*Chapter eight*
The Night crept in quickly,proudly showing off the Moon as it shone brightly. Unlike the other nights,the air was crisp and chilly. Asher carried little Skylar in his arms as Natalie went like a zombie into the room that was called hers. She moved,slowly counting each step,anyone could tell she was present here by her soul wasn't there. Her life was over, her heart shrank, if she had any left. This pain was worst than death. Natalie fell to the floor. Gripping the sheets that was neatly folded at one side of the bed. Ever since she raced out of the room Asher and her had been in,she was in another world. She wished it was a dream, but the sympathetic looks Asher threw her every seconds seemed to say otherwise.
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Natalie's POV
I sat still greedily hugging my knees, I stared at the window witnessing the violent drop of rain against the glass. I could feel the chill run down my spine.
Dave.
I whispered underneath my breath, The first I had spoken since the hotel.
Dave
Another name left my lips as I could now feel hot tears rolling down my icy cheekbone.
Dave
I didn't know why I kept on repeating his name but every word uttered punctured what left of me. I shivered, feeling the petrifying touch of betrayal.
Dave
What on earth did I do wrong to you?
I didn't move,I clutched unto my legs,holding back the sickening urge to burst out in tears.
I recalled everything,word for word.
Dave hadn't loved me.
He never loved me
'Emma', I caught on a sob.
'Emma'...my whisper turned into a deafening cry for help.
My entire life had been a sham. I lived a lie, I was so stupid.
Had everyone known around me? I thought aloud.
I must have looked so dumb. I hated myself, my entire life I hated it all.
I gave in to the pain,bursting out in tears,I wanted this pain to stop. I should have died in that accident, it would have spared me this pain.
What wrong did I commit in my past life to deserve this cruelty? I lost everything, I looked like a complete fool. I voiced out my pain,hoping to be spared from all these. I was oblivious to Asher who stood there for quite some time now. He came over,taking a halt opposite me. I couldn't dare look at him. Like a criminal I cowered my head in shame. Just like everyone else he must think I'm a fool. I was.
Asher was silent for a while,he rested on the pillar behind, carefully studying me when his words hit me." Jeanine... "
Another ocean of pain flushed down my body. He called my name. He called me by my identity.
Jeanine. I hated her. I hated me. Tears didn't slack,it took it's opportunity and came, pushing it way through. I still didn't look at him.
"You should stop now..." He said, his tone neutral. I still didn't say a word. "Truth is meant to open our eyes and not put an end to our lives."
He protruded,his tone still neutral but one could feel the intensity behind his words. "You've cried enough. It not worth it. There's no point,what's done is done."
He was right. Everything he said was true, but I couldn't hear it. I wanted to vent out. I needed to.
"It's not that easy. I loved him. He was my everything." I said still not looking at him. "I love him" I say again, so low but he could hear.
"And he ruined you. He used you and if he had tossed you aside it would have been so much better but he murdered you. They both did and had no remorse." Asher stopped, his eyes inspecting me thoroughly. I raised my head and now he could see the swollen eyes of mine. I had nothing to say. What could I say?
I had experienced it,my love was a lie. My senses had totally turned it's back against my heart. All I had now was broken pieces of myself.
"So you still aren't going to say something?." He paused,getting irritated at my silence. "You were treated like a fool,you lost your child...no he and that whore of a friend murdered you and your child. They drained you of everything you had. Even to now,to them,you were nothing but a means to an end. And still you wouldn't say a thing."
"What do you want me to say. Yes I was a fool. I'm a useless and naive dropout. Everyone warned me,but I still, I ignored. My entire life was a facade. I was duped even worse used. Maybe your Natalie shouldn't have wasted her life for a worthless human like me."
Tears caught in my throat, but it didn't stop me. "I should have died along with my child than had to experience this" I added on my choked sobs.
Asher wasn't fazed. I gazed into his eyes with the blurry vision of mine. I couldn't understand the look he was giving me,he only sighed. "Wish you only realize the gift life had given you. Yes, your child is dead but only the living with the will have the power to undo. If you've given up, then I'm afraid I can't do anything more." Asher stomped out of the room. I sat for a while with my thought far away.
I wanted it all to end.
The bleeding pain of my heart.
I wanted this,everything to be over
And I knew just what to do. I pulled myself up,making my way to the bathroom. I turned on the bathtub,allowing the water to cover up to the surface. I slid in,with only my head above the water.
I cried out one last time. "Father I'm sorry" I said,wishing I had known this sooner. I had broken dad's heart,choosing a stranger over him.
At that time, I had thought I was doing the right thing. All in the name of love.
'I'm coming little angel.Mommy is coming to be with you forever,where it doesn't hurt.' I thought, withholding the tears asking for entrance.
There wasn't any point living. Dave and Emma had won.
I slid my head under the water,giving the water permission to take me.
'In another life,at another time.
I would, If I could and if I could, I would, avenge the cruel punishment for this life. This is my promise to you, Angel.'
I could feel the ever welcoming hands of death.
Again,I reflected on my life. The worthless life of Jeanine.
No one would miss me,a fruitless life. I was dead after all, buried and forgotten.
I could feel my life slipping away.
'And he ruined you. He used you and if he had tossed you aside it would have been so much better but he murdered you. They both did and had no remorse.'
I remembered the stinging words of Asher. It was the truth and it hurts me.
'Jeanine and I...there was never an 'US'. When I had you here. Jeanine was a plan in motion, from highschool till present, every moment with her was a script, the first day we met till the day she died. Believe me love,I don't fall for the 'plan'...Never.'
I recalled Dave words,as I begun struggling in the water.
'Wish you only realize the gift life had given you. Yes, your child is dead but only the living with the will have the power to undo. If you've given up, then I'm afraid I can't do anything more.'
Asher words lunged at me, My head was spinning, I could feel the fainting beat of my heart.
But something else wasn't succumbing. Something in me wasn't ready to give up the ghost. My mind strained, suddenly I was overwhelmed with so many emotions and memories.
I was giving up...I was dying....
No.... No....
The less succumbing part of me,kept on fighting and fighting...
I kept on struggling, and then I heard a whisper...It was so low but I recognized the voice. It was me.
That's my voice. Jeanine. It had one word to say.
'Live'
I jerked up from the water,coughing out uncontrollably,until the water was almost out of my lungs. I stopped,staring at nothingness.
'What did I just do?' I asked myself unbelievable.
I had just been murdered, and yet I was planning on doing the same thing.
I was a fool,I was used,ruined and murdered. Life had given me another chance and what was I about to do? Waste it.
Not in this lifetime.
Hadn't I spoken of another life. Well this was it. Jeanine was dead. This was Natalie Reed. I looked at the mirror which on the other side. I gazed into it. All I saw was 'second chance' written in bold.
I was Natalie Reed and I'll be forever damned if I let this slip away.
I got out of the cold water,paying no heed to the effect it had on my body. I had seen worse.
I slipped into the nearest clothing I found. With my dampened hair and moist skin,I dashed out of the room, finding my way around the huge House. I walked into his office whose doors were wide opened.
Asher was sitting on his office chair,when I walked in. He lifted his head in surprise. I could feel his eyes on my body before meeting my eyes.
"You said only the living with the will have the power to undo" I paused, noticing the glint of interest in my words. "What if the living have the will but no power to undo, Could you help?"
Asher stared at me. I could swear I saw a sheer of joy in his eyes but was quickly replaced. "Yes I could,and believe me I would be happy to help. But on one condition"
"And what's that?"
"You will be a mother to my daughter" I watched him closely after he gave me his condition. There was no need to consider, if I was asked to sell my soul to the devil I would,without much of a thought.
"I have no objections,but eventually Skylar has to know."
"Just for three years. Within that I'll prepare her for the truth."
"And...."
"Within that three years, I'll help you with whatever you need,whatever choice you make, I'll stand by you to achieve whatever you wish". Asher paused,taking another look at me. "What do you want?" He asked,his eyes already knowing the answer.
" I want Dave Anderson and Emma Brooke to regret their entire existence. To regret the day they bumped into Jeanine Smith. I want every passing second to be hell on earth torture for them,to experience the pain I went through. I want them to go through worse,to grovel down on their knees and beg for death,only difference is death itself will be repulse by their soul." I felt,the shiver from skin,my voice was shaky but enough to convey my emotion.
"Then your wish is my command Mrs Reed" Asher said, a smirk forming on his lips.
I finally reached my room,coming in terms with my future. My body and heart was in unison now.
It felt only one thing.
Hate.
It recognized the resounding bell of hate.
It wanted one thing.
Justice
My word will be the law.
Jeanine Smith Anderson was dead,
She lead a good life,made the wrong friend and married the worst man. She was a fool,a dropout, an ignorant being with so much mistakes.
I,Natalie Reed will be nothing like her,a beauty behind a mask, understand the only word my heart knows.
Pain.
All my emotions and pain will be hidden under the maddening smile of Revenge.
I gave another glance to the mirror, getting familiar with my new life.
I let out a tear. It wasn't for myself nor for Dave nor the pain and betrayal I felt.
It was for Natalie, 'I won't waste this opportunity you've given me. Skylar will be my daughter now,you loved her greatly and I'll love her as my own. I'll try my best,for you and Skylar, it is my promise to you,Natalie.'
I crept on the bed,hoping the night's sleep would devour me. I waited for it's arrival until I was abruptly taken.
'Jeanine was dead.
I'll forget the past now. A new future begins now....my future.
Natalie Reed'