Numb

I nod my head in understanding. And catching my dress in my hands I head to Maria's room.

The door was already open. I get to the door. And the second I lay my eyes on the figures present in the room I knew what is it about. It was Isabella, Maria, Mr. Oliver, Noah Miller, and that driver Michael. It was time. Time to accuse an innocent. Never in my life, I thought that I will stoop this low. You will burn in hell, Sydney.

"Sydney,..." Mrs. Isabela said but then looked at my get up. I felt embarrassed. I wanted this earth to open up and wanted myself to be swallowed in the ground.

"Sydney, Is it true?..... Whatever you told Isabella. Did you see this man...." my eyes diverted to him, Michael? He was relaxed. Not really caring about what he was being accused. Maybe he believes that I will not lie and he will be proved as innocent. Guilt stabbed me and I lowered my gaze. In the back, my ears could hear Oliver say.

"....coming into Maria's room and steal a necklace." He asked. He sounds too much concerned. They were guests here. And even the party was still going on. But the necklace was too expensive to let this matter be ignored. Mr. Oliver sound really worried. He was torn between the situation.

Letting out a silent gasp I nodded my head in yes. My gesture was followed by gasps and chuckle sounds. I didn't lift my head. I don't know what that man might be feeling. He must be terrified of the consequences. He must be worried sick about what his employer will do to him. And he is surely very angry at me. I was expecting a backlash from him. Or at least I was expecting that he will yell that I am lying but he didn't.

I felt dizzy. I think I will fall. The sedatives that Abigail gave me were doing their work.

"You may leave now." I heard Isabella say. I turned and start taking small steps. That person Michael might attack me right away in anger. With this thought in my mind, I start running once I was out of that room. I was hyperventilating when I passed the living room. I turn to the main door to go to the party. But the moment I noticed so many people out there I knew I don't belong there. And maybe this is the best chance to avoid the situation at hand.

I turned away from the main door and start heading to my room. The hallways seemed blurry. Placing my right hand on the wall I try to catch my breath and focus to get my sight back. I could feel my knees heading to the floor. I was prepared for the pain but before I could fall an arm wrapped around my waist and held my body up. I tried to look behind to see who is this but before I could look behind I felt a mouth on my ear.

"Hello, Kitten." I heard him say. My eyes shot open but my sight was still blurry. I tried to wriggle out but I felt so weak. His grip on my waist become tighter. It was dark in one second and light in another. I could feel myself being dragged to my room.

I didn't dare to look at him. But the instant I realized the walls of my room around us I knew I have to get a hold on myself. This time I give my best to jump out of his hold and in response he threw me on the bed. The moment my body touched the bed I get back until I felt the headboard on my back and when I knew there was no way out, I helplessly curled my knees to my chest.

I was looking at my knees when I heard the door being locked. My vision was not blurry anymore. I was in my senses. And when he sat beside me I knew nothing good was gonna come out of it. It's been three years that I have seen his face. But I can bet that he still looks horrible with his lecherous eyes.

"Look at me." He ordered and I jerk away from a little from him.

Not moving my head, with much apprehension, I only lift my eyes to see him. He was older and didn't have a beard now. But his eyes were all same. It's just another nightmare. It has to be. Please. I blinked once, twice or many times just to realize that I was blinking away the hot tears on my cheek. It wasn't dreaming. Next, his fingers were under my chin as he makes me face him completely.

"You have become quite thin now." He said while his thumb traced my jaw. I saw his gaze focused on my mouth. My whole body stiff as I pressed my lips hard and shook my head in no.

"Umm,.... I.. Really didn't feel much difference. You still weight like the old times." He said ignoring my silent pleas and placed his hand on my knee while his eyes keep on roaming. I tighten the grip around my legs. I felt numb. I was ready for the assault subconsciously.

"But of course now you come up with some lady curves." He said but before I could react to his words he continued.

"Oh, sorry I got carried away." He looked into my eyes and his hand came onto my cheek making me jerk a little back but he tightens his grip and made me look into his eyes.

"What I really wanted to say was... that, I love you. You will be very happy with me. I swear. I know we have a bumpy road but the moment I came to know that you say.... Yes to my proposal. I was the happiest person on the earth." He kept on saying things that were making me cringe even more. He looks like he is possessed. I don't know what sweet things his mouth was sprouting but he stopped when a loud whimper escaped my throat. And when he stopped I placed my hand on my mouth to shut it.

Is he angry? He looked like I destroyed some fancy dream of his.

"Are you fine?" He asked and concerned was laced in his voice.

The person who is the reason behind my father's death. The reason that my father leave this world in so much agony. The reason that I feel like his soul is still in pain. And the fact that people expect me to marry a man like him. I don't know if I should be fine or not.

He placed his hand on my forehead and then on my cheek.

"You seem cold. Let's go. I will get you checked up." He said and caught my arm in his hand.

Looking away I said in a low voice but in an abrupt manner. "I am fine."

He let go of my arm but he sat beside me again and his mouth came onto my earlobe. I sat still holding my breath and closing my eyes. The moment I felt his lips over my ear I tried to get away but he caught my arm.

"Just take some rest... " his fingers brushed a hair strand away from my forehead.

".... have a lot of it. You got to look pretty on our big day..... Don't you?" He said but his voice slurred.

He patted my cheek before he left. I didn't move. I couldn't move. I don't know after how long Abigail came in.

I looked at her frantic figure. I don't know but a part of me believed that it was for me. A part of me wanted her to hold me and say that everything is gonna be okay. But no. She was talking about how well the party went and her taxi had arrived. Peter followed her, picked up the suitcases. They bid their farewell.

I didn't respond. Turning away I pulled up the quilt above me. I know my action was quite rude. But when they can ignore the things I have been going through I have every right to do the same. I don't feel like I owe them anymore. They are coward just like me and I hate them for this.

Abigail patted my back. And I felt the bed dip beside me. "I am leaving, the things are up to you. I know you can deal with all of this. You know Ben will be busy in the fields and also got to do Peter's work. Just rest for a few hours. I have cleaned the kitchen. And things are marinated for dinner. Just go easy on yourself." She said and left. That's it.

Does she really believe that it's house chores that worry me the most? I couldn't believe my ears. This woman!

They left and I cried. I clenched the pillow and bury my face in it. I cried and I swear I won't marry the monster who is the reason for my ruined life. I will kill myself or slit my writs or jump off the roof but I will never marry that rapist and murderer.

The intercom buzzed. I tried to open my eyes. I could sense it was Ben's voice. I only realized that I have been sleeping when I was rubbing my face and noticed the dark sky outside.

"Sydney, are you there?" He kept on calling me. I buzzed him in.

"Yea,... Yes, I can hear you." I replied to him as I was looking here and there to look for the time. It was past seven. Dinner.

"Sydney.... " Ben's voice called again.

"Yes...yes I am here," I replied again.

"Mrs. Isabella had a message for you. You don't need to make dinner. Everyone is eating out tonight with that young lad... I mean our guest."

He was saying and I was brushing off everything until he mentioned that guest.

"Are they staying?.... Weren't they supposed to leave in the evening."

"Yea... Right. I don't know but they are staying for tonight."

I was beyond terrified. What if that guy Michael try to hurt me?

"Hon....are you still there?" He asked.

I didn't reply but then I hear him say something about him having the instant noodles. And also that he doesn't need dinner for himself. And I don't know what he was saying after that. I found that intercom silent a half minute later.

I don't feel like eating too. But I was feeling hell thirsty. I get into the kitchen. Open the refrigerator and filled me a glass. I saw my reflection in the mirror on the cupboard. My bun was almost undone and I was wearing the same dress. I was still finishing up my glass and thinking about what to wear next when I heard a voice say.

"I think we gotta talk."

I startled and looked at my back to find Michael leaning to the kitchen's door frame.