Fated to a Monster

Chapter 3

~Ria~

“Arghh!” I groaned silently as I opened my eyes. My head was banging and my legs felt wobbly. “Where am I?” I muttered, looking back and forth as I searched for anything familiar.

“You are awake,” a loud baritone voice said behind me, making me turn immediately. “Sorry, did I startle you?” He said, creasing his brows. “Who are you?” I muttered, avoiding his gaze. “Where am I?” I added.

“Okay, one question at a time,” he said, approaching the bed where I laid. “Stay back,” I snapped, moving backwards. “Where's my mom?” I said. His eyes narrowed as he stared at me keenly, as though he was looking for something.

“Where's my mom?” I demanded, raising my voice a little. “Easy tiger, relax.” He said, his voice firm and tender.

“Arghh!!” I groaned, holding my head as I felt a banging pain. “Why can't I remember anything?” I asked, my voice trembling as I tried to compose myself.

“Uhmm, you were involved in an accident,” he said, coming closer as he sat on the bed. “And…. You lost your memory,” he added, avoiding my gaze.

“Huh!” I gasped, my eyes widened as my face went pale immediately. “Mom,” I called, tears already welled up in my eyes. “Oh, about that, we lost her, I’m sorry,” he said, stroking my hair gently as he shot me a warm smile.

“What?” I gasped as my jaw dropped. Tears trickling down my face. ‘How is this possible?’ I thought. I tried to remember what happened but the banging pain hit me again. “Mom,” I whispered, more tears dropping from my eyes as I gasped for breath.

“You will be fine, come on,” he muttered warmly, wrapping his arms around me as I sobbed uncontrollably.

*******

“No!!” I gasped incoherently as I jerked up. My face was covered in tears as I held the bed tightly.

“Another nightmare?” a voice asked behind me. I quickly turned to the direction of the voice and there he was, my savior.

“You saw your mother again right?” He asked, his gaze fixed on me with creased brows. “I will be fine,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

As much as I trusted him as my savior, I couldn't look him in the eyes. His green crystalline eyes sent a wave of shock down my back anytime I looked at them.

“Can I ask you a question?” I mumbled, fiddling with my fingers, my eyes still facing down. “Yes, go on,” he replied, crossing his arms above his chest.

“My mother, did you see her before she died?” I asked, raising my face slowly to look at him. He fidgeted slightly as he stared at me. “No, I didn't,” he responded, with a small smile on his face. “I have to go now,” he added, dashing out.

‘Hmm, strange,’ I thought.

******

It's been three weeks of staying with Rowan and I was already getting better, even though my memories were still lost. Apart from my mother's face, I was oblivious of every other thing.

“Hi, I have to go now” Rowan said as he came downstairs, swinging his car keys as he went out. “Wait,” I called, running after him. “Where are you off to?” I asked.

“Work, remember,” he replied with his gaze on me. “Oh, ok,” I mumbled, biting my lower lip nervously as I stared at him.

He was wearing a black hoodie with black jogger pants with white boots to match.

Now that I was closer to him, I could see him properly. His long, dark hair was packed backwards as some scattered around his face, adding to his majestic outlook.

“Are you ok?” he asked, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Uhmm, nothing, you can go,” I stuttered, blinking severally. “See you when I get back,” he muttered as he entered his car. “Be safe,” I whispered silently.

As I watched Rowan’s car disappear, I couldn't hide the sense of loneliness that hit me and I realized how much I relied on him. ‘What will I do now?’ I muttered underneath my breath, holding my chin.

Rowan was barely home but his oak scent filled the air. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door, interrupting me.

“Who could that be?” I wondered, raising my brows a little. It was strange and unlikely for Rowan to be back so soon, this added to my turmoil.

As I walked towards the door, my heart beat increased with every step I took.

After deliberating for a while, I finally opened the door amidst my burning fear.

“Hello!” I muttered immediately I opened the door, a blonde lady was standing outside. She had heavy makeup on with dark shades, covering the color of her eyes.

She stared at me for a while, chewing a gum nastily as she eyed me from my head to my toes. As much as I wouldn't want to admit, we had a striking resemblance. “Sorry, how can I…..”

“Oh, will you shut up!” She barked, cutting me off as she tried to force her way inside.

“Excuse me, who are you?” I asked, still standing by the door as I held her arm. “Pftt,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes as she sized me up.

“So you are the b***h Rowan has been seeing all these while?” She barked, her eyes blazing like primal fire. “Huh!” I muttered, my eyes widened in shock as I stared back at her. “Excuse me, who are you referring to?” I added.

“Oh, shut the f**k up, you pathetic hoe,” she snapped, her voice firm and menacing.

“Huh!” Her words caught me off guard, it felt like a spear had been plunged into my heart. “Who's Rowan?” I wondered. That's when it dawned on me that I didn't even know the name of my savior.

“Don't act dumb with me b***h, where the hell is my boyfriend?” She yelled, still glaring daggers at me.

Her audacity was alarming but there was something off about her, I couldn't just place my hands on it. “Phew!” I exhaled deeply, staring back at her as I struggled to maintain composure, I was at the verge of losing my cool.

“Are you dumb? I asked you a question b***h,” she shouted, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

My eyes were bloodshot red and my veins popped out. I slowly clenched my fist, staring into her face as I gritted my teeth.

As much as I wanted to pounce on her, I couldn't. She had a swamp of guards standing behind her, they were dressed in black apparel with black masks, making them look eerie and mysterious.

“Look here b***h,” she muttered, jolting me out of my thoughts. “I will leave but just so you know, Rowan is not who you think he is,” she hissed, before heading out with her men.

“Phew!” I exhaled sharply. Even though she left, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that lingered within me. Who is Rowan? And what does she mean by he is not who I think he is?

These thoughts welled up in my head which led to me going off limits, entering his room.

The room was neatly arranged with nothing unusual, except for the dim light and black hoodies littered all over the place. His oak scent filled the place, adding to its eerie feeling.

I quickly went to his closet, ransacking his shelves and wardrobes but I found nothing. I neatly put everything back in order before heading out but something strange caught my eye, a picture of my mom hanging on the shelf.

“Huh!”