chapter 6: Camellia

I was a fucking mess. My body ached from every corner, even moving my limbs slightly hurt alot. Monica beaten me alot after I refused to get ready. They beat me to this extent that I almost felt I was dying of the pain in my belly when I actually gave up. 

Dying is not easy, one might commit suicide because life is being harsh on them but only they know to what extent it had been harsh on them that they are ready to leave this world forever. 

She even made me wear that black dress who had my body on display and it barely hide my chest. When that man came in to the room, I lost my shit that fucking second. I begged and pleaded him in case he has a human soul inside him. But he was brutal and didn't move an inch from his stance instead the words he told me shattered me completely from inside. 

He was right! If not him then it will be someone else. It was nearly impossible to escape from here after it had such high security. When he kept kissing my neck, I tried my best to resist him but at that moment I found out that how weak I was as a woman. I kept sobbing because it hurt so much, losing your dignity without consent and being labeled as a prostitute was equal to being stabbed deathly everytime. 

He made me stand forcefully and smelled my hair making my stomach churn in disgust. The way his hands lingered on my body and I was so helpless. I had no energy left in me to fight him off, I knew one wrong move will enrage him and I couldn't endure any more pain. My nose already hurt like hell and my belly almost felt like I would due because of it. 

Something clicked my mind before he could touch my womanhood and destroy me all over. I knew i had to save myself because the trauma rape carries is insufferable for any woman. I would rather die than getting raped so I had to try my luck for one last time. 

I asked him to buy me and make me his slave. I knew he was filthy rich and he can do it at the tip of his finger. But something stroked me that why would he do that? When he can afford a new woman every night. 

My heart sank down to the pit of my stomach when he smirked mischievously. How foolish I was to think that I can convince him. Even if he captivates me in his territory it will be far more less painful than dying everyday on the hands of a different man each time. 

But I had other plans after I convince him to take me out of this filthy place. 

Surprisingly he accepted my offer in return for no resistance and smart moves. But I was terrified the moment when he tell me what he will do with me if I tried to double cross him and that moment his eyes spoked volumes of fury that challenged me to try him. 

I accepted his condition and he laughed in return, making me uncertain that if I choose wisely or got myself into a bigger trouble?

Taking me chance, I picked up the ripped shirt from the floor and escaped into the bathroom in a matter of second. He watched me intently and didn't tried to stop me. 

I opened the water from basin and started splashing it on my face, removing that makeup which categorized me as slut. Then with my palm, I tried to wash every inch of my body where he touched, feeling vulnerable that never once in a lifetime I thought that I'll have to sell myself off in order to protect my dignity. The thought of my parents made me cry more. 

 I took out a spare shirt from the closet inside the bathroom and wore it. It was a black shirt which matched my trousers and neckline which hid my chest at least. I peeked at my bruises which were purple and stood out on the skin of my abdomen. They hurt most but I had nothing to relieve the pain. But then my mind flickered to what Monica placed on the dressing table before leaving. 

"Have these painkillers because it'll hurt like shit after your first time" she told me bluntly. 

Feeling relieved, I assumed myself that he must have left by now after I've made a deal with him. But when I opened the bathroom door and got out, he sat there on edge of the bed, calm and put. 

My face void of emotions forced me to ask him the reason of his presence. 

"Whattt...are...you... stttill...doing...here?" I croaked out in case he has dirty intentions and gripped the bathroom door tightly. It would be better to hide inside all night if he tries to force himself on me. 

"My car will arrive in the morning at 06:00 am so I have no choice but to spend the night here" he stated truthfully and calmly as if it was not an issue for him. 

"But where will I sleep then?" Finally I was able to enlighten him about the real problem. 

"You can come out of the bathroom, I've already lost my libido so I don't intend anything you're afraid of except that I'll buy you after." His plain-spoken words made a cold shiver ran down my spine and stir me from head to toe although half of my body was relieved at his words. 

I came out and closed the bathroom door, still not getting my answer. 

"You can sleep on the bed, I'll manage" I offered him while clutching my scarf around my chest. 

"You will lay here on bed" he announced. 

"So what about you?" I asked him, shocked by his words. 

"I said lay here! I've made myself clear so lie down before I'll have to force you" it took him a second to let out his angry beast from the shell of a nicer one. 

Although my legs trembled at his command and heart palpitations were erratic, yet I forced myself to believe his words. I got near the dressing table and picked up the tablet. Then walking slowly towards the other edge of bed, I sat down not facing him. I picked the glass of water from bedside table and gulped down the painkiller. 

Then stretching the duvet lying at the end of bed, I pulled it over my body and paid down facing the wall. 

I flinched when he turned off the lights and lied down next to me too. I was so alarmed and in constant terror that he'll do something to me at any moment. My fears started to become real when he got closer to my back and I felt the heat radiating from his body on my bare neck. 

I tightened my eyes shut in case he thinks I'm asleep already and leaves me. But I panicked when his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest. I was pressed against his body as his hot breath fanned over the crane of my neck when he dig his chin deeper into my the crook of my neck. He nuzzled his head and held me tighter from behind, caging me so I wouldn't escape. 

"I simply want to sleep like this so don't waste your energy on unnecessary defiance. Let me hold you like this and I'll fall asleep in no time" he whispered into my ear and his voice was so soft and enchanting and at the same time his cologne filled my nostrils. 

He smelled my freshly washed air, satisfied by the floral smell. His grip around my waist hurt me badly but it decreased a little when the painkiller started to dissolve in. 

I forgot to breathe while being encaged in some foreign man's arms. It was impossible and entirely agonizing for me to stay put like this. My eyes once again swelled up but I had no water left in them to cry. I only wished if god can hear me and ease my pain. Only a woman can understand how aching it is losing her nobility to a completely stranger. What wrong I did that I was deserving this treatment?

I was trying to figure out in my own world, silently sobbing when he spoke again, making me shrink. It was embarrassing that he was all this time witnessing my weakness when I already thought that he must be asleep by now. 

"You know what you smell so good. What's your name?" He whispered against my ear, rubbing the tip of his nose in the crook of my neck making my mind go in a haze from the tingles. 

"Camellia" I replied short, blinking profusely to avoid anymore tears. 

"Like the flower?" His question caught me off guard. It more sounded like an indirect compliment which I was not expecting. 

"Yes" I coerced out unwillingly. 

"I'll tell you a secret about Camellia someday" He said huskily while placing a kiss on the weak spot of my neck which caused me to close my eyes as a bolt of electricity passed through my body and i was damn sure he must witnessed the effect in his arms as my whole body shook. 

He smiled against my skin before drifting off to sleep and I sighed.