Scarlet scars

Chapter 22: Her Room

Jerald

…it smells like dung in there” I could hear a voice and I could feel a vein pop as clenched my fists. First they let her sleep in a filthy attic and even had the audacity to make fun of her? Who did they think were? I was going to teach each and every one of them a lesson. My anger almost made blow my cover as knocked over something. I stayed still waiting to hear if they would come in

“Is there someone in your room?” I heard the guy ask. Michael, as that Amelia b***h called him. At least he was nice to her and was not treating her like trash. I could spare him.

“Uhm, no I was cleaning just now. So I guess something I didn’t place properly must have fallen to the floor.” I heard Cally say and there was a short pause.

Then I heard shuffling and I stilled thinking if he saw me. But then the door closed and I heard them say they were going downstairs because he had something for her. I got up immediately I heard their footsteps recede and I picked up her beddings throwing them on her small bed.

I felt a pang in my chest as sat down on the hard tiny bed and stared at the whole of what she calls her room. How could anyone let someone live like this? Even my servants lived in way, way better conditions than these. And here was she. She has grown into such a strong woman I can’t help but admire her. I wondered where she found the strength to soldier on. From the chores we did, I could tell that wasn’t something she did because her cousin was coming home. Anyone could tell that was part of her daily life and to that add university and work at a restaurant.

How could someone handle so much? Yet look at where she lays her head to rest at night. I could imagine the sore bones every early morning.

I know I was not allowed to snoop around her “room” but I couldn’t help it. She had a chest of drawers where she kept her things and it really surprised me. Because that was it. There was nothing else, no jewellery, no shoes apart from the two pairs I saw on the floor besides the chest. The other side of the room was filled with boxes and old furniture. She had her little corner cosy enough though.

The only thing I could say she had that was enough were her books. She had a small collection of about 20 books on top of the chest and I smiled involuntarily. Knew she liked reading when we were kids but I thought it was just a kid’s thing she grew out of. But this had proven otherwise.

What was taking her so long? I paced up and down her room, I made her little bed and she was nowhere to be seen. I felt like I was in a movie scene in which the wife is almost caught red handed cheating on her husband and has to shove the man he is cheating with in an attic. I was on edge and if I wasn’t going to see her in ten minutes I was going to blow our cover and demand answers as to why they were treating her like that. I could take her away after that if it got to that.

Thinking about it, there must have been some kind of reason why she wasn’t leaving this shithole. From what I could see, Cally is an independent woman capable of taking of herself but why has she stayed here when she is over 18? There must be something keeping her here and I can’t let my anger and impatience ruin it for her. She might hate me for it. It meant I had to wait and talk to her later on, hopefully she can open up.

After a few minutes of pacing about the room, I heard footsteps approaching and moved stealthily towards the door to hide behind it in case it wasn’t her. The footsteps halted at the door and I heard a bang sound in the door, followed by a whimper, Cally’s. I almost opened the door when I heard it.

“Give it to me” it was a harsh, thicker voice compared to that Amelia’s voice I heard earlier. My fists clenched and I could hear my own heart beat.

“You think you can just get anything my son gives you and it will belong to you?” I heard the harsh voice say and I assumed she was not being loud because she didn’t want to be heard by any other person. This must have been her aunt.

“But he-h-he bought tha-tha for me…” that was Cally’s voice and I could tell she was crying “ouch… it hurts” she cried out.

“Quiet you imbecile. You think my son will hear and come to your rescue?” she sneered. “I will kill you before that happens” she said and I saw red. I was ready to tear this place to shreds. I pulled the door open and at the same time, Cally bolted in slamming the door shut and ran straight to her bed throwing her head in her pillow crying.

I was so angry but the anger I felt towards her family wasn’t enough for me to leave her here alone crying while I tore them all to shreds. I made sure that she was really gone before moving towards her.

I walked over to the bed and sat beside her. Her thin frame was shaking and my chest constricted. I placed my hand on her shoulder and she flinched. She lifted her head slowly and when she saw me it was as though she just remembered I was in her room.

She wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. She was trying to act tough in front of me and my anger grew ten folds. Do they always make her cry like this? I asked myself. My heart softened as she looked at me with her glassy green orbs. I run my thumb over her tear stained face and I noticed as more tears threatened to spill.

I took her in my embrace not knowing what I could say to make her feel better. I could hear her quiet sobs and sniffling. She clung to my chest as she mumbled "what wrong have I ever done to my aunt for her to hate me so much?". She lifted her eyes to meet mine " am I really cursed Jay? Is that why?" She asked tears falling from her eyes.

The pain I felt in my chest! I swear I've never felt it before. Why could someone derive joy in seeing such an innocent soul in tears?

" shhh shhh" I cooed as I hugged her again. "don't say that okay, you are not cursed and that aunt of yours isn't worth your tears" I said softly rubbing her back. She is a strong young woman and these people were doing all they could to break her. I knew I had to save her before it was too late.

"It will be over soon" I whispered as I felt her sobs and breathing even out. She fell asleep in my arms and I felt really warm inside. I wanted her to be falling asleep every day in my arms, just like that. But then again not in a situation like that.

I understood why she didn't want me to meet her so called family. she didn't want me to see any of what I had witnessed and I could tell there was so much more. more to everything.

It was time for me to implement the second stage of my plan. since I had won her back, it wouldn't be a problem.

"Time for stage 2 of my master plan" I muttered stroking her hair. I stayed with her till 1 in the morning and as soon as I was sure that everyone had slept, I kissed her forehead, scribbled on a piece of paper and placed it under her phone on the side of the bed and left.