BEAUTY & THE DARK PRINCE

Episode 2

Chad Rivers has been working for a not so famous magazine company as a model but it pays him pretty well, it just doesn’t make him a famous celebrity.

At the age of 28 he has done well for himself, he has a beautifully and adequately furnished house and a fancy sports car. He can afford to live a lavish life and to spoil his girlfriend.

He has been taking care of literally all of my financial needs ever since we started dating, which is one of the major reasons why I stay with him even when he acts like a jerk pretty much most of the time.

**

I miraculously manage to get myself ready within the short space of time I had. I didn’t have time to be picky about what to wear, "what do you think of this dress?" I ask Maria as I twirl around in my yellow strapless maxi summer dress. "Why did it have to be yellow?" She rolls her eyes.

"Because it’s Chad’s favourite colour," I respond, throwing my hands up in the air. "Yeah, so?" "So nothing!" I murmur not wanting to fuel on the conversation that I know would soon end with Maria speaking ill of Chad.

I take a glimpse of the dining table and notice she has prepared breakfast for me, my lips quickly quirk in a smile.

"Ooh Maria you are heaven sent, thank you so much," I'm truly moved by her thoughtfulness as I pull out a chair and sit myself down.

"Well I had no choice…I didn’t want my best friend to get spanked for keeping her boyfriend waiting," she murmurs in a sarcastic tone.

I nearly choke on my food…. I wasn’t expecting that kind of response. I take a glass of water and gulp it down. "Maria I understand perfectly well that you hate Chad and I do consider your reasons why but really he is not all that bad and I can’t live without him I need him…. we both do," I dolefully say.

She takes my hand into hers, "Listen sweetie, we don’t need him not if he is treating you like his lap dog." "Yes we do! Gosh! I forgot how unrealistic you can be.” I frown as I shove her hand away.

“I’m struggling to get a job and the job you have doesn’t even pay enough to feed us, its Chad’s money that put’s food on the table, it’s his money that put’s a roof over our heads and again it’s his money that pays for the nurse that’s taking care of my grandmother,” I add before pausing for a brief moment to catch my breath.

“Even if I were to get a job I know it wouldn’t pay me enough to cover all of my financial needs," I continue, while mulling over my own words.

"But Tyra!" "No buts Maria! Chad has done so much for me. I owe him and I’m going to be his lap dog if that’s what it takes to keep him rather that than to starve to death or watch my grandma suffer," my forehead creases with irritation.

"Chad is not only controlling you, mentally and physically abusing you and treating you like his possession but he is also cheating on you!"

"I can handle it! I have been doing so for over a year now. Every man cheats! I don’t even have any concrete proof that he cheated there could be a good explanation for the lingerie I found." I grumble, totally regretting ever telling her about it… I should have known better I would never hear the end of it.

"Oh yeah, so why not ask him then huh?" "I can’t,” “and why not?” “Because…… because I don’t want to get him mad. You don’t know what he is like when he gets angry," I whisper in a fearful tone.

Suddenly we hear a car pull over in front of the house followed by disrespectful non-stop car honking. Without delay I cease eating, I drop my fork on the table and rush to fetch my handbag.

"Aren’t you going to finish your meal first?" Maria mutters as she rolls her eyes before shooting me a disapproving look.

I glance at her with a bewildered expression, “are you kidding me? How can I eat with all that ear piercing car honking? Who knows what he will do next if I keep him waiting a minute longer? I don’t want to upset him…I will see you later," I hurriedly respond and follow by giving her a peck on the cheek before briskly walking out of the house.

Maria feels helpless and it hurts her to see her best friend being treated so badly but how can she save someone who doesn’t want to be saved? We have been friends since high school and she considers me not only as her best friend but also as her young sister.

She is twenty-three years old and I'm only eighteen therefore I'm five years younger than her. The age difference is not that huge that is why I don't like it when she stops being my best friend and starts acting like my big sister even though I know she only has good intentions.

I stride over to the car and Chad is already standing outside leaning against the hood with legs crossed and arms folded and wearing a frown on his face as if he has been waiting for a long time. "Hey babe, nice dress," he whistles before pulling me into his arms to kiss me.

"Thank you," I respond after he releases my mouth. It looks like wearing his favourite colour has somehow cheered him up and by so saving me from being berated by him.

"So where do you want us to go my gorgeous lady?" He questions as he start’s the engine.

"Ugh I don’t feel like being out and about today, how about we go to your place and hang by the pool…it is very hot you know." "Okay my love anything for you," he simpers.

There are times when he makes me feel like a queen but most times he makes me feel like some desperate girl he is doing a huge favour by dating. There are also times when he is sweet and loving but most times he is harsh and cold. I have learnt how to handle both his hot and cold side since I feel I have no choice but to put up with all of it.

"Ugh come on you are taking too long…. jump in already," he grumbles. "Okay…okay I was just tying my hair back so it doesn’t get all over my face," I explain before eagerly diving into the pool and swimming towards him.

"You are surprisingly a good swimmer," he compliments. "I know," I boast with a smug smile on my face. "Wow...cocky! Wanna race?" "Sure, why not," I agree.

We get ready and position ourselves. "Okay…on the count of three... 1 …2...3." He shouts.

Upon the utterance of the number “3” the race begins. I put my shoulders under and ready myself, lift my feet behind me to connect with the wall and push off, arms arrowed ahead and body suspended for a few seconds.

Chad moves under water as fast as lightning he obviously has had years of training and he just asked for a race either for the fun of it or to show off.

His strokes are fluid and look effortless. I try my best to keep up and not to fall too far behind.

"The loser gets to strip naked," he announces after I reach the finish point a few seconds after him. "We never agreed on that," I protest while panting heavily thankful to finally have my head out of the water.

"We don’t have to agree on everything sweetheart…you just have to learn to abide. Now come here and let me help you take this wet costume off." He wiggles his fingers as he beckons me over to his side.

He unties the strings of my swim bra to release my perky breasts, he draws me close to him so as to feel my breasts and n*****s pressing hard on his bare chest. I watch as a satisfied smile forms on his face. He loves touching me and feeling my body on his and I'm pleased that he still desires my body and hasn't had enough of it.