SMELL OF SUCCESS

CHAPTER 4

Breath Maryanne, I clutched the foot of the bed and took deep breath as I slowly and steadily regain my self-control.

Days and nights passed away in agonizing longings for them. I pined in silence, locking myself up in my room, in the dark corners, knees clinging tightly my chest to numb the gnawing pain my stomach that wanted to devour me.

Tears rolled down my cheek as I looked myself in the mirror and saw how deplorable I had become. I needed to see my family as soon as possible. How could they just abandon me like that?

I lost appetite and nothing tasted good not even water which is tasteless.

I was dejected and completely broken, both physically and mentally; I was sitting in the dining room and mindlessly staring at the food in the plate.

“Why are you not eating?” Bravo asked curiously.

“I am going to eat.” I answered.

Suddenly the main door opened, it was Ade and with him were two ladies who he came with.

“Hello guys, how are you doing?” Ade said.

“Fine.” We answered.

“Meet Cinderella and her sister Shimmer’s,” He said.

I was a little bit scared to see other two people joining us. May be am always like this and Bravo, and Ade’s just happened to kidnap me. Maybe, because of the lack of any authority in my life, I had become attracted to his control. Maybe there was never a sun in my life, never any hope for me and when darkness pulled me in, I gave in to it immediately.

“Cinderella and Shimmers will be living with us here.” Ade said.

Days passed and life was just normal.

It was morning, and I was getting ready to go to the dining room for breakfast. It was my first breakfast with Cinderella and Shimmers since the time they joined us. Ade and Bravo were not at home they had gone for a job trip. I wore a luminous green floral tunic dress, with buttons in the front, and put my hair up in a braid.

I went to the dining room, my tea and eggs were waiting for me on the dining table. I sat down took a bite, and didn’t like the taste at all, as had gotten used to Bravo and Ade cooking. Lackadaisical and authenthuasiastic, I was lazily pricking the scrambled eggs with the fork.

Looking at Cinderella, thing took my attention was his arms. There were cuts, and bruises on them. Her pale knuckles were so red, like she was beaten up by somebody.

What is wrong with her?

Feeling frustrated and annoyed, I decided to distract her with sound. I slammed the plate with my fork and it worked. She looked at me. She slightly furrowed his brows looking so intimidating, yet trying hard to figure out what I was doing.

I smiled and giggled, shaking my head and feeling embarrassed by my own stupidity. After finishing my breakfast, I decided to take a tour of the mansion, as there was nothing else to do nobody to talk to and nowhere to go it’s like they were told not to talk to me.

 I started with the hallway because the paintings on its walls had always fascinated me. I glanced carefully at the strange, abstract art, but couldn’t exactly decipher it. As I was looking at the pictures, I noticed, the weather outside had gotten worse, lighting was flashing, strong winds were blowing and thunder was so loud.

This stormy weather always gave me a feeling of doom.

It’s nothing but just but weather.

I assured myself and put the frame down carefully. I notice a picture frame fallen down. I crouched down and with trembling finger tried to collect the scattered remains. Suddenly, someone came from behind. It was Shimmers, she snatched the picture from my hand and placed it on the table, before stepping forward making me step back again, she was fuming and her eyes had menace in them. She kept coming towards me and I kept walking backwards, until I hit the wall. I helplessly looked at my shoulder as if the wall will protect me from her.

She grabbed my hand, put them behind my back, twisted me around roughly and pushed me against the wall, chest first and the buttons on my dress on the front of my dress came off.

“What has gotten into you?” She asked angrily.

“I…..I’m,” I stuttered.

She inched in closer, right behind my ear.

“Do you think I am blind and can’t see what you’re doing?” he asked again.

“No,” I mumbled, my voice feeble.

“If this is some kind of a death wish, then trust me I will be more than happy to fulfill it to you!” she sneered.

Yes kill me and end this mortal suffering, this desire of the flesh this endless pain.

It was not fair that a person so cruel, so cold and heartless was so captivating to look at.

I took a deep breath and picked up the buttons, one by one and kept them in my hand while I looked out at the stormy sky.