CHAPTER 14

As much as I wanted this night to end, it wasn't having any of it. I was tired, fatigued, and extremely exhausted. I wanted to just lay down on my bed and just sleep it off and forget that any of this ever happened. I didn't wanted to be a part of it. Was it such a big crime, trying to know about yourself? Most of all, I was frustrated at this point, with the situation that I was in. If I'm being honest, it did make me more curious to know, what powers, I held. I have lived in the shadows. I have hid myself for as long as I can remember. Maybe It was time that I came out and stoop up for myself. It was a whirlwind of thoughts in my head when I reached my place.

Kane called out my name to get my attention..

"Elaara, we are here.." I looked at him for two seconds to get my focus back.

"Oh! Yes.... Thankyou so much for tonight. I really mean it.." I spoke thanking him from the bottom of my heart. I really did mean it.. I smiled at him as a genuine smile graced my lips.

"Don't even worry about it" He smiled back as he got out to open the door for me. Such a chivalrous guy. I got out and walked towards the entrance.

"Hey Elaara... " He called out as I was a few steps away. I turned to look at him and he asked..

"We are meeting tomorrow, right!" He called out. I nodded at him. He gave me that charming smile of his as he waited for me to enter the door. I heard him drive away as I entered the house.

"Where the hell were you?" A large voice boomed and with it came a slap that resonated through my entire skull. Tears brimmed my eyes as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. My face had turned with the impact and my hand was now holding the sore spot. I have had enough of this, I am no longer taking any beating from this man, my so called uncle. Gathering all of my courage, I spoke

"I needed some alone time to process that bomb that you exploded on me... I'm not a thing that you can sell away like that.." My voice was firm as I looked him straight in the eye. This was the first time I had spoken back to him. I needed to do this much for myself. He looked taken aback.

Regaining his composure, he grabbed me by my hair and dragged me towards the lounge. His pull was so strong and harsh and I knew he was going to take out all his anger on me.

"Stop, uncle" I shouted as I twisted beneath him to free myself from his hold. He was again taken aback by my moves.

"So this is what you have been doing hoarded in your room." He boomed as he took a few steps forward to lunge at me.

"ENOUGH!!! " Another commanding voice came as my uncle stoped his advances and spoke.

"But she nee-" he stopped whatever he was about to say with one look from this man whoever was sitting on the sofa. The back was towards me so I didn't even notice him sitting there. All of my step-siblings had gathered around as they looked in on the commotion. My step-aunt was sitting on the other sofa watching us as if she was watching an entertainment tv show.

"Her room?" He asked and this time he was calmer than before but his voice was still demanding as if no one could ever defy him.

"2nd floor, last door" My aunt spoke as he stood up. He was tall, his back muscular, his tuxedo giving him a lean and muscular look.

He walked towards the stairs and was up in 4 strides.

"Where the hell are you going?" I tried to go after him but was stopped by my uncle as he tugged at my arm. I hissed from the pain.

"You're going to face the concequences of this behaviour" He warned as he let go harshly. I stumbled towards the stairs. I somehow regained my balance and went up to my room only to see a complete mess of my room. He was in a corner going through my drawers.

" What the hell are you doing?" I asked filled with anger as I pulled his arm to face me. My words got caught in my throat as I saw who it was. He was the one that I had been thinking out. I wanted to know if he was alright? If he was safe?

"Aehannik, what? What--" I tried to ask him but he didn't look the same. He didn't meet my eyes as if he didn't even recognize who I was. Was it because of my attire? I spoke to him..

" What are you looking for?" I asked trying to get his attention. He looked me in the eye. His once strikingly blue eyes were now dull as if covered by a layer. He wasn't himself.

" Where is it?" He asked as he grabbed both my biceps with a tight grip and pulled me close. Tears welled in my eyes at his grip. Where was the man I met in the chambers? Is this the man my uncle had chosen for me?

"You're hurting me," I whimpered as a tear escaped my eye and slid through.

"Give it to me." He seethed slowly as he put more pressure, our noses almost grazing each other.

"I don't know what you are talking about..." I spoke again, what was he looking for? How can I help him, if I didn't know .

" Where's the damn book? " He spoke as he threw me on the bed and I fell hard. All of my body weight put on wrist, twisted and I screamed from the pain. He stopped for a second to look at me as something flashed in his eyes but he went back to searching. Why was he looking for the book? He didn't even care when I took it. Never asked me anything so why now? He opened the cupboard where I had hidden the book and went through the stuff, throwing everything out along the way. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair ruffling them in the process. He was a mess...

Something had happened, when he got caught. There must be some reason to this behaviour. I was disturbed by the sight in front of me. He cared for me. Our time together was precious but he wasn't the same man. He paced in my room for a few moments as I settled myself on the bed holding my wrist. There was no point fighting him. I couldn't reason with him even if I tried. He wasn't in his senses.

He turned around to look me straight in the eye.

" This is the last time, I am asking you so nicely." His eyes were like a hawk looking at its prey.

"I don't even know what you're talking about." I shrugged my shoulders. " I am not leaving without that book." He said and I just stared at him not knowing what else to do. I was feeling light headed. All that has happened in this short span, it had taken a toll on me.

My answer obviously didn't settle well with him as he turned and punched at the wall beside the cupboard. The power jab moved the cupboard. The impact of it was too strong. The safe was now peeking from behind the cupboard and I knew this was the end of it all and he will discover it soon enough. What was it that they were trying to hide so badly? Something they didn't wanted me to know...

As if on cue, he turned around only to be met by my heartly possession. The safe had all the journals of my father, the book that I had stolen, my mother's pendant and all those things that were dear to me. This safe was my life line. I had built it myself so that nobody could take away what was mine. At this moment. I could feel everything slipping away from me.

Once he noticed the safe, he punched it hard to crack it open, knowing I wouldn't give him the passcode. He opened it to found the book he so dearly wanted.

As the book came into his possession, he walked towards me and sat on the bed. I looked at him intently trying my best not to cower away from him.

"Why would you let yourself be hurt, just for a book, some pages?" He murmured as he placed his hand on the wrist that I was holding. I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me. He looked me in the eye as he asked me. There was something about him that always captivated me. I wasn't sure what this feeling was..

" You wouldn't understand... Even if I tried." I spoke barely a whisper. He stared at me for a few seconds before he went up and out of the door not before murmuring those words.

"See you soon, Fiance'. "

I left the strings that I was holding onto and let myself succumb to the darkness that was holding me in.