WHEN NIGHT BREAKS

THINGS AREN'T WHAT THEY SEEM

Emma got up, resigned to her fate. She went with Colin to the car. Somewhere along their walk to the car, he’d shrugged on a Tee-shirt. The mood in the car was tense. She sat demure beside Colin while he scrolled through his phone. It was certain, he had no intention of engaging in a dialogue, so she was left alone with analyzing the different scenarios in her head.

It was just beginning to drizzle when the car pulled up in front of a white gate elaborately designed with ornate metal carvings of rose petals. The design was so intricate, she’d never seen anything like it. The driver spoke to a man at the right wing of the gate and he let them through. The car purred soundlessly through an unpaved pathway marked by a dense undergrowth and trees on both sides. It came to a halt in front of a white mansion almost submerged in ferns hanging loosely on all sides. Emma thought Colin to be a botanist somewhat because of this strange obsession for plants marking every part of his livelihood.

‘We’re here”, he announced formally.

Emma turned to face him, surprised he spoke directly to her, considering his aloofness all through the journey. She was beginning to wonder what life of torture awaited her in this sprawling estate. It was getting increasingly difficult to keep her head up high in a situation that made no sense and a future that looked really bleak. Would this man ever release her to her old life? Maybe she’d just give him enough trouble to throw her away. Figuratively speaking of course.

“If you’re thinking of causing any trouble, you’d better have a rethink, cause I don’t give second chances” he said.

Could life get any worse with having a slave master and a psychic?

“Second chances?” she asked weakly.

“You know what I mean, so get on with it into the house and let the show begin”

“What exactly is the show all about?”

Colin looked into her brown eyes, looking all warm and innocent. They reminded him of a time, seemed like eons ago, when life wasn’t quite complicated, when he was just a boy of seven who gathered rocks and skipped on his way to school. Life was sweet and just. He felt himself almost drowning in the sea of purity staring at him in two gorgeous blinders, before he did a mental shake and looked at her derisively. Boy, she almost had him there.

“Get inside and see for yourself”, he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Emma thought of what would happen if she decided to throw a fit. She would just test him and see.

“No no no, you don’t want to do that” he tsked.

Psychic or psychopath? The lines between the two was getting more blurred.

The driver got down to open the door to the house.

Determined not to appear he weakling, she stuck her nose up in the air, flipped her hair and strode into the house. Hands trembling, heart in the throat, she stepped into the house and walked into a new future. Somewhere in the skies she knew destiny mocked her.

She didn’t see his smirk as he followed her.

The sitting room was surprisingly cozy. She expected to see more greens but there were animal paintings hanging off the cream coloured walls. The furnishings were modern and hinted at something Asian. She hadn’t given much thought to his ancestry. He had a prominent forehead, a pointed nose, and a sharp chin that seemed to bear the weight of full lips, almost begging to be kissed.

She felt the blush betraying the appalling direction of her thoughts.

Happy he didn’t notice the errant line of her thoughts, she fidgeted with her purse-the only remaining possession she had for now- as she waited for him at the spot that was the beginning of a long passage with several rooms on each side.

“Your room is along this corridor, two doors to the right”.

Emma looked at him, debating with herself if he’d be kind enough to grant her request or not.

“I really need a bath and a, some change of clothes Colin”. His eyes widened at the casual use of his name.

“Mr Edwards to you Emma” he gritted. She trembled slightly at the way he pronounced her name. He seemed to draw out the ‘E’ much more than necessary. It was difficult to place his inconsistent nature. Faith told her to lean towards the side that could actually care but her self-preserving instincts said otherwise.

Well, she really needed to feel human again. And a change of clothes would be a step in the right direction.

Colin scowled at her. The pet really thought she’d just have everything easy here. Who was she to use such commanding tones? A simple request he would grant anyway.

“You have everything you need in the room. All has been set for your arrival Princess” he mocked.

“Thank you”, she said sincerely.

“Okay then, march on. I’ll join you shortly”.

Shortly? This was bad news. She needed some breathing space, some time to recoup and think of her next strategy. She decided to play the innocent seducer and maybe buy some more time for herself.

“Where is your room, Mr Edwards?” she whispered sultrily.

Colin stiffened. His next words were ominous. “I won’t play your game Emma. Play mine and pray you survive”.

“No games Mr Edwards, just asking where your room is” she continued bravely.

“There would be no need for questions when the show begins”, he almost bellowed. He was getting really irritated with her. He liked his women weak and stubborn. He needed to be the one to break her. Not caring to consider the oxymoron in his thoughts, he pointed a finger down the hallway, almost shaking in the intensity of his emotions.

With a faked spring in her step, she advanced to her room, determined to keep her head high. She wouldn’t let Colin see her tremble.

She pushed through the door and made a mental welcome to a new life that suddenly sprung on her.