Behind Her Mask

2 | Her Braveness

Farrah's POV

I glanced at Daddy before removing my high heels. I gave a serious look at a nearby restaurant where I often use the restroom. I quickly ran in that direction, silently hoping that Daddy didn't notice me.

He doesn't want to see me dressed up. He says I'll end up like my mom, who sleeps around. Can you believe it? Coming from someone who cheated?

I quickly wiped my face to remove the makeup I had applied earlier before taking a bath. After that, I changed out of my clothes and put on an oversized T-shirt and leggings. I neatly folded the clothes I wore earlier and put them in a small sling bag. I then tied my hair into a messy ponytail.

I gazed sadly at my reflection in the mirror after I finished.

"You're... You're beautiful." I said bitterly to myself, staring at the bruise on the corner of my lip, my swollen eyebrows, the wounds on my cheek and forehead, and my dirty skin covered in scars.

"You're... You're still beautiful..."

"Where have you been again, huh?! What?! Are you also flirting around like your mother?!" Daddy shouted angrily as soon as I stepped into the house. He even pushed me forcefully on my arm when he asked that.

The impact was so strong that I stumbled backward and almost fell to the floor. But I didn't show any reaction. I fought the fear rising in my chest and approached my father again. I took his hand and bowed my head, placing the back of his hand on my forehead as a sign of respect.

"M-mano po..."

Instead of placing the back of his hand on my forehead, he suddenly and forcefully slapped my forehead with the back of his hand. I stumbled backward as a heavy feeling quickly rose in my chest.

"Don't touch me! You're the reason I'm suffering like this! Get out! Go be with your prostitute mother!" he shouted angrily, then grabbed and emptied the bottle of liquor that was still almost full.

I rushed to run upstairs to my room on the second floor, desperately holding back my emotions as I was about to break down.

"I told you to get out! That room isn't yours! Come down here!" I still heard my father's shout, but I was too scared to move, so I just closed the door and leaned against it.

I caught my breath, and then I grabbed the chair and blocked the door handle to reinforce the lock. I knew my father had spare keys, and it wouldn't be hard for him to get into my room.

Despite the intense fear I felt, I quietly made my way to the bed, forcing myself to sleep.

~*~

When I woke up the next morning, I quietly went downstairs to the kitchen. I immediately noticed my father sleeping on the sofa. I slowly approached the cabinet and took out a blanket to cover him. There are two rooms on the second floor, but he chooses to sleep here instead. He mentioned before that he doesn't want to see my face as soon as he wakes up.

As if I wanna see his face.

I prepared my father's breakfast on the table before going back upstairs. I took a bath and put on my uniform before returning to my room. I then heard the noise from downstairs, a sign that my father was now awake.

I again blocked the door with the chair before bringing out the things I use to cover my scars and wounds.

Holding the small mirror, I carefully cleaned my wounds before covering them with concealer. I applied various makeup products to my face. My wounds still stung slightly when the brushes touched them, but I ignored the pain. When I was satisfied with my look, I smiled at my reflection in the mirror.

"That's what you called 'An angel'"

After getting ready, I carefully climbed out of my room window and headed to school.

When I arrived, I just dropped off my bag in our room before heading out to take a walk. This is my way of relaxing. Walking around while the sky is still dark. I was also planning to buy some food at the canteen or outside since I didn't eat at home earlier. The problem is, I don't have enough money to spend before recess. Maybe I'll just eat during recess instead of letting my classmates see me not eating. They might feel sorry for me.

I stopped walking when I noticed some shadows in the distance. That part of the school is secluded, so I immediately felt uneasy. I slowly approached the area, trying not to make any noise that might catch their attention. I felt a slight tremble of fear in my chest, but I pushed it aside.

I slowly pulled out my cellphone from my pocket and switched it to camera mode. I pointed it at the moving shadows. As I got closer, my eyes widened in shock, and I pressed the record button on my phone to start taking a video.

There was a man lying on the ground, his hands clasped together as if in prayer. Two muscular men were kicking him repeatedly.

"MA'AM! SIR!" I shouted loudly, immediately grabbing their attention.

The two men stopped what they were doing, looking at me with a mixture of shock and intimidation. On the other hand, the man on the ground, who was wearing glasses, looked at me with fear in his eyes. I couldn't tell if his fear was due to his situation or because of what might happen to me.

The two men cursed loudly before quickly moving towards me. But before they could get close, I quickly took a step back and raised my cellphone to their faces.

"I'm live on f*******: now! Don't even think about touching me," I warned confidently.

They immediately covered their faces and quickly ran towards me. I swiftly raised the pepper spray that I had made myself and sprayed it in the direction of their eyes.

"Don't come near me! You'll just hurt yourselves!"

...