my bittersweet lover

Episode two

when I got home that evening, I was quick to notice that the two pomp cars were not parked in the compound. That would only mean one thing, the family was out and not yet back. I was lucky, I had snuck out and come back without being caught.

I quickly did my chores, made supper for the family, and cleaned up the place making it spotless. I was just about to retire to bed, when I heard the hooting of a car, signaling me to run and open the gate. In it were Brayden and his sister, who seemed to have had lots of fun, judging their talk and giggles in their drunken state. They both looked tipsy. Wherever they came from, they must have had a whole lot of fun.

Stacy was a bit heavy, and helping her out of the car and to the house was not at all easy, we almost fell. I had to stay up and watch over her less she choked on her vomit that night. I must have slept off because I was woken up by a splash of frozen water all over my body. Of Course, Brayden was the mastermind.

Embarrassed by my current state, I ran off to my room. I needed to have a quick bath and change while taking note of the time so the family's breakfast would not be delayed. My aunt was around, she probably came in quite late last evening.

"Lina!!" I heard my name called out upstairs. My aunt lay leisurely on her king-sized bed, sipping from her cup of coffee. "ma'am..." I answered to announce my arrival before her."what did your son and daughter say I did now?" I asked. I was already used to accusations from those two, I was convinced now would not be any different.

"I don't like questioners; besides, there is something truly forbidding in a child talking to her elders in that manner. Be seated somewhere, until you can speak pleasantly, and remain quiet. "

My cube of a bedroom adjoined the kitchen, so I went back and slipped in there. I had done everything I was supposed to that morning, I could use this time to study a bit. I had a bookcase. I soon possessed myself a volume from the little cash I got from Jane for doing her school work. I gathered up my feet on my small mat that served the purpose of a bed and sat crosslegged, like a Turk.

I had not read much when I heard another call, from a male voice this time. I knew too well he did not like being kept waiting, more so by me so I went to go answer him. "what do you want?" I asked. "say what do you want, Master Brayden?" was the answer." I want you to come here." He said while sitting himself in an armchair gesturing me to approach and stand before him. He liked referring to me as a slave, and he, the master, nothing I ever did pleased him.

Brayden was a young man, in his mid-twenties, while I was just seventeen which gave him more reasons to dominate over me. He had much affection for his mother and sister; me? oh, he despised me since I came to live with his family. He bullied and punished me, not two or three times a week, nor once or twice in the day but continually.

Every nerve I had feared him and every flesh in my bones shrank when he came near. There were moments I shuddered with fear from the terror he inspired. His sister did not want to offend him by taking part against him. Their mum was blind and deaf on the subject. She never heard him abuse me, though he did it both now and then in her very presence more frequently.

Habitually obedient to Brayden, I came up to his chair. He spent some three minutes thrusting out his tongue at me as far as he could before he struck me hard on my face. "That was for your arrogance in answering me earlier," said he " and for the look on your eyes while talking to you since, you rat!!"

Accustomed to this abuse, I never had an idea of replying to it. My care was how to endure the blow which would certainly follow the insult.

what were you doing?" he asked.

"I was reading"

" show the book. "

I returned and fetched it fast.

" you have no business reading books, acquiring knowledge, or school whatsoever. You have no money; your father left you none. You ought to beg and not live here with wealthy kids like us. You shouldn't eat the same meals we do or wear clothes at our Mama's expense. All the house belongs to me!!....... "

" Go and stand by the door"

I did so. Brayden was good at killing my joy and reducing me to pieces, he always did. He hammered on his points so well and never hesitated to put me in my place as he called it. If only my parents were alive, I would not be going through all this.

I was unaware of his intentions till I saw him lift the book I had been reading. He was turning and tossing it with an evil smile on his face. He reached for the matchbox in his pocket. Before I knew what was happening, he reduced it to ashes with a sarcastic, devilish smile lingering on his lips. He seemed to have been enjoying what he was doing, his face gleaming as he watched me break down. He knew how much it took me to purchase my books and everything I used to study, he just loved frustrating my life.

I could feel my anger rising as I tried to contain myself. "You are cruel, wicked, and heartless beast!!" I heard myself say. I had unfortunately lost it, and I knew I was gonna be in a hot, hot soup.

"Did you hear that, did you hear what she called me...!!?" he asked, agitated.

Aid was just near him as his sister ran upstairs to call their mother . I suddenly felt a strong, hard grip on my hair and a low, threatening sound that left me shivering, "you'll pay for that you little brat.." He pulled my hair harder.

The pain was excruciating.

Foot steps could be heard from upstairs as his mom came to the scene...