Chapter 18: Limitations
1220 Words
My hand was still dripping blood as I watched my love frantically plead for freedom. I wish I could give it to her but she has to learn. I wish I could tell her what I do but it would only hurt her more than she has experienced in all her years of living. If only she knew the connections I have with her father.
He's truly a deadbeat. He's done nothing for her family besides cause pain and heartache. He's trapped his wife into his familiar abyss. He experiences satisfaction and wealth. Whoever else enters it experiences pain and torment. I know it so well as I am living in my own abyss, with his daughter. Who I bought.
She's such a prize. I couldn't bear to watch as she suffered in a family that neglected her. Her mother tried but she's weak. Mariana did everything she can to protect her mom, but Annalise couldn't run from fate. In the world we live in, you can't run from fate. It's either, kill or be killed.
I took Mariana out of that domestic tragedy and brought her into space where she can feel welcome. Yet, welcome and free are very different. I haven't established many rules with her because living in suspense is better than knowing what to expect. Just like everyone else in my life, she will have to learn the hard way.
"It starts in 30 minutes." My brother, Mateo, tells me as he walked into my sacred studio. Mariana didn't notice my family living in this huge mansion with me, they are always out on...business. I oversee them while I'm home, I have eyes everywhere. I look back at the large, bulletproof, one-way screen. Mariana has passed out on the floor. She's so fragile. She's not built for my lifestyle.
"Give me ten," I say, Mateo doesn't say another word as he walks out the door. I follow behind him shortly but I make my way back to the basement, where my love was sprawled out on the cold pavement. So precious. I carry her out of the room and make my way to our bedroom. I lay her gently on the bed and cover her with the comforter. I caress her sweaty hair and gently lay a soft peck before leaving.
"This is the first girl you've shown care for," Mateo said as he stood near the door. "What's with the change of actions?"
“She’s my bride. I have to treat her like one.” I said, stroking her hair as I admired her beauty.
“I see you’ve performed your usual acts on her.” He says referring to the marks on her body.
”If you looked closely, brother. You would see that I haven't.”
”Yes, you've finally grown patience. Father would be disappointed.” His tone stayed monotone as he shook his head in disapproval.
I laughed bitterly at the sarcastic joke, ”Father is not in control of my life.” I dismissed the topic quickly.
”Father is in control of the family business-” Mateo tried to start an argument that he knew he couldn’t win.
”I am in control of the family business.”
”As long as our father is alive, you will never be in control of what happens in that business. I love the arrogance, though.” Mateo was always a daddy’s boy. He tried to do whatever he could to please our father. I don’t blame him, he is the youngest.
Mateo trying to force my father’s authority onto me angered me as I clenched my fists. Fights with my brother aren’t unusual but I try not to make it a habit, I have trouble finding my limit.
”What does my bride have to do with our father’s disapproval and the family business?”
”Do you think acting like an i***t will help you get out of the situation you're in?” Not only is he trying to force my father’s authority on me, but he is also trying to force his judgment on me as well. That I will not stand for.
”You are very energetic today brother, do you need a bullet in your toe?” I warned him vaguely.
”All I'm saying is, Simone, is lurking in the shadows, specifically our father’s.” Oh boy. As much as I want to avoid the dalliance I partake with Simone, it cannot be neglected.
Simone is my lover who has been keeping me acquainted in my days of loneliness as my being yearned for the feeling and presence of Mariana. Now that Mariana is in my presence, I haven't seen Simone in a while which doesn't sit well with my family. They want Simone and I to be married but I refuse to marry her.
"She is nothing but an old lover to me, that's all she will ever be" I expressed to Mateo as I watched him scoff in disbelief.
"Was this before or after your 'bride' was in the picture?" He counterargued.
We both easily forgot about the family business we had to deal with. But that's nothing out of the ordinary.
"Do you really want to do this here?"
"Why not? You act as if we haven't had worse conversations. Are you a new person, now that you've discovered a new bedmate?"
I punched him square in the face. He stumbled back, gaining his balance quickly. He tackled me to the ground and I flipped us over. Pinning him to the ground I noticed the blood dripping down his nose.
"You have limitations," Mateo said as he breathed heavily from his mouth. "You have duties, don't f**k up."
I let go of him, holding a long glare in his direction. He's right. I have things to do, I can't be overly sensitive, that would lead to risky decisions. I watched as he wiped his bloody nose until I heard movement coming from the bed. I looked over to see Mariana stirring in her sleep.
She calls for her mother as sweat profusely begins to drip from her body. I rise to comfort her but I am gripped at the collar of my shirt by Mateo. "We have things to do." He said, gritting his teeth.
I can tell he was tired of me. I will be the first to admit I act like the youngest child sometimes but he should think twice before disrespecting my bride.
He speed-walked ahead of me, I could tell he was mad. How dare he? So selfish, only thinking of himself and his benefit. He would've been dead had it not been for father. He's too emotional, I don't know how I manage to have the patience for him.
He gets in the driver's seat as I get in the passenger's seat and he speeds away furiously. "You'll kill yourself with this much rage in you." I tease him, trying to get a reaction. "Why must you provoke me?" He snapped instantly.
"Why must you be so easy to provoke?" I smirked as he sat with his mouth agape. Without another word, we drove to our desired location in comfortable silence.
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~My Perfect Love Story~
- Writer
