Canvas of Captivity

Chapter 5 Taking Control

I go into the bathroom to change back into my work clothes. As I step out of the bathroom, careful not to disturb Cedric's slumber, I find myself face to face with a group of unfamiliar men lounging in the living room, their laughter and banter filling the air. These are not the same men who were with Cedric yesterday, a realization that sends a shiver down my spine.

Ignoring their jeers and insults, I quietly close Cedric's bedroom door behind me, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the apartment. But as I attempt to gather my thoughts and make my escape, the men's mocking laughter rings in my ears, a cruel reminder of the precarious position I find myself in. "What time is it?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, my nerves frayed by their taunts. But instead of receiving a simple answer, I am met with derision and scorn.

The short man with blonde hair and a crooked nose takes pleasure in my discomfort, his laughter cutting through the air like a knife. "Oh look, it's one of the boss's whores," he sneers, his words dripping with contempt. And as the other men join in his mockery, I feel a surge of anger and humiliation rising within me. But despite their cruel words and taunts, I know that I cannot afford to linger here any longer. With a sense of determination, I search through my purse, only to realize that Cedric took it away yesterday.

Turning to the men with a plea for assistance, I am met with nothing but laughter and indifference. "Can one of you please call me an Uber? I need to get to work," I implore, my voice trembling with frustration. But their response is nothing short of callous cruelty. "w***e, we're not calling an Uber for you. Just go back to the streets where you belong, and some son of a b***h will pick you up. The streets are your workplace," the blonde man sneers, his words like a slap in the face.

With a mixture of anger and despair coursing through me, I turn on my heel and storm out of the apartment, the echoes of their laughter ringing in my ears. Determined to escape this nightmare, I make my way to the elevator and descend to the ground floor. As I step out onto the bustling streets below, I am filled with a sense of urgency, a desperate need to put as much distance between myself and Cedric's apartment as possible. And I finally manage to hail a taxi.

As the taxi pulls up to the museum, I hastily step out, my mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead. Despite the chaos that surrounds me, I know that I cannot afford to let Cedric's cruelty and manipulation derail my life any further. Thankful for the uniform I wear, which will help conceal the fact that I'm wearing the same clothes as yesterday, I can't ignore the uncomfortable feeling of greasiness in my hair. Determined to freshen up before facing the day, I make a beeline for the pharmacy next door to the museum.

Inside, I quickly grab a bottle of dry shampoo, grateful for the opportunity to at least address one aspect of my appearance. But as I approach the pharmacist, another pressing need weighs heavily on my mind. "Excuse me," I begin, my voice tinged with urgency, "I need to get birth control."

The pharmacist nods understandingly, and soon I find myself clutching the precious medication in my hands. As I tuck it safely into my purse, a surge of determination courses through me. I refuse to let Cedric's threats and manipulation dictate my fate. I am in control of my body, and I will do whatever it takes to protect myself from his cruelty. But beyond the need for contraception, I also know that being on birth control helps manage the brutal pain of my periods, providing a small semblance of relief amidst the chaos of my life.

With my supplies secured, I take a deep breath and steel myself for the day ahead. Returning to the museum, I make my way to my post just as the museum is about to open its doors to the public. Despite the turmoil that rages within me, I know that I must push aside my personal struggles and focus on my responsibilities. As I stand at my post, lost in my thoughts, Jaxon approaches me, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. "You look like royal dog s**t, Brooke. What's going on? You're never like this," he remarks, his words cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

I meet his gaze, offering him a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Jaxon. I didn't get much sleep. It's been a difficult night," I reply, my voice tinged with exhaustion. To my surprise, Jaxon's expression softens, his understanding evident in the warmth of his smile. "I understand," he says simply, a silent reassurance that he's there for me.

A few minutes later, Jaxon returns, bearing a tray of breakfast. My stomach rumbles in response, reminding me that I haven't eaten at all. Grateful for his kindness, I accept the food and begin to eat, savoring each bite as if it were a lifeline in the midst of chaos. "Hurry up and eat," Jaxon urges gently. "I'm about to open the museum."

With a sense of gratitude and renewed strength, I devour the food as quickly as possible, knowing that despite the darkness that surrounds me, there are still moments of light and kindness to be found. And as the museum doors swing open and the day's activities begin, I find solace in the knowledge that I am not alone in this struggle, that there are those who stand by me, ready to offer support and understanding when I need it most.