Two.

Xara woke up and headed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before heading out to the kitchen in her nightwear.

“Good morning, Ma—I mean, Ms. Xara." Amanda greeted Xara, making her chuckle.

“Good morning, Amanda, How was your night?" She replied.

“It was fine, and what of yours? She asked, waiting for a reply, when a beautiful young woman walked into the kitchen wearing sexy night wear.

Xara didn’t bother asking who she was and where she came from because she already knew the answer. It was obvious her husband  preferred being with a whore rather than his wife on their wedding night.

How wonderful!

“My breakfast!" She said rudely .

Xara looked on and shook her head at her behavior. She was about to take a bite from her food when the lady pulled the plate that was served to Xara and began eating just to rile her up, and it was working.

“Excuse me?!." She yelled.

“What?! Peasant." The woman smirked, knowing she had struck a nerve.

“ You know I am Kai’s wife, right? I don’t care who you are, and I won’t have you disrespect me in my husband’s house.” Xara stated, panting heavily.

“Oh, the peasant wife, the one he married out of pity?" The woman laughed.

“ Yeah, the peasant wife who got the ring and not the mistress,” she replied, noticing the frown on the woman’s face.

The young woman grabbed the cup of steaming hot water and poured it on Xara’s arm, making her scream in pain.

Kai descended the stairs as fast as he could when he heard the gut-wrenching scream.

“What the hell is happening in here?" He asked as his mistress rushed to his side.

“Your wife started throwing insults at me the very second I got down here for breakfast." The woman blatantly lied.

“Wow, if there was an Oscar award for lying, you would have been nominated. You attacked me," she said, being cut off by a slap across her face.

“I married you out of pity; you had no right whatsoever to insult my guest in my house." He instructed.

Xara stood shocked, watching her husband walk out with another woman on his arm. She was confused as to what was really going on. She didn’t sign up for this.

“I'm sorry, Ms."

Xara walked to her room to change and headed out to the hospital to get her arm checked. She had already texted Alianna to meet her outside and drive her to the hospital because there was no way she could drive herself.

“You mean, his bitch did that to you, and he defended her?" Alianna asked in anger.

"Yes, and he couldn't utter a single word; instead, I got a slap." She sobbed.

“It's fine, let's just get to the hospital," Alianna said, parking in the lot. She helped her friend out of the car and into the hospital.

“Hey, she needs urgent attention; how can we see a doctor as soon as possible?" Alianna panicked.

“Calm down, ma'am; just give me a few minutes." She said this as they sat down, waiting for their turn to be attended to.

“You can go in now." The nurse instructed them where to go.

Her burns were second-degree burns. Her wounds and blisters were cleaned and examined. They were left in place, and the wound was bandaged with antibiotic ointment and covered with gauze.

“You are good to go now; it's good you got here early." The ER doctor said to them:

“Thanks, doc," Alianna said as she walked out with her friend to foot the bill.

“Have you heard from your family?" Alianna inquired as they sat in the car.

“No, I think I've been sold to this heartless man, Alianna; their numbers don't go through anymore. I don't think they are even in NYC at the moment, Alianna." She sighed.

“You've got me, Xara; we would get through this." She assured.

“I hope so, Alianna; this is getting out of hand." She shook.

“ We would get through this, Xara. Care for some McDonalds?” she asked her friend.

“ When ever have I said no to McDonalds?” she replied, making her friend laugh as she backed out of the parking lot.

~

~

“Amanda!" Kai called his maid.

“Sir?" She responded.

“Where's my wife?" He asked.

“She went to the hospital to get her wound treated." She answered.

“Did she need to go? Couldn't it get treated here?"

“With all due respect, sir, that was some second-degree burns she suffered, and it needed urgent medical attention,” Amanda educated.

“ Get me some coffee to drink,” he ordered.

I pity Xara; I wonder why she agreed to marry this beast of a man. Amanda thought to herself.

"Are you okay, Ma?" Penny, her daughter asked.

“I'm fine, love; I just pity Xara." She told.

“She seems like a nice person; I would be her friend to find out why she decided to marry this beast." Penny spat.

“That would be nice of you; get back to your duties, please, before he starts barking like a wild dog." She said this to her mom as she hurried off with his coffee.

Penny was on vacation from school and decided to come to help her mom at home. She hated her mom's boss so bad that she sometimes wanted to strangle him.

“ Can I help you with that?" She said she was helping her with her handbag and another bag Xara was holding.

“Thank you, and do call me Xara." She smiled at Penny.

"Okay, Xara, I'm Penny, Amanda's daughter." She introduced as they walked into the house.

“Nice to meet you too, Penny, and thanks for the help; I really needed it." She smiled as she saw her husband by the staircase and walked past him.

“ Did you just walk past me without saying anything? Where the hell have you been?” he yelled.

"I am sorry." She apologised.

“How is your arm?" He asked, and concern showed on his face.

“What do you care?” she replied, walking off, not waiting for him to say a word.

“Are you okay?" Penny startled her.

“I'm fine; you're still here?" She asked while sitting beside her.

“Yes, I just wanted to make sure you're fine before I left." She comforted.

“Thank you, Penny, but why are you and your mom being nice to me? The others are just plain rude." She stated.

“I just want to be your friend, and mom taught me to always be kind to everyone." She smiled at Xara.

“That's nice of you guys; thank you." She said.

“Anyways, how old are you and where do you go to school?' Xara started with small talk.

“I am 24 years old, and I attend Brooklyn College." She said to her

“Oh my, I am 25 years old and attend the same college as you, with my friend Alianna." Xara beamed.

She was glad about the whole thing. She and Penny could grow to become good friends, and she couldn't wait to introduce her to Alianna.

“Oh, that's the best news ever; we could go to college together and hang out; this is great!" Penny exclaimed.

This was the best news and the best feeling ever since she stepped into Kai's house.

Xara hadn’t joined her husband for dinner when she returned. She still had some McDonalds, and there was a microwave in her room where she could warm food, so she was good to go.

She and Penny had talked about random stuff, as well as their families, and they didn’t realize it was late.

“ It’s getting quite late; I will see you tomorrow. Do get well soon,” Penny wished her a speedy recovery.

Maybe staying here and being married to Kai wouldn't be that bad. She tried to convince herself.