The Devil

It was that one typical hot summer morning where the heat spikes drastically. The sounds of crickets could be heard playing in the background and water splashing from a nearby fall just a few walks away from my grandfather’s old traditional structure house. My view is being presented with the tall rice fields, watching the long grains swaying left to right as the morning breeze blew and vegetable farms with vibrant colours of the leaf each pairing with different types of fruits. Living in a huge family, I was the only one granted to my parents as the lucky one to survive. My mother had hard times getting pregnant and when she has me, I was like a precious diamond they cherished for eternity. Of course, as I grew up, I understand why I was spoilt and dotted by my parents. I was that important. The village has always been this quiet and I don’t mind having it this way. It’s relaxing. At least this is my only moment to not get back to my old self where I was foolish enough to get close to that devil. The devil who had destroyed me to pieces. The thought of it played in my mind as tears started to build up in my eyes. The desperation to get help, the disappointment for not receiving any rescue and the feeling of betrayal. He taught me what the world really is, and it’s not a fairy tale where people like me should be hanging around on. I’ve learned my lesson and I vowed that I will never ever get close to the outside world ever again. ”Daydreaming again, sis?” A deep voice shook the soul out of me as I turn around to see the owner of the voice. The hazel strands of hair tousled like a bird’s nest and that dark brown eyes I’ve been envying of to have. I gave him a soft smile then nod my head, Terry asked, ”You’re not thinking about that incident by chance, aren’t you?” He got me there.It is obvious from the fluid building up in my eyes. I looked away and that’s already enough to give him the answer. He let out a sigh then sit right next to me while making sure he gave me a safe distance as he knew that any male present, except for my father’s and grandfather’s, do activate my vulnerable radar. Silence filled the air and the sound of crickets and waterfall are the only thing the both of us could hear. He knew even though he asks a question or two, I will not answer. It’s always been that way ever since that incident occurred and because of that, my family chose to send me out of the city and let me be homeschooled at my grandparent’s house with Terry as my guardian. He has always been helpful and I am grateful to have such a lovely cousin even though he’s adopted, but he’s enjoyable to hang around with especially in my uncontrollable state. Terry let out a sigh which breaks the silence, I turn my head to look at him, then watch him from his side profile, his lips started to move as he speaks. He said, ”I wish I could save you back then. Then I wouldn’t have a need to feel this guilty for being unable to protect you.” I look down at my steepled hand then let out a short sigh. I felt sorry that I’ve dragged him into my problem. He should’ve been out there, going out with friends, maybe having dates with his girlfriend and live like every teenage boy. I held onto the wooden stilt for support then stood up. Terry turned to look at me then asked, ”Where are you going?” I pointed my pointers upwards indicating that I am going upstairs to my bedroom. Before I was able to leave, he called out my name and I stopped on track, he said, ”Sorry... If I said something wrong.” I smile and shook my head before giving him a thumbs up then left the room. It’s not your fault... It’s mine. I confine myself in my dimly lit room. The sunrise is no longer in presence, I sit quietly on the floor with my back against the bed and knees press against my chest. Tears could be felt sliding down my cold cheeks and I took a deep breath before heaving a heavy sigh. As vast as the blue ocean and as high as the blue skies, my circle of guilt grew bigger and wide. I wish I could get back my old self where I did not have to feel this sense of tarnished pride and live like a normal teenage girl again. It was one rainy afternoon and I went out from the laboratory after fulfilling my duty of cleaning it. The school was empty and the only sound I could hear is the water droplets pitter-pattering as it hits the window shield gently. I walk down the hallway while checking all of the text I got from the School President Club and Higher Education Unit Club. I was the president for both clubs and yes, I am a teacher’s pet. It may be a grand title every excellent student would want to achieve, but I involuntarily got the title out of my knowledge, not until I was told that I was one of their ’pets’. My eyes scan through their text on information on what will be held in school and events that will be held outside the school area. As I was too focused on the information via w******p, suddenly, a strong grip on my arm made me shrieked and I was pulled into the janitor’s office where the smell of various types of detergents hit my nostrils making me nauseous. The door behind me was slammed shut and the figure standing in front of me made my eyes grew wide as his cold-sharp gaze pierces through my soul. I try to pick up my courage and ask him, ”What do you want, Alex?” With his deep husky voice, he replied, ”You.” Before I could even react, I was already pushed down to the ground and being forced to satisfy his needs without my consent. He raped me mercilessly and I screamed my lungs out, pleading for help with hopes that someone will hear it and come to the rescue, but my attempts are in vain and soon— I blacked out. My face is wet with heavy tears and my collar is drenched. I quickly got changed into a new pair of white oversized pullover and sweat pants. While I was sliding the shirt over my head before I manage to pull down the hem, I saw the bruises on my body. The disgusting purple mark that he left on my body especially on my neck, where it is visible for everyone to see. I traced the mark and a wave of emotion hit me as the anxiety just went through me. I cried. Loud enough for Terry to hear from downstairs and rush up to my bedroom. When he entered my bedroom, he saw me on the ground, crying so hard while banging my head against the wall. His eyes grew wide when he saw the spot of blood on the wall I’m hitting my head against on. Immediately, he pulls me away from the wall and held both of my shoulders, he said with a hint of sadness and panic in his voice, ”Nayla, you cannot do this! Think about the baby.” Tears just continue to run down my cheeks. I felt vulnerable and it’s uncontrollable. Terry pulls me into his warm embrace to stop me from twisting and turning, trying to unravel from his strong arms— eventually, I give in. I cried harder against his chest while he strokes my long silky hair, he whispered comforting words in my ears to calm me down. Seeing me in this state made the anger in him fueled up and the feeling of avenging for me to that guy grew even more strong. One day... I will avenge you, Nayla. I sobbed and my shoulders are shaking vigorously. Terry wipes away my tears with his thumb then cup both my cheeks, he said,” I’ve been longing to tell you this— You do not have to be like this, it’s not your fault. You and your baby deserve something better.” ”H-How can I live normally? This is his child Terry, His child!” I yelled then suck a breath. My face is red from holding my boiling anger and my veins could be seen popping out of my skin as I clenched my teeth tightly. Terry shook his head, he gave my hand a soft squeeze and said, ”No... It’s not his’... It’s yours’. Nayla, nothing is stopping you to go back to your old self, it’s your own choice whether you wanted to continue living like this, or you make a change, live in a better condition, take it slow, step by step towards a better life for you and provide better care for your child in the future.” His words are like a wake-up call to me. I’ve come to realize that it won’t be any better if I continue to be like this. The vase had been broken and there’s no other way to return its original value, but there’s always a way to fix the broken vase and show what its true value is behind that broken streaks. I grab his hand and look him in the eyes, pleading I said,” Help me.” A few years had passed and the baby I took care of in my womb was born into the world and grew up into an excellent boy. I wear my toga and graduation hat then check myself in the mirror for the last time before turning around to face two of the most precious people in my life. Terry and my son, Noah. “Do I look good?” “As always, mommy!” Noah replied with his high pitch voice. He runs towards me with his already stable feet and I welcome him with my embrace before picking his small body up from the ground. I settle down on the shamrock green cushioned mahogany chair and Terry stood behind me with his hand on my shoulder and Noah is sitting on my lap, holding my master's certificate. The Cameraman counted before he pushes down the shutter and took our very first family photo. Yes, family. I am married to Terry. At first, the plan was actually to give Noah a father before he was born but, whoever expects that I eventually fall for this man that I’ve known for more than a decade. Terry hangs the huge family portrait on the wall and Noah is the most excited out of the three of us. He can’t help but stare at the huge picture. Then slowly his face turns from excitement to doubtful. He asked, ”Mommy, why don’t I look like daddy?” I look over at Terry with a shock expression. Terry and I weren’t expecting those from such a young boy. Quickly, Terry replied to avoid the awkward silence, ”Well, you look like your mommy.” Noah seems to buy it and continue to play around with his toys before it’s time for him to go to bed. In my bedroom, I was sitting in front of the dressing table while combing my long hair. Terry enters the room after putting Noah to bed, quickly I turn my body around to face him and said, ”I am so sorry for what Noah just said.” Terry gave me a confused look and asked, ”Why are you sorry about it? Look, my dear, there’s nothing to be sorry about. Eventually, he will find out in the future, so I’ve come prepared for a very long time already.” ”Really? Prepared? Then what about that turtle look you make in the living room just now?” I teased him. Terry raises an eyebrow then went up to me. He reaches out his hands then pick me up from the small stool. He said, ”Having fun teasing me there, my dear? Let me tease you, my own way.” He smirked which send butterflies in my stomach and I squeaked when he throws me on the bed and hovers over me before our lips came into contact. The next morning. I got up early in the morning to get ready with Noah’s school uniform and lunch box and that does not exclude Terry’s uniform. He works as an army and tomorrow is his flight to Afghanistan. I will surely miss him for the rest of the month he’s gone. Noah and Terry sat down at the dining table and we all had breakfast. While we are all eating, Terry snapped and said, ”By the way honey, you received an e-mail notification a while ago. Maybe you should check it. It’s probably a job interview or an important message?” ”Oh really? Thanks for telling as I hardly check my email. Probably will check it after this.” I replied with a smile and Terry smiled at me, his hand automatically reach out to touch my face and remove a few strands of hair, hooking it to the back of my ears before he continues eating. The small caring gesture he made is already enough to leave me flattered and feel the butterflies in my stomach. I continued eating my breakfast with a tint of a blush staining both my cheeks. I watch Terry putting on his black boots then stood up. He turns to look at me and said, ”Be careful okay?” I nod my head and he gives me a peck on the lips before he picks up our son from the ground and sends him off to the daycare while he went off to work. The moment the house was silent with only my presence in that big space, I started to become aware of my surroundings. I went to check every door at the house which leads outside making sure it’s locked. Once I am sure that every lock is locked, I heave a sigh of relief and went upstairs to proceed on checking my inbox. I turn on the laptop and sure enough like what Terry had told me. A notification showing that I received an e-mail pops at the centre of the screen focusing my attention towards it. I clicked on it and immediately the mail pops out to show the e-mail address of the person who sends the mail. Joshua Yang. To: Linayla.Kim@gmail.com Re: Job offering. Good morning, Miss Kim. As the title of the mail had stated, I am the supervisor of the séduirefashion co. Worry not, we are not scouting you to work in the company, but we are in need of medical hands to help the CEO of séduirefashion co. to get access to medical professionals wherever he goes. After hearing words upon your ability in the medical field, we are more than happy to scout you to work as the CEO’s personal doctor. If you would love to accept this offer, here is the pdf to the contract sample for you to read through and we could arrange a meeting where I will present to you the hard copy of the contract. Sincerely, (Joshua Yang, Supervisor of Séduire) I stare at the mail for too long as I could not believe that I could get a job opportunity in a short period of time. Immediately, I replied to the mail, feeling all of the good luck and fortune running through me like a gush of wind. Job as a personal doctor wouldn’t be that bad, right? I went through the internet to check on this séduire fashion company. It seems that this company is a high priced fashion brand that everyone is dying to get their hands on one of their designer's work. However, only people who could afford to buy the work is able to get their hands on the limited items. ”Woah, the cheapest price for their brand piece cost $12,000? And that is just a small keychain with the body of gold and Swarovski diamonds?” I was surprised to myself, only one word screaming in my head and that slips through my mouth, ”Insane!” As I continue to scroll through the info on séduire, an image of the CEO went into view. His brunet hair tousled in an effortless mess, those pair of hazel eyes that resembles a what seem to be a familiar maze, that strong and well defined sharp jawline and that intimidating vibe he radiates to his surrounding. He reminds me of someone but, who? My phone suddenly rang causing me to spring up nearly standing on both my feet. I grab my phone, answering the call and a deep male voice went through the speaker. ”My apologies if by chance I intrude your time. I am Joshua Lee, the supervisor of Séduire. It is indeed a great pleasure to receive your answers back and honour to have you working as the CEO’s doctor. I am calling, not only to thank you from the bottom of our heart but to also ask you about a suitable time for our meeting for signing the contract.” The man said through the phone. It was sudden to get a call as soon as I replied to the e-mail, how eager are they waiting for my replies? Before I leave that man hanging with his question, I replied, ”Oh, thank you for those kind words. Actually, if it’s fine for you, how about we meet tomorrow? The place is up to you and it would be great if you could update me on the schedule.” ”Sure thing, I will have everything prepared and will see you tomorrow. Thank you for your cooperation and have a great day.” He replied with a monotonous voice. I thank him again for the last time before hanging up and then placing my phone back on the table. A personal doctor huh? I’m just a few steps away from getting my dream job! God, I hope everything will go smoothly tomorrow. Amen! [5:35 pm] I was in the kitchen when I heard the front door is being unlocked. The voice of an adult male and a young child fill the excruciating silence and I went out from the kitchen to welcome their presence. Noah cheered while he run towards me and hugged my legs,”I am home mummy!” “Welcome home, my dear.” I picked him up and watch Terry making his way towards me and give me a peck on the lips before saying,”We’re home!” I laughed and replied,”Welcome home, my tough soldier!” I took his duffle bag from his hand and lend him Noah. I said,”Dinner will be ready soon. Can you help me prepare Noah?” “Sure thing, miss.” Cheekily he smiled and pecked my lips again, he manages to smack my bum making me shriek and smack his hard bicep. He laughed while he went up the stairs and I continue to blush after what had just happened. Thank god Noah did not see that coming! After what seems to be a decade in the kitchen preparing special menus for dinner, finally, everything is prepared. I let out a sigh of relief and smile widely at my achievement. The sound of heavy footsteps coming down the stairs along with the sound of my husband fooling around with my son could be heard. As soon as they enter the kitchen, their faces displayed shocked. I exclaim, ”SURPRISE!” ”Woah Woah, honey, did the ghost of a chef possessed you while you’re in the kitchen?” Terry joked around. I grin and said, ”I have great news to tell you both. Come and have a seat.” Terry settles down Noah on his baby stool and he went to sit opposite to me. Both show me the face that they are waiting for me to spill the tea. I snapped, ”I finally got a job offer!”