't see me home early.

The wind soon started to pick up, blowing all the empty wrappers on the street out of place, while almost getting sand into my eyes. I started to run to try and find shelter somewhere, while mentally cursing myself for not following that front desk lady back inside.

Just then, I heard a car horn behind me, but I chose to ignore them, just In Case that was my husband's PA or driver.

I watched with my side vision as the silver Rolls Royce drove forth to be ahead of me, the tinted windscreen rolling down to reveal the face of a pudgy guy with a receding hairline, "Get in, my boss wants to speak with you," the man said, but I held my coat tighter around my body and shook my head to say no.

"It wasn't a request. Get in," the fat man commanded, opening the door and getting out to let me in.

The black interior of the car exuded extreme aura, power and wealth. The fresh smell of alcohol and cigarettes filled my nose as the fat man shut the door and walked away. And my shy gaze moved to take in the appearance of the man who sat next to me.

Compared to the fat man, this one was quite…body built. His chiseled jawline was complemented by piercing black eyes that seem to dig pools into those he gazes at.

His dark hair was styled, framing his high cheekbones, straight nose, and full lips. He was clad in a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and chest, and his whole appearance spelled one hundred percent aura.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked in a shaky voice. His dark eyes scanned me thoroughly, and he moved to examine the silver bracelet on my wrists that had 'OTTO' engraved on it.

"That bracelet…" he drawled, his baritone voice creeping me out. "Who gave it to you?"

"A friend from my teenage years," I replied, covering my hands around the bracelet.

He looked away and leaned back in the seat, "Why were you taking lone strides in the storm?"

I shifted in my seat nervously and answered, "I… wanted to take a trip to the pharmacy. It isn't far to where I live,"

"Where do you live?" He asked, his dark eyes back on me, scanning my whole body and boring into my soul.

"Malek Kashim Estate,"

He eyed me suspiciously, "What are you? His maid?"

I shook my head to say no, almost chuckling out of his lack of information, "I'm Malek's wife,"

I scanned his expression for some kind of reaction, and I didn't know why I felt disappointed that he had none.

"Did he do this to you?" He asked, his voice manly but empty. "You do realize that you reek of blood, don't you?" He asked but I didn't answer.

He tapped on the barricade that separated the driver's seat from where we both sat, "Stop. She will go on her own from here," he said, and like a flick of a finger, the fat man appeared and opened the door for me.

His dark eyes bore into me again and I swear that I could hear the last words that came out of his mouth before the car zoomed off, over again. "I'll see you soon, Zahra,"