Chapter five - abused

I woke up once again to the blaring of the alarm on my bedside, but I slammed it off when I got up and dragged myself into the shower.

Today is Sunday, so I don't have to go to work. Last night memories flashed before me as I cleaned up, and I pondered on it.

I'm sure the woman mistook me for someone else, or she was probably dealing with some health issue because before Dad fell so ill, he started forgetting things easily. I didn't understand why, but then months later, he was diagnosed with an ailment.

So maybe I must have looked like someone she knew and mistook me for them.

Shaking off the thoughts, I step out of the shower and dry myself with my towel. Combing through the damp hair, I let it flow down my back. Then I put on a black tank top and blue jeans, pairing them up with white sneakers.

Today is the twins' birthday, and I have to be there to assist the cooks in preparing meals of various kinds before guests start arriving.

My dad's company, the X-Roland Empire, used to be among the top three most prestigious organizations in the country before he died and handed it over to Nicole. So highly influential and multi-billionaires would be present, and like always, it would be the talk of the town.

The twins' party has always been the same every year, though.

I always had one goal in mind during occasions like this, and that was to assist them in the kitchen and sneak back into my room without grabbing any attention.

Like I've always done.

Mustering my courage, I made my way through the kitchen and enthusiastically greeted the cooks and maids. Today we had to not only make breakfast and lunch but also prep a meal for tonight's party.

Breakfast came by fast, and I'm thankful I didn't encounter Nicole or any of the twins today, but just in case, I gathered myself up to my room to devour my meal.

Glancing at the clock, I realized breakfast was just finishing. So I sort out my hair from a mess and quietly make my way out of the room to the kitchen to prepare for lunch.

Just as I turned a corner, I heard a voice talking in a hushed tone, and the person sounded agitated. I froze in my step as I instantly knew who it was.

“I already knew he wasn't interested in getting back the money, but what is his problem? Why is he demanding something he knows is impossible?“

Nicole's angry voice met my ears, and she seemed to be on the phone.

My curiosity picked up, and I carefully moved closer and stood behind a wall.

"Oh, please, I don't give a damn. He can go to hell for all I care. Tell him I'm not doing what he says!" She shouted and abruptly cut off the call.

Oh.

Why was she so upset? I pondered.

I didn't want to encounter any of her anger, so I ran my hands across my arms in comfort and pulled away from the wall. Just as I did, my eyes locked with Nicole's hateful glare.

Oh no.

Realizing she was already walking up to me, I sank in a deep breath and quickly glanced around for an escape, but it was too late; she had gotten closer. Just then I felt sharp claws rip into my scalp and yank it backward.

“Were you just listening to my conversations there, you useless girl?“ She sneered angrily.

Without much time to think, she released my hair and swiped my head to the side as she smacked me across the face.

I felt spit fly out of my mouth as I staggered.

“How dare you?“ She spat venomously.

Another blow struck me, pressing me against the wall.

“P-please, I'm s-sorry." I cry out in pain as I feel my head spinning heavily.

She moved closer and took my jaw into a tight grip.

“Next time I see you poking around in my business, I'll send you packing. Learn to stay in your place, Camila; don't test me.“ She spat.

I nodded frantically, tears pooling from my eyes.

With one last glare, she walks away.

I stood there for about a minute before practically running into my room.

I must have fallen asleep as I cried because when I woke up, it was already past lunch. I sluggishly got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. I grimaced as I stared at myself in the mirror. My eyes had swollen, and a burning, hot pain seared through my jaw. A visible red mark could be seen across my cheeks and a cut on the side of my lower lip.

I watch as the cut on my lip begins to heal on its own and the red marks on my chin fade away, leaving only my swollen eyes.

Somehow any injury I got on my body healed quicker. Every other human's injury or wound would take days or weeks to heal, but mine was different. It took only hours, sometimes minutes.

I don't know why. It just did.