Missing Star

Chapter 7

Marissa

I had spent most of the mid-afternoon getting my grandfather's new horse settled. Alciender was his given name and he was a proud and beautiful horse. After being with him I was covered in dust and my hair had come loose from him nuzzling around my face.

So when I got out of the shower the last thing I expected to see was my cousin and grandmother.

"What do you think you're doing?!" My grandmother practically yelled

"He's meant for me. Not you!" My cousin screamed as she came running at me.

She missed me but was able to get a handful of hair. She yanked me down and then started kicking me over and over till I was out of breath. Then my grandmother pulled her off me.

"Look what you've done now Marissa." She said with disgust. "We have worked very hard to match Tiffany with Thomas. Why is he asking questions about you?"

Still being out of breath all I could do was struggle to get on my hands and knees when a hand came down hard on my face.

"You'll answer me d*mn it!" She yelled as she let her foot make contact with a rib.

The pain was overwhelming. I let out a breath and a sound Ummm...dun..know.

"Yes, you do!" Came Tiffany's screeching voice. "She's messing up everything, send her away already." I could have sworn that she even stomped her foot like a 2-year-old.

As I worked to get back to my feet I heard my grandmother talking and then the door shut. I was left alone to try and dress.

From the pain, I knew I had at least one broken rib and half a dozen bruises that were going to pop up soon.

By the time I made it out to the kitchen, my bags were packed and stacked by the front door. And standing before me was Jerome.

Before I could move there was someone behind me and Jerome moved forward with a needle. Holding me down was my father. Looking up at his hard face I begged him "Please No!!!! Please Daddy!!!"

I struggled against him but I was no match. His face didn't even flinch as the dark took me and I sank down.

2 hours later

I slowly came to my senses. I could hear someone moving to the left of me and the smell was not that of the ranch house. Then, like a train, reality hit me. My father's face looked down at me as I struggled against him pleading and Jerome injecting me with something.

Slowly I opened my eyes to see Jerome and another man that was older but the same version of him standing in the room. I could safely say that was his father.

"Glad to see you're awake." He said coming to sit on the side of the bed.

All I did was nod my response. I couldn't trust my voice after being betrayed by my father.

"Good, did they tell you why you're here?" he added.

"No sir," I said, even though I knew it was a lie.

"While it figures they wouldn't. Do you know who he is?" He asked, pointing to Jerome.

"Yes, he graduated last year from my school." Facts just say facts and you'll be okay. I kept telling myself. And then I took a deep breath and hissed out in pain remembering my rib.

At this, he looked at where my hand went to and pulled at his cell phone.

"Hey Mark, ya she's here but I think she got into it with a horse before coming. Can you stop by and take a look at her?" He said closing the phone.

"While h*ll, so that was my brother, he's a doctor and going to come look at you. Second, you will be living here from now on. There is a list of duties you need to do daily and weekly to keep this house running. Third, you can go to school and get your diploma. As long as the house and we are taken care of. Fourth, you and my son will be getting married on June 1st in a small ceremony. And last is you will obey what is told to you. Understood?" he said, not leaving much room for discussion so I nodded.

"Good, on the desk are our rules and what is needed of you. Welcome to the family." He said getting off the bed and walking out the door.

As soon as the door closed Jerome stepped forward and tried to kiss me. I turned my head so his lips fell on my cheek. And without warning, he put pressure on my rib until the pain was almost too much. With his other hand, he moved my head to take the kiss that he wanted.

Then before letting me go he whispered in my ear. "Be a sweet kitten and this will hurt less." With a satisfied look, he walked out of the room leaving me alone finally.