Different voices struggled in my head, as if I could hear them more physically. Strange was it, as I stared at the substance in my hand and then to the mirror and a tear fell down my cheek.
My big black eyes were already a hollow now, and my once beautiful body seemed to be like a fragile skeleton - weak and tired. I gasped,more tears flowing down my cheeks, unable to comprehend what I had become.
I caressed the substance in my fingers, slowly, and a faint smile appeared on my face.
Now, was just the time.
A time I've been waiting for for so many days. 'A quick death would be preferable ' I muttered, and after that, I'll be gone for good.
I inhaled deeply, taking a quick glace at my bedroom - a bedroom which by mystery had become a place of comfort and sorrow for me.
I'm sorry, I'll be leaving you behind. I can't help it. I've suffered a lot'
Turning to the mirror, pain and agony filling every emotion that I was emitting.
"This could be the last time tha I'll be seeing you again." I said, talking to my reflection in the mirror. "Take care of my Mom and Serena too. Tell Mom I'll miss her. Tell her not to worry about me any longer, because I'm fine and I'll be fine wherever I am.
Tell her to hold on - I've been betrayed thrice and I can't hold on. It wasn't my fault anyway. Remember to tell her that I love her, even in my weakness. I'll come back."
My heart, heavy, seemed as if it was rammed through with a hot spike of iron.
I slowly ripped off the white paper, carefully placing the content in my palm. Regret, flashing through my being.
And without thinking twice, I held up my right hand in a swift moment to discard the powdered contents in my mouth when a knock got my action suspended in the air.
"My lady, Our Master has arrived!"
"Please, open up."
I could hear some voices accompanied with Julie, begging me to open the door - perhaps, she was with the other servants.
Their pleas rang through my ear, so sharp was it! And as if just waking up from a terrifying nightmare, I jolted back to my senses, flinging the arsenic far away from me.
Was I just attempting suicide?
With trembling fingers and a guilty conscience, I gathered up my clothes trying to pacify my thumping heart which must have for sure, ran a meter race 360 degree round the clock.
"God!" I shrieked, turning the door knob.
Twelve head popped - each and every of the servant's jaw dropping in astonishment.
"Madame!" They all cried out in unison.
"Look how thin you've become!" A servant quipped.
"Now, we are all gonna loose our job!" Julie cried out. "If this should be our last service to Master Richard, let us do it with so much perfection knowing to the fact that we served him faithfully." She said in remorse.
All of a sudden,she commanded. "Go on everyone! Hurry up! The master will be at the door at any moment. Prepare the bath, make it steamy as possible!"
"Get her clean clothes - silky smooth dress, Maria!"
"Charles? Squeeze the herbs!"
"Rhoda, make the table!"
"Vick, set..."
"I don't think all this preparations will be needed." I responded, cutting her short.
Julie looked up to me, her face whitened with instant fear, "Please, don't do this to us. You locked yourself indoors, all to yourself for three days. You avoided eating. You avoided drinking. You avoided washing. Now Madame, you are in a pitiable state and I'm afraid you might fall off at any moment." Panic written all over her face. "Please, let me do my job. Please." She begged, almost at the verge of crying.
The servants were happy when I agreed to comply with them and within a few minutes, I had finished up with Julie, radiating all smiles.
"Where is the Master?" I suddenly inquired looking around. "You said he has arrived but I haven't seen him."
Julie stood up, dusting her working outfit. "Our Master arrived not quite long and according to Thomas, he is fixing things up with some video calls."
Butterflies immediately clouded my stomach. "Take me to where he is." I commanded.
_______
A deep knot formed in my stomach, when I stepped out of the building into open space.
The chirping of the birds around, coupled with the soothing effect of the breeze on my skin gave me a kind of calmness.
The flowers emitted radiance, and the gigantic structure of West-House , gave me a second reason to be thankful that I didn't commit suicide.
Rushing forward, I sighted the silver limousine a stone throw away from me and my heart shuddered in delight. I increased my pace, fiddling with my fingers entwined together.
"My lady, you must be feeling nervous." Julie said, smiling at me.
I blushed, feeling cheeky.
She smiled harder, looking at me with so much admiration. "I love your simplicity. We all value your simple nature and your humility. Trust me, don't stop being YOU. Master loves the way you appear."
A red flush appeared on my face. I could read a lot of meaning in that one sentence which Julie spoke and it made me more happy.
Suddenly, my smile faded into a worried expression.
"We've gotten closer to his car already. Why isn't Master Richard out of the car yet?"
Julie stopped halfway grinning from ear to ear at me. "Master wants to surprise you." She whispered softly. "I'll be going into the Villa, My Lady. I don't want to be a spoiler of surprise."
I quickly got the point, inhaling quick breaths at intervals. Apparently, I was shy and nervous. My mouth watered, at the thought of beholding his handsome face again.
I halted, standing at the front of the thin fleeted Limousine, unsure of whether to pull or push.
I had never done this before! My heart raced in excitement as I tucked my head in the bullet proof glass.
I could see two figures on top of each other. My heart skipped two beats. Who was that?
I lowered my head again to look more clearly and my heart almost shattered. A lady was atop of Richard, riding him slowly and he in turn, kissed her wildly, his hands hovering all around her half naked body.
"No!" I unconsciously shouted,my body quivering in fear and anger.
_________________
Richard Lieu was about to rip off the remains of the dress, when a deep cry pierced through his heart.
That cry seemed to quench off the embers of passion in his eyes, jolting him to reality.
The first thing Richard did was to look around, still trying to figure what just transpired between him and the useless lady who was twisted on top of him.
"WHAT?"
"What are you doing here and what did you just do to me!" He shouted.
Richard was surprised - He stared at the lady, anger and disgust taking control over him.
"Hshh!" The lady replied, biting her long red nails, her bright eyes clouded with lust. She stuck out her tongue, smiling temptingly as her fingers travelled all over her body. "I can't believe that you still crave for my body, my love. "
Richard lost his temper.
How dare she play games with him? His eyes twitched and within a flip of a second, he attacked the lady, lifting her off him and shoving her to the other end of the limousine.
"So, you were being sent? How dare you lure me, Molly?" He said, grabbing her long hair without mercy.
"I wasn't sent!" She spitted out in defence. "And don't forget I am your fiancée and we were both betrothed to each other!" Molly cried, hurt from the burning sensation in her scalp.
With his right hand twisted into a fist, he punched the car seat fiercely to keep himself cool, but being hijacked by the demons in him, he landed Molly a hot slap across her face.
Molly limped.
"Never in your life will you try to play me again. Least you forget, I hate you and I don't want to see you around me!"
Richard gathered his things, his fingers clutched around the expensive bouquet of flowers which Linton gave him, and with the red wine in his right hand; he opened the door and was about to leave when a familiar figure, standing before him, shattered his heart.
"Vvv..a..Nessa.."
Richard's world stood at a standstill.