Eric
The beeping sound of the heart monitor was the only sound in the hospital room after I sent everyone home with a promise to stay and watch over my brother. My sister had argued against leaving me alone with Justin, but Jake stepped in to convince her to go rest and return in the morning fully rejuvenated. Our father didn't need much convincing. He was tired and barely awake when Jake and my sister woke him up so he and Lyra could head home too.We said goodbye in hushed tones to avoid disturbing Justin.
Max called some minutes after I was left alone to check-in. The conversation had been tight-lipped on my part because I had nothing to say to a brother whose response to grief was to abandon his family and run to the other side of the world. A bitter smile crossed my face as I thought about not being the firstborn but having the responsibilities of one.
At thirty-four, I was already running the company. There was no time for me to rest as I was needed everywhere. I couldn't go sailing as often as I wanted, so I compensated by swimming every night—well, except for the past two nights. The vibrating sound of my phone nestled somewhere in my pocket brought me out of my reverie. It was Diana.
"Hey boo!" She yelled over the noise from her background. "How are you doing?"
I chanced a glance at my brother before moving to stand by the window. "I am fine, Diana. You?"
"Equally fine. Wait, that's not correct. I am doing great. The show has been amazing and guess what?!" She didn't let me speak before she yelled the answer into my ear, making me pull the phone away from my ear. "I see myself signing a perfume deal with Oliveria before the fashion show is over." She crooned in my ear, giddy with the prospect.
Oliveria was one of the brands she dreamed of working with. I tried to the best of my ability to convey my happiness with the news. As usual, she didn't notice my reservation.
"Thanks, hun. How is Justin doing?" she asked me, her voice taking on a solemnity that was totally unlike her.
"Not bad. He is out of danger now. We are waiting for him to come around so the doctors can check for any damage from the accident." I told her, turning back to look at him while using my free hand to massage the back of my neck. He looked so heavenly despite the bruises on his face. It was the most peaceful I had seen him in a long time.
"Well, I am glad. Even though I am not beside you, I have been praying for all of you." I didn't know if I believed that, but I said what I knew she wanted to hear.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." I replied, running a hand through my hair from my neck. I heard someone yell her name in the background, signalling the end of our short conversation. Again, the thought of the young lady that came in with my brother crossed my mind.
What was she doing?
"I have to go. Someone wants to see me. Don't worry or miss me too much, okay? I'll be back soon. Love you." The line went dead.
Exhaling, I returned the phone to my pocket and went back to watching my sleeping brother.
Justin suddenly turned his head as if in pain, fisting the bedspread in his right hand as he whispered a name I had hoped not to hear from his mouth.
"Gideon!"
~
Nadia
I stood directly in front of Gideon, the serpent, wondering what the trickster had up his sleeve as he watched me. I tried my best not to show how troubled or apprehensive I felt. As much as I loathed the man and the job, I needed it. Pops definitely wouldn't have enough to buy mom another oven, and she was right when she said the oven was waiting for the perfect time to flip us off. Not forgetting the bills I had to pay.
"I already apologised, Gideon," I said, bowing willingly to the pressure to speak first. A satisfied smirk climbed and rested on his ugly face. As usual, I perused his face, starting with his abnormally long and thin nose before moving to his large ears. His brows were almost non-existent and his lips were so thin you might think he had none if you didn't check well. I still couldn't see what those ladies loved about him.
"That isn't enough, my beloved." He drew the word beloved in a way that caused the hairs on my skin to stand after sending a repulsed shock down my spine, "I don't allow other girls to stay on without punishment after breaking the rules. How would I look if I don't punish you, my sprite."
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I wasn't his anything, but I kept my tongue in check, refusing to say what was on the tip of my tongue. Gideon pushed himself off the plush leather chair and slinked towards me. With a strength I didn't 'know I possessed, I forced myself to be still, ignoring the power play the snake was enjoying. It didn't help that I was in my costume while the idiot looked every which way at my body. I felt exposed and completely naked.
My parents were completely in the dark about the full details of my job. They only knew I work at the bar, serving drinks. I refused to tell them that I did so wearing a pant and a bra. Without a doubt, I knew father would have a heart attack. As for mother, she would never let me hear the end of it.
"Since you are remorseful, and you want me to let you go without punishment, you'll have to do just one thing for me." He stopped directly behind me, his hot breath fanning my back as he spoke. Luckily, he wasn't in front of me to see me visibly flinch.
"What?" I didn't ask because I wanted to do it, but I wanted to know what the fool had in mind.
"You would get on those pretty knees of yours, look up at me like I own you and beg me to let you continue." I could hear the pleasure he got from having me between a rock and hard place. The idiot couldn't even hide it. Slowly, I turned to face him, his chest and mine barely apart. I stepped back for more space and found him touching himself like the idea of me doing as he ordered turned him on.
"I'm waiting." He whispered.
There was no way in hell that I, Nadia Ross, would stoop so low as to do something so degrading for money or position. I wouldn't be like her.
"You can keep waiting. I don't want this job anymore. I'd rather die than beg you." I moved past him and walked towards the door. Imagine my surprise when I twisted the knob and found it locked. I was still turning back when Gideon's hands grabbed me and pulled me to him, trying to force a kiss on me. I twisted my head, trying my best to push him away but Gideon was stronger than I gave him credit for.
When pushing him away wasn't working, I used my nails to scratch his face, drawing blood. Gideon's response was to hit me with his open palm making me see stars and ducks as I flew to the left side of the room.
"See what you made me do, sprite?" He yelled in a way that had my blood-curdling. I tried to stand up but it was like his blow blew out the energy I had. Still, I fought as he climbed me, and began to tear my costume apart. I refused to cry, I tried hard not to, but they fell anyway. I was so stupid thinking I could handle Gideon alone. I should have taken Rebecca's advice and stayed away.
After receiving two more slaps, I tried to scream so someone, anyone, could help me, but he didn't let me as he clamped his large hand over my mouth. Soon, my breath began to seize and my vision became dim, the struggle leaving me as I became weak. I knew I was passing out and it wouldn't stop Gideon from continuing with his plans to rape me. But I was too tired to keep fighting.
Mother, please send help.
I prayed, using the last energy I had to spit blood on his face. He wiped his face angrily and raised his hand to give me another slap that I knew would help put me in a deep, painless sleep. A commotion from the other side of the locked door, had his fist pausing in the air.
"I said he is not in!" We heard Gideon's bodyguard, Jonathan, shout. When I realised Gideon was distracted by whatever was going on on the other side, I used all my power to hit him hard in the balls. He cried out, rolling to the side in excruciating pain.
The door suddenly came flying into the room, exposing a well-beaten and unconscious Jonathan, and a man I vaguely remembered from my dream. The light from the corridor poured over his jet-black hair, and his grey eyes glowed eerily, giving him this look of someone handing out retribution.
Cradling his bruised nuts with both hands, Gideon got into the same kneeling position he had ordered me to get in some minutes ago, looking pitiful as he begged the familiar man for mercy.
The last thing I remembered seeing before my vision finally became hazy was the big man with his eyes of vengeance stalking towards Gideon. While the last thing I heard was Gideon sobbing for mercy.
Safety assured, I allowed myself to drift into a world of nothingness.
And the raging pain I felt all over my body ceased.