Missing Pieces

Chapter VI

~Jaelyn

Circling around my bed, I couldn't help but think of the same nightmare I had yesterday and those weird visions I kept seeing. Yes, exactly, they happened to be repeated again and I couldn't give that a logical reason.

I sighed as I lied down on the floor, trying to overcome what just happened. Maybe it meant something, I had to know.

Not being able to think straight anymore, I decided to get up and do my same morning routine to take my mind off things for a little while.

I grasped the outfit Rosey had picked up for me the day before. It was a simple black and white long-sleeved striped shirt, a regular black high-waisted skirt, knee-high boot socks and a brown leather ankle boot, matching it with an elastic brown leather belt. The little skin this outfit made me show was convenient enough to hide my bruises and scars.

I tied my hair up in a ponytail as I always did and glanced at my reflection in the mirror studying myself carefully, I noticed the low V-Back top I was wearing. It showed some ugly scars on my back that hadn't healed yet.

I face palmed myself and quickly untied my long hair to cover up every flaw I had. I was not ready to be sent back, even if this meant breaking a few of Alex's rules.

I know this is wrong, but I have no choice.

***

"Good morning, Cupcake." Alex walked casually into the kitchen, tossing his keys on the counter, causing a loud ringing noise.

"Good morning, Alex," I mumbled politely.

"I had a lot of unfinished business to handle last night, so I wasn't able to stay at home."

"Okay." My answer is as short as possible, as to avoid saying anything wrong.

"Jaelyn," He called. My eyes shot up to meet his, at the sound of this name. I knew it was familiar, but I couldn't make out who it belonged to, just trying to think gave me a terrible headache.

"Why are you so surprised? Isn't that your name?"

"Uh... Y-yes." Whenever I lie, I always stutter, making it so obvious to tell if I was lying. Good thing he didn't catch me this time.

"Is it your habit to wake up early, or do you have troubles with sleeping?" Or maybe he did, but just let it slip.

"I don't have troubles with sleeping, I just... Overslept yesterday." I lied and broke the first rule twice. Guilt was the only thing I felt at that moment.

"Remember when I told you I can tell whenever you're lying." My eyes widened. I was caught. Fear crawled inside of me, but no, I have to be strong.

"I'm not lying, Alex." Shakiness could be sensed through my voice easily. He was about to say something, but his phone suddenly rang cutting him off. I thanked God for this phone call that he received. I could practically say that it saved my life. His eyes wandered to the caller ID. There was a look in his eyes that couldn't be explained. He reached to fingers to accept the call, however, he paused for a second and looked at me. My heart dropped to my stomach again. Is it someone from The Slammer and wanted to have me back? During this moment of silence, daunting thoughts flowed through my mind and I wasn't able to stop it until he said,

"I'll let that slip, but don't get used it." I nodded in understanding. He quickly he got up and left, making his way to a private place as to make his phone call. Maybe I overthink sometimes.

Finishing my breakfast, I walked outside the kitchen towards a bathroom to wash my hands and teeth.

***

"Give my money back." I heard Alex's voice arguing on the phone.

What money?!

I listened closely to their conversation.

"I don't care about that damn deal, give me my money back, or I'll have to come take it myself." He threatened.

I gasped and wiped away my tears that threatened to fall, reminding myself that I had to be strong to get over this situation. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat and splashed some water on my face to get rid of any signs showing that I had been crying. I took a deep breath, grasping the bathroom door knob and opening the door.

Just as I stepped outside, I saw him end the call quickly, and turned his attention to me.

"What's wrong?" I managed to mumble.

"What do you mean?" He acted cool.

"Um... I heard you-" He interrupted me.

"What exactly did you hear?" He said solemnly.

"That you want your money," I said quietly.

"What else?"

"Just that."

"Was it anything important?" I tried my best not to sound nosy, but I really wanted to know if he was sending me back or not.

"No." Of course, he would say that.

After few moments of awkward silence that felt like hours to me, he said,

"Jaelyn, I want you to tell me about your life and your past. I hardly know anything about you." I didn't exactly get what he meant, but I shrugged it off as there was a bigger problem to worry about.

"Will you believe me if I say..." I trailed off not sure if he was going to let that slip too.

"If you say what?" He asked impatiently.

"That I don't know anything about my past." I expected him to be angry with me, but to my surprise, he kept his silence. Probably disbelieving what I said.

"Are you for real?" I knew he would say that. I pulled a strand of my hair behind my ear and nodded.

"I swear-"

"Hey, what is that on your face?" He pointed to the spot in front of my right ear. I immediately regretted pulling this strand behind my ear. since it obviously showed one of my imperfections.

"I-I fell and hit my cheek."

"Really?! Cause I want to know how many times you fall on the same spot?" He spoke sharply before letting go of a deep breath. It seemed as if I accidentally showed several imperfections, not just one as I believed. I sighed in defeat. He was going to know sooner than I expected.

"Do not lie to me. I hate it when you do that." He spoke softly for once. I nodded assuring him that I wouldn't do it again.

"You lied to me a couple of times already, didn't you?" He interrogated.

I raised my hand to touch the spot he pointed at, but he gripped my arm forcefully, causing me to whimper a silent cry, that made him peel my shirt's sleeve up, to uncover the countless bruises and scars I had on my arm.

"Explain." He demanded, but I kept my silence not daring to say any other word, however; he was waiting for an answer thus, I said the first thing that popped in my head.

"Okay." I said quietly, but didn't proceed to say anything after that. He paused for a moment.

"Since you're being so stubborn and breaking my rules multiple times, you're going to be locked in your room for two days, and because this is the first punishment, I'll go easy on you."

"But remember one thing. I don't tolerate bad behaviour, so if planning to keep this up, I'll have a change of plans. Be very aware of you actions." He warned before he nodded to one of the maids to take me up to my room.