Marissa
I could not sleep that night. My body kept tossing on the bed and deep sighs escaped from my lips now and then. My eyes went to Maria's bed where she laid.
Likewise, She seemed fully awake. Although, her back was against me. I guess she didn't want me to look at her face. I even felt the urge not to look back at her because I felt bad and guilty.
Depression was taking the best of me and I could not be more disappointed in myself. Even when I closed my eyes, the memories of that day when the girls were brutally killed before my eyes came playing back in my mind.
I decided to go back on my word. I had to meet the King the next day and tell him I wasn't coming.
"I don't care what happens to me." I thought to myself and hot tears ran down the side of my eyes as I knew that I might not return.
Morning came quickly, and before we started working, I left the room. I didn't even glance at Maria, neither did I respond to Bella's loud and obnoxious callings.
I scurried to Yolanda's office and without even knocking, I pushed the door open and jumped in.
"What is wrong with you!" She yelled after setting her eyes on me.
"What if I was in a meeting or having a private time. How dare you suddenly walk into this room without my permission," She continued yelling, and I bowed my head at her.
"Forgive me," I muttered.
"What do you want?" She asked, taking off the spectacles over her eyes. Yolanda placed them on the desk and faced me again.
"I don't want to be there anymore. I don't want to attend the auction… I don't want to go," My voice vibrated as I spoke.
Yolanda smirked and rested her back against the chair properly before giving a reply, "Why are you going back on your words all of a sudden? Don't you know how dangerous this might be for you?" She scoffed. "Do you have a death wish?"
"No," I said aloud and shook my head. I felt tears running down my eyes and with both palms, I wiped them off.
"No…" I said again, this time, in a whisper. My voice continued, "I never agreed to go. The king gave the order but I wasn't brave enough to refuse."
"And you think the best option you had was to come here and blab out nonsense?" She asked, a frown occupying her face.
"I thought you would be able to help," I whispered.
"How would I be able to do that? You brought this to yourself! I can't help you because I have no say in this"
I rushed towards her and got on my knees. Tears scrolled down my eyes and I studied her nonchalant face.
"Help me, please. I'm begging you" I cried out with grief in my heart.
"Even if you do beg me from now till forever, there is nothing I can do for you. Can't you see, I'm very powerless here? The only choice I can give you is to hurry to the King's palace and tell him everything you want. Don't say I sent you" She scowled and threw her face away.
"Thank you" I muttered, exhaling rapidly. Quickly, I got up, bowed briefly before her and left the office.
The instant I got out of the office, my eyes came in contact with Maria who was resting against the wall, opposite the door.
I took my gaze off, ignoring her presence. My feet started walking off, and just then, I heard Maria's loud voice call out my name. I wanted to walk away from her at all means, but the sadness in her voice made my feet come to an abrupt halt.
"Iris," She whispered. I could listen to her footsteps. Maria was precisely moving towards me from behind. I tried to hold my tears by sniffing and clenching my fists tightly.
"I heard everything. You don't have to worry no more, Iris. Don't bother going back to him. You don't know what he could do to you" Maria said and another round of tears escaped from my eyes.
"I don't have the audacity to do that, Maria. How do you expect me to remain still after what you told me yesterday? I feel guilty more than ever. It's my fault. P will have to face the demon who caused the death of your daughter"
"I'm fine, Marissa," Maria whispered, with sadness in her eyes.
"I'm not fine, Maria. I'm not!" I blurted; my face was already red, and I was feeling hot there.
"Do you think anything would change his heart? You might even cause more problems for yourself, Iris. The deed has been done. Let's just try to face it. Afterwards, we can leave and act like we weren't there in the first place. Probably, we could live our lives like the rest" Maria uttered with a faux smile on her face.
I scoffed loudly, "We will live our lives in agony, grief and regret, Maria. I don't care what happens to me, but I will face him and tell him my mind. I'm sorry, but you can't stop me. The only thing you can do is to pray for me"
After that statement, I advanced to leave, but Maria grabbed onto my long fingers. "Please don't go," She said, shaking her head.
I said nothing. Rather, I took my fingers away from her grasp and turned away from her. With that, I scampered off in tears without sparing another glance at her, even though I could hear her loud wails.
***
"What do you seek?" The two hefty guards who saw me questioned me.
I gulped hard and ached my full but well shaped eyebrows. "I seek the King," I answered.
"Why? Do you have an appointment?" One asked.
"I don't" I answered, hesitatingly.
The two men exchanged glances, before returning their eyes to me. They rolled their eyes on me, from my head to toe.
Then, they laughed very loudly.