*** Chapter 12 ~ The Masked Man? ***

|| CHAPTER THEME SONG:
Hurts So Good By Astrid S ||

[[ Veronica's Pov ]]

There was endless silence through the phone. My sobs were battling to come out but I held them captivated.

You are a grown up woman, Veronica!

The last thing that I had never imagined that my father would question me one day. He was the only hope left for me and it made me so strong thinking that there was at least one person who believed on me. Now those beliefs were gone.

I replied between my chokes,
" No..Dad... Never..I can't even thinking about harming Victoria a little.."

He sighed on the other end helplessly. Though he didn't share his emotions, I could vaguely predict that he was battling between his two daughters.

I swallowed the pain in my lungs and spoke like a whisper,
" Why that? What happened again?"

My dad cleared his throat before asserting patiently,
" The police has found more evidences against you, Veronica."

My face sank and brows tightened in confusion. I didn't even know from where this clues were coming out. My breathing exasperated as I inquired almost breathlessly,
" What did they found this time?"

My dad explained after a moment of silence,
" The person whom you danced with was none other than the mafia leader of C Nation. They found a image of dancing between you two. Now they have more suspensions on you."

Mafia leader? That masked man?

My mind drifted off to the moment when I danced with a complete stranger at the party. We were having masquerade party and had different masks on our faces. I couldn't even remember his face. He suddenly came and offered me to dance with him. I didn't even consider and foolishly joined him in a duo play.

But why these people are leaving clues with me? Was this all just a mere co-incident or delibaret trap?

I couldn't decide the fact but one thing, I was sure. Blake would kill me tomorrow possibly.

I exhaled a deep sigh and answered to my dad in very firm voice,
" Dad, trust me. I swear on my late Mother that I don't even know this Mafia leader or whatever he is. He had come to ask for a dance and I did."

My dad fell in silence before asserting the seriousness of this matter lowly,
" Whether you know him or not, it doesn't matter to the police, Honey. They would still believe that you have something to do with this incident. Since Victoria's whereabouts is still a mystery, they will keep their eyes on you especially Blake. Is he being hard on you?"

I could only bite down my tongue at his last question. I didn't want to stress my dad anymore and kept those words folded inside my chest was the best idea for now.

I murmured back through my hesitation,
" He..he is just fine..Dad..."

My dad sighed heavily and didn't ask further. Perhaps he had seen through my mind and ended the call after a short comment,
" Take care! "

I pressed the smartphone against my chest firmly and started crying harder than ever. The pain, agony all felt so heavy for me that I felt like dying.

Using the back of my thumb, I wiped off those tears and threw myself on the bed. Probably a long sleep would refresh my mood.

Perhaps it was all just a bad dream!

********

My wish didn't come true! I didn't sleep peacefully at that night. Victoria's face haunted me in my dreams and made me feeling more guilty for no reason.

I was awakened by a loud thud of my door early in the morning. Due to unsettled emotions, I forgot to lock my door last night.

I was startled before sitting straight up on the bed. Switching my eyes on the door, I found Blake standing. His eyes were full of wrath as if he was some kind of Satan who just walked out of hell.

He took large stride on my way and started dragging out of my bed.

I cried out in pain that his hard grip caused on my wrist. I started yelling at his face as he dragged me down through all the corridor and stairs,
" What.. what the hell are you doing Blake? Let me go.. It's hurt.."

I shouted and tried my best to break free from his grip. But he showed no mercy on me. He threw off once again on the floor. I slided down on the floor for a while and hit my head against the corner table.

A pain shot through my brain. I gasped and reached out for my head instinctively. Warm blood flowed down from the corner of my head. I choked before snapping my head at Blake and shouted hysterically,
" Are you insane? Why did you push me?"

Blake exhaled deeply and pointed at the laptop that was opened on the desk. My face sank when I saw the pictures on the screen.

It was me and that masked man dancing together!

So it was those pictures that my dad was talking about yesterday.

I swallowed and waited for him to speak. His voice echoed through the hallway thunderously,
" Is that why you were being nice to me yesterday? I can't believe that you are actually involved with those Mafia. Is that why you are claiming yourself innocent in this hope that your mafia lover would save you from me?"

I brust into tears without saying another word. I really had no word to say. Whatever I would speak, he would declare me guilty.

He kicked on the table when I gave no answer and roared at me beastly,
" Answer to my damn questions! Where did you keep Victoria?"

I clenched my fists hard and decided to give him stern words. Stumbling up from the bed, I shouted back from the top of my lungs,
" Whether you believe me or not, Blake. I have nothing to do with Victoria's missing case. You can do whatever you wish to do with me. I don't fucking care. Put me in jail or just shoot me to death. I really don't care any longer."

The world was opposite me. My father lost his faith on me and I felt nothing but a broken soul. My body was there but my heart died last night. I had nothing to fear or regret anymore.

Blake's wrath didn't subside a bit. He spoke grinding his teeth together,
" Fine! The law hasn't enough evidence to punish you. Isn't it? But I do have. I will make everyday praying for your death, Veronica."

He spoke before shooting his death glare to the old aunty who was peering at us from the kitchen door. He roared at her between his raspy breathing,
" Aunty! You are on leave today. Veronica will do all the housechores including cooking, cleaning and washing. One more thing, don't use the washing machine. You will use your hands to wash the clothes. Now get out of my sight."
Aunty pursued her lips to say something but I immediately shot her a warning glare.
I didn't want anyone else to face Blake's wrath because of me! Not anymore!