The Master's bedroom
By Obodozie favour Chioma
Chapter four
I couldn't help but worry about Amber, She wasn't responding to my calls and she has been inside with Edward for far too long, I need to go see her.
I opened the car door and walked out heading for Edward's house when I heard a loud scream, That's Amber's Voice.
I ran to Edward's door banging it hard until I pulled it open.
"Bastard!" I yelled holding him by his shirt.
Amber was lying helplessly on the floor, I pushed Edward down on the floor and we both became to exchange fist, each not letting the other go.
"Sir why are you hitting me?".He questioned and I made sure he regretted his unreasonable question.
We started of again and Edward got upset and threw me down hitting me hard.
"That my tramp man".He said and I could see lust in his eyes for Amber.
Was this how violent I was to Amber?, I was a monster indeed.
I pushed him to the ground and hit him hard until he was unconscious, I informed the police immediately after untying Amber.
I pulled of my jacket and wore it on her, she tried standing up but I held her.
"Stay still, you're hurt".I told her bust she looked away.
"I can help myself up don't worry".She said in tears.
"Amber you're really hurt".I told her and she placed her head on my shoulders and started crying.
"I'm sorry".I said but she continued.
"This, this is all my fault".I told her and she continued crying.
"I started... Ouch".I screamed and fell on the ground.
"You bastard, you want to have her for yourself".I heard Edward scream out.
He dragged Amber while she screamed out, I managed to hold his legs but then he stepped on it while I screamed.
"Kip!".Amber screamed as Edward tried to straggle me, I saw her pick up a vase in which she used to hit him hard on the head.
Blood gushed out immediately and Edward was on the floor, I saw her scream in fear.
"Is he dead?".I asked watching him while Amber ran to me scared.
"I killed him, no, I couldn't".She repeated the words and I knew she was scared.
" No, you didn't, when the police comes tell them I was the one who killed him".I managed to say while she stared at me.
" You can't do that Kip".She begged and I stared at her.
"Why shouldn't I?, I hurt you a lot and brought you nothing but pains, this is my punishment".I told her and she stared at me.
" This is not your punishment, I never want you hurt, I'm sorry".She said and I didn't know when I started crying.
" Why are you crying? ".She questioned.
"I hurt you a lot".I told her and by then the police came and stared at us.
Surprisingly Edward tried standing up, "What going on?".The police man asked and Edward tried talking and blaming me to trying to murder him.
The police stared at me while I filled in the details of what really happened.
"I'm sorry ma'am for not coming on time, you handcuff him".The Police officer told her partner.
The Police officer dragged Edward out of his house, I held Amber's hands and led her out.
I made sure she got checked by the best doctor,after that I watched her sleep peacefully.
Tomorrow my lawyer would be here to bring out the contract and then I and Amber would no longer be bounded by my contract.
I couldn't help but cry, tears rolled down my eyes and I felt hurt, I saw myself in Edward today and the way I had lusted for Amber, it feel disgusted of myself.
I was a monster in human form and a pain in Amber's neck, I have really made life miserable for her and today proved it.
She woke up on feeling my tears on her cheeks, I watched her try to get up and I quickly wiped my tears of.
"Were you crying?".She asked me and I cleared my throat and responded.
"No, I'm a man and men don't cry".Was my response and she tried chuckling.
" Men do cry and it okay to cry but then tell me why are you crying?".She asked staring keenly at my face.
" Is it about what happened today?" She asked and I only nodded.
"It okay, I'm not sad again".She told me and I knew she was only trying to act brave.
"I caused this".I told her staring at her wounds.
"I signed up for this".She responded.
" You signed up to satisfy me not to get injuries all over".I told her and she tried smiling.
"At least you are realising your mistakes".She said and I held her hands gently.
" Yes I am, that why by tomorrow I will free you from my clutches, you will be free and far away from me".I told her and she stared at me.
" Are you sure you want this? ".She asked me and I just nodded.
" You deserve your freedom, keeping you in bondage with me will only harm you and nothing more".I told her and she tried smiling.
I leaned over and gave her a smaker on her fingers, She stared at me and I came close to her and kissed her forehead.
"You deserve to be respected, your importance is meant to be felt, you are a really noble and respectable woman, you deserve to be loved, cared for, your principles is meant to be appreciated, you deserve it all Amber and that just the truth, I have never come across such a woman before in my life, you are unique and rare to find, a rare gem".I concluded and watched her smile.
" That all I want, respect and to be appreciated, I want nothing more".She said and I smiled and went on one knee.
" I'm putting my pride aside and promising you to be at your call whenever you need me, I want to serve you and put a smile on your face, I know that not enough but then I hope it enough".I said and she smiled and muttered " Thank you".
I smiled and embraced her while we both laid on the bed staring keenly and deeply at each other's eyes.
I couldn't take my eyes of her and I knew right from the beginning that I felt something quite different for her, I thought it was only cause I wanted to have her begging at my pleas or she warming my bed but it was far from that.
I had instructed a detective to find everything about her and when I knew she was struggling with money problems and she was an orphan, knowing her roommate Tiffany wasn't around so that was my advantage of luring her to my bed.
I was only being selfish, I lusted to have her at all cost and I was sure she would desperately call me and when she did, I was extremely happy but then when I got to know her, I couldn't stop wanting her.
I think I feel something for her but then what was it?, this is my first time, I have never felt this way for anyone before, I tried having an intimate relationship with Candy all over just to get her of my mind but somehow it never worked, she was still on my mind.
I stood up after watching her close her eyes, I noticed she was deep in slumber so I crawled out of her room and called Stanley.
"Sir".He responded and stared at me.
"Have you ever been in love before?".I asked him.
"Huh?".He stuttered.
" Have you ever been in love before?".I repeated and he stared at me.
"Yes sir, I have".He said smiling at me, Stanley was like a close friend to me and we have both been through thick and thin together for a long time now.
"How did it feel?".I asked him and he smiled at me.
"It still feels great, every time I see her, I still feel the same way I did the first day I saw her".He informed me and I smiled.
" Tell me sir, How do you feel and why did you ask that question? ".He asked while I brought out a bottle of champagne and pulled it open with the wine opener.
I poured a little content for the both of us, we both sipped of it before I said anything.
"I don't understand how I'm feeling Stanley".I told him and he stared at me.
" Describe how you feel boss".He said taking another sip from the shot glass.
"I get shy easily just been close to her, I have this tingly feeling inside and I don't seem to get her of my mind even when I try, I have imaginations of creating memories with her not just that, I want her close and never want her far, when we don't talk for a day, I feel incomplete, I just want to see and hear her voice every morning, I can't bear to see her pains and whenever she is in pains, I just stand it, I always want to wipe her tears away, I don't want her to every shed a single tear from her eyes, I always want her smiling and I can do just about anything to hear her laughter, it soothes my soul, I don't understand this feeling Stanley, this is my first time and I don't know, I have never felt this way for anyone before".I cried out while he smiled.
"Sir this is the feeling of love".He said and poured out another round of wine for the both of us.
" Love?, Are you sure?" .I asked him confused.
"Yes sir, all what you said are signs of love, you are in love sir" .He said and I smiled slowly.
" So I'm in love Stanley, this feeling is really beautiful".I told him and he smiled.
" I'm glad you're happy sir, if I may know sir who is she?" He asked and I smiled.
"Amber".I said and he smiled.
" I noticed, she is really the best choice for you sir, she is one of a kind".He complimented.
" And how do you know all this?".I asked him.
"She has being a great impact in your life in the past few days and we all noticed, She is the right choice for you".He said and I smiled.
"And with your permission I am going to tell her how I feel".I said and then it suddenly occurred to me what I had stated in the contract
" No strings attached, meaning nothing more apart from she satisfying me, she mustn't fall in love with me now I'm doing the opposite of what I stated".
I explained to Stanley that I made a contract with her not to have any relationship with her, Stanley knew everything about me and how I had craved to get Amber and when I did, we celebrated.
"Ohh so tomorrow she will be out of your life for good".He said and I nodded gulping of the wine.
" That's not the end".He assured me.
"What do you have in mind?".I asked him.
"Kip forlad I know never gives up, try and give her a farewell surprise just as a goodbye gift, that should be enough to express how much you would miss her and maybe how you want her back or to stay".He said and I smiled.
" I have something in mind, thank you".I told him and he smiled.
"You deserve to be happy, try as much as possible to make her feel loved and appreciated,that would do for the meantime".He advised me and I smiled.
" It quite obvious sir that you love her".Stanley said smiling at me.
" Yes, I love her, I love you Amber" .I said smiling.
" I'm happy for you sir".He said and we toasted gulping the wine.
****
I woke up early in the morning excited to set out my plans to surprise Amber.
I had gotten dressed up in a casual wear, made sure Amber and I were to be absent at work, I opened my room door, gathered courage and knocked on Amber's room door.
"Vera, come in".She said and I knocked again and said " It Kip".
" Ohh?"was her response and I could tell she just woke up.
" Come in".She said and I opened the door and walked in.
"Good morning" .I said and she smiled.
"Morning, how was your night?".She asked and I stared at her.
"It was fine, yours?".I asked and she responded " The same way".
" Why are you dressed in casual clothing?".She asked curious to know.
" I will let my plans for us today feed your thoughts, Vera will be on her way soon, so you have breakfast and come downstairs".I told her with excitement and joy written all over my face.
"Today I'm going to reveal to her how I feel and nothing is going to stop me".I told myself heading downstairs.
I was sipping my morning coffee when an Angel walked downstairs, I could swear my jaw was dropped open.
Amber is really beautiful and attractive to, I stared at her shyly trying hard to take my eyes off her but I just couldn't.
"Kip".She called coming close to me.
"You..you look beautiful".I stammered.
"Thank you, so why aren't we going to work today?".She asked and I heard her hands.
" I want to spend the whole day with you, I want it to be just us".I told her and she tried smiling.
" Alright so what do you have planned for today?".She asked and I smiled.
" Glad you asked, I will be your driver today so I will take you on a cruise round the whole estate".I told her and she smiled.
" Okay captain".She joked.
I opened the car for her and she entered, she was surprised I was driving her and how well I could drive, I noticed her facial expression and answered her.
"I lost my parents in a car accident and since then I have being afraid to drive".I told her and faced the road.
" I'm so sorry, what caused the accident?".She asked and I wanted to feed her curiousity.
"I was learning how to drive when I was only seventeen years old and so my parents were at the back seat while my little sister was troubling me while driving,and so I removed my hands from the wheel for just a second and then we got run over by a truck, It was a miracle that I was saved with little injuries, my parents weren't, they died and so did my little sister, I was left all alone in Mr Stanley's care, He was my mum's driver and now my close friend".I told her and she held my hands.
" I'm sorry, God has a reason for what happened and for sparing your life".She said and I only nodded.
God, who is that?. I didn't want to go deep asking Amber, I only wanted this day to be for us and just us.
I stopped at a park and brought out the picnic basket and placed the blanket on the floor.
"Here, have this".I told her and she smiled and closed her eyes for a while before eating, I wondered why she did that, I did the same and she chuckled.
"Hope you know I made a short prayer?".She asked me while I stared at her confused.
"Pray?, Hmm".I responded and she smiled.
"Whenever you are given something to eat, you commit the name of the Lord before eating and that what I did".She said with smiles on her face.
" Ohh okay, so what do I say and why do you make such prayers?".I asked curious to know.
" I was trained to by my mum, how you say it is a lot simple, start up by saying, Thank you Lord for today and for the gift of life, I ask for forgiveness and ask that you bless this food,you provide me with, thank you Lord".I said ending the prayer.
"Thanks for sharing this with me".I told her and she smiled.
After picnic, I booked us for a couples game and it was a whole lot of fun, we both were enjoying the whole day together.
"What are your plans?".I asked her and she smiled.
"Plans how? " .She asked staring at me.
"My lawyer is on his way here soon so we would both be free and I will send you the money, tell me what your plans are to do with the money".I told her and she smiled.
" I will help out children without any privileges, I don't want any girl to fall into the same temptation I fell into, who knows she or he wouldn't be so lucky".She said and I was blown away in shock.
I led her to the place where I had specially designed just to tell her how much she meant to me.
"Open your eyes".I said and she did, she was marvelled by how beautiful the whole place was specially designed just for me to confess my feelings to her.
I exhaled ready to tell her how I felt, "You got this ready just for a farewell, I love it, thank you".She said smiling.
" There's more".I told her and she stared at me confused.
"More?, How come?".She asked and I moved two steps close to her, I held her hands gently and stared deep into her eyes.
"I thought I didn't understand how I felt, I was foolish to think I only wanted you just to satisfy me and nothing more, I was stupid to say no strings attached, I would be an idiot to let you go without letting you know how I feel".I told her and she took a step back.
" What are you saying? "She asked staring away from me.
" Amber what I'm saying is that I have fallen deep in love with you, I want you and only you".I told her and she turned her back to face me.
" You can't, You told me no strings attached remember,now you're saying this ".She said and I wondered if she didn't love me back.
" I learnt to love you".I told her and she turned to face me.
" You don't call self-pity love, is it cause of what happened yesterday?, What you feel for me is self-pity and I don't want that, to hell with your love, you and I know it's not real".She said and I was marvelled, then I wouldn't blame her, I was a pain in her neck and now all of a sudden I want something more than love.
"Amber I really do love you".I said and she interrupted me .
" Kip forlad you don't even know the real definition of love, A monster like you can't know what it is to love someone, have you suddenly forgotten how much pains you inflicted on me in just two weeks of my stay here, you hurt me, in case you have forgotten let my scars be a self reminder to you that you were only but a monster".She said and I just stood there dumbfounded.
" Don't you dare insult the meaning of love by saying it, tell me how someone like you would know the true meaning of love, and to think we were both going to be friends, you must have mistook self pity for love".She said and my lawyer walked in.
" Mr Kip forlad, you requested for my presence".He said sitting on a close chair.
" It good you are here sir, please end this contract, it seems I have burden someone enough".I said staring at Amber who looked away.
I wished she could see how hurt I was but then she was right, how can someone like me know the meaning of love?.
"Hmm ,okay sir".He said and opened his brief case bringing out the contract papers.
He studied it for a while before responding "Sir you both can't end this contract".He said shocking I and Amber.
" Why can't we?".Amber asked.
"The said agreement is that you must satisfy Mr Kip forlad for one month before any money or deposit can be given to you and it just two weeks today, with two weeks remaining".The lawyer concluded and I asked " Um sir can we rip off the contract and just write another one?".Was my suggestion.
" Rip off?, Mr Kip I'm sure you know how contract works and you too have out a signature agreeing to this".He said staring at me then at Amber.
" So I'm never leaving?".Amber asked us.
"You both knew what you signed so stop this act, I'm leaving Mr Kip forlad, I have a lot of things to do".He said and walked away.
I stared at Amber for a while without saying a word,she stared at me and then I said "I will be waiting for you in the car".With this I walked away,I knew my way of walking wasn't great but then why was I walking in zig zag form.
The drive home was quite a silent one,I walked into my room, took my bathe and walked close to my laptop to work and all I could hear were Amber words;
"Kip forlad you don't even know the real definition of love, A monster like you can't know what it is to love someone, have you suddenly forgotten how much pains you inflicted on me in just two weeks of my stay here, you hurt me, in case you have forgotten let my scars be a self reminder to you that you were only but a monster".
I stood up and went to sleep yet I kept on turning still haunted by her words, was that how she see's me?, A monster without a heart, A beast who can't be in love.
I turned again only to hear her voice "
"Don't you dare insult the meaning of love by saying it, tell me how someone like you would know the true meaning of love, and to think we were both going to be friends, you must have mistook self pity for love".
I sat on my bed and poured water in a glass cup, I gulped the whole content leaving no room for a drop of water.
I closed my eyes for a while and all i could see was Amber, She was locked up in my arms, she held my hands and and leaned over to kiss it, she let out a smile and when I was about kissing her on the lips, she pushed me and ran away, she ran far away but to where?.
"Amber! Amber!" I called and the next thing I saw was fog covering the whole place, Amber came back this time around,she was holding a man and she wasn't in any way happy but still she preferred him over me.
Then I tried bringing her back to me only for her to say "A monster and a beast like you has no right to fall in love.
I got upset immediately and woke up.
"Amber,Kip forlad will make you fall in love with him".
****
I can't stay here and keep on hurting myself, who knows maybe this was Kip's planned work with his lawyer to keep me here.
"To hell with his money, I can't keep hurting myself just because of money, I have lost a lot just for my desperation to earn money".I said packing my clothes and putting it in a bag.
A word occurred to me "He got you all this clothes".
I dropped the bag and decided to go empty-handed, Kip had we burnt my clothes before my arrival here so I literally have nothing, I will learn to live and strive again.
I tiptoed out of my room and tried escaping but I was caught by the bodyguards.
"Where are you off to Miss Amber".I heard and I turned wondering what lie I could tell.
" I just need to get something outside" .I told him and he stared at me suspiciously.
"What do you want to get?, let me get it for you" .He said and I stared at him for a while before coming up with another lie.
"I want to get it myself".I said and he nodded.
"It so late at night, how about I follow you get it".He said and I just nodded.
" Okay lead the way".He suggested and I did.
He drove me out of the compound, I thought of ways to escape and I came up with an idea.
"I need to use the women's bathroom".I said staring at him.
"Now?".He asked staring closely at me.
"Yes now, stop the car".I instructed and he did.
I went out, about leaving when he said "Ma'am here's a torchlight".
I collected it, faked a smile and moved a bit and when I noticed he wasn't paying attention, I took to my heels.
****
"Ma'am! Ma'am!, Are you done?".I called staring round.
"Oh no, she escaped, Mr Kip wouldn't be happy with me, I'm so sure I would be arrested".I said and called Mr Kip who said he would be on his way.
I drove trying hard to look for her but I couldn't find her, I continued hoping I find her and don't lose my job.
****
I couldn't believe Amber could go through this length just to avoid me, Does she hate me this much?, I can't believe she is ready to risk her life just to get away from me, Am I that much of a monster that she wants nothing to do with me.
I stopped driving when my eyes caught Amber, she was held by two men, her screams echoed and I ran to where she was.
"Amber!, let her go".I warned but they ignored me.
" Kip, please save me".She begged and I knew she was in pains.
Her clothes were almost ripped off, is she actually right about me bringing her pains and nothing more.
The thug came close and stretched forth his arm ready to fight me, we started off with each having bruises on, I eventually overpowered him but his partner wasn't ready to give up, I grabbed Amber by the hand and we both ran as fast as we could.
I came close to my car and drove as fast as I could while the went on our tails, chasing after us but thank God they were on their toes.
We got rid of them, my car stopped and I guess it was out of fuel, I called Freddy, he was already out looking for Amber so he could just come take us home.
I told to try and track our location and he said he would, I stared at Amber, her eyes were fixed outside, my eyes glanced through her ripped clothes, her bras was revealed and I don't want to know what bad thing those men would have done to her if I haven't arrived on time.
I pulled out my jacket and helped her put it on, she stared at me and muttered "Thank you".
I only nodded and looked away, this was just the limit and I had promised myself not to ever be close to her again till the contract ends, I am done coming for her today proved that she rather run away than stay with me.
"Kip".I heard her say.
I stared at her and she leaned over, her head resting on my shoulders, I resisted not smiling but I couldn't, I love this girl too much.
I heard a voice after few minutes if silence.
"Help! Help! Let me go".A lady begged.
I followed the voice only to see a lady being attacked by thugs.
"Let her go".I demanded but they ignored me.
"Didn't you hear me?, I said you should let her go".I said and one of the thug came close to me with a huge stick.
" You want to die boy, scram".He said in an intimidating tone.
"Let the innocent girl go".I said and they laughed.
" Innocent?, this girl is far from innocent". One of the thug said staring at me.
" Help, please sir help me".I heard her say and I turned to see Amber.
" What are you doing here?, I asked you to stay in the car".I said and she came close to me.
" I can't leave you, I came for you" .She said and I stared at her shocked, is she warming up to me or she only said that because I saved her life?.
The thug came after me and made sure to leave me with a bruise, but then I kept on fighting, Amber and that girl tried their best but still the thug overpowered them.
Thankfully Freddy walked in and he helped knock the men out, they were unconscious when he called the police.
One of the men pulled out a gun while I grabbed the girl in my hands and we ran out as fast as we can.
Freddy, started driving, he drove as fast as he could while the man shoot the bullet of the gun at us.
"Thank you for saving my life".The girl said holding unto my hands.
I stared at Amber who didn't say a word, after a while of silence and we were sure we had lost the crazy thug, I stared at the girl sitting close to me, I was literally in the middle while Amber was on my right side and the girl on my left.
"Where are you living?, Freddy will take you there".I asked and she started shivering in fear.
" I don't..I..i..I.. don't have a home".She answered after stammering.
" How come you don't have a home?".I asked her and she stared at me.
"I just lost my home today, everyone got killed in a fire outbreak two weeks back, I have been living on the street since then".She said and I had sympathy for her.
" For now, you're welcome to stay here, you will stay in my house until I'm able to get you a
house ".I told her and she smiled at me still not ready to let go my hands.
****
I had goosebumps just watching that girl hold unto Kip, somehow I felt that wasn't right, I had the strangest feeling that's where I wanted to be, wrapped in Kip's arms and not her.
"What's your name?".Kip asked her and her face brightened as she said her name.
" I'm Sofia, Sofia Chambers"She said and Kip smiled while I only stared at her and then my eyes went back to the busy road even when it's so late at night there are still people around.
I turned to face Kip who made sure to remove his eyes from me, my gaze went to Sofia who had fallen asleep on Kip's body.
I want all this but why, am I growing feelings for kip or just insecure about the way Kip was treating her? Am I really not sure of what I want?, I rejected Kip so now why all this, why I'm I feeling this way?.
I don't want to be jealous but then why can't I take my eyes off Kip?, He is ignoring me and that I know and giving her all his attention.
Amber stop acting this way, it's insecurity nothing more.