CHAPTER SEVEN

Once again, she returned to the Taim's mansion.

Alighting the vehicle, she had her hand on her chest, as if trying to hold her heart in place, for some days she lacked peace, overthinking even the slightest detail of anything that came on her mind.

Of course she couldn't help it, she was worried, she only wanted the best; peace, happiness and freedom.

The evening breeze was cool, blowing smoothly, against her skin.

She had prepared her emotion for whatever was to come and now she would face it.

"Good evening Mrs. Taim", she greeted her mother in law as she entered the mansion.

Mrs. Taim did not reply her, instead she waved Briggs over.

Joan's mind betrayed her this instant as goosebumps formed on her skin.

"was Briggs asked to spy on her or it was only to pick her up? If Damien sent him then why would his mother call Briggs?, is Briggs going to report that he met me kissing Rami?, how do I explain that I never consented to it?", her eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other, looking for only Heavens knows what, her heart began to beat rapidly as she panicked.

Her fist clenched, as her heart grew heavy, she rushes up the stairs to her room.

Immediately she shut the door behind her, a tear roll down her cheek as she slumped into the bed.

"Lord…what have I done?, why do I have to be punished this way?, why do I have to suffer?, why can't I live a normal life like everyone else?, I only want peace and freedom, I want to be happy" She sobbed holding her pillow constricting her screams as her tears slowly soaked her pillow. 

She only wanted to be happy, she never opted for the billoniare lifestyle and it's troubles.

But here she was, with no other option, she was paying the price for freedom, but still she didn't feel free, she had no one to run to, it seemed as if the whole world had turn its back on her.

She had no say, she couldn't make the decision she had no choice.

years ago, men in black suits would come to pick her where she played with the other kids in the town's playground.

She would hold unto her her mother's dress tightly, but the men were stronger, she recalled how her mom ran after the car helplessly crying for her while Joan stood at the backseat, watching her mother cry.

Ever since she can remember, she lacked the peace and happiness, she does not know what to do, she doesn't know how to change this story.

But fate will surely play it's role she thought, she lay on her back, facing the ceiling, the dark theme of the room seemed to mock her and pull her down even more.

Black rain fell through her eyes as her mascara washed off with tears, at this point she regretted accepting the contract.

It was harder than she had taught, she couldn't back down now.

"I just want peace, is it too much to ask", she asked herself, in a whisper, her voice shaky, her tears kept streaming down her cheeks as she had held them back for long.

Suddenly, She lets out a scream, dragging off the bed cover and sheets venting her anger on the bed.

But then she froze at the sound of a knock on the door.

"Oh no!, Oh my Goodness!, don't tell me Damien is back already ", her eyes grew large, like they we're going to pop out of her sockets she held unto her burning cheek like it was going to control her temperature, which had risen drastically and made her face red.

"oh no!", she jumped off the bed rushing to the dressing table, she knew she was going to look bad but her reflection was even worse than she expected, "oh my goodness!", panic surged through her.

Of course she doesn't like to be seen crying, "I'm strong, I'm independent, I'm beautiful", she affirmed, wiping her eyes with the back of her palm as she rushed to the restroom.

The knock came again.

"Hold on, I'm coming" She replied as she quickly splashed water on her face.

"No one should see me cry, it's a shame, they wouldn't even understand how I feel after-all", she said to herself, her lip pressed tightly in a thin emotionless smile as she opened the door.

"Good evening madam, Mrs. Ivan sends for you please", the maid passed the information with a bow as she walked away almost immediately.

"Argh", Joan scoffed, rolling her eyes. 

She hadn't gotten out of her dance outfit yet.

She walks up to the mirror once again, resting her weight on the table before her, she leaned in staring at her reflection.

Suddenly she broke into a loud laughter and then twirled, leaping from all corners of the room as she let the evening breeze hit her skin.

"My happiness depend on me, i can't let these people make me feel bad, Mrs Ivan wants to see me, then why should I be scared?, I have prepared for this and i am ready for what ever is to come, you!, the most beautiful", she affirmed again, pointing a finger towards the mirror as she let out a loud laugh once again.

Her eyes were still red and puffed from crying.

She turned off the light, allowing only the dim light of the evening illuminate the room.

Staring at her reflection on the mirror, she slowly stretched her hands to her back, reaching for the zipper of her dress and let the dress slide off her curve, her bra lifting her breasts firmly.

She sat, and tried hard to yank off her stocking which was stuck at her feet, but it wouldn't bulge, "fuck, don't try to piss me off now bitch!" She cursed, venting even more anger and panic as she tried to yank it off with added strength.

But then the door creaked open, Joan froze wide eyed.