Protect Me

Chapter 2: Introductions

MEDI

The car ride was suffocating. My mother sat in the front while her husband sat in the back with me. I was constantly fighting to squash the urge to jump out and run, consequences be damned. Whatever injuries I sustained I would ignore, I would just run as fast and as far as I could. But I knew that I couldn't do that. I just had to sit there. Unable to do anything. Feeling his gaze linger over my body as blood pounded in my ears, screaming at me to get out.

After what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at the house. I barely registered it as I rushed out of the car, the driver giving me an annoyed glance from the other side as he moved to open the doors for my mother and her husband.

My ... step ... father ...

I felt tears stinging my eyes as I swallowed the bile threatening to rise in my throat. That couldn't be what he was to me. He was a demon from my past, a horror lurking in my nightmares, how could I think of him as anything else? Desperately trying to cling to my sanity, I looked around at the lush garden, trying to find plants I recognised.

Roses, tulips, lilies, freesias, willow.

Things I could touch. I pinched the thin polycotton fabric of my shirt, brushed my knuckles against the slightly rough denim of my pants. Taking a breath, I ran my hand through my hair, then scuffed my sandals slightly and moved my toes over the gravel caught in my shoes.

Hear the birds singing ... there's a fountain or stream I can hear running somewhere ... a dog barking ...

Another deep breath and I could smell the flowers through the car fumes that were dissipating around us. I could taste the fumes in my mouth.

You're okay. You're okay.

Feeling slightly calmer, I turned back around to where my mother was standing with her husband. The panic rose again, but I fought it down. I couldn't react. The driver started carrying my luggage to the front door. The enormous double front doors.

Glancing around, I realised how little attention I was paying before. This wasn't a house. This was a f*****g mansion, and despite my lack of experience with mansions, it seemed big even for a mansion. I couldn't decide if it might actually be closer to a castle.

"Welcome home, Medi," my mother smiled. This was part of the image she wanted. The doting, perfect mother and house wife. If only reality had any kind of semblance to her fantasy.

"The house belongs to my brother, we've got staff that live here too," my mother's husband explained. "We've set aside one of the guest rooms for you, but it's not too far from our room if you ever need anything."

The suggestive look on his face made my stomach turn. Would I be safe? I was going to be checking for a lock on my door as soon as I entered.

"There are security camera's throughout the house," he continued, my mother still blissfully unaware of how his eyes lingered on me. "So don't think about stealing anything or trying to hide anything you break. And no sneaking out. There are security guards monitoring the grounds at all times, the gates are locked overnight. Unless you've received prior approval you must be in the building by nine every night. There will be some business events hosted at the house. You will likely get the choice to either stay confined to your room or leave the grounds for the duration of the event, though that will not always be possible depending on the time and duration of the event."

What kind of prison was I staying in?

"Come inside!" My mother giggled, a noise that sounded incredibly fake coming from her mouth as she came around to grab my arm and pull me to the house.

I slowly dragged my feet forward, unsure what other option I had at that point. Inside the entryway were two large wooden staircases leading to the next floor, arching together and meeting at the top. As we walked in, a figure was making its way down.

The man ran a hand along the bannister, the other holding his phone to his ear, though I couldn't hear what he was saying. He glanced up towards the doorway and my heart stuttered. His cold grey eyes felt like they were piercing my soul. His movement paused before looking away again and continuing down the stairs. I'd never thought there was much difference between a tailored suit and one off the rack, but I couldn't imagine one off the rack looking quite so delicious.

Delicious?

I shook my head slightly to clear it.

"Ah, here's my brother now," my mother's husband announced, a slight bitterness in his voice. "So nice of you to make an appearance."

His brother sent his own annoyed glare, his square jaw clenching before he continued his conversation.

"You probably won't see much of him," my mother's husband told me, putting a hand on my shoulder and ignoring my responding wince. "He's usually busy with the family business. Won't share the workload with his big brother either after dad decided I deserved to relax a bit more after all I did to help him when he was running it."

I doubted that was all of the story, but I couldn't think beyond my initial doubt as his hand, still on my shoulder, had my entire attention. I needed to get away. Now.

The man finished his descent and hung up the phone, running a hand through his thick black hair before approaching us. I leapt at the chance and jumped forward, my hand outstretched.

"Hi, I'm Demi's daughter, Medi," I smiled, unsure if it looked genuine or if my panic made me appear insane. He slowly reached out his hand response and I grabbed it to shake. "Thank you so much for letting me stay in your beautiful home, I appreciate your generosity."