25

Xenon decided to help Miya when they first met merely because he thought she looked like Sol Keaton, but as he got to know her a bit better, he realized that Miya reminded him more of the little girl, the angel.

Miya breathed heavily, looking at Xenon, not knowing what to do or what to say anymore.

"Get up and get out of my room." Xenon got off her and said coldly.

"What's between us?" Miya asked, lying on the bed still. She bit her lips, looking at Xenon with tearful eyes.

"Nothing. I purchased you. You are a toy. What else do you think you are?" Xenon sneered.

"Xenon Uba, you can have any woman you want. Why did you do that to me? Don't you find it..."
Miya wanted to say 'disgusting,' but she thought
better off and rephrased, "Don't you think you deserve better?"

Xenon glared at her. "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it. You were moaning aloud." He got up and walked to the bathroom. "Ask the maid to come and change the beddings. Don't forget to take the pills."

Miya heard the bathroom door closed. She closed her eyes, took deep breath, and dragged herself up. She stumbled out of his room, went into her own room opposite the door. She threw herself onto the bed, burying her head in the pillow, and cried. She recalled what had just happened. You were moaning aloud. Xenon's words echoed in her head. She felt ashamed and insulted, yet she ad to admit that at some point,
she did enjoy it, despite, or even because of, his violence. The weight of his perfect body, his strength, his desire, his rhythmic thrusting inside her, replayed in her head.

But! What am I to him? The only thing about me that's worth anything to him is my body! It's for him to use it whenever he likes and discard it with disdain when his desire's satisfied at have I become? A nobody girl!
Miya was born and grew up spoiled and loved by her parents. She was their little princess and had no worries about anything.
She was a talented little genius, adored, and admired. She was once proud and well respected. What would mum think if she knew what had become of me? How would Dad feel if he was watching us now?
Miya cried all night and didn't get out of bed until the sunlight lit up the room. She never liked putting any make-up on her face, but when she came out from the shower and saw her exhausted face and swollen eyes in the mirror, she thought she'd better wear some make-up to disguise it. She understood that to change her life now, the only way was to become stronger, to save up enough money so that she would not need to be dependent on Xenon anymore, then she would run away with her mother.
She was willing to go anywhere but stay here to be tortured and used. However, before the day of
change came, she had to bear it, take it, and accept it.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Miya told herself to be patient, be strong, and stay positive.
She went down to the kitchen and prepare breakfast. It was delicately and beautifully prepared. When Xenon came down for breakfast, he didn't even take a look at Miya but ate quietly.

"How do you like breakfast today?" With great difficulty and summoning up her courage, Miya asked with a smile.

"Barely edible," Xenon commented coldly.

Why did you eat it then? Miya thought. She replied courteously, "Ah, I see. I'll make it better next time. What do you usually like for breakfast? I can have a look at some recipes."

"That's part of your job, to know what I like or don't like. Don't expect me to tell you." Xenon glanced at Miya impatiently.

He is so arrogant! Miya thought. He's so difficult to please! Despite how unjust and angry Miya felt, she managed to remain calm and polite. "Right. I will be more observant and learn faster."

Xenon made no response but took the freshly prepared espresso from the chief maid. "Here's your coffee, Mr. Uba." The maid said politely.

An expresso, or two sometimes, in the morning had become a must for Xenon. Miya had noticed how much Xenon depended on caffeine to stay awake. He had been having trouble sleeping at night, apart from his shoulder pain and headache.

"Did you not sleep well?" Miya asked tentatively, genuinely Concerned.

Xenon knitted his brows, took a look at Miya, and offered no reply. The three years when he had to work overtime to make money for Sol's treatment, and to live in a house in terrible condition without any help from his family, had cost him a lot. Headache, shoulder pain, and insomnia had accompanied him since then. Despite his hard work, he had to give up in the end. Whichever way he went, his grandpa had a way to block it or simply shut it. Sol left without saying goodbye.
Despairing, he went home and took over the family business. He had tried some treatments in the beginning, but nothing worked, and he gave up. The physical pain he had to suffer mattered much less than the emptiness in his heart.

"If you can't sleep well, I can perhaps give you an oil massage before bed, and it should help," Miya suggested.

Xenon turned to look at Miya, his eyes fixed on her as if to check if he bore other intentions. The the smile on Miya's face disappeared. She felt awkward and started to regret having offered such a suggestion.

"Alright," Xenon said finally. He finished his coffee, stood up, and noticed the kiss marks on Miya's neck. He sneered. I shall see how seductive you can be. Ha. Didn't you fall for me last night, moaning so loud and wanting more? At least you are not too bad. in bed.