Lunch Party

It's been half an hour since the catering company has arrived. They have been setting up chairs around the tables and barbecue stand. And a number of other things. I was supposed to be out there to look out for arrangements. But my mind couldn't focus because of the task I have been asked to do. So, Abigail exchanged the task with me.

The catering company had their own waiters. I or Abigail were not required to do a lot today. So, now I was supposed to be in the kitchen for the whole day executing the task, the Blake family asked me to do.

I couldn't talk to Abigail or tell her the reason behind my worry. Asking for help never went well for me. So, I don't try anymore. Even if I want to try I can't. Now, I was just standing in the kitchen preparing special medicinal tea Isabella takes.

I wasn't thinking if I am going to lie or not. I know I am gonna do it. But I felt nervous and frightened. What if once I frame that person and he tries to harm me afterward. I was still preparing the tea when the intercom buzzes.

"I want someone in my room right away." Rose's voice echoed and she didn't wait for an answer.

I was already done with making tea. First, I went into Isabella's room. One girl in her 20's was doing her hair. Another thing that showed how important this lunch was for Blake's. Isabella always called some professional beautician if it's an important event. And so does all of the other girls.

After placing the cup I waited there if she needs anything else. But she gestured me to leave. So, I left and next I was in Rose's room.

"What the hell took you so long?" She screamed while telling the girl who was doing her makeup to stop.

Before I could answer she asked, "Where the hell is my dress?" She inquired still frowning.

"I.." I was about to tell her when she cut me off and throw a dress at me that hit me at my face but before it could fall on the floor I caught it.

"Iron this one now." She ordered and turn to face the mirror again. The girl who was doing her makeup resumed her work.

I left the room and let out my breath I was holding. I was relieved when I left her room without being hit. Holding her dress carefully I walked towards my room. This mansion does have a laundry room where we iron the dresses but I always come to my room to iron the clothes. Her blue dress was hanging beside the iron stand.

It took me 20 long minutes to iron that dress. It was backless but quite long. After I was done I didn't waste any other second and start marching to her room.

My shoulders felt weak. The lashes that I got on my back 4 days ago from Mariah were still the reminder of how lazy I am.

I wish I could sleep forever without nightmares. And with the thought of my nightmares, I resumed my prayer to any God who would listen. Listen that I want help. I don't want to see that monster today at lunch and don't want to live my life with him either. Even the thought of seeing him made my breathing labored. So, I prayed for an end to my miseries. I don't want any more beatings. I don't want to live a life this horrid. And if my life has to be this way then please take my life away.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the footsteps coming from the front and crashed into someone, my hands come forward to make some distance but then I registered the identity of the person and my mind froze.

Michael, his name echoed in my mind while I stared into his blue orbs. Yet, another misery of my life. Until now I had totally forgotten about the task Isabella asked me to do. A frown approached his features and the reason behind that frown was my hands on his torso. I quickly removed my hands and keeping my head down I walked past him.

I practically ran towards the room where Rose might be waiting for her dress right now. Once, I entered I relaxed knowing she was not waiting and was still busy getting ready.

I was still hanging the dress carefully when I felt someone yanking me. Turning around I found Mariah fuming. I was not ready for the pull and couldn't balance myself. I knew I was going to be on the floor but she caught me from my shoulder and dragged me out of the room. My feet couldn't coordinate that fast and fear was also the reason that I almost tripped twice on the way.

Her tight hold on my arm was telling me that I was in deep trouble. But I couldn't understand why. Once we were in her room she let go of my arm, closed the door behind her and snapped in a hushed tone.

"What you were talking about?" While her hold on my arm became tighter. The feeling of her fingers digging into my flesh through my worn out sleeve was all my mind could focus on.

I couldn't understand her question and look at her confused. My confusion met with a slap on my face. My cheeks stung and my stomach dropped with fear. I lowered my head, looking at the floor I was trying to get my arm free before she could hurt me again. Sensing my effort she let go of my arm.

I knew I can't leave until she is not finished. I silently prayed that she choose not to hurt me. But the moment I saw her coming back with a cane in her hand I knew that my prayer is gonna be unanswered like every other time. She was storming to me when my feet start taking me backward in fear. But soon she was right beside me and I felt that cane hit my calves making me jump back and bend to caress my skin over there. But the impact was huge. Tears start coming in my eyes. And before I could be balanced another came on my waist making me jump back again. I start moving backward limping, wincing in pain. Tears start rolling down making my vision blurry. I was shaking my head and hands in no without knowing where I went wrong.

"What you were telling that driver?" She asked and before I could answer another hit came on my thighs, making me stumble to somewhat right.

"No....nothing. I wasn't talking to him
Believe me." I said the words hurriedly but still another hit came on my thighs. This time so hard, making me fall on the floor and leaving her panting hard.

"Were you telling him about our plan?" She gritted. I shook my head in no but another cane came on my shoulder making me flinch. Curling my body inward, my right hand reached to rub my shoulder but the other hit came on my fingers.

A loud cry escaped my throat while I hide my almost broken fingers on my other hand. With my tears rolling down my face I try to keep my hands on my mouth to muffle my sounds while shaking my head in no.

"Were you asking for help? Or you are trying to seduce him." She inquired me still angry with her face all red.

"I swear I was not talking to him. I just bumped. Believe me." I again tried to say in hurry while hiding my back against the wall to cover it from the hit. And didn't realize that I left my belly exposed.

"Don't lie, you bitch." She warned and two hits came on my belly. The pain was unimaginable. A loud whimper escaped my mouth. And I know the rules. A rule not to make the loud noise when getting the punishment. Curving myself in a ball I tried my hardest to contain my voice. My head was on the floor and her shoes were on my sight level.

"I swear upon my father. I didn't. Believe me." I plead and sighed. I feel like I will give in to darkness when she said.

"You better not. Get into your fucking room. I don't want to see your face at the party." The moment I heard her say those words I tried to stand up hurriedly but the pain was excruciating. Forcing me to limp instead of walking.

I was afraid that a hit can come. So, I was trying to get out hurriedly while silently praying that she doesn't hit me again. I opened the door with my shaking hands. Focusing was becoming difficult.

Getting out of her room, I was limping towards mine. I was about to cross the kitchen when I found Abigail coming out of the kitchen. She got concerned about watching me in this state. I was a sobbing mess when she came forward and held me in her hands. I sobbed against her body.

"I don't want to live Abigail. I don't... " I said while my voice was hoarse.

"Shhhh.. " She cut me off while patting my head. "Just go to your room. I will come to check on you." She let me go after making sure that I was keeping my weight balanced on the floor.

I locked the door from inside when I get to my room and let my body fall on the bed. It's your life Sydney. And it will only get worse. You should get accustomed. A voice boomed inside me.

"But it hurts.. It hurts too much." I replied to that inner voice but then nothing came out. It was silent. Inside and outside. But then this silence broke. A voice could be heard. More like a laugh. And I knew who was she? Jennifer. I wonder how she looks now. I wonder if she is happy after making my life a living hell. I got up from my bed. My left leg couldn't bear my weight. But I still reached the window.

She was right there. Laughing or smiling at something. Beside her was her husband. And they were not alone a lot of people had arrived and the party seems like have been started.