It was just yesterday when they had declared their mutual feelings to each other. Now lying on the comfy bed, Lucy tried to not be hasty. She asked him about his past, and she wanted Aubrey to tell her slowly.
"You can take your time. I'll always be here.", she said.
Aubrey lied on his back with his face centered on the white plain ceiling. Lucy was beside him. It was not easy to talk about it. But he got Lucy now, he didn't need to worry.
Lucy waited, but she was suddenly reminded of something very important. How could she forget?!
"Aubrey!", she got up.
Aubrey faced her, bewildered.
"I think I met someone who has some connection with you.", she said. She remembered the man she bumped with at the ball.
"He's called chairman Lee. I'm not sure, but his eyes are the same as yours! We met at the event last time.", Lucy looked at Aubrey with uncertainty. She was observing him very closely. How would he react..?
Aubrey too, got up from the bed in haste. His eyes widened with surprised and they immediately were engulfed in something darker. His eyes became clouded with horror and his hands trembled slightly. He was terrified.
"Don't tell me..", she looked at Aubrey.
He became silent. He didn't respond to anything she said.
".. Aubrey!", Lucy grabbed his hand tightly. Trying to calm him down. He was so agitated by something.
".. he'll find me. He'll let me go through that again..", Aubrey mumbled to himself. Many of his painful memories came flooding inside his mind.
•••
The past.
It had been two years since Aubrey became a captive in his own home. He was ten years old now. He was in his room, studying before a private tutor came to teach him science.
His schedule was packed for weekdays. He had to study a lot of things and there were exams every month to evaluate his score. If he didn't get a satisfactory result, he will have to bear the consequences worse than death.
Aubrey's eyes were lifeless. For the whole two years, he forced himself to eat and survive. He had tried to jump out of the window to run, but he hurt himself in the process, and he received tortures in the basement as the result..
He opened the book, intending to read it again for the fifth time. Now he was able to memorize every detail about science. The same goes for every book on the shelf. He spent his time reading through them all over again to kill his damned time.
When the tip of his fingers touched the book, he couldn't feel anything. No sense of touch. He was soulless. He was still just a boy..
A knocking sound of the door woke him up from his thoughts. Aubrey didn't try to even lift his head up. A female teacher came towards him and sat beside him.
"Hello young master. Let's begin our lesson today, shall we?", the teacher smiled at him. But it didn't reach the broken Aubrey.
Every teacher that was assigned to him didn't know of his real condition. They thought he was just a quiet boy. And that was normal for a young master like him to be pretty arrogant. All of the teachers were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement to which they thought it was normal for the rich.
Aubrey didn't spare her a glance, he just nodded. The teacher sighed slowly. Out of all the teachers, she was the most kind. She didn't treat Aubrey as a weird kid and she cared for him genuinely.
"Young master, may I say something?", she spoke to Aubrey.
The boy didn't say a single word.
"I'm quitting the job soon. I will fly to Florida where my family resides.", the teacher said softly.
Her words were able to get Aubrey to face her. Aubrey looked desperate for some reason. The woman didn't have any idea why.
"Don't worry, someone will take my place to teach you.", the teacher smiled.
Aubrey didn't like it. He knew this teacher was the only person who saw him as a normal kid. He didn't want to stop seeing her. She was kind and patient with Aubrey.
".. don't go.", Aubrey's voice came out weak and hoarse. It was the first time she had ever hear him speak. She was surprised.
".. is there something wrong? Why don't you want me to go?", she asked him softly. Her words were soothing and calming. Aubrey liked it.
".. please.", he said.
The teacher finally saw Aubrey straight to the face. Even before, he would just lay his head down and never make eye contact with her. Today, she saw desperation in his eyes. And there was nothing else in his eyes that she could see. She knew it wasn't right to be this lifeless for a ten years old kid. Something must have happened.
"What happened, young master? Please tell me and I will help you.", she touched Aubrey's shoulder. But he later winced in pain.
The teacher was rendered speechless when she saw his body full of bruises. It seemed new. Was he abused? She didn't know what to say. Her conscience told her to call the police, but she must first take him out from here. Now she knew why he was so quiet. He was a victim of domestic violence.
"I'll take you out from here. I'll save you no matter what.", she said. She couldn't believe it, why was she so blind to realize it sooner? The boy was screaming for help.
Aubrey thought his salvation had come. The teacher was willing to help him. He wanted to go out. But he didn't know he was monitored under surveillance 24/7. That was his mistake.
The next day, he found himself in the basement again. But something was different. He wasn't the one in the cell, instead it was the teacher.
Adamson let out a low chuckle. Aubrey seemed to find a savior, but only for a short while.
"Tie him to the chair.", Adamson said to his 'bodyguards'.
"No.. release me. Please don't!", Aubrey started to shout. He was terrified to death for something that was yet to begin.
"Aubrey.. I'll let you see the whole thing until you understand my order. Next time, don't ever ask for anyone's help.", Adamson sneered. His face was icy and his voice cold. He was the definition of devil himself.
The teacher was tied up to chains. And her blouse was teared apart, showing the pale skin of her chest and legs. She was half nude. Her mouth was sealed with a tape.
".. no!", Aubrey couldn't move a muscle. He was forced to sit right in front of her, the only thing separating them was a cell bar. He got the best seat to watch the show.
"Do it.", Adamson directed the order. He was emotionless.
He then went to his younger brother and adjusted his height to match Aubrey's.
"Enjoy the show.", he walked away. Leaving Aubrey alone in the basement.
Aubrey closed his eyes when the teacher was screaming in pain. But he couldn't close them for long when one of the guards choked him in the neck.
"Ugh..!", he opened his eyes. In reluctance and terror, he watched the whole thing. His body shivered in extreme guilt for involving the teacher. He was mistaken. He could never be saved. No one can help him.
She screamed again. Her nails were plucked out from the flesh, starting from her feet to her hands. Some of the guards began their 'session' with her in turn. Ravaging her body and soul until she was dead inside.
"Please!!! Stop it!! I'm sorry I won't do it again!!"
Aubrey's plead was ignored. He couldn't change a thing. He made it worse. Only the scent of blood and rusty chains were there. The tape was no longer able to shut her up. The smell became thicker along with her loud scream and her waterfall tears. She would be dead soon..
"I'm sorry..! It's my fault!!", he cried his tears out. He thought it was better if he cried until he become blind.