My Perfect Love Story

Chapter 7: Dominate

August 7, 2021

3:00 am

Mariana's Condo

BOOM!

Mariana jolted out of her endless nightmare, gasping sharply. As she laid still on the warm, rough carpet, images of the previous night came to vision. Mariana can still feel his hands on her frail neck. Mariana can still feel the raspiness in her throat as she fought for her right to breathe. Mariana can feel every ache given to her unrighteously. She wanted so badly to rise from her current position but the trauma she is feeling overtakes all movement, except tears. Her eyes swelled from the amount of crying, her head began to hurt from frustration. 

Mariana was confused and dismayed. She didn't understand why Michael was combative and passive-aggressive towards her. The disturbing dream she had done nothing but add more confusion to the problem. Mariana and Michael have only been on two dates so, the possessive energy caught Mariana off guard. Michael has shown sketchy behavior but Mariana, being the naive person she is, didn't question it as much as she should have.

_____

August 1, 2021

11:00 am

Mariana's Condo

Mariana was frantically running around her apartment, looking for her purse. She was seconds away from having a panic attack, in fear of losing her personal belongings. Just as she was about to scream in frustration, she heard the doorbell. She began to walk towards the door angrily as she was irritated and didn't appreciate being bothered. 

Mariana opened the door roughly with a mean mug on her face, "What!-" Mariana shouted before realizing who was at the door and instantly regretted it. "Well, you seem to be having a bad day, love," Michael's face showed amusement as he never had anyone yell at him like Mariana. Knowing it wasn't intentional, Michael gave her the benefit of the doubt. 

"Sorry, I lost my purse and I'm aggravated cause I have all of my-" Before Mariana could start rambling, Michael swiftly pulled Mariana's purse from behind his back. Mariana's glow began to exude as she was relieved to see her purse. "Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! Where did you find it?" Mariana said, excitedly. "You left it in our car, love," Michael said, nonchalantly. "Our car?" Mariana was surprised at Michael claiming his car to be hers as well.

"Whatever is mine is yours, love, including you," His hand caressed her neck softly as she slowly began to succumb under his touch once again. "I'll talk to you later, baby," He left as quickly as he came, not forgetting to kiss me sweetly.

_____

As the pain subsides gradually, Mariana decides to arise from the ground, surprised to see nothing red. The ache in her body was similar to the aches of her mother. The detrimental feeling of being alone was overweighing Mariana's heart. Her soul felt hollow as she slowly began to give up on the thought of love and passion.

Slowly rising from the ground as the pain in her muscles increase with each move she makes, induces Mariana to release a sharp cry of agony. Failing to stand straight, Mariana limps to her bathroom with a crouched back and blurred eyes. She shakily turns the knob to the bathroom, dreading what the mirror will show her.

Looking into the mirror, Mariana saw her mother. She saw the bruises that resembled her mother's. The melancholic look on Mariana's face reminds her of the look her mother fought to hide from the 'family'. Everything about Mariana resembles her mother, which Mariana loved and despised.

The dark purple and blue bruise on Mariana's neck made her inhale sharply. Whilst raising her hand to caress the bruise and inspect it thoroughly, Mariana felt an excruciatingly sharp pain below her ribcage. Lifting her shirt carefully, she saw the small, dark bruise. Mariana's knees buckled as her legs grew weak. She sat on the toilet confused about her future decisions.

What will happen in the morning? Should I answer his call? Why would he do this to me? These thoughts ran in Mariana's mind as she started the shower. Although Mariana lived in a domestic violence household, she did not expect to be placed in a similar situation. The lukewarm water stung against Mariana's bruises as she tried to scrub her skin carefully. 

Showers were Mariana's time to think and evaluate on sudden occurrences. The thinking was the last thing Mariana wanted to do as she began to gain a migraine. Not only was she apprehensive of what the morning held, but she also doesn't know where her relationship with Michael stands.

Walking out of the bathroom after her bath felt soothing. Mariana always loved the cool breeze against her skin after a bath or shower. She quickly dressed in an oversized t-shirt and panties before laying as comfortably as she could get on her bed. To be frank, Mariana wasn't comfortable at all. She had many questions roaming through her head which stopped her from sleeping. Also, her scars pained her so couldn't peacefully rest.

Soon enough, Mariana began to doze off, mind clear from all problems. Just as she was about to close her eyes, her phone rang. It was a text message from Michael.

Michael

Thinking about you...

sent 3:47 am

Mariana's anxiety rate rose exceedingly. She couldn't stop hyperventilating as the message was meant to mock her vaguely. Mariana quickly grabbed her Anxiolytic pills from the nightstand and popped one pill in her mouth. Her throat was extremely dry as the pill sat on her tongue. Mariana limped out of her bedroom and made her way to the kitchen. 

As she walked past the living room, she began to picture each advance Michael made on her which made her divert her attention away from that area and towards the sink. Mariana shakily grabbed a glass cup from the cabinets and poured cool water in it. 

The liquid, cold sensation runs down Mariana's throat smoothly. The refreshing feeling that was meant to be was converted into a slight sting in her throat. Nonetheless, Mariana downed the pill quickly before noticing her window curtains in the kitchen were open.

As she goes to close the curtains, she notices a black car parked in her driveway. As hard as Mariana tried to look in the car, the windows were tinted. Mariana didn't recognize the car or know how long it's been in her driveway. She ran through her house, locking every single door that could lead someone into her house.

Mariana couldn't have taken her pills at a better time as she starts to become anxious. 5,4,3,2,1. 5,4,3,2,1. After 10 minutes of staring into nothing and counting down to 1 repeatedly, Mariana finally slept peacefully.

_____

 August 7, 2021

9:00 am

Mariana's Condo

Mariana moves slightly as she feels tingles against her skin. The tingles run across her skin, slowly waking her up from what could've been a restless night. Opening her eyes, she can see shoes and legs from her left eye. Before Mariana could react hysterically, his hands grazed her chin, lifting her head gently as the smirk was embedded on his face. 

"Good morning beautiful," His hand rested in her hair as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. Mariana sat up in her bed, scooting away from him. Michael noticed this behavior and moved closer to her. "Look at what you did to me," Mariana refused to have him in her house, believing what he did was habitual. 

Michael's smirk turned into an agape expression, "Mariana! Words can't explain how immature and reckless I was last night. I couldn't sleep, I was constantly thinking of the pain I have inflicted on you. I didn't expect you to bruise so badly," Michael's tone held so much remorse and sorrow for his actions. He caressed Mariana's cheek, as always, as a sign of affection. Mariana's eyes close in delight as his touch hypnotized her.

Michael knew exactly how to make Mariana feel amazing, and distressed. "Michael, we have spent some great times together. I loved every single moment we've shared. You make me feel good, you know how to put a smile on my face. But I can't," Mariana hesitated to finish her confession. She was scared Michael would act irrationally. 

"You can't what?" Michael's eyes looked darker. His hand remained on Mariana's cheek, feeling the softness of her skin. "I've been through a lot in my life. I've worked hard for everything I have. I don't appreciate you being combative and using violence to get your point across," Mariana made eye contact with him, standing her ground. After one good look in his eyes, Mariana regrets ever looking up, but she knew this is what she had to do.

"So, what exactly are you saying?" Michael seemed very annoyed at Mariana beating around the bush. "I'm saying, I don't want to continue this relationship with you. And I hope you can respect that and leave my house, please," Mariana grabbed his hand from her cheek and placed it gently on his lap. Michael snatched his hand from her grip and stood from her bed. He began to chuckle dryly as he paced around the room, with a smile on his face.

"Are you serious right now?" Michael sid with a hard look on his face. "As serious as the bruise on my neck," Mariana decided to be snide as Michael loved doing that so much. He scoffed at her statement and looked at her briefly. After minutes passed of him standing in Mariana's room, Michael finally grabbed his belongings and made his way out.

Before leaving the front door, he looked at Mariana once more and chuckled dryly again. Mariana was relieved he didn't respond belligerently to the situation, yet confused on how light he was taking her request to separate herself from him. 

Mariana felt a new level of independence. She felt happy and content with her life. Nothing can stop her happiness or drive to succeed. It's right to say Mariana has gained dominance for herself and isn't as submissive as her mother.

Right?

                                                                        ~My Perfect Love Story~