Memories
1303 Words
Ava's POV
“Ma'am! Are you okay? I think she's breathing,” a soft voice said, laced with panic.
“Is she alive?” a deeper voice asked.
The voice trembled. “Ma'am?”
As she shook me again, I groaned. I slowly opened my eyes to the sound of panicked voices. The brightness of the room made me hiss, and I squinted to see her face.
Her blue eyes were filled with concern, and her wavy blond hair framed her face like curtains. Her grip on my arms was tight.
“She's awake! She's alive!” she exclaimed, relief washing over her tone.
A deep sigh followed, and a brunette appeared beside her. Hazel eyes, tanned skin, and a heart-shaped face etched with a frown.
“Thank God you're finally awake,” she said, still frowning. “We almost called the police, thinking…well, you know.”
My heart sank at the casual mention of “dead.” Why did they think that?
I pushed myself up, and the blonde loosened her grip. A searing headache and faint throb between my legs brought me back to reality.
What happened last night? How did I get here?
Memories of last night were shrouded in darkness, and my argument with my brother was hazy. My body ached, but I couldn't recall any activity after our fight. I turned to the two women, whose wide-eyed stares made me feel like a stranger.
My dry lips cracked as I spoke, my voice raspy from dehydration as I'd swallowed a bag of rusty nails. “W-what made you think I was dead? Why didn't you call the police?”
Their expressions shifted from concern to fear, and then they exchanged knowing glances. I could tell they were hiding something.
“The manager is on his way,” the brunette said, breaking the silence. Her words felt like a diversion, avoiding my questions. It was so obvious that I almost snorted at her tense reply.
My eyes darted around the room as I scanned the luxurious room with white paint and a huge window that probably had the best view of the city. The sunlight peeked through the curtains, a telltale sign that it was late morning.
My gaze returned to their uneasy faces. My unwavering stare demanded answers. I needed to know what happened, at least since my memories were still a blur.
The brunette sighed in resignation, her eyes narrowing. “Do you remember the man who brought you here?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.
My breath was caught in my throat, my eyes widened in terror. A man brought me here? Was that why my body felt like I had been run over by a truck?
But that would mean that I had…
My stomach churned in trepidation. Did I sleep with him? But that would explain why I felt the pain between my legs. I furrowed my brows, struggling to recall, but my head felt like it was about to explode.
I swallowed painfully. “W-what man?” I asked, and the brunette's eyes widened, her professional demeanor cracking.
“You don't remember,” she stated, relief washing over her face.
“Good, I'll leave you to pack up then,” she said curtly, turning to leave. The blonde followed her.
“Wait!” I called out, urgency creeping into my voice. “Who brought me here? What about him?”
The brunette halted, exhaling sharply before facing me. “You're not the first girl to end up here. As head staff, I've seen similar cases, but you're lucky – you survived.” Her words sent a chill down my spine. A serious look on her face and the experience that shone in her eyes made me realize how life-threatening my situation was.
With that, she exited, leaving me reeling. I sat, trying to process everything. What did she mean? What happened? But my memories remained shrouded.
All I recall was the fight with my brother and his shocking announcement: my arranged marriage to a stranger, and an ugly one I believed.
Fear gripped my heart as her words sunk deep. How many have died here? What if someone also died in this room and on the particular spot? My face paled, matching the white paint of the walls.
Gingerly, I pushed myself up, despite the pain. A startling realization hit me – I was in my underwear. My gaze scanned the room, locating my dress on the floor.
I hastily dressed, my sole focus on escaping and finding my way home. I had nowhere else to go.
Flagging down a taxi, I quickly got in and only when I was in the back seat of the taxi did I pause to recollect my breath.
A bar, alcohol, a dark hallway, and a dimly lit room.
There were snippets from my memory last night. My mind was still reeling for more answers when the taxi pulled up at the mansion.
I stepped out of the taxi and onto the mansion's driveway, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. The familiar facade now felt oppressive, its grandeur tainted by the secrets within.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I entered the mansion. I began ascending the stairs, but the clicking of heels on the tile floor halted me mid-step.
Claudia emerged, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. “You're finally home. Your brother was worried about you.”
Claudia's words stung, but I refused to show weakness. The thought of my brother's betrayal still burned within me.
I scoffed, unmoved by her venomous glare. “I'm glad he had time to worry about me.”
Claudia's expression transformed into a mask of maternal concern. “We all care about you, Ava. That's why it's logical you get what you deserve out there, since you can't have it here. Do as your brother says and go to your husband.”
Her innocent facade was Oscar-worthy, but I saw through the act.
Here's the revised version:
I wrinkled my nose, glaring at Claudia. “And what if I don't want to?” I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant despite the dread creeping up my spine.
Claudia's eyes narrowed, her smile twisting into a menacing grin. “You don't have a choice, Ava. It's either the easy way or the hard way.” She took a step closer, her heels clicking ominously on the tile floor.
My heart was racing, I stood my ground, but my mind screamed warnings. What did she mean by “the hard way”? What would happen if I refused?
Suddenly, a cold metal pressed against the back of my head. My eyes widened in horror, my body trembling with fear. A faint tremble in my voice, I whispered, “What's going on, Claudia?”
“I knew you'd come back,” Claudia said, her voice dripping with malice, “so I sent for them to pick you up.”
Memories flooded my mind: creepy hands, gunshots, a warm jacket, and strong arms. Leather, copper, and spice scents mingled. I recall waking up to see gunmetal eyes.
Oh God, what did I do with him? Why can't I remember?
We talked, but that was also the other thing I couldn't remember. Yet, the feel of his lips on mine lingered – the burning sensation, the unexpected need, his body against mine.
My throat constricted, making breathing hard. I swallowed deeply as the gun pressed harder against my skull, my heart racing.
“No, please,” I whispered, desperation creeping in.
Why did my brother do this to me? Who was that man? And why can't I escape?
Claudia's smirk grew wider. “Goodbye, Ava.”
My thoughts faded as the gun's barrel struck my head, and everything went black.
- Writer
