15

FIFTEEN
GABRIELLE
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I could see Derek all wounded, lying helplessly on the floor. Lucian stood tall and intimidating, a gun clenched in his hands. His eyes were the same. Cold. Merciless, and with the intent to kill.
He was going to kill Derek!
He pulled the trigger.
NO!
I jerked awake from the nightmare. I was blinded by the bright lights in the room for a second.
That was when I saw him, on the foot of the bed stood the monster I only just escaped from.
Only this time, he seemed more real. More frightening. His eyes burned with an icy rage that paralyzed me with terror.
I squeezed on the pillow beside me, dimly conscious of the ache in my muscles.
He approached me with such an intimidating aura that drew out a cry from my mouth.
I already knew what he was capable of, he had shown me that last night.
He was wearing only a pair of trousers, his upper body part was bare, the spot I had injured him was now fully bandaged. Was he still furious about the injury? Was he going to kill me now?
All these thoughts were traveling through my head, I could feel the tenseness of his muscles from my spot, his fists were clenched tight.
Was he going to strike me?
The fact that I was completely naked before him made me feel all the more vulnerable.
Suddenly, without so much as saying a word, he turned around and stormed out of the room. Never did he look back.
The loud bang of the door had me flinching.
He left.
My heart was still pounding furiously against my chest, my fingers still trembled.

Curling myself in a ball, a tear roll down my eyes, down to my cheeks, my shoulders shook with continuous sobs.
He was such a terrifying man, for how long would I be able to survive him?
My whole body ached, sensitive areas like my neck, the spot between my thighs was more uncomfortable than the rest.
Although he left the room, he was still everywhere around me, I could still feel his hands on my skin, the touch of his lips, and even the way his eyes devoured me.
Another sob escaped my mouth, my body was hot all over, I started to scramble to my feet.
His presence around me was suffocating.
I needed to wash him off, my eyes caught on a bowl on the floor, there were wet patches on the bed as well as spilled water on the ground.
My eyes caught on the white piece of clothes, I could begin to guess what he had been doing. This was the reason the soreness from last night was less more painful this morning.
Shame burned me deeply, I had never felt so exposed, perhaps not even when he had taken me last night.
He saw me when I had been asleep, his action was too intimate. And any form of closeness was the very last thing I wanted with him.
I picked my ripped dress from the floor, it was beyond damaged. There was a door on the left which I guessed would lead to a bathroom. A hot shower was something I desperately needed, although I doubted I would ever really be clean again.
Not after what he had done.
I walked to the bed stand where the bedspread was neatly folded, I covered my nakedness with it, forcing myself to look away from the spot that was brightly stained with red.

' YOU DIDN'T LIE! YOU DIDN'T GIVE ANOTHER MAN WHAT IS MINE! ' His possessive words still managed to replay itself in my head, my knees trembled as I fought not to collapse on the floor.

A knock sounded and I froze. I could feel the blood draining out of my face as I stared at the door in dismay.
It couldn't be HIM, right?
The knock sounded again.
No. Lucian wouldn't bother with a knock, he was one who took whatever he wanted without emotions, why would he bother with simple courtesy?
The door was gently pushed opened and three women entered, each of them bowed slightly, I recognized the younger one who looked to be about my age as the girl who had given me that lingerie last night.
Their hands weren't empty, two pushed in an array of clothes and other materials.
"Mrs. Castiel, these are your things, where do you want us to arrange them? "

My mind rebelled the way she addressed me, I would never get used to answering his last name.
Those also weren't my things.
All of these were his!
He was going to control every aspect of my life, even whatever I wore would have to be decided by him. My heart sank in despair.

"Wherever you like " I rasped, my throat was sore. I just wanted them to be gone so that I would grieve what my life has become alone.
They worked quickly and silently.
Immediately they left, I entered the bathroom, I soaked myself in the hot bath wishing to wash off any remnant of him. It was a long time before I got off, still, I didn't feel clean enough.
Since I had nothing else to wear, I had to search through my new wardrobe for attire, it was better than staying naked.
I was surprised that all the clothes I tried on, including the underwear were a perfect fit. The clothes were expensive-looking, as well as modest, they didn't leave any skin exposed. As for the underwear, which consisted of lacy thongs and bras, I wondered who had selected them for me, wearing them would mean that I was as good as naked, the night wears were all sinful in a way that made me shuddered.

I looked around to see that the bed had been covered with new sheets, there were covered dishes on the table.
I didn't bother to glance at them, I wouldn't be able to stomach anything.
I slowly made my way over to the couch, I didn't think I would ever be in that bed anymore, at least not willingly.
I curled myself on it closing my eyes which were already burning with renewed tears.
Why me?
I didn't wish anyone to fall into my situation, but it might as well not be me.
Another sob caught in my throat, an headache was beginning to build up.
I wondered where Lucian had gone to, I prayed it was somewhere far so hopefully I would have enough time for myself, and if I ever get so lucky, I wished he would never return.
I wondered where I would have been if Phoebe had not told father of my disappearance.
My fingers toyed with the locket on my neck, I discovered something I hadn't seen earlier, a switch. I turned it around and surprisingly, the locket snapped open.
The sight before me had me tearing up.
The locket contained a small picture, of me and him. In our secret garden. We both had a huge smile playing across our lips, that was the day he had confessed his love to me for the first time.
I traced my trembling finger over his charming smile.
I should never have convinced him to run with me.
All these were all my fault. He was harmed because he loved me.
He would have been perfectly fine if not because of me. He didn't deserve to be in this situation.
The guilt pierced sharply at my heart. He had been alive yesterday, what about today?
I couldn't sit idly, he already suffered enough because of me.
I should try to save him, but how? I had no means.
I was just as helpless.
Unless I could try to convince Lucian somehow. If he would agree, it didn't matter the price, I would do it.
I already lost everything I cherished anyway, it wasn't as though I had nothing to lose.
I left the room for the first time, my eyes roamed around the house.
It was so huge.
I could easily get lost in beginning to search for him.
I walked unhurriedly, my wide eyes taking everything slowly.
A female worker who was approaching my way paused to bow her head slightly. I cleared my throat, nervousness built up from my stomach, taking its solid root in my heart.
"Please, where can I find Lucian? "


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