Chapter 5

I met Arthur's eyes from where he stood, he looked tired if not exhausted. But I don't care about his expression or anything he felt with it.

"You must be having the time of your life seeing you gawk like that," I blurted and looked away. Before I could even register his actions, he'd rushed and grabbed my neck obviously furious.

"You should've shut the fucking door!" He seethed. His grip on my neck wasn't so tight, at least I could still breathe.

"Why? I'm your play thing, you almost sound like I have much more effect on you," I blurted and that made his grip tighter. He was now choking me as I gripped his hand trying to pull it off my neck to regain freedom but I couldn't.

"Shut the fuck up bitch! Before I teach your bitch ass a lesson you'd never forget!" He yelled and let me go. I coughed and gasped to regain balance and control. Bastard! He stood upright and tucked his hands in his trouser pants.

"Come downstairs for dinner." He said thickly and left the bathroom. "You have five minutes!" He added and left my room.

I sighed with relief and had to rest my head back on the rims. I closed my eyes and tried to control my anger but I knew better that this petty emotion boiling inside of me ought to be channeled to the right recipient. So fck Arthur and fck his stupid dinner!

I pulled up a short and a loose top from the already stacked and prepared wardrobe and then dried my hair. I looked at my reflection again in the mirror and I confirmed I didn't look so wasted. Then I dropped on the bed and covered myself with the large duvet, my eyes were heavy and that was my cue to call it a night.

I woke up to Arthur's furious entry into my bedroom and an exasperated Jordan trying to refrain him. Arthur quickly approached me and started off with deafening slaps to my face.

"I f*cking told you I wanted you downstairs and you dare disobey me!" Jordan came up to Arthur's side to stop him from hitting me but there's no calming a furious Arthur.

"Get the f*ck out Jordan.."

Jordan hesitated trying to find my face already masked with my messed up hair.

"Now!"

Jordan strolled out of the room banging the door after him.

Arthur grabbed my hair and cursed the hell out of me. I didn't even try to stop his beatings and assault. I was sure enough that he wouldn't kill me and his assault made me resolve it was a good strategy, beneficial to no one else but me. You would wanna ask how? I wasn't sure either but if it's to get rid of the tinniest of weakness left in me, then I'll gladly let him and make him realize his assaults won't ever change a thing.

"Less than 24 hours and you're already bitching my nerves!"

I got a couple more slaps and before I could process his next action, he tore away my clothes and began his sexual assault. I subscribed to numbness, I couldn't even shut my eyes the whole time, his rough touch felt like light grazes on my skin, thanks to my subscription. The only thing I felt come off of me are my tears which blurred my vision and soaked the sheets. Yes, these are coupling to be the seed for my revenge.

I dragged myself out of bed and approached the mirror, only to meet my disheveled reflection. My face was swollen and I could barely see through my puffy eyes, red marks accentuated my body and I must confess that this dude is an animal and heck, I've signed up for this.

I observed myself even more and I really look hideous. But I wouldn't even try to wear concealer. I'll grace them at the table for breakfast looking this way. I don't bloody care what they think.

I pulled on anything to cover up myself as I strolled down the stairs headed to the dining table. I spotted Jordan, Arthur, and a cute blonde girl at the dining, already digging in. Who said they'd wait for me to come down? Who cares whether or not they do. I was so hungry, I had skipped dinner last night and Arthur's messed me up. So figures.

They were chit chatting and laughed about something I didn't care to pay attention to. I just mumbled a good morning and served myself. As I ate, I felt a couple of eyes on me but I didn't care.

When I finished eating, I made my way back to the stairs. Jordan called out to me and I stopped on my tracks.

"Get dressed, we'll be going out in an hour." Arthur spoke. I peeked over my shoulder and saw an exasperated Jordan looking speechless and an arrogant Arthur munching on his food then much to the amusement of the blondie. I continued my trip back to my room.

I noticed my phone vibrate from my dressing table and it's a video call from Clara but I decided to settle for her real name, Stella. I sighed and hit the green button.

"Ana!"

I rolled my eyes when I saw her shocked expression. "What happened to your face? Who did that to you?"

"I could have fallen from the stairs you know.."

"Bullshit!"

"Then again, you know who I stay with." I said airily.

"Yes I do but.." she paused. "It's barely even a week!"

"Courtesy of the animal." I blurted.

"I didn't think he was so bad.." I eyed her. "Oh I actually know he's that bad."

"Just because I didn't present myself for dinner."

"What?"

"Yes but It's all good. I could just patch up with a little concealer.." I observed my face again in the mirror. "Or maybe just more than a little."

"I bet you'll be dead at this rate."

"Not before I take my revenge."

"What revenge?"

"Nevermind, can you do me a favor?" She looked away for a moment and brought her attention back at me again.

"Okay what's up?

"Find a person for me.."

Stella perked an eyebrow, "wait, do I look like a freaking detective?"

"You're the only one that can help me right now."

"Okay, who might that be?"

"Tara Williams." I blurted, I observed she expects me to give out more information. "Find her and I'll tell you."

"Wait, what? So no please..?" She scoffs. "Cold bitch!"

My lips curved into a smile as I hung up.

"Who's Tara Williams?" Arthur asked standing by the door. I stared indifferently at him.

"Think you know it's rude to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation."

"That didn't answer my question."

"Why should I? When it's no business of yours." I approached my wardrobe so that I can find something to change into.

Arthur came up behind me and tucked my hair behind my ear. "It seems you don't realize that everything about you is definitely my business." My ear tingled from the hotness of his breath.

"How so? Based on a flimsy contract?"

He scoffs, "you know nothing about the contract."

I turned to face him, "humor me."

He looks amused. "It is what it is, I own you."

A smirk tug at my lips. "Just a sly way to suit your ego but you cannot control me."

"Oh I sure as hell will.." he leaned in to whisper to my ears. "Even if it means you actually falling down those stairs." He caressed my cheek and walked away with a satisfied smirk.

I scoffed, smiled, then laughed until the echoes of my laughter filled the room.

"You fool."