-OPAL HYDE-
Precisely at 12, I left the sports club, I'm sweating, like always hoping that Fiona must be patiently killing time, I consistently find her at the entrance, yet to my surprise, it wasn't Fiona today but the heavy beast Maximus; for instance I thought of running away, but I can't because this guy always carries a loaded weapon with him. Everything around that lunatic is just stark-raving-mad and that in particular makes me hesitant, before passing any suggestion or judgement. I dumbly approach him, he stands undisturbed, I try to be as friendly as possible "Hey Max!" His alarming eyes stare down at me then he just nod at me. If he's here that means Ken wants to see me and Max will personally escort me, it was always this way, like an old ritual. I'm too frantic to go ahead and ask where Fiona was?, this fellow has always been inflexible with me, a polar opposite of his brother Xaviell. He is a proper gentleman, and on the other hand this towering alpha male just comes off rigid. As far as I remember, he only smiles when Ken whispers something into his ear.
I felt quiet relieved, when our mansion was in sight, he stopped at the gates "I am told to wait here" I walk in, my feet hurts. My hands were already trembling, I try to control breathing. One...two..three...yet when I saw him sitting with dad, I think I might faint, they were so busy with each other that they didn't notice me standing. "Opal! Why are you standing--" he was beaming ear to ear.
The bag on my shoulder slipped down, Ken was dressed in a neat suit his most fragile armour. He must be back from one of his meetings, his stainless shiny shoes tapping against the tiles.
He didn't look at me but was smiling, that exuberant merriness, he molds to fool my father. "Opal? Are you fine love?" I nod at him my lips were twitching, the landline on the right, next to vase starts ringing "You guys go upstairs and have a talk" I had to stop him. I'm too horrified to be alone with him "Dad we can--" he picked the phone up covered, one side of the phone "He is here for you dear hurry!" He buttoned his blazer and finally look at me. I hold my breath "Shall we?" I lead him all the way up to my room. My bed was a mess "Was someone here? Or you played with yourself.." that doesn't seem like a question so, I smile at him.
"I'm going for a bath" He settled down on a chair while I take a shower, as hot water dribbles down, it brings back the sensation of his feather light kisses and warm body pressed against mine.
He was drunk that day, it was all unexpected and spontaneous;
unlike Ken.
It always feels like rape, he is rough with me, but I throw in the towel always, he acts as if he's possessed with something that keeps on going without being tired at all. He never sweet-talks. Sometimes he just hugs me without saying a word, or lay his head on my stomach, he knows I'm the man-magnet yet he's bored, I never disrespected him, yet he is disturbed whenever we are together, I feel like he's a good person inside but he won't show. Still it's not me he wants and I know that--
I want someone who holds me dearly and yet.... nobody can kiss better than Ken.
My eyes stayed on the big diamond shining on my finger, he wants an early marriage and whenever I ask why?,
"to fix everything".
How am I suppose to please him when I don't even know what he is?, how am I suppose to live like a stone when my whole life awaits ahead of me?.
Not speaking a word about that night felt like a better choice or he will chop me into pieces turning me into fish feed of sharks.
I have to put up with all of it, I've seen a few disturbing things...those syringe like marks on his arm.
It was a month ago yet, I can't focus and just get curious, that was crazy since I thought I will die in my bed itself sprawled naked with no one out there to protect me. The other morning I slept whole day and at night, my body covered in bruises, back, thighs, bite marks, his sharp vampire like teeth pierced into my soft and delicate skin.
I switch the bodywash to lavender scented, he loves it. Inhaling in sharply I count ten in descending, one last check before walking out, he was sitting with long legs crossed, people who would stare at him for long will get addicted to his presence, not even having the slightest of idea that what type of decorated mask he wears. "Why are you standing there?" I flinched a little. His deep voice, makes you feel like he's talking to your soul, whenever he whispers into my ear. I feel like devil himself talking to me.
I slowly crawl towards him, he smiles mischievously; holding my chin up "Come up here" he pats on his lap, I obediently sat on his lap before I could untie the knot, I felt his grip on my waist was excruciatingly tighter. "Ken you're hurting me-" I mumbled "I haven't even started Opal" I thought I was hearing wrong words. He lay his head on my shoulder "So tell me how was he?" I felt like fainting.
"was he better than me--bigger than me--lasted longer than me?" My hands were visibly shaking, I tired to get up but he was holding me so tight that my breaths very starting to shorten; "Are you still hungry for a dog like him?" his left palm around my neck, fingers slowly digging into my throat. I could see red and blues spots dancing infront of my eyes, black spots spreading randomly, my nostrils flaring so this is it...,all of a sudden I could survive and my lungs were starting to ease, blood pumping faster, with head throbbing coarsely. "You have lost mind, haven't you? remember swearing your utmost loyalty to me?" He cracked his knuckles, but my neck was burning, I know his nails are always cut but few millimetres are kept long neatly filed, yet if he purposely scratch someone it could hurt real bad. I must have half crescent shaped marks around my neck, where his nails dug in "Since you are so proud of yourself, your beauty. I thought leaving you just like that is not the right thing to do" he removed a golden case from his inner breast pocket then lit it up with lighter I couldn't move since his left foot is crushing my ankle it hurts....but I won't cry...since I know he enjoys it.
"This is a coal stick" I saw bright orange and red, letter 'K' burning like a lava encryption. He holds my face up, now I couldn't stop but start begging, the thing he loves and this time maybe it won't work "Let's get you branded by love". I had no choice but to scream "Daddy!" he stops in between "I knew you were a bitch. A selfish mosquito, nibbling on me for years" He puts it back. "What's going on guys?" when dad saw me he quickly pulled me up "Ken? What--what on earth are you doing?".
he tossed the ring on me "finally I'm washing my hands off" I could hear him running down the stairs.
My father was furious, I have a slap mark on my face a big red spot. "What was that?" he asked over and over again "Have you forgotten it costed my legs and hands to put you there with Sebastian family and what have you done?" I stood there numb, if only I was a bird, free, alone with its wings flapping around the world, choosing trees and eating and just pooping, sleeping and mating. If only "Do you hear me--?" I nod at him.
What happens when you shit your pants obviously clean it all by yourself, got myself into simple slip dress covered the red slap mark with makeup. I need to see his mother as soon as possible. Already aware of fact that it was a backbreaking task to meet her, since she sits on a big chair, probably one of the top floors, she was at main building. I leave the car out, only staff is allowed get their cars inside those three identical buildings belong to Sebastian family, I showed my golden card at gate so that they would let me pass. If you stand on the ground and try to read those bold golden glinting letters, it feels like staring at sky. 'OCTOPUS SHEILD' sounds weird to me but, Ken's grandfather came up with this name I remember asking him the story behind whole naming process. He said that exactly like octopus tentacles their business is widespread and almost into everything, those people are one of the main pillars in boosting the economy of not only the country but world. It was really true that they were almost everywhere, I've heard all those big shots talking about it during my shoots. Maybe that is why Kyle appears mysterious, because he is in good terms with everyone, everything is just so clean about him hardly any scandalous events or actions heard, he was awarded and is always praised for building up a new economic structure also job opportunities for young generations.
Always mentioned in books, magazines, news like a celebrity. But reporters are no where near them, it's hard to believe that Ken will be taking over this whole crazy business of theirs "Excuse me!" I was stopped by another guy the security manager "This is lunch hour and may I see your ID" I showed him the golden card he took it from my hands. I stare at their faces dressed in black suits with their backs straight. "I am here to meet Mrs. Sebastian", "you mean president?" I look at him puzzled, he nod at me and leads the way.
Taking me through elevator "Who is she Adrian?" The women dressed in tight office shirt and grey slacks, black glasses with bright red lipstick stopped us. I hate her the most. She is Novella Morgan. "Oh! Miss. Opal what bring you all the way here?" She knows me from their office party dinners. "Well! I must discuss this with your president and president only" she takes me to outer conference room, "I'm sorry but it might take some time, she's at lunch" I sat on the chair, she's been staring at me "do you have cold my dear?" I didn't answer back "your cheeks are all red". I saw the giant brown doors opening, a group of people walk out to the other side elevator stopped and Xaviell strides out with a hand full of envelopes and a laptop.
I quickly hide behind the artificial plant kept in the corner. It's been so long since I saw him, two inch shorter than his younger brother, but same heavy body type, neat and clean just like a fresh new book with blank pages, so tempting that you can't wait to get your ink on it. He's quiet sweeter than Max, kind, always formal and humble to others.
"Now that Sir Kyle is CEO" I look at Novella "....Xaviell is the busiest amongst us" then she scoffs further saying "Not amongst us actually, he is far above us--" I took the packaged drinking water bottle in my hand one with the sealed lid and took two sips, it tasted bitter suddenly.
I recalled it was four years back, when Justice King Don, was the president later he decided to pass on the chair to Kyle till then he was a regular employee, votes flooded into his favour. Novella got up and exactly after two minutes she gestured me to go in "Gracious!....Opal?" I hugged her she slowly pat my hair. "Are you fine my darling?" she smells different something like flower-bomb like angels but also hints of naughtiness. I want this scent too, I look at her she has almost faded dark circles, less forehead wrinkles and more of smile lines. I wonder if the rumours are true and she really has a boyfriend. I narrate her what happened, I thought she would faint by knowing that great son of her's was trying to burn my face, instead she looked absolutely fine with it just a little stressed. "So! What did you do?" I was taken aback by that question "Ken won't behave like that unless.." she look at me seriously "Actually I made a mistake, I was drunk, I know I shouldn't be drinking but I am extremely sorry for that and I want to hear a sorry from Ken too" Then I had no choice but to kneel in front of her "Please try to understand I won't repeat the same mistake" she quickly stood up from the leather couch "Oh darling please get up" she hugged me again "fine I will talk to him. But you know better than me that he has his own rules set so don't expect much alright?" I nod at her and exit out of those suffocating buildings.
I drove by here by myself, thinking about Ken I feel like something will--. I heard tires screeching a loud thud brought me back into my senses. I'm too terrified to go out and look but people are watching gathering up small smoke cloud travelled up and faded into the busy street traffic. What if someone died?, there was a sports bike lying on the ground, a man dressed in black lying to the other side of the road with his helmet on and the street light was hanging on over his head with only one single wire. I could hear them gossiping, and yelling at me, the man got up, I ran towards him my ankle hurts but I don't care "Are you okay Sir?" I cried, then he removed his helmet black choppy bob hair.
A girl?. I stare into her black eyes, so dark, which made the world around me disappear, I got too immersed into that darkness of hers. I wake myself up, all of a sudden she turned around "No police please" she grabbed my upper arm and pushed me aside then pulled her bike up parked it near the cycle stands "You need to leave" my right hand traced the red lines flowing down her chin thinking this was an illusion but when my fingers stained red. I knew this has left me with nothing.
"H-Hospital! We need to go right now" she denies and once again grabbed me "You're hurt you idiot and I hurt you" I was crying this whole time, I think I will lose my license this way.
After fighting for sometime she was sitting in a driver's seat while I on the passenger seat. She told some Jayden to pick up her vehicle, before her father knows about this and I couldn't stop wondering how can a girl be so calm about getting hit by a car, my ankle was staring to look bad scattered blue blotches appeared around my ankle and heel. I couldn't walk so she threw my hand over her shoulder holding my waist "That's why you should be careful with heels", the nurse treated my leg while I hear her speaking "Tell me what's true--" she argued "I told you she and I had a fight, suddenly a guy came running from in between us pushed me aside my head struck something that's it" the intern gave her a look which was unsettling "who is she? Why were you fighting?" She argued again "well what business does that have with you?" finally the intern doctor starts fixing up. "Remove your jacket" she removes it and she caught me when I stare at her breast for so long.
She's fast at talking but the question, is why would a stranger save me. She should demand money or something but here we are "Are you good?" She simply nods. I called Fiona on the way so she was at the car waiting for me"you must keep this in mind, because you have to pay ten folds of this alright--" I stood there absent minded. What just happened and what does she means by that and who was she?. The other day, all I did was wait like the only flower in the vase that hasn't wilted. Ken didn't attend school, neither I could practice due to bandage wrapped around my ankle but I spend time watching Jen, then maybe I saw her again, with bag, and since I had nothing to do, I quietly follow her my ankle was much better now I sat on one of the stairs watching all of them engaged into kicking, punching "Excuse me!" The boy stopped, "Who are those people?" He shrugged, but I was foolish to not to notice the small name plate "Taekwondo, Hapkido, Tang Soo Do", I gasp at the number of students now I need to find her. I open the door and with one whiff I knew it was the smell of sweat, I felt nauseous but anyways.
I wave at few students and rest others look dedicated "No fights" I heard, it loud and proper, two of them were hitting each other but they were pulled apart by one of the senior. I saw her at the corner practicing "never have I ever thought--" a women could look so cool and attractive. Her hair tied at back she was drenched in sweat focused on kicking I glance all over the large room, and then at her my eyes widened when I saw her black belt. She turned around, I wave at her "Hey!" Don't know why but I want her to talk to me. She was out of breathe glistening with sweat but smelled light citrus as if a lingering bits of perfume stuck to her.
"What brings you here?" I thought she won't recognize me, I look at her sandy brown colour bandage "my friend" I compliment her by saying, that her kicks are stronger than my hope. But it only sounds good in my head, I caught that, her voice is soft and calming as if honey dripping into my ear, "now that I see you clearly, you are much prettier in reality" I stop in my steps "I mean you are into modelling and acting right?" She adds.
Her broad shoulders aren't slouched, bright confidence on her face makes me envious of her, she has no makeup but her own charm, beautiful bronze skin, dark eyes, tall without heels, neat trimmed eyebrows and small but pouty lips.
I told her that I need to go since Fiona waited at the front gate, and once again I forgot to ask her name.
"Why are you so red?" I touch my cheeks "you have extra classes" sudden realisation struck me.
Ken will be there, I want to skip it but if confrontation seems to be a better option.
I got ready wore those sneakers Ken bought me, the dress he chose for me and even the makeup he likes, that perfume he keeps on sniffing. The moment I walk in Tim says "you're late" I quietly open my books, Ken can't take his eyes off me, my efforts worked. Sam knocked on the desk "follow me" we stood in the corridor, but when Ken stomped in he leaves "Ken" I exhaled expecting him to stroke my cheeks, kiss me, or hug me, at least pat my hair. "W-what were you talking?" I look at him confused "I saw you with a g-girl" this was something extraordinary, I never, in my, all those years of knowing him ever saw him stuttering. "Who?" He hugged me tightly "even if I change my mind and marry you, we won't have a child" he left me and walked away.
He's serious, then only Sam emerges from the back of the shelf "Sleeping with Nate wasn't enough?" I raised my hand to slap him but he stops me "so he wasn't lying" I look at Ken's back he was leaving shoving his books into bags "Ken never goes spittin' around about his personal life" I thought Ken was the one who told him. "Nate keeps on running his mouth so for now Ken has shut him" those sick bastards are looking down on me.
"Are you that desperate?" I push him aside but instead he pulled me closer "You lost and fell straight into his trap, I knew you weren't the fit for him" his green eyes changed in a snap "you dare to raise those filthy hands at me-" Jen yell at him "leave her", Sam let's me go "Stay away from this parasite Jen", he walks away, I hug Jen and my tears just won't stop.
Jen followed me "Love speak to me.." I remember what happened that day, I was at party when I saw Nate sitting alone, he was talking on phone and then I saw him wiping his tears, that shook me I stood close to him. Then sat near him, he told me that he was lonely and that everything around him is rushing. Suddenly it reminded me of how many high school students he have bullied, but he just kept speaking and I had no other choice but to listen, after sometime I realised we were sitting to close, I like the warm hand of his on my thigh.
Before I could knew anything I totally surrendered to him. This was the first time some guy was touching me like I was made up of glass and I enjoyed every bit of it until I slept soundly.
I realised Jen was staring at me "I don't know maybe I was drunk but it was a mistake Jen" she nodded "It is fine I will ask Ken to understand you" I feel bad to deceive her like this.