My Perfect Love Story

Chapter 11: Laughter

I laugh in the face of danger. That’s what my mother always told me during my traumatic childhood. As much as I tried to instill that in my days of living, I always succumb to fear. But what is fear? Fear is the dire feeling to resist a scenario, image, person who may bring harm, pain, or a tragedy into your life. That’s my definition of it, at least. Everyone has different perceptions of similar situations. That’s what I’d like to call controversy. There are times where there is a right side, and there are times where people are fighting for unnecessary reasons when they could both walk away with their entitled opinions. So why fear what is destined to happen? Why fight fate? I hate this question! What if I’m not ready to take on the fate that is destined for me? What if I’m not prepared for the challenge, or what may not be a challenge? 

Am I thinking too much? Is what I’m thinking absurd? Do I fail to produce common sense as I fear what this house has in store for me? What Michael has in store for me? Walking out of the bedroom was one of my dense moments. I was oblivious of the formal, sequin maxi dress that laid on the bed, waiting to be worn. I did not notice the nude, heeled sandals that sat on the floor near the dress. I stood at the end of the hall and noticed the formal wear of every walking sin in the room. I know it’s not fair to call them sins, but anyone in association with that horrid man is sinful. Even the maids had formal, maiden outfits for the ‘elegant’ event. 

People slowly began to notice my presence as I stared at those grey eyes that were across the room. He noticed heads turn towards me and made long strides in my direction. Being the reckless person I am, I decided to take a seat at one of the round, banquet tables. There were five seats at the table, four of them were taken by two couples who seemed to be having an engaged conversation. Well, until I sat down. I didn’t know if they were disgusted or confused at my presence at the table. I shared looks with them and they continued to share looks between themselves and back at me. 

The females began to whisper in their significant others’ ear while the men comforted their partners as if I was a threat in their space. Just as I was about to greet them mockingly, I smelt the sweet, familiar cologne that I wanted to dread so badly. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, how are you enjoying?” He said in a ceremonial voice. Honestly thinking about it, I’ve never heard his voice be held in anything but a formal manner. It makes me think, is he putting up a facade or is he like this regularly? I don’t know which one I’d prefer because they are both have risky cons that jeopardize my life. But at this point, what can I lose?

“Unfortunately so, Mr. Romano. This,” One of the wealthy men at the table started. He gave me one good look up and down before he continued, “little girl has sat at our table abruptly without a proper greeting and she is in...indecent clothing.”  The man had a lustful look on his face before hiding it with a look of disgust. Similar to the look of his piece of arm candy who can’t seem to get her eyes off of me. I scoffed loudly which made everyone’s eyes at the table turn to me. 

I looked up at Michael to see another dark glare on his face. I smiled brightly at him, making him smile back. If only I knew what that smile meant. I looked around the room and noticed the maids were shaking in fear as the plates food and served it around the dining hall. I noticed the atmosphere in the air became thick. People were murmuring silently as they observed the situation, which wasn’t much of a situation in my eyes, discreetly. “Ah well, I apologize for the inconvenience. Come with me, dear.” His tone signaled hints of ‘Don’t Try Me’, ‘Get You Ass Up’, and he placed his hand on his thigh, all five fingers visible. ‘I’m Giving You Five Seconds’. I gave one last look to the couples at the table before rising and making my way towards the burgundy-themed hallway. I couldn’t help but look down in shyness as eyes were on me everywhere. Even when they weren’t, they still were. Walking into that room had danger written all over it. Thankfully, my mom taught me how to laugh.

_____

I walked speedily towards the bedroom with Michael trailing me. I made it in the room and skyrocketed towards the bathroom. My short legs are nothing compared to his long, muscular ones as he caught up to me and roughly trapped me in his arms. He threw me on the bed, which surprisingly hurt since the bed was soft. The wind was knocked out of me and I gasped loudly, trying to recover from that harsh landing. Just as I was about to exhale, Michael’s hand gripped my neck tightly. Very tight. Almost as if he was trying to kill me.

Usually, I would feel a stinging sensation on my neck when he chokes me. Now, I feel a burning sensation and my throat closing. It burns internally and physically, tears are produced as I fight for my right to breathe. I can already feel the pain brought by the upcoming bruise. Before I can fully realize it, he let’s go of me and stands in front of me at the edge of the bed. I move to sit upon the bed, but the firm slap in my face causes me to fall on my back. “Lay your ass down!” He shouted at me as I whimpered loudly. I didn’t know what hurt more. The burning feeling on my cheek or my lip. I can taste the metallic flavor of blood on my tongue, my lip is busted. My cheek is bruised, I can barely open my left eye right now.

"You dare to step out of my bedroom and disgrace me in front of wealth!" He hovered over me, I curled myself into my body and covered my head with my arms. I must be laughing on the inside because I am whimpering like a puppy in front of the man that has current control of my life. "I'm going to go back out there. When I get back, your ass better be in that dress and your hair better be presentable." He gritted out as I slowly removed my hands from my head.

"And what if I'm not-" He slapped me harder than he has ever before, something tells me that wasn't the hardest he can hit. I'm just glad he hasn't punched me yet. "You have one more time to say something slick and I will cut your tongue off! Do you understand me?!" He shouted loudly causing me to scream in fear. "y-yes, I understand." I whispered loud enough for him to hear. Without another word, he left the room, leaving me in panic and fear.

Whatever I said about laughing in the face of danger, forget it.

                                                                                ~My Perfect Love Story~