CHAPTER TWELVE : AFTERMATH

Unedited. Will do soon. TQ

...

~Ten Years Ago~

"Grandma?"

"Yes sweetheart."

"Am I loved?

My grandma turn her body to me with a frown. She cup her waist while facing me lying on the small sofa at her work space.

"What kind of question is that?"

I shrugged. "Because I have no parents."

My grandmother shook her head and dropped whatever she was doing. She sat next to me and smile. Cupping my cheek and spoke softly. "Yes but it's not because you have been abandoned sweetheart. The good Lord took them away."

"Why did He take them away grandma?"

"To be honest sweetheart, I don't even know why He takes them away sweetheart."

"Was it because He wants my parents to be His parents?"

My grandma looks sad. I regret asking that.

"The good Lord is already a father himself, sweetheart. I don't think He would need my daughter or your father to be His parents."

She took a deep breath, exhale and continued.

"But one thing I know for sure is that, the Heaven's gate only open to those with  good hearts, sweetheart. Your mom and ...dad must be there because they have a good heart. Now that they are with the good Lord, I'm sure He is taking great care of your parents and made sure they are safe, loved and at peace."

I nodded. Smiling at what she say as my hand play around with my doll. A though ran in my head so I put the doll down, kneel on the couch and spoke to my grandma.

"You know what, grandma. I think I know why God took them away, grandma."

She tilted her head, puzzled and I continue.

"So I will only have to share my love with you, grandma."

My grandma laughed. And shook the top of my head.

"Is that so? Well, you mind telling an ol' lady like me how big is that love you only keep for me sweetheart ?"

I stretched my hand as wide as my small body could and turn to her with a wife grin.

"This big. As big as the world beyond the stars at night."

My grandma hugged me and chuckled.

"Oh, I sure feel the love already."

Another thoughts run through my head and I ask my precious grandma again.

"Grandma?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Will I see them again, grandma?" My voice was soft - it sounded hopeful.

"Of course you will, sweetheart. If you promise to be kind and have nothing but love and good intention in your hearts, I'm sure gates of Heaven will be open for you as well but know this, your time to meet him is very long, sweetheart."

"How long?"

"Well, until you're as old as me or older. Unlike me, you will grow and learn and be free to do or be anything you want. You will travel the world, meet new friends, fall in love and having the greatest adventure of your life before you go, sweetheart. We will all die one day but no matter what happens, always live the life you wish to remember and do it with no regrets."

I place my tiny hand on my grandma's wrinkled, warm and softest palm.

"Will you do it with me, grandma? I don't know if I want to do it all alone."

My grandma begin to smile sadly and caressed my cheek.

"I will always be with you, sweetheart. If not here than right here."

Pointing to my left chest.  "In your hearts. All because you are loved beyond anything in this world."

"I love you so much, grandma."

"And I love you will all my heart my precious Lilibeth."

...

It's funny how the world gave you so much and without giving you a warning, take them all away in a blink of an eye.

No warnings.

No heads up whatsoever.

Just takes them and leave you dry. It's like putting a band aid on a wound just to rip them open because happiness, joy and even relief is only temporary.

I lay on my grandma's bed. Holding her pillow under my breath as I hugged it to my chest. Wetting the top part with my tears. I have stopped sobbing and yelling. It was already evening, 7 hours after burying my grandmother who was the only family member I have.

I have no one now.

I feel so lonely and for once, I thought to my self.

Was this how all the Dolls feel when abandoned or orphaned?

I hate it.

I hate the feeling.

I am free now but for what?

My birthday which is tomorrow is nothing but an empty day for me because I have jo one to celebrate it with.

I will be all alone at the Monastery and all the bags I need have been packed and placed by the wall.

I feel useless and a little blur.

What am I going to do now?

I heard a knock on the door and I ignore it. Even when the door opens and made a creaking sound I ignored it because I k ow it must be another Dolls coming here to give me their condolences.

I was wrong.

" I'm so sorry it has to be this way, Lilibeth."

I immediately sat up with my eyes wide open.

Aryan was standing near the door and when he close it, I heat the door clicks. He had locked it.

" What are you doing here?" I ask him. My voice betrays me with how shaky it sounds but it was all due to my crying earlier.

For once in my life, I felt threatened and scared. My grandma is not around to protect me from this man and all he did was stand 2 metres away from me.

The door clicking made my heart drops.

Aryan looks apologetic. He wore a black shirt and black pants. His blond hair was combed back at it usually is and his mask was black. Making his blue eyes and dark red lips prominent.

Handsome man he was but, I know how dangerous he is behind his fancy get up.

He walks closer to my grandmother's bed and I immediately stand up. Holding the bed posters and keep my gaze on him the whole time.

He notice my discomfort and stops. Smiling sadly, he spoke to me.

"I only came to check up on you, Lilibeth. I understand this must be hard on you for losing your grandmother. I assure eyou that you are not alone. I am here if you ever need me."

"T.. thank you. I ugh... I just want to be left alone. To mourn."

He nodded and walk up to my luggage. " I understand. Take all the time that you need. I will carry this bag to our room. All you sewing mat_"

" Our. Room?" I asked. Froze to my feet and felt chills down ny back.

He turned to look at me. Dropping his hand from one of the small bag and smiled. It didn't look sad anymore.

" Why, yes. Our room. You are mine and I only want what's best for my Dolls. I mean, my future wife."

"Grandma paid your debt. I am free." I replied with anger. Still keeping ny calm but my hand itched to slap him.

He gave a long sighed and walk up to me.

" And who says that to you?"

"My grandma."

"Then she lie."

"My grandmother is not a liar!"

I snapped at him. I never done that before.

Not to anyone but Aryan stepped the line when he insult my grandmother for being a liar.

Aryan's gaze at mine was so intense. I wasn't sure if he was angry or if it was his normal poker face. His eyes trained at me so angrily and he walk up to me. Getting closer with every step but I stand my ground.

My grandmother would never lie to me.

She told me I was free. We both are so I refuse to let this man lie to me.

" Your debt to me and this House still exist. Your precious grandmother has not pay me for your freedom. Tell me, how did she say she paid me $150, 000?"

What?

"That much?"

He finally smiled. " Yes dear. That's the remaining of your debt with your grandmother in total. You do not think all the luxury I prepared for you is free, don't you?"

"We worked for our place here. The dresses_"

"The dresses worth shit and as pretty as you may made them, it does not pay for your time here. I told her before. Everyday you are here, the price increases. How do you think your grandmother can pay at all? You don't even have any proof of pay do you?"

Fiend.

How do I not see this?

No one has ever leave this place. Why would I be any different?

" What is wrong with you? You know the truth. You and I both know my grandmother is not a liar. She would do anything in her power to get me out of this place. She knows you."

"And what am I?" Aryan face morph into a scary one. Angry and seconds from exploding.

"A monster."

His body looks like it was frozen solid. Chest pumps lightly from his slowly breathing but I noticed how it intensify and I'm scared.

I began to walk to my luggage and about to pick up my bag when I felt a strong pull from my arm.

I winced from the pain and turned to a furious gaze of Aryan right at my face.

His mask only an inch away from me while his breath feathers my skin. He smelt good but once know most predators use this to its advantage to lure their prey and she refuse to be one of it.

"Where the fuck you think you're going?"

" Away from here. Away from you. "

"I don't take no for an answer, Lilibeth. You are mine and that's final. No one will stop me from getting what I want."

I shook my head.  Looking a t him with disgust as I spat the word with so much hate. " I will never be yours. I rather die."

I almost regret the word fro in a blink of an eye, all hell breaks loose. Starting from the tear of my tops which currently lays on the ground, accompanied with my scream of terror.