Married To The Ruthless Alpha

Episode Three: Wierd Woman

From the gravel stone I was sitting on, it was growing dark as the sun went down. The colors attract me in; their brightness makes me feel better. I was always amazed by how bright and clear they were. I always seem to find my way back here. From the hill, I could see the entire scene. There was a big gap in the trees, and there was a lot of grass and flowers growing on and around it. It was the type of slope that kids would slide down, giggle, and play on while their parents set up a picnic in the daisies. My parents used to bring me here every Saturday night, so I was the only one who knew about it. We'd have a great time together putting up a picnic, singing, and laughing all night. I grin when I think of how great that was. I come here alone every Saturday to watch the sunset. Even if they were gone, I would still come here. When I was 12, my mom died. She worked as a nurse, and one night on her way home, a drunk truck driver hit her automobile. Dad was heartbroken because he knew he would never see her again. He turned to booze for consolation, believing it would help him forget about the anguish he was in. I sobbed for my mom every night and didn't eat or sleep. It started to get in the way of my schoolwork. I couldn't focus in school because I was afraid of losing Dad too. He saw these things and realized he had to be strong for me.

A year later, Dad met Helena and her twins. He married her three months later. She said that her husband perished in an aircraft accident when she was pregnant with the kids. I didn't like her since I could see she was being false and weird. One night, as she was brushing my hair, she pulled on it too hard, and I yelled out in agony. She said she was sorry and that she didn't intend to do it, and then she stroked my head. I informed Dad that I was starting to doubt her. He approached her right away, and I was shocked by how she reacted.

She gasped and put her palm on her chest, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Oh sweetheart, I can't believe Amelia is saying such things about me; I would never do that. She's like a daughter to me. Why would you do that to me, Amelia? I adore you like you're my own.

I didn't know that tears were starting to fall from my eyes since I was too surprised to understand what was going on. Dad came to me and told me I was wrong for lying about my stepmother. That night, I fled to my bed crying because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't know why she attempted to turn Dad against me at the time, but as I became older, I understood that she simply hated me so much that she would do anything to harm and spite me.

When I returned home from school one day, I found Pretty, my large teddy bear with a Hello Kitty on the front, ripped up and ruined with the head chopped off. Mom got me my favorite doll as a birthday present when I turned 10. I yelled because I was so mad. That night, I recall sobbing as she laughed at me and her two girls laughed with her. I was really excited for Dad to arrive home from work that night. When he came, I went to him weeping, but Helena was already there next to him. She grinned down at me as I swallowed hard. I told Dad what happened, thinking he would believe me this time, but Helena began yelling that I was lying too much. She said she witnessed me ripping the teddy bear apart. She even asked her two daughters to come. They also said they witnessed me do it myself. That night, Dad was very angry and stated I was already acting like a brat for attempting to set up my stepmother multiple times. For three days, I was instructed to stay in my room and not come out until I was told to. He stated I was losing everything since Mom died and that I couldn't bear to watch him marry someone else.

Since then, I haven't spoken to anybody and have kept to myself. At night, I would weep to myself when anything horrible happened to me.

When I was 15, he snuck into my room that night and tried to speak to me. I didn't answer and simply acted like I was asleep.

"Amelia, you know I want what's best for you, but you're making it hard for me." I heard him say it gently as he was sitting on my bed, but thank goodness I was facing the wall of my bed.

"I married a second wife who has two daughters so that you can have a mother. To help you feel less alone and give you two sisters to play with, but I don't understand why you don't like them. You should let Helena be your mother since she is a good lady. I know she can't replace your mom's place in your heart, but at least let her show you that she can take care of you." He sighed gently and silently left my room when he saw that I wasn't answering. I cried myself to sleep again that night.

A year later, Dad felt very unwell and was told he had stage three cardiovascular disease. The doctor explained that consuming too much alcohol had damaged his heart. Dad said that he had a few drinks a few days a week, but not as many as he used to. Just a couple to prevent him from thinking. I was unhappy and wounded, and for some reason, I started to blame myself.

He wouldn't have started drinking again if I hadn't been bothering him so much. One day I went to him and sobbed that I was sorry. He wiped my tears and assured me it wasn't my fault. Since then, I've seldom left his side. I went directly to his room when I came home from school since he was in the hospital at home. I was afraid he would go soon, just as Mom did.

I shook my mind to get rid of those recollections and glanced at my watch, which stated it was almost eight-thirty. I stood up and looked around as I stretched my legs. It felt good to get rid of the pain. I had been seated for over an hour.

I cover my face with my hands to warm my cheeks with my breath as I make my way through the coldest night ever. I heard that the streets weren't very safe to stroll alone these days, and it was becoming too late. I didn't want to hear any more about an animal murdering humans or whatever. I don't see how animals might murder people on the street and not terrible humans like kidnappers or robbers who are in a hurry. There are homes all around this metropolis, not a forest! Where would the creatures come from?

A zoo? I snort.

I could have taken a bus home just in case the reports were true, but I was only six blocks away from my destination, so I continued walking. At this point, the streets were still full with people going to and from their destinations. There were still side stores open, so I don't think I have anything to be afraid of.

A lady suddenly walks by me and shoves me hard. She tripped a little and nearly fell.

Without thinking, I whirled around and grabbed her hands to save her from falling.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" I asked, wondering whether she was okay. I asked.

She glanced up at me, and I saw that all of her clothing was black. There was a black scarf over her head, so I could hardly see her face.

In the dark, I could feel her eyes on me. She smiled widely, and right away, I felt a shudder go down my spine. I wasn't sure whether it was because of the chilly wind, but then my heart began to race.

Without thinking, I threw my arms about myself and nodded at her. Then I turned to run away, but she grabbed my right arm and stopped me, and I froze in panic.

I became a bit courageous and hit my arm away from hers, which made hers drop, and then I swiftly stepped back.

I carefully look her over again, hoping she's not a crazy lady or an assassin hired to murder me. She appears fine.

I think so.

I hear her say, "Catherine," but her voice is so quiet that I can scarcely hear it.

I frown because I'm not sure what to do.

"Sorry?" I asked, letting out a trembling breath.

As I looked around, I saw that the area was becoming darker and there were fewer people on the street. I anxiously swallowed. I couldn't see the time on my watch, and my phone was in my backpack, which made me want to run away.

She says, "Catherine, my dear," again, this time out loud, as she moves closer.

She took off her scarf, and I could see her face well with the help of the street light above us. Even though I had heard her voice before, she appeared quite elderly. Her long, black hair fell over her shoulders, and her dark eyes penetrated mine as she looked at me.

I swallowed and forced my eyes away. "I'm s-sorry, ma'am; I'm not the person you're looking for." I say, looking around with my emerald eyes again.

"Certainly it is." She laughed and opened her lips.

That was strange, but I didn't want to wait to ask her what she meant since I was already scared.

So I excused myself and turned around to go away quickly. I hurriedly looked back over my shoulder to check whether she was still behind me, but I was astonished to see that she wasn't there anymore.

Like she just vanished or something.

That was rather strange!

As I gazed about, something within me stirred, and I trembled at the feeling and began to run home faster.

I woke up again to the loud alarm on my bedside table, but I slammed it off and dragged myself into the shower.

It's Sunday, so I don't have to work today. I thought about memories from last night while I cleaned up.

I'm sure the woman thought I was someone else, or maybe she was sick since Dad began forgetting things quickly before he became really sick. I didn't get it at first, but months later he was diagnosed with an illness.

Maybe I looked like someone she knew, and she thought I was them.

I shake off the thoughts and get out of the shower. Then I dry off with my towel. I let my wet hair fall down my back while I combed it. Then I put on a black tank top and blue trousers and white shoes to go with them.

It's the twins' birthday today, and I need to be there to help the chefs make a variety of foods before the visitors arrive.

Before he died and gave the firm to Helena, my dad's company, the Adams Empire, was one of the three most respected in the nation. There would be very powerful billionaires there, and it would be the talk of the town, as it usually is.

But the twins' celebration has always been the same.

During times like these, I always had one goal: to help them in the kitchen and then slip back into my room without anybody noticing.

Like I usually do.

I gathered my confidence and walked into the kitchen, where I welcomed the chefs and maids with enthusiasm. We had to cook breakfast and lunch today, as well as get ready for dinner for the celebration tonight.

Breakfast arrived quickly, and I'm glad I didn't see Helena or any of the twins today. Just in case, I went to my room to eat.

I saw that breakfast was almost over as I looked at the clock. I fix my hair and silently leave the room to go to the kitchen to get ready for lunch.

I heard a voice speak in a quiet voice as I rounded the corner, and the individual seemed upset. I stopped in my tracks because I knew right away who it was.

"I already knew he didn't want the money back, but what's his problem? Why is he asking for something he knows he can't have?"

I heard Helena's furious voice, and it seemed like she was on the phone.

I became more interested, so I slowly crept closer and stood behind a wall.

"Please, I don't care. I don't care what happens to him. Tell him I'm not going to do what he says!" She yelled and hung up the phone right away.

Oh.

What made her so mad? I pondered on it.

I didn't want to witness any of her anger, so I rubbed my arms for comfort and stepped away from the wall. My eyes met Helena's angry look, just as mine did.

No way.

I took a big breath and hastily looked about for a way out, but it was too late; she was already heading up to me. At that moment, I felt sharp claws tear into my scalp and pull it back.

"Did you just eavesdrop on what I said? You useless girl." She sneered angrily.

Without much time to think, she let go of my hair and slapped me across the face with her hand, moving my head to the side.

I could feel spit flying out of my mouth as I staggered.

"How dare you?" She spat with anger.

Another blow hit me, pushing me into the wall.

"Please, I'm sorry." My head is whirling so much that I gasp in agony.

She came closer and held my jaw tightly.

"I'll send you packing the next time I see you snooping around in my business. Amelia, learn to remain in your place and don't challenge me," she spat.

I nodded quickly, and tears started to fall from my eyes.

She gives him one more glare and then walks away.

I remained there for approximately a minute before almost racing inside my room.

I must have fallen asleep while I was crying because when I woke up, it was already past noon. I got out of bed slowly and headed to the restroom. I made a face when I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, and my jaw hurt like it was on fire. There was a red mark on my cheeks and a cut on the side of my lower lip that was easy to detect.

I watch as the cut on my lip heals on its own and the red bruises on my chin go away, leaving just my puffy eyes.

Somehow, whatever damage I suffered on my body healed faster. It might take days or weeks for most people's injuries or wounds to heal, but mine was different. It just took a few hours, or even minutes.

I don't know why. It just did.

I was nine years old when it first happened. My parents brought me to an ice skating rink one night. I remember stumbling over my heels and bruising my ankle the first time I skated. I yelled for my parents since I was in so much pain at that time.

They rushed me to the hospital, but the pain in my ankle suddenly went away when we got there. I told my parents I was freaking out because I couldn't feel anything. The doctors looked at my legs and said they were in excellent condition. The looks on my parents' faces made me think something strange had occurred. Since then, I've hurt myself on purpose and seen how it healed in a strange way.

I sigh, splash water on my face, grab a towel to dry it off, and let my hair down, then I leave the bathroom when I'm done. I debated between going to the kitchen or staying in the room until the party was over.

No one is likely to notice me anyway. That I'm okay with. I want to be as hidden as possible.

I saw that everyone was already working on their own things as I left the bedroom. There were already designers and decorators present, and I glanced around to see all the different decorations. There were separate tables for drinks and alcohol. Things were appearing more refined and majestic.

The party would start in a few hours. I went to the kitchen to see if I could help with anything. Vivian, the head chef, came up to me with a smile. Since I was a kid, Vivian has been the cook in our family.

"Sam, I'm sorry I couldn't help with the meals. Can I help you with anything else? " I asked her when she had gotten to me.

She grinned a lot and waved me off with her hand while shaking her head. "Not at all. We're almost done here. You can go back to your room."

I smile back and say thank you, then I turn around and go back to my room. I let out a huge breath of relief as I shut the door behind me.

Safe.

****

There was a knock on the door.

I frown as I take off my headphones and see the situation.

I was busy painting when the party started two hours ago. I adore doing this, especially when I don't have anything else to do.

I turned around from my desk in the corner and walked to the door.

"Who is it?" I asked in a soft voice.

A woman's soft voice came from the other side and said, "It's me, Lana."

I was not happy about it, but I slowly unlocked the door and opened it.

Lana, a maid about my age, stood outside and nervously looked behind her.

"Yes?" I say.

"Madame Helena called for you." She says this while wiggling her feet.

What?

My eyes widened with fear, and I found it difficultto breathe.

"W-why does she want to see me?" I stammered.

Lana only shrugged and looked away from me.

I nodded when I saw that she wasn't going to answer. "All right."

She hurried away, and I locked the door behind me.

What would make Helena want to talk to me? I hope I haven't done anything wrong that needs to be punished.

I thought hard about anything bad I had done, but I couldn't think of anything.

I took a deep breath and went outside.

The party was in full swing, and people from all over the world had come. I only need to get through the swarm of people to Helena's room without anybody seeing me.

I always managed to stay away from everyone. I hope I can get this done quickly and go back to my room. I had no intention to go to the party.

I gently go up the stairs, going past the mob.

I could feel my heart thumping against my chest with every step.

I arrived at the door, took a deep breath to calm my shaking hands, and knocked.

"Come in." I hear a voice coming from within.