– BROWN MANSION - 6:40pm –
"Where could he be at a time like this?" A worried voice broke the silence of the waiting room of a mansion.
Phoenix stood in front of the floor to ceiling window, impatiently tapping her feet as she waited for her husband to come back from God knows where.
She felt the urge to call him to ask where he was, but she knew that would cause additional trouble for her. They just had an argument this morning and he definitely would still be mad at her.
Her bruises throbbed as she remembered the end result of their previous argument.
"Ryan, this award ceremony means a lot to me. Please don't disappoint me, I beg you," She said to herself, her voice coming out in a low whisper, the uneasiness in her voice was still obvious.
Phoenix never expected him to try to sabotage her on today of all days. They had a Golden Petals Award ceremony to attend and she wouldn't dare leave the house without him, but he still hadn't returned, which meant that they would not make it in time. She still had to get her hair and makeup done by her staff.
"I'll call him anyway." She cried out in frustration, taking out her phone. The minute the line went through, she saw a black car drive into the compound from the window. At a glance, she knew it was her husband.
The aura he carried into the house made her take a step back as he stepped in. The look he gave her told he she did something wrong again. She gulped in fear and took an instinctive step back; before she could figure out why he was angry, his hand came flying towards her, striking her across her face so hard that she fell to the ground on her knees with a loud thud.
Phoenix bit her lip as her cheek throbbed with pain. Tears formed in her eyes, but her husband didn't care.
"Do you think I am a fool and can't read the time? Why on earth did you call me?" He roared at her, his body language radiating hostility. He lunged down and grabbed at her face, his strong fingers digging into her soft cheeks, causing her to cry out in pain.
"The phone barely rang…" Phoenix protested weakly.
"Ohh, so now you dare to talk back to me?" He asked mockingly. Phoenix shook her head repeatedly in terror, quickly going on her knees to plead for her life, her hands clasped as though she was desperately praying.
"I'm so sorry, Ryan. I didn't mean to…" A scream escaped her lips as he hit her again, this time his knee connecting with her stomach.
"I am the man of this house, Only I have the right to speak. Keep that filthy mouth of yours shut," His voice was dripping with condescension and hatred, radiating authority. "I'll see how you feel when you go to that prestigious ceremony with bruises all over."
They have both been married for over four years, and all she had ever encountered in the marriage was a torrential rain of insults and physical assaults. She had to endure pain every single day. He knew she had no choice but to endure his abuse as she desperately needed his backing for her career in the movie industry and for the sake of her father's health.
"The only reason you are where you are is because of me. Your family's company won't be standing without me. You would never have been a successful actress without me. Remember that." He thundered as she cowered in the corner, crying her eyes out, her body filled with bruises and fresh scars. "Get dressed and meet me down there in five minutes."
Phoenix winced in pain as she hurried up and did as he asked her to do. He didn't mind beating the hell out of her and still pushing her out there to attend the ceremony.
****
Their car arrived at the venue after a quick drive. Guards were waiting for them at the back entrance to escort them to do their hair and makeup backstage.
"You're finally here." Olivia, Phoenix's manager grabbed her arm as soon as she stepped out of the car. "You have to be on the carpet in twenty minutes, but you looked like you just cried your eyes out." Olivia said to her in a low whisper.
She knew about Ryan's acts of violence towards Phoenix but of course she couldn't say anything if she wanted to keep her job. All Olivia's payment cheques were actually from Ryan since he got all Phoenix's payment, so she had to keep her mouth shut to make a living. But that did not stop her from pitying poor Phoenix.
"We have to change the dress, Olivia." Phoenix pleaded desperately to Olivia as they stepped into her dressing room. "I can't wear that dress again."
"That is impossible, Phoenix. Ryan specifically chose that dress for you. You know better than anyone that we cannot afford to offend him," Olivia said as she sat her down for the crew to start their work with her. "We will find a way to make things work, whatever it is."
Just as Phoenix feared, the dress was too revealing and she could see the fresh belt marks and the bruises on her back as she stood alone in the changing room, looking into the mirror. "Olivia, this can't work."
Olivia handed her a matching scarf through the curtains. "Use this. Ryan is here already, it's almost your red carpet time. You will be fine, just go out there."
All she has been spending most of her time doing was covering up for all his abuses. Everyone thought they were the perfect couple and every suspicion of her having a bruise or black eye, by her fans, she always came up with a new lie to hide her abusive marriage.
As she stepped on the red carpet with him, she flashed the camera her fake smile. Everyone knew they were one of the top ten compatible couples on the internet but she couldn't let them know the truth behind the perfect image. She had to make them believe she was happily married.
"Can you take the scarf off Phoenix?" The reporters asked continuously as the lights flashed in sync. She tried her best to ignore but as she started walking down the carpet, out of nowhere, someone pulled off the scarf, revealing her bruised and scarred back.
Ryan suddenly shielded her but it was too late. The cameras already captured it. "Ryan, I didn't do that on purpose." Her voice quivered as he half dragged her to a corner where the camera wasn't.
"If a single one of those pictures causes a scandal and ruins my reputation, you will wish you never attended this ceremony. Understand that."