Sweet Sin

CHAPTER 3

I slowly opened my eyes but I couldn't see anything. My vision was blurred, and I struggled to get hold of an image. All my attempts to move my body were futile , it was numb and lifeless. Trying to figure out what was happening and where I was, I decided to use my ears. I heard two male voices, although I couldn't really hear what they were saying. I could hear the smooth running noise of the car engine. As I lay in the back seat, my body kept swaying gently with every turn as the car drove on. The car paused for a while, and I heard a little beep and a gate opening. I still was helpless, I couldn't even speak. The drive continued for what seemed like ten minutes before stopping again. This was probably the final stop because immediately, the men opened their doors and came down. Not quite long, mine was opened too by that same hefty man I struggled with. He effortlessly carried me out of the car before slamming the door.

Then I heard a voice. “Take her into the usual room”.

“Yes boss”. The man carrying me replied.

By now, my vision was better, and I could make little sense of images. We proceeded to the entrance of a huge building, probably a mansion. Then I saw it. It was the back of a man in a perfectly tailored suit. His shoulders were broad, and his hair slipped to perfection at the back. His build was different from the men I saw previously - maybe their boss, I think. He took careful, brisk but precise steps followed by two hefty men. He vanished into the building . I was carried inside too, and after so many turns and stairs, I was finally brought to a room and laid on the bed. That was the last thing I remembered .

…..

The soft glow of morning sunlight slipping through the window stirred me from sleep and filled the room with quiet warmth. Turning and tossing in bed, I opened my eyes to a lady dressed in a housekeeper's attire. She stood at the left foot of the bed and greeted me with a warm smile.

“ Good morning, I have prepared your bath. Freshen up and put on the clothes I'll leave on the bed for you”.She said, still putting on a very wide smile.

“ What does he want from me?” I asked

She kept looking at me with that fixed smile for some seconds before she finally headed for the door.

Just as she was about closing the door and leaving, she stopped.

“Hurry up so you won't miss breakfast.” And then she left without giving me an answer or explanation.

I was boiling with anger and overwhelmed with confusion. So apparently, I was forced, drugged, and captured like a prisoner going to be executed. Now I wake up in an unfamiliar room and offered a bath, dress and even breakfast? How crazy! I really don't know what to make of this or what to expect. Amidst all this, I was extremely tired even though I woke up from sleep not quite long. My incessant yawns were proof, and I got to find out how bad my breath stank, so I got up from bed to shower.

I walked into what looked like the bathroom, and oh my, how dazed I was. The bathroom was twice as big as my room, designed all over in white tiles. Body care products were neatly arranged on the shelves, and on the other side, a big mirror and then a towel rack that had neatly folded white towels. Pondering on what to improvise as a toothbrush since I didn't have one with me, I finally found a new pack of toothbrushes when I opened the little door in the shelf compartments. When I was done with my teeth, I couldn't wait to feel the water on my skin. Taking off my clothes as fast as I could, I walked a few steps to the bathtub with the body products in my hand. The tub was already filled with soapy,warm water that was slightly coloured purple. I went into it, and it felt so heavenly that a soft moan escaped my mouth. It definitely had a lavender bath bomb in it because it smelt like it. Soaking my body in the water felt like all my problems were drowning in it. I could feel all my tension relieved. It was great. The bath lasted for as long as I could remember.

Coming out of the bathroom with my hair damp and my body wrapped in a towel , I slid over to the dressing mirror to apply body lotion - also having a lavender fragrance. The bed held the dress the maid had laid out, and slipping into it felt different . Once dressed, the mirror’s reflection drew me into admiration and reverie of a princess-like life.That was the last thing on my mind before I dozed off.

……

Stirring on the bed, I lay still for a moment as the sun’s warmth crept across the room, breathing life into the quiet morning. Realising I slept off and I was still held captive by in this strange house, I sprung up from the bed immediately.

“ What should I do? What do they want with me? I need to find a way out of here”. These words rang repeatedly in my mind as I paced the room.

I was interrupted by a sharp knock, then followed by the abrupt opening of the door. It was that same lady from yesterday.

“Good morning. I hope you slept well?” Without waiting for my reply, she continued with a fixed smile on her face.

“I'll prepare a bath for you, and when you are done, put on this dress afterwards.” She said as she laid down a dress on the bed for me.

“Where is th..” I couldn't complete my question. She quickly interrupted.

“Breakfast will be ready in 45 minutes.” Then she left.

“She wouldn't even let me ask my questions. I need to know where I am”. I thought to myself.

“I can't continue staying here. I need to look for a way out. How can I even get out when I don't know where I am”? I continued muttering to myself while pacing the room aimlessly.

My thoughts were interrupted by the grumbling sound from my stomach. That's when it occurred to me that I haven't tasted anything since I got here.

“It's not possible that I can be poisoned if I eat anything here. Or is it?” I asked rhetorically.

Even when I knew there was every possibility, I had made up my mind to eat anything I was given because I was famished. And I needed strength to plan my escape.

By the time I was done with my bath and had put on the silk emerald gown that was kept for me, I got a knock on the door.

The housekeeper was just in time.

" Good to see you are all dressed up." She said with that same weird smile just as she came into the room.

Led by her hands, I stepped out the door. She followed me closely and shut the door behind us.

This was my first time out of the room. As I stood there, I scanned carefully with my eyes.

"Follow me." She nudged.

As we walked down the hall, I couldn't help but notice how its marble floors were polished. After passing numerous doors and climbing down the grand staircase with its bannister made of dark mahogany, we finally got to the dining room .

......