I sat at the edge of the bed with me hands shaking. Pressing my palms against each other, i tried to control the shiver of my fingers.
My knuckles, where Karl Thompson had grip me are indeed bruised. The one flaw of my flawless pale skin was that it is easy to bruise. And tonight, i have sported four different bruises already.My lower lip where Karl bit me was blood red. He didn't break the skin but he did manage to cause enough damages that I'm sure will be left in my lip for a week or two.Everything about tonight was sickening. After that gentle kiss turned into a punishment, i had to suffer the reception of the wedding. The men congratulated Karl for his win in getting me as a bride while the women looked at me with pity. Some said it will be over soon while other told me not to fight him, fighting makes it worse.My mother, to my shock kept her distance from me. She didn't glow under the attention of people and pretend to be in a happy marriage as she always does. She kept to one corner, only talking with some of the wives and didn't even bother to see me off.My father on the other hand was different. He was glowing with the attention he was getting from the rich folks in their circle.The Thompson, Karl's Father, Mother, Grandmother and three siblings were all there, shaking hands with my father and congratulating Karl while ignoring my mere existence.I don't mind being ignored at home. The more ignore me, the less unease i am. I collected the attention i couldn't get from the outside world. I lived in the light whenever I'm away from my family. Being a bully was one of the few ways i used to get the attention and affection i yearned for but couldn't get from my family.But tonight had been different. They weren't just ignoring me, they were showing me what my life would be in the near future.Karl had refused to let my hand go, squeezing his grip tighter whenever i tried to move away from him. I wasn't allowed to leave his side yet i was also being treated as if i was nothing more than air.Then, i was pulled to have the first dance with my husband. He still held my hand in a punishing grip while he slid his arms around my waist to hold me close. I had my other hand barely touch his shoulder as he swayed me with the music.Everything about him screamed dangerous. He scared the living hell out of me. And with how tall and muscular he was, i was sure i wouldn't make it past this night.I kept my gaze planted on his chest even though i felt his burning a hole in my head. My throat was still tight as i was sharing my first dance with him.He doesn't say a word, which i was thankful for as I couldn't trust my voice to speak.The pain in my hand was bringing tears to my eyes, tears i was fighting hard to stop from breaking free.As soon as the first song was done, i stepped back from him only to feel his grip on my hands again. Before i could even whimper, my father stepped closer and asked to dance.From the outside, he looks like a happy man that was proud of his daughter. But i know that deep down, he was proud of himself for making sure i didn't have a life good enough to take me away from the family. That way, he sold me off and got a big bone as a prize.As my father and i danced, he kept his eyes trained on the Thompson family."You listen to me, Lucy." He whispered low, making sure he doesn't move his lips too much so no one could read what he was saying."You do everything that family wants you to do. They are a very important asset to our family. Don't you dare mess this up, Lucy."After his warning, he pulled away and marched me back to the Thompsons. As soon as they see me approach with my father, their conversation dies down and insecurities rolled around my body as i wondered if they were talking about me.I hate this. But...I deserve it.Karl had once again taken ahold of my hand as if it was a leash strapped around a dog's neck. Swallowing past the giant lump in my throat, i had went through the rest of the night by Karl's side.***
An now, i sat on the bed, waiting for Karl to come out of he bathroom, waiting for my next torture to begin.Is this how everyone felt when i was bullying them?I never went to the extent of getting physical with a person before as my words and a few ripped books of destroyed bags were enough to satisfy my twisted need of attention. But, did they still feel this scared to see me? To be near me? To even see my shadow loom over them?I deserve this.When the water in the shower stopped running, my heart skipped a beat. In few seconds, Karl would be out and i would be facing more humiliation that i have ever known.Fighting against my shivering body, i tried to sit still and await my punishment. I don't know why i keep calling it punishment but the way Kal was looking at me felt like he indeed wanted to punish me for something, as if i had personally done something to him.The hate in his eyes were clear to see and the need to see me hurt shone even more. He could easily break me if he wanted to and I don't expect less.The door of the bathroom slammed open and i looked up to see Karl glaring at me with his pale blue eyes. His glare looked so effortless, as if he wore it everyday.Drying his wet, silver blond hair with a towel, he moved over to the walk-in-closet and disappeared again. Seconds later, he came back wearing only pajama pants and nothing else. From the corner of my eyes, i can see that mose of his upper body was covered with tattoos and he was wearing a glittery, silver necklace with a the capital letter 'T' on it.I averted my gaze and looked down at my bruised hand when he walked over to me.Dropping the towel he dried his hair with next to me on the bed, Karl snatched my hand and looked at the bruise it was forming. Admiring his handy work, i saw darkness flash across his eyes and i quickly looked down to avoid the heated death glare.But he doesn't let me escape.Karl placed a single finger under my chin and raised my head up. His eyes gazed over my teary eyes and then down my lips. His thumb brushed against my lower lip right were he bit me and i couldn't help but winch at the pain.Watching the anger in his eyes was scaring me, so i looked down at his chest. The silver necklace shone against his skin, showing off his family name around his neck.Before i could even register what was happening, Karl let go of my chin and stepped back from me. I looked down at his bear foot, waiting for him to do what he wanted to.To my surprise, he walked away from me, rounded the large bed, and sat at he other side with his back to me. After a few minutes of silence, i saw him lift the covers and slid under them. Living the cover just below his abdomen, he laid back with his hands pillowed under his head and closed his eyes.He didn't say a work or told me what to do. So, still in my wedding dress, i sat still on the edge of the bed and waited for him to tell me what to do. I didn't move a single muscle, fearing that I'd anger him by doing something i wasn't supposed to do.Seconds turned into minutes, which turned into three hours. At this point, my back hurts from sitting in the same position without moving and the pain in my lower lip got worse."Your clothes are in the closet."His voice made me jump and i turn around to see that he was still awake and looking at me like i had grown three heads. His cold glare was still in place, but he also looked... Confused.With out wasting another minute, i nodded my head and got off the bed. Walking up to the closet, i could still feel his eyes on me as i walked in through the doors.The closet looked like a store filled with different brand suits and luxury. And at the very corner of the large closet, lay a familiar suitcase. Looking around the closet, i realized that none of my clothes were hung. Assuming my suitcase was my closet, i walkd over and opened it.Indeed, my clothes were folded in the suitcase. Pulling out a night pajamas i love so much, i closed the suitcase and walked out the closet.Karl was still awake and had his eyes trained on me like a hawk. Without looking at him, i walked over to the bathroom and closed the door softly.Leaning against the bathroom door, i sighed before walking over to the mirror. My reflection made me sad. It's day one and i already look like i'v been through hell and back for an entire decade.Placing my clothes down on the counter, i took off my wedding dress. The white fabric slid off my body and exposed my pale shoulder pained with deep blue bruises from where my father held me. My eyes landed my my lips and i leaned closer to the mirror to see the damages done.My lower lip was a little swollen and looked like it was painted red. Pressing the tip of my finger at the wound, i hissed at the pain.The night was horrible and the pain only reminded me that there was more to come. The tears i fought against finally break dam and slipped down my cheeks.It doesn't take long for my face to turn red as a tomato. I tired to cover my lips and block the sob bubbling up my throat.I deserve itThe previous night was unbearable and i barely slept.Feeling Karl turn and twist in his sleep to get comfortable, hearing his soft snore and his breath in all made me stiff the entire night. I was too scared to move, thinking i might accidently wake him up. Every time he moved, i would tense, fearing he was going to grab and hurt me. But the night went on without him waking up even once.When the sun was about to come out, my eyes got heavier and sleep took me, only to be startled away by the blaring of an alarm i didn't set.Turning around, i saw Karl shut the alarm off and sat up straight. I turned back around, hoping he doesn't realize that i was awake.I can feel Karl moving his body around on the bed, probably stretching and then for a good of five minutes, he stopped all movement and just sat there.For some reason, it felt like he was watching me. Refusing to move a single muscle, i laid still and waited for him to leave.Soon enough, Karl left the bed for the bathroom. Takin
My hands shook as i sat at the dinning table with all the Thompsons present. Karl was sitting next to me and beside him was his sister June- who was two years younger than him- and next to her was his seconds sister April.Zeus- the forth child born after April- sat across from me and next to him was, Kaily- the baby of the Thompson children. From what my father had told me, Karl is the eldest of the Thompsons, followed by June, then April, Then Zeus and finally Kaily. All the Thompson children were born two years apart from the first.At the head of the table, Candis Thompson- Karl's grand mother- sat with her shoulders squared and her chin up. The two seats on either side of Candis, were taken by Karl's mother and father, Suzen Thompson and Marlen Thompson.The dining room is quite, tense even. I can feel their eyes on me. Pressing my palms flat against each other, i tried to gain control of my muscles. But it was impossible. The amount of fear and panic i felt when i saw Karl's f
Laying awake for the third night a row since before my wedding day, i felt sick and exhausted.Karl, just like last night, is sleeping like a damn baby while i lay stiff to make sure he says asleep.After the long and awkward ride home, Karl had disappeared into his home office and didn't come out until it was ten at night. As soon as he was out of the office, he immediately took a shower and went to sleep.The events of today had shocked me. From the moment he had raised his hands, i knew he would not hold back to land his fist on my face if i push him. Even though i have absolutely no idea why he got so angry with me for talking to his little sister, he seemed as if i had been torturing her, which i wasn't.My stomach growled in the silent room and i flinched. Holding my breath, i made sure to say still just to make sure that i hadn't disturbed him. When i heard no different noise other than his soft snore, i looked over my shoulder to see that he was still in a deep sleep.Thanking
The next morning, i woke up in the closet with a soar neck and an upset stomach.Glancing down at my lap, i see my drawing book resting with the cover shut. Looking around my surroundings, i felt so out of place. Even though i do best around fashion, this closet made me feel like i don't even deserve to be here.Placing the drawing book back in the suitcase, i piled my clothes over it before i zipped it up. With a final sigh, i got to my feet and stretched my arms above my head, hoping to loosen the stiff muscles.After failing to relax myself, i walked out of the walk in closet to see Karl drying his hair. He glances over to me for a brief second before he returns his gaze away from me.Seeing his bruised knuckles, i contemplated whether or not i should speak to him. I honestly don't want to anger him or even draw his attention for a split second.But staying the entire day in this place would drive me crazy and i also miss work. As weird as it sound coming from me, i have actually l
Staring down at my wedding ring, i felt lost. Too lost that i didn't even here my boss Shawn Davis- who is the CEO of this company since six ago- walk up to me."Miss Chaw?" Shawn's voice startled me awake from the daze i was in and i looked up at him to see that he was watching me with confusion. "I though you had the week off."I stood up from my chair to be polite before i nodded my head."I did, but I think it will be best if i work." My boss nods his head before he looked at his office door."Well, i guess you can start by getting me some coffee." He commented before he gave me a brief and professional smile and walked into his office.Walking over to the break room, i remembered how i almost lost my job for messing with his wife, who was his employee at the time.I had blamed an injury on her and reported her to human resources because she had report mw to HR for bullying her at work. It was supposed to be a way to show her than HR can't do anything about it. But my father had
I sat in my usual table near the back of Brownies. The place was packed, as usual, mostly because it's lunch rush but also because brownie makes some mean ass food.Glancing through the menu, i waited for someone to waite on me. It might be a while before i can get a waiter, so , knowing what i was going to order, i set the menu to the side and pulled out the new magazine i bought from the book store next door and opened the fashion page.The magazine is from MWD- Magazine weekly delight- and i feel like they are on of the best magazine company in the city because their items are really highlighted.Flicking through the pages, i stopped at the one that showcased a very tall supermodel wearing a black skin tight dress that is completely see-through. The model is wearing black underwear underneath the see-through dress. The black fabric sticks to the models skin and runs down to her ankle and is also full sleeved. The dark skinned model pulls off the look while she pushed her hips out
The week passed by in a blink of an eye and the day i have been dreading is finally here. Sunday.In the last couple of days, Karl and I have some how got ourself a little routine. I wake up every morning and make both of us breakfast while he showers and gets ready for work. Then, he comes down, looks at the plate i make for him, scoff at me and make his own coffee before he walks into the sitting room and read his newspaper. At least he didn't throw the plates at me so that's a change.Then, I'd rush to the bathroom and get myself ready. Afterwards, a forty-five minute silent and awkward ride to work with Karl ends our morning routine.At night, he would come late and wouldn't even bother to come to the dining room and because he comes in late, and sometimes even stays the night out, I don't bother to make dinner. I had to settle fo dry toast ever night because our fridge is pretty much a deserted island.When Karl does make it home, he take a short shower, changes into his sweats a
After lunch and a very flustered guards who appreciated my cooking, i was doing the dishes when Karl walked down the stairs with the tray in his hands.For a split second, i was scared that he didn't eat the food or worse, he was about to throw it at me. But to my surprise, Karl placed the empty dish in the soupy water before he stared down at me. The movement of my hands stopped as i waited for him to say something. After a shot seconds of silence, Karl reached out to open the cabinet above my head to reveal the morning cereals i bought.His large figure loomed over mine from behind me and his tick arms hang above my left shoulder. I can feel his calm breath fanning my head as he closed the cabinet and opened the cup board that was next to my right hip.I stood stiff as he assessed every cupboard around us with his body still very close to mine. Karl then proceeded to move over to the fridge and opened it up to see that it was fully stocked. He stared at ever lever of the fridge bef