The Heroine's Obsession

Chapter 1

Reader discretion strongly advised: Dark themes, explicit scenes and language. For readers, the scenes depicted in this story are fictional; do not attempt to recreate

You can imagine; not imitate..

Okay, enjoy reading and oh may you enter at your own peril now, let the darkness within may consume you

***

11 years ago...

"Daddy...are you busy?" my knocks echoed unanswered

"Daddy, are you within? The general meeting will start soon. Please open up, I'm running late" I gave up. Maybe dad is drunk again. Descending the stairs, I encountered the persistent youngster who constantly follows me

"Please stop looking at me like that..and oh don't you dare follow me even in our school!" frustration edged my voice as I spoke

"Yes, my lady!" Dismissing his presence, I hastened toward the car

"What are you doing? I'm going to be late for school" I yelled to our family driver, because of that, he quickly went to the driver's seat

"Pardon me, my lady" He offered humbly

I rolled my eyes

"Fine, just drive it" then he quickly drove the car

Upon arriving at school, students automatically paid their attention to me. As a 15 year old student from a wealthy background, I've grown accustomed to this kind of admiration.Their eyes locked onto mine, whispers circulated-- envy and curiosity

My peers affectionately call me a barbie doll. It was said I polished the perfection and embodied a doll's iconic beauty. Cannot help but to be proud of my unapologetic elegance, my barbie persona shines

"Hey Yesh!" Kiara's voice pierce the air, a familiar yet insincere tone. A plastic smile accompanied her genuine shout. Oh I would love to roll my eyes right now

"Yes" a delicate brow lift preceded by my response

She smiled at me

"Our homeroom teacher announced that the general meeting was cancelled and there's no class...hmm do you have any plan today? like wandering around the mall?" I rolled my eyes at her and I fearlessly ignored her words

I turned my back at her and ditched her. I heard her whining like a kid. I'm better off without her. Her immature reaction only reinforced my decision to distance myself

Tsk! Should I call our family driver? or should I go shopping?. Right, since I'm stuck at home with nothing to do, I think shopping is a good idea to ease my boredom

After school, I headed to the nearby mall, contemplating potential purchases. Books seemed an ideal choice. Reading brings me immense joy, a singular delight unaffected by culinary temptations. My passion for reading remains unrivaled, transcending gastronomic pleasures

Upon locating the National Bookstore, I entered, greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly printed books. The scent of these books eneveloped my nostrils. New books here I come!

While browsing, I accidentally collided with a tall, bespectacled college student. This man's distinctive features caught my attention: round glasses, unruly brown hair, bright gray eyes and chiseled facial contours. Noteworthy features defined his countenance: Sharp nose, expressive eyebrows and an angular jawline

He's a nerdy but attractive one. Interestingly, the word 'attractive' escaped my lips, a term not typically part of my vernacular

"Kid, are you okay?" the softness and melody of his tone soothed me. It feels like he's conveying a compassion

"I--I'm fine" My words faltered as I looked away. My heart suddenly beats erratically and I'm scared. What's this? Am I going to die? Mom died due to her sickness

I turned pale at the thought and felt like I was going to run out of air

"Hey you're pale!" He spoke, his voice etched concern, its gentle cadence a soothing balm for my frayed nerves

He gently placed his hand on my forehead, his fingertips tracing the contours of my skin as if searching for any hidden signs of distress

"A chillness emanates from you. Give me your hand" He took my hand, started massaging and my nerves just melted away

"Thank God you're now okay" His voice whispered low and gentle, a soothing melody that wrapped around my heart

"Thank you" and in that fleeting glance, warmth and gentleness converged. Our smiles intertwined, forging an ephemeral bond between strangers. A tender soul like his would forever hold my heart, in him I already envision the essence of my perfect partner. My future husband better be as sweet as him

"I'll go ahead" as he bid farewell, I silently harbored hopes for another encounter. His departure left me pondering unfamiliar emotions. Innocence yielded to intrigue as our paths diverged

Following my encounter, I selected a book and purchased it. Afterwards, I contacted Manong Edgar, who promptly arrived. Upon arriving home, I sought up my dad's presence. I proceeded to his room and there was a slender gap of daddy's door beckoned my curiosity

I approached there and slowly peeked. I recoiled in shock, my eyes widening at the unsettling sight.Dad is doing nasty with three naked women

Echoes of betrayal resonated through the moans, a cruel affront to mother's memory. Grief still lingered yet father's heart had hastily found another refuge. The sacred space of our home was desecrated by dad's hasty pursuit. How could he!

I was about to leave when I accidentally pushed the door open and I took a gulp when their gazes went to my side

A sly voice sliced through the air

"Oh the innocent daughter observes" A low menacing chuckles rumbled from the throat of a naked woman, the sound dripping with malice and scorn

"A peeping princess. She's daddy's little spy" then the three women emitted a derisive chuckle, implying disdain, their eyes glinting with amusement as they exchanged knowing glances that only added to my growing sense of unease

Overwhelmed, I fled and secluded myself in my room seeking solace.I want my mommy back. How could dad do that to mommy? to me? I shed tears at the thought

I heard a footsteps enter. It was dad

"Ayesha!" Father's authoritative voice echoed through the room

I got up and threw my pillows at him

"I hate you daddy! I hate you!" I cried

"Don't dare speak to me like that. You'll face consequences next time. Invade my sanctuary again, you will face the wrath of my displeasures. A hundred strokes of retribution await alongside shackled ankles" he said merciless

"The price of defiance: one hundred searing lashes and I'm gonna iron that skin of yours" and dad left me unmoving after hearing his warning

I know he can do that because I once experienced whipping on the back and being punished with various pains. Even when mom was still alive, he would always hurt me physically

**

One week has passed and dad brought another companion into our home again. Dad's new relationship is unfolding openly within our residence. Our living spaces have become a backdrop for dad's latest nasty endeavours

"Please avoid the living room, my lady" Dion cautioned, his words dripping with a quiet urgency, a sense of unspoken dangers lurking just beneath the surface. His expression a mask of serious concern

"Why? Is dad doing some nasty again!" I uttered, the words tumbling out in a rush and Dion just nodded. His eyes never left mine as he absorbed the weight of my words, his silence was a palpable thing that seemed to vibrate with unspoken questions and unanswered doubts

"It is more than nasty, my lady. Please let me escort you to the garden" I didn't listen to Dion. Instead, I went to our living room, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light on the familiar space, and there he was, my dad. His presence both comforting and intimidating, his eyes seeming to bore into my very soul

I stumbled upon seeing a gruesome scene. Four lifeless women were brutally stabbed and dad was standing over them, with a bloody knife in his hand

"What the f**k are you doing here? That damn Dion kid!" He said angrily, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity, as he wiped his hand with the blood on it, the gesture a stark reminder of the violence that had just unfolded

"You!" he pointed to one goon, a towering giant of a man with thick, muscular arms and a menacing scowl. His very presence seeming to darken the air around him

"Take the young boy in front of me. I'm gonna torture him to death" Father's word bewildered me

I just realized that Dion is already here with us. His hands and his feet were both tied

"Dad please spare him!" I implored, grasping the horrible reality

"I will kill him for disobeying me" I knelt in front of him

"The blame lies within me. Forgive him dad! Punish me, not him" I pleaded, my voice cracking with desperation, while tears dropped slowly down my cheeks, each one's scorching reminder of my helplessness

"Rise, my heiress. Forged strength through a warrior's discipline. Our legacy demands resilience. As my sole successor, you must master intellectual and combat. Weakness is uunacceptable My daughter, embody our lineage's ferocity. Balance books and blades... if you do it with a heartbeat, I may forgive this young man here"

I was still on my knees crying and begging. The narrow blood that daddy killed has also landed on me.

The reality of this situation still hasn't fully registered with me, how could he kill?What kind of monster he is. Legacy? For what? For being a killer?

"If..I'll do t-that, will you let him live?" My voice trembled as I beheld Dion, his face battered and bloodied, his mouth brutally gagged

My dad nodded in affirmation, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips, a glimmer of pride and approval shining in his eyes

"Fine, I'll agree to you daddy. Let him free now" Dad gestured discreetly, signaling his men to release Dion

"He is yours to control now. He'll be your puppet, use him as you please. This new toy of yours awaits your command, exploit and manipulate him at your pleasure" He declared, his voice ringing out with conviction. The words echoing through the air like a pronouncement of fate, hanging suspended for a moment before settling into the silence like a challenge

That fateful day, witnessing my father's atrocities, irreparably shattered my innocence. The horrors and the nasty I saw forever altered my perspective, leaving uncertainty and fear. My father's actions stripped me of youthful naivety, casting a shadow over my future

I took a piece of paper and wrote about myself. With pen in hand, I began to chronicle my story. Words spilled onto the page, a fragile mirror to my essence

To me who is yet to come: Embodied compassion, radiate kindness, foster harmony and integrity. Keep spreading love, never harm.

Keep my words to yourself. This letter will be a reminder from your old and innocent self

After writing the letter, I put it directly inside of the miniature container. With the letter safely enclosed, a sense of impending transformation settled within.

A chapter closed, another awaited;