Isabelle's image of her naked body lying on top of her cousin's was projected for the whole family to look at.
"She forced herself on me." Her cousin Sam's voice broke as he uttered, pointing shakily at Isabelle.
'Wh-at?" Stuttered Isabelle, her throat closing up on her. Her face was hidden by her hair in the photo, but you could tell it was really her. She didn't remember ever stripping or doing anything sexual with her cousin.
"Don't even try to deny it; we can all see it!" Sam's father banged his fists onto the table, holding Isabelle's wide eyes.
"I-I...no." She fumbled with words, her mind and tongue betraying her when she needed them the most. Her hands shook, she lost grip, and the glass in her hand fell in front of her feet. Her mind stuttered while her systems paused, trying to comprehend what she was seeing. Her thoughts tried to catch up, to make a sensible connection of the image displayed.
"How could you Isabelle? How the fuck could you do something like that?" She didn't know who asked the question; all she saw were blurred images. She remained rooted to the ground while her mouth opened and closed without letting any word out.
"I-I...I don't remember doing that." She finally managed to force the words out in a stutter.
"You mean you don't remember attending Morgan's party?" Sam raised an eyebrow. They had attended a party days before the get-together at her and Sam's mutual friend.
"Well, let me remind you then." Sam smiled maniacally.
"You claimed you saw a spider in the guest room and wanted me to go kill it so you could rest up. Like the good cousin I am, I followed you, and unbeknownst to me, you had a syringe full of a sedative and Viagra. You lied that the spider was behind the door, and when I leaned to look, you stabbed my neck with the needle. The rest is pretty self-explanatory, as you can see." Her eyes burned up, and her mind jumbled with thoughts as she tried collecting memories from that night.
She had woken up the next day with the memories of that night filled with gaps. She had assumed it was because she was pretty drunk. But she couldn't remember going anywhere with Sam that night.
"No, no, no." She shook her head, swallowing saliva past the lump in her throat.
"You dragged me beside the bed and abused me, without knowing that there was a CCTV inside that room. You should be lucky that I haven't handed the tape to the police, because if I did. You would be looking at a minimum sentence of 25 years." The man spoke with no remorse, winking at the shivering girl when the others weren't looking.
"You're lying." She whispered, her lips trembling. A silence followed as the present family members looked at the scene unfold. She sought for her mother, but she wouldn't even look back at her. Her head was hung, face buried into her hands as her shoulders shook.
"Am I?" Sam smirked, pressing a button on the remote that revealed another picture of her on the projector.
Why can't I remember? Isabelle thought, swallowing saliva thickly to soothe her tingling throat.
"Sam please stop." With the little energy she had, she ran to her cousin and fell at his feet.
"I wish I hadn't believed your little facade." He lowered his voice, his lips curling upward.
"P-lease switch it off." She begged, clutching at his feet. She couldn't believe she had been reduced to a good for nothing woman. She had seen the contempt on everyone's faces, the disgust as they frowned at her.
"'I will." He smirked evilly, kicking her hands away from his feet. "After they all see your true colors," He pointed at Isabelle and proceeded to press another button, moving on to the next picture. At that point, none of the people present looked at the big projector. They were looking at Isabelle embarrass herself further.
"Remember how I complained last time we got together that Isabelle was making advances at me and you brushed me off?" Sam turned to Isabelle's parents, staring at her mother particularly. Isabelle didn't like where her cousin was steering the conversation. He licked his lips while he rubbed his hands together.
"Do you believe me now?" Sam smiled victoriously. For someone who had allegedly been sexually abused, he awfully seemed to be enjoying it all.
"Do you see that I had been right all along?" She wouldn't admit it, but I always caught her glancing inappropriately at me." Sam stated, spreading his arms as if he were enjoying the confusion on everyone's faces.
"You know, I'd never think that way about you. For goodness sake, we are cousins!" Belle threw her hands in the air, hoping that her older cousin would drop the game he was trying to force everyone into playing. She wasn't about to go down without trying to prove her innocence.
"It's too late for your convincing tongue, or... are you worried that your parents will disown you after this?" Sam mocked.
Isabelle dragged herself up and shakily turned to head towards the backdoor. She needed to recollect herself before she crumpled down in front of everyone.
"Not so fast, Belle." She scowled at the nickname Sam used. She hated when he called her that; he wouldn't stop despite her forbidding him countless times. She ignored him, heading towards the backdoor in short and fast strides. She wished she had just stayed at her apartment, watching comedies and filling her stomach with snacks.
Before she could step her feet on the door step, she heard a clank, a few curses, and her name being shouted. "Isabelle Blue!"
Her father's voice boomed in the open area, making her whip her head so fast that she almost broke her neck. He stood at the foot of the table, his chair knocked down and pieces of his broken dinner plate scattered on the table. The older man's face turned red, his shoulders rising and falling.
"What the fuck are all these?" He sneered, revealing his upper teeth. Isabelle closed her eyes and allowed her shaken-up brain to work. She knew there and then that she was being set up. Only one question ran through her mind at the moment, though.
Had Sam forced himself on her?
Chapter 2Isabelle felt her throat tightening around her, allowing little air to pass through. Her lungs burned, while her feet failed to obey her command to run. She wanted to get out of there and go straight to the hospital to get checked. Her mind failed to make connections of the events that night. The more she probed, the more the contents inside her head became a jumbled mess.She could hear whispers around her but she couldn't make out the words clearly. Her father's booming voice however surpassed the rest, she felt every venomous vibration as he roared. "You are a disgrace to this family! "Every mumble quieted down as the older man approached his daughter in long strides. His shoulders were squared, hands balled into tight fists, while his chest rose rapidly. She couldn't control the tremor that overtook her. ' I didn't do it, please believe me. 'Isabelle felt wetness on her cheeks past the confines of her eyelids. A stickiness she couldn't wipe off, was left by the salty l
'Please pick up, please please. ' Isabelle mumbled in a scratchy voice, one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding her phone to her ear. She had been trying to call her boyfriend Dylan countless times. Each time her calls went unanswered. She just didn't want to be alone after what had transpired at her uncle's place.'Aaargh fuck! ' She dropped the phone on her lap, gritting her teeth. She knew Dylan's shift at the bakery was over, so she couldn't think of any reason why he wouldn't respond. She was speeding down the highway, heading to his place. Isabelle could feel the shattered pieces of her heart, breaking further the more she thought of the situation.It wasn't long before she got to his apartment. Knocking on his door while shuffling on her feet, Isabelle waited but no response was given. She banged again, grimacing when pain shot up on her right hand up to her elbow. The image of her father kicking her hand when she grasped his leg popped up. She squeezed her eyes sh
'You did what? ' Christian scrunched up his face when one of his close friends and co-worker shrieked.'Could you at least lower your voice Sean. ' Said Christian.'After what you just said, god no! I want to know what exactly happened. ' Sean crossed his legs and leaned on the leather chair opposite Christian. The two were in Christian's office, chatting away during lunch break. Christian had mentioned having sex the previous night with a stranger at the pack.'You like gossip...' Chuckled Christian. His friend pinned a playful glare on him, tapping his palms on his thigh as he waited for the man to talk.Christian sighed, knowing that his friend wouldn't give up. "I was at the pack, routinely like I always am after dinner. While I was just chilling enjoying the cool breeze, I spotted a young woman from a far. " He paused, remembering how her gut wrenching sobs had brought out a part of him he thought he had buried for years."She was a crying mess men, I am telling you whatever had
Isabelle was coiled up in her red velvet couch, staring at her phone for almost half an hour. The screen would light up during an incoming call, then it would go black once the call ended. She would recognize the number from anywhere, she wondered why she hadn't blocked her cheating boyfriend yet. Her laptop was on top of the coffee table, the words how to deal with stress and betrayal written on the search bar.Realization had since sank in, that only a lover and a parent could wound so deep, cutting to the very crux. Where there was once peace was total emptiness, an isolation coupled with a barricade between her and her family. She had whispered a million why(s) and if(s) but she remained with no answer except for her parents didn't love her like they claimed. She concluded that Dylan and Tiffany had always been fake and mean-spirited.She got up, ignoring her phone once again. Her chapped lips stretched into a small smile across her hideous looking face, when she felt a sweet pain
Isabelle sat still on the black and brown leather seat, striving to push the urge to squirm back to it's confines. She battled with her eyes to remain focused ahead even though she desired to look at Christian from her peripheral vision. Christian observed her stiff posture, her alluring throat as she forcefully swallowed saliva. His eyes went down further to her plain maroon blouse that was tucked neatly under her skirt.The material left just a small cleavage to pique his curiosity. Isabelle felt his eyes on her and she lost her struggle. She shifted on her seat, grimacing when her lower back ached. She hadn't slept for two days, it was by chance that she had no bags under her eyes. The brief scowl on her face didn't go unnoticed by Christian."Relax. " The man stated, focusing his sight back on the busy road."Huh? " Isabelle concentration was elsewhere, her eyes couldn't waver from his hands as they gripped the steering wheel. The sleeves of his button up navy blue shirt were fold
"Welcome to your new home. " Isabelle couldn't begin imagining leaving under the same room with Christian. The man had so much power over her despite the short time they had known each other. What could go wrong anyway? She would be working, she needed to only go through his file and get an idea of what she would be handling. "Thank you. " She whispered. Her voice was still hoarse given the crying she had had. She still felt guilty about creating a mess on Christian's blue shirt. He however insisted that it was just a piece of fabric. Like a gentleman, Christian opened the door for her, spreading his palm for her to take. Isabelle eyes went wide, she thought she was at a fictional place."What the f..." She trailed off, eyes glued on the vast, slick unique house. She was witnessing the finest architecture on a private residence. "This is simply magnificent. " She breathed out, looking around at the masterpiece. Isabelle pulled her hand out of his and took a step back. Questions began
"You had one job, Carol, one fucking job! " Christian's voice boomed in his office, his burning eyes pinned on his one week old secretary."Sir, I called you countless times..." The woman trailed off when her boss lifted his right hand up, signalling her to shut up. Christian breaths were coming out in short puffs, his tense shoulders going up and down with every forceful breath."Shut the fuck up stupid woman! What did I say about dealing with my clients? " Carol hang her head."Answer me! " She flinched at the loud voice that reverberated in the enclosed space of work."That I should never strike any deals with them in your absence or Sean's. " Carol's low voice never shook as she answered despite a cold sweat that had began forming on her forehead."This is her first mistake since she started working here. " Sean who had been quietly observing the scene chimed in. Christian ignored him and turned to his secretary. He gave her a once over, grinding his teeth for what her stupid mist
Isabelle wasn't sure she wanted Christian to find out where she lived. In her four years of studying at the Weston East University, Isabelle never brought friends to her studio apartment except for Tiffany and Dylan. To her, the house was more than a place to sleep, it was her safe haven. Somewhere she could wallow, relax on her own without any disturbances."Uum you can drop me off at the hospital, I need my car. " She stated when Christian asked for directions to her house."I will have someone drive your car to my place. " Isabelle bit down a scoff."No, it's too much work for you. Plus you are supposed to be at work, your phone hasn't stopped ringing." Isabelle insisted, praying that he would just take the hint that she wasn't comfortable with him going there."I am beginning to think that you just don't want me to see where you live. " Chris deadpanned."Look, I know we barely know each other. But I think I deserve some benefit of doubt considering the fact that I didn't hurt yo