Moana
I sat in Lucas' room, nursing a jug of juice as if my life depended on it. The past few days had been a blur of pain and misery.
Lucas looked at me with concern, sighing before walking over to try and grab the jug away from me. But I held on tight, tears streaming down my face, "Moana, stop drinking that," Lucas said, firmly but gentle.
But I just shook my head, feeling myself getting drained, physically and emotionally.
Lucas' anxiety spiked as he touched my forehead, realizing I was burning with a fever. Without hesitation, he grabbed the jug away from me and scooped me up in his arms, carrying me to his bed.
He quickly dialed a number, pacing back and forth as he waited for someone to arrive. Soon, there was a knock at the door, and Lucas ushered in a familiar face, my boss, Twilight.
Twilight rushed to my side, concern etched on her face, "Moana, oh my god...what happened to you?"
Lucas filled her in on my condition, and Twilight quickly took charge, "Lucas, get a towel soaked in cold water and bring it to me,"
After Lucas hurried off, Twilight turned to face me, "You're pregnant," She whispered, softly. I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"You're too young for this. Didn't you take the contraceptives?" She asked, in an alarming tone.
I explained how I had forgotten to take dinner one night, and Jericho had taken advantage of me.
"Doctor Kali told me about the contraceptives, how they were added to our food to prevent pregnancy. But I had no idea Jericho was trying to trap us, that he wanted us to get pregnant just so he could kill us later,"
"I was once a slave here. I escaped by luck, but I always made sure to follow the rules, to avoid getting pregnant," Twilight began, she shook her head, a mix of sadness and anger on her face.
"Some slaves weren't so lucky. They wanted to get pregnant, thinking it would make him happy. But when he found out, he killed them," She added, then locked her gaze locked onto mine, "It was a good decision not to tell him. You're safer this way,"
Just then, Lucas walked into the room with the soaked towel Twilight had requested. She placed it on my forehead, gently.
"She is just running a temperature and a fever. But will be fine after some rest," Twilight said, assuring Lucas with a bright smile.
Lucas thanked Twilight and saw her off. As the door closed behind her, Lucas turned his attention to me, watching as I drifted off to sleep.
I hadn't slept throughout the previous night, and exhaustion had finally caught up with me.
"Why do you look so pale, Ana? You're scaring me," He mumbled, concern showing on his face.
~•~~
I arrived at the training ground, responding to Jericho's summons. Lucas was already there, practicing his combat skills with Jericho.
I couldn't help but look at Lucas keenly, my heart racing with fear. What if he got hurt? What if Jericho lost control?
But Lucas just smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners. It was a small, reassuring smile, and it made my heart skip a beat.
Jericho's eyes narrowed, as he snapped his gaze towards me. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of anger in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a mask of calm.
"What's going on here?"Jericho growled, menacingly. Lucas turned to face him, explaining the situation, "Just a training exercise, Jericho," Lucas said, forcing a light smile to escape from his lips.
But his eyes were fixed on me. I could sense his anger simmering just below the surface, but I didn't know what had triggered it.
Suddenly, Jericho's face twisted in a snarl, "You think you can look at her like that?" He spat, venomously, causing me to take a step back, my heart racing with fear. What was wrong with him? Why was he so angry?
But before I could answer, his gun was aimed at Lucas, "You'll never have her," He snarled, eyes blazing with fury.
"I'll protect her, no matter what," Lucas growled, taking a step closer to him and shooting him a deadly glare.
I tried to speak, to tell them to stop, but they wouldn't listen. They were too caught up in their battle for control.
Before I knew it, they fired their guns at the same time. Jericho's bullet hit my hand, and for the first time, I saw his eyes widen in surprise.
But he was quick to grab me, "You're mine. You'll always be mine," Jericho thundered, possessively. I don't like the part of him believing I was his.
I looked up at him, my eyes pleading, "For the last time, please stop this. This isn't worth the fight," I begged, sounding very weak and my voice also drying up.
Afterwards, I feel my body giving up to sleep, and I collapsed on his chest.
~•~~
I slowly opened my eyes, my vision blurry from the pain and exhaustion. As my gaze cleared, I realized I was in Jericho's room, lying on his bed. The familiar surroundings only made my anxiety spike.
My eyes trailed around the room, searching for him. I spotted him sitting in a corner, smoking a cigarette with an intensity that made me cough. He looked up, and his eyes met mine.
He took another drag on his cigarette, and detached his eyes from mine. I tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed over me, making me fall back onto the bed.
"Who gave you that wristband?" He asked, furiously. I looked down at the wristband, my heart racing out of fear, "Someone," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Who?"
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But then, something inside me snapped. I looked up at Jericho, my eyes blazing with defiance, "I can't tell you," I yelled, my voice echoing through the room.
"Why not?" He growled, menacingly. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding, "It's personal, my lord," I said, my voice firm, "Why are you so angry, anyway?"
My response seemed to infuriate Jericho even more. His face turned red with rage, and eyes bulging with anger. I bit my lips, realizing I had gone too far.
"It would be difficult for you if I find out something ugly is going on. Do you understand?"
I nodded, my heart racing with fear. I knew I had crossed a line.
"This is the last time I'll tolerate you yelling at me. The next time, it will cost you your life," Jericho continued, eyes blazing with fury.
He took a step closer to me, "You should always remember that you're my slave. I can kill you at any moment, without thinking twice," He spat, hoarsely.