FROM FEAR TO FOREVER

CHAPTER FOUR

“I promise I didn't report you to grandpa” she turned to Aunty Jennifer “Tell him I've been here with you since” she said her voice laced with fear.

Aunty Jennifer just stared at her. She was in no position to say anything she wished she could help.

“Then why was the old man scolding over the phone?” He asked, looking at her.

“I only asked him the address to this place. I didn't say anything about you,” she said. By this time she was already sweating.

He smacked her across the cheek and she fell down and started sobbing.

“Ah Andrew please” Aunty Jennifer tried to intervene. “My life was alright till you came into it, as long as you live in this house with me get ready to face hell everyday” he said enunciating each word.

“I'm sorry” she managed to say.

He jerked her up and tore her top she was left in just her bra.He unbuckled his belt, Florence's eyes became wide “Andrew I'm sorry I didn't tell him anything just believe me, Aunty Jennifer please……

She wasn't done talking when she felt pain on her back. The pain came again and again. “Andrew, please stop, she's still a young girl,” Aunty Jennifer said. “Oh my child I'm sorry”

Andrew continued whipping her till her back was filled with marks. “This should be a reminder never to mess with me, that I'm married to you doesn't mean you're special to me, you're just nothing to me okay” he said and left her there.

Florence sobbed profusely as Aunty Jennifer helped her up her upper body was covered in marks. “Aunty I promise I didn't do anything why doesn't he believe me” She said sobbing her eyes were already red her voice cracked due to crying.

“My dear stop crying, it's okay, stand up , let me treat your wound” she said, helping her up.

Aunty Jennifer took her to her room and nursed her wound. It took a long time before she was done cleaning. When she was done she took out a cloth from her wardrobe and gave it to her to wear.

“Aunty, will I sleep in your room? What if he's still angry?” she said nervously.

“I don't know, dear , his mood is unpredictable. He gets angry at little things. I think you should go back to your room.”

She said not sure of herself.

“I just don't want to make him angry again,” she said, fear evident in her eyes.

“Calm down, I'll go with you,” Aunty Jennifer said, assuring her. It's 9:00 pm by now he's still awake I guess.” They walked towards his room as they got nearer Florence became scared she held Aunty Jennifer's hand tightly.

“Aunty, why don't I sleep in your room?” she said, looking at her with hope. “That's a good idea but I don't know how Andrew will react to it. Calm down and everything will be fine okay.”

Every step felt heavy for Florence; she kept thinking of different outcomes when she entered the room. When they got their Aunty Jennifer twisted the doorknob but the door was locked from inside.

“I think he locked the door, you can come and sleep with me.” Florence heaved a sigh of relief; she didn't even know how to face him. She went back to Aunty Jennifer's room.

“You can sleep on the bed with me’“Thanks” Florence muttered. She tried lying down but didn't know how much the pain from her back was much “lie with your front that would be better.”

Aunty Jennifer lay on the other side of the bed after tucking her in. “Good night Aunty,” Florence said. “Good night my love” After that everywhere fell silent.

Florence woke up. She looked at the clock beside her and saw it at 6:30 she quickly woke up forgetting the bruises on her back she winced in response. She had to be in school before 7:30. They were to submit a group project in front of the school.

She made her way to her and Andrew's room. She twisted the door knob and the door opened. Andrew was already dressed for work.

She flinched immediately when she saw Andrew. She became nervous. She walked into the room. She could feel his eyes on her. She opened the wardrobe and brought out her towel. She was about to enter the bathroom when Andrew spoke.

“Are you just waking now” he asked and Florence froze.

“Uhm…. Uhm I… I overslept” she said.

“Seems like you're getting too comfortable in my house,” he said, buttoning his sleeves. “If you have to live in this house I don't want you to behave lazy. You have to wake up immediately. It's 5:00am to prepare clothes and put everything in order. My coffee must be ready before 6:00 am I clear?” he asked.

Yes” she said, not meeting his eyes. “Are you going to school?”

“Yes I'm going”she wondered why he asked. “When is closing time?” He asked.

“We dismissed it at 3:00 pm” she became more worried.

After dismissal, come to my office before 3:20. Don't be late. “I have a project I'm working on I won't……” She wasn't done talking when she received a hard glare. “I'm sorry”

He left the room and she was so relieved it was impossible to stay in the same room with him without freaking out. Staying with him was suffocating for her. She quickly freshened up, she wore a long gown that ran down to her knees and it covered the marks on her body. She didn't want anyone asking her questions.

She went downstairs and met Aunty Jennifer in the kitchen “Aunt good morning” “how are you doing there does your back still hurts”

“ It still hurts, the medicine only reduced it a little” “Aunty you didn't wake me” she said feigning a frown “I forgot you had school, sorry dear” she apologized and they laughed.

“Alright Aunty I'll be on my way now I won't be back early I'm going to Andrew's office”

“What for” Aunty asked worried “I don't know he asked me to come after school to his office”

“Okay dear see you when you come back bye” she left the kitchen it was already 7:15am and she had a presentation in not less than 15 minutes.

She saw a man in a driver's uniform when she came out “ Good morning sir please can you take me to school” she asked

“I would've loved to but boss asked us not to”