Forgetting Mellaine

A Game to Play

“Brandon…” My eyes stared at the man who is currently on top of me. His breath is heavy. Warmth and tenderness surround us as we wrapped ourselves with the sheets on the bed.

“I promise, I’ll take it slow.” He assured me and gave a kiss on the forehead.

I nodded and breathe. He started to thrust, gently, trying to ease the pain I am feeling. It’s been so long when a man touched me. I made a quite awful look when I felt his whole inside me. He thrust again, a slow one. I made a soft moan. Second by second, Brandon is moving a little faster. Our hands are intertwined, a sign of bond that has been made between the two of us. He moved faster, thrusting a way deeper – he was pounding me hard. Everything is going crazy. My sensed are all mixed up. I heard him moaned as I feel that I am going to reach mine. I held him tight by his arms, my breathing was heavier.

“I-I’m coming.”

“W-wait for me. J-just a little more.. Aah..”

“F-faster…” Brandon moved his way fast.

After some time, I felt something warmth entered me, together with mine, I made a loud moan – we reached our c****x. Catching our breaths, Brandon collapsed on top of me. We made love for sure. I smiled as I caress his hair with my fingers. We can hear our own heartbeats. As the night went deeper with the darkness, Brandon was able to take me anywhere; on the sofa, the kitchen table, the sink and even on the cold tiled floor. We did it several times until we fall ourselves into sleep.

___

Brandon decided not to come to work and stay with me for tomorrow. It’s still two am in the morning when I was woken up from whispering sounds coming beside my bed. I slowly opened my eyes, and witnessed Brandon standing behind my window, having a call with someone; his voice was somehow unbearable, hissing and ferocious – an agony with someone who didn’t catch his expectations.

“You should be going by now.” He said over the phone.

“I’ll send you the money, just get yourself a place to stay, okay?”

But there was a subject that he was concerned of something – a thing that he is somehow keeping from himself. The atmosphere was cold. I gently pulled the blanket that was covering my body, letting him recognized my presence. He suddenly turned off the call and moved himself. The lights are still off, and just the moon letting me see a glimpse of his face.

“You’re awake. Did I wake you up?” He asked and sat beside me.

“Who was that?

“Just a client from another country.” Brandon said. His eyes are telling me a different story – the one he’s making some lies to cover itself. It seems that he got no skill in lying, which reminds me of Robert in some ways.

“You suck at lying, you know that right?”

He made a soft chuckle and scratched his head. “Okay, okay. She’s an acquaintance. She wanted to have somewhere to stay for tomorrow. I was pissed when she decided to call me as early in this morning.” He sighed.

Staring at me, suddenly faced turned grey.

“I’m sorry for lying.” He hugged me from the back. His arms brushed through mine as he smelled my neck, kissing it.

I smiled. “It’s early in the morning, Brand.” I whispered.

He pulled from the hug and said, “Right.”

Yawning, he slowly laid beside me, tugging the blanket on him. He wrapped his arms around me.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The following morning, at six, I woke up to cook us breakfast. I decided to have hotdogs, pancakes with maple syrups and eggs. I heard a sudden screeching noise, but I wasn’t sure where it is coming from. I was busy mixing the ingredients for my pancakes when Brandon walked towards the kitchen, giving me a hug from behind. He is being clingy like a child today. I smiled and said, “Good morning.”

“Good morning. Looks like we’re having a good breakfast today.” He complimented, seeing what I prepared.

Of course, I would like to surprise him somehow with foods and to thank him also for staying with me. In a moment, maybe at 8 am, France will be here too. She’ll definitely give me a scold at the same time a tease for seeing me together with Brandon. Brandon walked to the living room, wearing his yesterday’s shirt, he hasn’t come home yet. He stared vacantly at the ceiling, probably thinking about something. His head is too heavy for himself, laying down on the couch – he started humming, a sound so comforting and lovely to hear. I smiled and continue what I’m cooking. When I finished the last part, which are the fried eggs, I transferred them inside the bowl.

I heard a sudden snap from the knob, a snap that somehow tells me that no one will escape or can get out, it was Brandon who locked it. I gave him a curious look as I listen to his hum. He was standing, facing directly the door, still holding the knob.

“Isn’t it fun to have you again?” He said with a scornful laugh.

I heard that before, those exact words. Examining Brandon’s features, I suddenly saw something different, I saw someone, a new person that’s lurking behind his shadows; a person that he’s going to reveal this time. I felt a sudden fear. Who…are…you?

He turned his gaze and said, “It’s just so fun to play with you, Mellaine.” He chuckled, brushing his hair with his fingers in frustration. He took a deep sigh. He walked slowly towards the kitchen, where I am standing beside the table. I moved myself, somehow the scenery tells me to move away from him, but I don’t know why.

“Do you want to play, Brand? We can finish this food first before it gets cold, then we can play anything you want.” I said calmly.

His laugh turned into an excited one, like a demon just entered his body and possessed his soul. “Anything I want, Laine? You’re going to play with me?”

“Uhm…yes. We can play.”

Brandon is acting weird all of a sudden, thinking he’s having a prank on me right now. Am I right? He somehow makes no attempt of letting me draw a conclusion of what he’s up to, but instead he seems to enjoy making some complicated pieces for me to solve them first. Turning myself, I grabbed some dishes, the white ones with flower and buildings designs over the drawer, when he suddenly stopped me from pulling another plate inside it. He stared at me blankly.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked.

“No. Of course not, everything is fine, my dear.” He smiled, walking around the table as he runs his finger on it. “Do you think your life is a game and you’re the player itself? To think of those things that happened to you, I think it is a game. Do you love it?

“I know there is something about him.” I said to myself. And now I have witnessed another side of him, for the first time - his arrogance, the tension lurking behind the shadows, the anger crawling in his heart, the way he stiffened his posture and lastly, the total fakery of the things that surrounds me.

Did I just make myself pet a dangerous one? – Somehow like himself.

“What do you mean?” I asked now a bit scared of how he talks and his ways of approaching me. I thought of calling France and ask her to come over as soon as she can, trying to remember where I put my phone – it was inside my room, on the bed.

He clapped his hands slowly, like counting each of it – how the sounds are made when both of his hands meet, his feet step on the floor, the devious smile he wears. All of his actions show abhorrence –a person with so much hatred and tremors in life, desperately seeking for something –revenge.

Brandon has his own past, the ones I still didn’t visit and know. Something that makes him as him. It was his beginning, the roots of all – his smiles, his hopes, his fears and even his darkest secrets. I wanted to see someone else rather than the two of us. Making an alibi, I walked towards the door, my pace is faster than before, I was tiptoeing.

“I think someone just called me.” I said. Brandon followed me immediately in the living room. I was about to unlock the knob when he held my hand, he was gripping it slowly, taking some pressure and strength.

“B-Brandon…I-it hurts.” I muttered.

“Oh, I’m sorry dear. But that pain you’re feeling right now is far from what I’ve experienced before.” His tears began to flow on his cheeks unexpectedly.

I was shocked when I saw him crying. I embraced him slowly, and let him leaned on my body, his face rested on my shoulder. Suddenly, a laugh came from himself. With his might, he immediately grabbed my arms, pushing me through the wall, pinning me. I saw his face with the devil’s eyes. It wasn’t Brandon that I was seeing but a demon. What have I done? Who are you really?

Brandon kissed me forcefully, that made my lips bled. Tears rushed on my cheeks, glaring at him, I felt so disgusted and humiliated all of a sudden by the man I just made love last night. I can’t understand anything right now – and that hurts me more. He pulled something on his pockets – two black handkerchiefs. Brandon was smirking as he coercively put one around my mouth. I kicked his legs, his thigh, his arms, anything that I can kick on him – I was fighting. He laughed.

“You should stop, Laine. It’s useless.” He calmly said. He gripped both of my hands on my back that I shouted in tears. I couldn’t do anything. He put the other handkerchief around my wrist. Pulling me with his strength and let me stand, he dragged me directly to one of the corners inside my room. Throwing me, he immediately locked the door. I went to it and made some loud noises, hoping that Amy or Howard will hear me, even I thought it will be useless since the room is in the most corner of the apartment, far from theirs at least. I continue to give long and unpleasing ones to hear.

“Stop that, or I’ll kill you.” He said from the outside. My whole body was shaking when I heard him say those words. I fell on my knees and cried. I remembered my phone. I hurriedly wet to it, but to my dismay it was broken, it was already broken – it’s not working anymore. Perhaps, he was able to break it when I was still busy cooking a while ago. Now my hands are trembling. Anger with sadness came rushing all over my body. No, this is not what I expected. After a minute, he went back inside the room, bringing with him a rope.

He slowly walked towards me, when I decided to run as soon as I saw the door being held open. But it was all a failure, he was able to grab me by the arm and pulled me back inside. Closing the door, he stood still. I moved myself away from him. I couldn’t talk still because of the handkerchief. A sudden voice appeared from outside the apartment – it was France! Brandon and I looked at each other, He headed towards me directly and forced me to sit on the chair. I kicked and kicked, trying to have a breakthrough from his grip, but…in the end he was able to wrap my legs with the rope around the chair – making sure I can’t stand.

With a hint of success in his face, he left me with a smile, locking the door and headed for sure to France. I hope he won’t do something to her too. I need to breakthrough. I need to find a way to escape him. Who are you really Brandon? I should at least make a noise that will be able to reach France somehow or the others. My gaze scanned all over the room. The ceiling is well-built, Brandon was able to block the stairs leading to the attic with my drawer, and even the bathroom’s door was locked.

A hint of idea lingered on my head. It will hurt me for sure but I should do it. Taking enough courage, I pushed myself backwards and tripped on the floor with the chair – making a loud impact. Please France, please hear me out, I prayed.

In a vast moment, Brandon sprung himself inside my room with a vengeful and deranged face. He walked to me and harshly grabbed me on my face, gripping it tight. I cried so hard. This is too much. This is way too much. I didn’t do anything wrong with you, why are you doing this Brandon? Why?

“Are you trying to get me killed or have a heart attack?! The next time you’ll do such thing as that, I’ll make sure I’ll give you a present and that you will pay. Perhaps I can include those that are important to you…let’s put France as an example. Of course she’s your best friend right? Answer me!” He shouted, digging his nails on my cheeks. Please…stop… please…

I slowly nodded.

“Good girl…Oh, well I’m sorry Franc wasn’t able to hear the sound you just made.” He said, releasing his grip. “Oh!” He clapped his hands again, something just went inside his mind, an idea. “I already know the game that we will be playing right now.” He excitedly said. He pulled the chair from the floor, making me sit properly and able to face him. He grabbed another one and sat across to me, making us have a couple-like conversation. No, it was like an enemies’ conversation.

He took a deep sigh. “So…the game I want to play with you is Tell Me Who The Person Is. It is simple. I’ll give you some descriptions or might as well the stories, then you’ll tell me who’s that person I am referring to. But if you’ll answer a wrong one, then you’ll get a punishment.”

I nodded silently with my sob and looked at him. I want this to end. Last night, we’re making love, and this one is unbearable. What did just happen? Brandon why are you doing this?

“Okay. So I’ll start. The first one is the guy who was at France’s café. He was wearing his leather jacket and was able to wave a hand on the girl who just got hired after as the cashier and somehow the secretary of the owner. Who is he?”

I stared at him blankly. “Oh. I’m sorry. You still got the handkerchief.” He was going to pull it off but, “Uh.uh. If I’ll pull this off, you might shout and ask for some help.”

Damn it!

“But…if I were you, you should not make any noise after I pull this thing off, because I got the cards of this game, my dear. I. Can. Kill. People.” His eyes showed seriousness.

I nodded with my sob. He gently pulled the handkerchief down. I was able to breath with my mouth. “Again, who is he?”

“I-its you.” I answered.

He patted me on the head. He’s surely having fun with this right now – an insane person.

“P-Please Brandon…Please let me go. Why are you doing this –”

He cut me off. “That’s not the answer. Do you want me to give you a punishment?”

I cried again. “N-No…”

“Okay. The next one is the guy who wore those…I think...mmm…dark blue hoodie, a mask and black glasses, the person who sat on the next table where you and Amy got your first lunch together in one of the restaurants?”

“I-It’s you?...” That person I saw that time really looked like my husband…

He made a laugh. “Of course not! It’s your imagination, my dear.” “So I guess…your answer is wrong. Then, I have to give you a punishment of course.” He said, taking off a lighter on his pocket.

“B-but..No..You gave me a story that you already know that I will answer the wrong one.” I told him. His laugh began to get louder. “You’re such a genius! That’s why I like you!...But still, your answer is wrong so brace yourself, and be sure not to make a sound or I’ll kill you.”

He slowly turned on the lighter and gently placed it on my thigh. I cried in pain, but too scared to make a sound. Instead I bit my lower lip as hard as I can.

He burnt me there…He burnt me there…It hurts so badly. It hurts…

“There. There. Now. Let’s go to the next one.”

“Well, how about the person who was sitting on the next table that made you slipped your own drink on the floor and the one responsible for having you almost got hit by a car when we’re having a date?”

“That’s not you.” I answered directly. I won’t fall in your traps again. I glared, giving him the deadliest one.

“Mmm…Somehow your answer is right. But, do you want to know who’s that person truly is?”

Brandon made a sad face, but was able to catch my attention. Somehow, I wanted to know.

“I guess your face is telling me that you want to know.” Silence took place for a while and he said, “It was Devian, the street sweeper.”

“W-what?” But that woman is not even a close friend of mine. How could she do such things to me? I suddenly remembered something and made me realized – after all money is what most people want to have in this world – Brandon paid her to do it, I remembered when he gave her that envelop; the day he volunteered to take me home. That woman! She’ll surely pay for this.

“I’m sorry, Mellaine. But, please don’t get mad at her. She needs the money for her family. Just take it as a part of helping her okay? – ”

I gave him a spit on the face. “f**k you!” He wasn’t expecting such blunt action from me. Wiping it off, he took a sigh. “I like that. Such a strong woman.” He winked. He was definitely toying with me.

“Let’s continue. The person who stood beside the lamppost during night and tried to go inside your apartment; the one also responsible of having you to read the bloody words on the crumpled paper?”

I looked at him…No... I shed a tear as I realized the game he took me in from the start. All of these are parts of his plan – that includes to make me fall in love with him. How am I not supposed to realize that in an earlier time, where I could at least save myself and the others from him. I cried as I stared blankly the floor. “I-It’s Y-you…” I whispered.

He cheerfully said. “Bravo! You got it right again. Yes, that’s me, Mellaine. Isn’t it a bit a surprise for you? Well, I’m sorry, but I tried my best, I really did, to give you some hints. But I guess, you’ve already fell yourself in love with me.” He smiled. “I’m grateful” He added, putting his hand on his chest.

“How about the person who successfully broke in yesterday and made you got that wound on your head?” He said with a happy tone, excited to hear my answer. I looked straight in his demon eyes; the ones I hated the most; the one I want to kill right now.

“It’s. You.”

He laughed. “Yes!” He jumped from his seat. “God! You don’t know what I have been through during that time when I tried to escape. I didn’t know you already got a call with Howard. Damn, I hate that guy and also his wife, Amelia. She’s too talkative, that I wished to put a gun on her mouth to make her shut. I almost got myself killed when an officer was able to see me moving through the trees. Man, that was crazier when I hurriedly went back home. You know, changed my clothes then went straight ahead at your apartment, acting like I am totally worried with you; the perfect boyfriend you could say. Hey, I really shed a tear for you – a tear that I didn’t do my plan successfully because that friend of yours just butted in.”

“Oh lastly, before I forgot…I got something here for you. You’ll love to see this.” He added and cupped something from his wallet, somehow like a picture.

“How about this?” He immediately put it in front of me where I will be able to take a clear view of it. Fear and an ominous feeling crawled me as soon as I see it. All of a sudden, I couldn’t hear anything except for my heartbeat. Everything was blurred and I felt cold. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t. Everything seems so blur. Closing my eyes, I let myself fall into sleep – one that I wanted not to end and wake me up in reality.

That picture…