Chapter 15— THE PARTY

I had endured more days and months leading to a whole year in Frank's house— living like a tortured woman. I rarely met with Abigail and Becky, the only way we could meet, was by sneaking them into the house with the help of Emilia and Will.

It was as though the year 2004 was a slow and miserable one, but I made it through. Frank was ever the same. The law was his backup, I was his wife after all. I couldn't believe that I had spent five years already in my marriage. It had been a year since I heard from David. I couldn't contact him any longer, my phones were taken away from me. There were eyes everywhere.

Once again, it was Summer in May 2005. I tried my best to pretend for Frank whenever he had visitors. It would look as if we were happy. Only the servants, my friends and the house, knew the truth.

There were days I wouldn't go out of the house so that the neighbours wouldn't see the bruises on me, left there by my husband. My father came to the house one time, he saw what Frank had done to me but he said nothing about it.

"Susan, you have to keep enduring all this with Frank, or else he would withdraw all the money and we would be poor again. We wouldn't want that now, would we?"

Father only came to remind me to endure; for his selfish reasons. I said nothing to him, when he was done, I only walked away. He wanted me to smile and suffer.

I was dressed in a soft silky yellow skirt and a blue long-sleeved collared shirt. I looked good for sure, I was healthy too, but greatly disturbed.

"I'd grow old quicker than my age because of my sad heart", I thought to myself. But what could I do?

Father left with his wife Miriam after the so-called friendly visit, he was invited by Frank to his business party on Saturday by 7pm. It was an opportunity for Frank to hit it big with new investors. He was so proud of himself.

"My dear Susan, you must go with me to the party as my wife of course, I want you to look splendid!". He whispered closely to my ears in his room. The old man sure knew how to torture me.

"Of course, Frank, I'll come with", I managed to say without the slightest feeling.

"Good girl!" He grined, then placed a firm kiss on my forehead.

"Now, you know I told you to call me something better than Frank!"

"Frank, that is as far as I can go".

He shrugged.

"Alright, as you wish, I'm in such a good mood today, I won't let you ruin it!". He hummed a happy tune while strolling out of his room.

***********

My garden blossomed greatly and Martha still assisted me with the sales. I had enough money for myself, I had planned to start up a boutique with it, since I had no hope of moving to Sydney someday. It felt like I had lost David. I talked to Frank about my plans, but he thought it to be a way for me to escape from him again. He wanted me indoors. No boutique!

I still managed to visit my home friends– Mr Sunny and the Thompsons, along with an escort by Frank's men. I had invited the girls to the Saturday party but they said they had plans that day, but certainly I knew for a fact that they were avoiding Frank, I also knew that I'd be different at that party and hated the thought of going at all, I'd be alone.

Soon, it was Saturday, Frank looked dashing in his white suit and a black long well ironed pair of trousers. He combed in a little path on the right-hand side of his neat thick hair. His black shoes shone neatly, matching his high class outfit.

Emilia helped me with my hair. This time, I let my hair swing free just below my shoulders. It was smoothed out with a comb which was slided through it in a continuous downwards motion. I looked different and it felt good!

I stood in a black short fitted gown. I hid my feet in a pair of red heeled shoes. My palms held on tightly to a silver purse, and when I looked into the mirror on the wall, it said I looked fair and quite!

We drove away in Frank's car to the arranged venue for the party. The hall was already filled with rich people of all sorts— rich investors and their wives, bachelors and spinsters. The moment I walked in with Frank by my side, I knew this wasn't my place. It was, all eyes on us!

"Please everyone, welcome Mr and Mrs Hemsworth!" A man announced on the stage with a microphone, everyone applauded wildly!

The hall was nicely decorated with bright lights, it was painted in a peachy mild colour on the inside, but on the outside, it was in white. The floor was tiled in black, there were no chairs, just red flute-like tables with bottles and glass cups of champagne. The men and women took their positions beside each table. Waiters and waitresses were busy serving refreshments and a slow, classical music was on; sending warmness to my soul.

Frank left my side to join the other men in their little corner. I stood beside a table sipping rich wine as I surveyed the room full of guests with my blue eyes. Just then, I sighted a young man in a blue suit, he looked nice and tall. It seemed like we were the youngest in the room.

Time was ticking so fast, I felt bored and lonely, I wanted to leave the room for some air, but at that moment, three lovely-looking older ladies walked towards me in the lightest footsteps. They surrounded me suddenly and uninvitedly— giggling their way through as they accessed me from head to my toes with cunning eyes. I could sense that they meant trouble. They came at me like three huge snakes staring at their meal.

"So— finally we meet the popular Mrs Hemsworth", The first woman announced. Frank had pointed at her and other guests earlier this evening, he described each one to me. I could hear him talk but I wasn't listening, all I did was nod in response.

"Oooo, yes, we've heard so much about you!" The other confirmed.

They were silent for what seemed like a few seconds, then they pushed in closer.

"Tell me, what's its like, being married to Frank? Hmm?" She raised a brow. I turned my back on them with an intention to walk away, one of them grabbed hold of my hand in a soft manner, like a mischievous friend.

"Hey, where are you running off to?"

"We just want to have a nice conversation with you".

"Yeah, nothing harmful, hmm?"

The first woman came closer to me and whispered, "Tell me, is Frank still 'good in the sac?'"

"Yeah, do you give him what he wants?!" They giggled.

"I have nothing to say to you guys, I really don't want any trouble—"

"No love! No one's causing any trouble here", One of them cut in.

"We're all friends, aren't we love?", The lady grinned.

"I heard she's a prisoner in that beautiful house", One of them said to the other.

"Oh, sweetie why put yourself through all that trouble, huh?"

"I'm sure it's all for the money, really".

"She's a slut alright!"

"A gold digger that's what she is!"

Their words stabbed me all over a million times, no a trillion! I just couldn't swallow it down any more. A strange bitterness inside me gave me an unrecognizable power. In a swift motion, I swung the wine glass in my palm, at the conniving women's faces. I clawed at them in a crazy motion. They struggled with me. A wicked side of me, decided not to let go. They kept screaming while I fought at them with all the pain and hate in me.

"Stop this at once! Stop immediately!" I could hear a familiar masculine voice behind me. It was that stern voice I could never forget. I knew who it was but I denied the man's order. It felt as though nothing else could stop me tonight!

Frank fiercely grabbed my arm, and in the twinkling of an eye, he pulled me strongly away from the three snakes. Before I knew it, Frank's hot eyes pierced into my weak eyes.

"Frank— I— they— they came—" the words seemed stuck on my tongue, even before I could explain any further, a wounding slap attacked my face! I could feel the sting deep within my lazy skin. With tears in my eyes, I released fists of fury on Frank's chest repeatedly, asking him why he hated me so much. Father and Miriam his wife, tried pulling me out of the room, I threw his hands off me and ran out.

I threw my heels off my feet, then tore my gown from beneath so I could run faster; racing through the stairs with just one thought, "I can't do this anymore!"

Soon, I was on the roof of the large building, I held on to the huge iron bars that surrounded the edges of the roof. I could see the whole town from there, the view was amazing!

I could hear running footsteps on the stairs, it was the guy in a blue suit, suddenly, he stood behind me, he was the only one who cared enough.

"Susan please don't do this! My name is Gabriel, please come with me!"

He was right, I shouldn't let go, but I did and I blacked out!