TOMORROW NEVER DIES

Chapter 1
"A pact with the devil"

Candice White was a beautiful orphan living in a orphanage. She was 18 years old; she had finished high school. She was helping out at the orphanage waiting for responses from colleges and from scholarships demand she had done. With all the donations the orphanage got, they were willing to sacrifice themselves and give Candy the money for her tuition, but Candy refused. The nuns needed the money more than her. She was going to find a job and save up to pay for her tuition. So Miss Pony and Sister Maria, the responsible for the Pony Home, allowed her to stay at the orphanage, rent free so she could save up her money. So she got a job at the Reagan Mansion, one of the richest families in town. But she bumped into a problem there; their son Neil fell in love with her and Candy wouldn't hear it. He was pursuing Candy but she wouldn't hear it. The salary was good and she needed it to pay for her school.

She was taking a break, when Neil showed up.

- Candy, darling, he said you're so beautiful!

- I'm taking a break Master Neil, said Candy

- Well you wouldn't have to work if you accept my proposal…

- In your dreams

- I can pay for your tuition if you give me what I'm asking from you

- I'm not going to sell myself!

- We'll see about that!

- Master Neil, please. I don't want any trouble… I just want to work save money to pay for my school

- You are too beautiful to be suffering like that… I can take care of you

- I can take care of myself, said Candy leaving to go back inside the house

Neil was not going to abandon so easily. He managed to corner Candy in a room and tried to kiss her by force. She fought him off and she kicked him between his legs. Neil screamed and Candy packed her stuff and she left running. She got to the Pony Home with a sad face.

- What's wrong Candy? said Sister Maria

- Well I told you about Neil Reagan?

- Yes, what did he do?

- He tried to kiss me and I kicked him…

- Oh Candy baby, I'm so sorry

- I don't understand why he can't take "no" for an answer…

- You're going to learn it sooner or later; the world can be a very cruel place

Sister Maria hugged Candy. When she went to bed, Candy was thinking about what had happened to her. She had always been happy in her orphanage, then her best friend Annie left ; she got adopted by a family who refused to reveal that that she came from an orphanage and she severed all the ties with the Pony Home. She had Tom, who was also adopted, but who will come to see her every week ends. They like making out from time to time, but it was nothing serious. Tom wanted her to be by his side as a farmer's wife, but Candy wanted to go to Chicago and study to become a nurse… so they had different dreams… he was her big brother and he protected her as much as he could. Candy finally fell asleep having nightmares about the disgusting kiss Neil Reagan forced on her. She had a very bad night. The next morning, she didn't go to work and she called to tell them she was quitting her job. So she started looking for another job.

Neil Reagan learned that Candy was not going to come back to work and he got very angry. So he took drastic measures.

One morning Candy got the mail when she was helping out at the administration at the orphanage, while she looked for work. She got a letter telling them to move because the Pony Home was schedule for demolition in a very near future, by the owner of the land.

- Oh my God! What happened? Mr. Cartwright can't kick us out!

But then she read the letter properly and she realised that Mr. Cartwright had nothing to do with it, he had sold his land to Reagan Enterprises.

- Neil! Said Candy, you bastard!

Candy was very angry with him. She had to do something. She can't let Miss Pony and Sister Maria see that! She was going to take care of the problem on her own. So she took her stuff and she left for the Reagan Mansion. The staff was happy to see her.

- Candy! Said Cook, you're back!

- No, I need to see the snotty nosed kid!

- He's in the study, said Dorothy one of the maid

- Thanks Dorothy, said Candy leaving

- But, said Dorothy, Candy…

- What? Said Candy upset

- Master Neil just likes to fool around, we've all been there… he'll leave you alone after that

- No, he won't! Said Candy, I don't want to become his slave! Let me go see him!

Candy went to the study to see Neil. The mansion was empty. Mrs. Reagan and Eliza, Neil's sister were out. Candy entered the study without knocking. Neil was at the desk and he lifted his head and he had a mocking smile, like the cat that swallowed the canary.

- Candy! You're a sight for sore eyes!

- What is this?! Said Candy showing him the letter, how could you do this?

- I had to find a way to make you mine

Candy looked at him with horror.

- What are you saying? You bought the land the Pony Home is on, to force me to sleep with you?

- The Pony Home is just a means to an end for me… you, Miss Goody Two Shoes, I had to find a way to make you mine

- You're willing to put children, orphans in the streets just so I could sleep with you?

- If you agree, I won't do anything…

- But you're going to hold that over my head for the rest of my life!

- Well that depends on how good you are…I want you Candy, I desire you like crazy

Candy had tears coming down her cheeks.

- What do you want? She asked crying

- You know what I want… You…

- For how long?

- Forever…

- What? But…

- I'm going to marry you! You drive me crazy! I can't imagine you with someone else… I'm going to kill any man who wants you …

- I can't marry you! I hate you!

- You want your little brothers and sisters to be out in the streets? That can be arranged!

- No, please! Don't do this… they have no where else to go! The church is too small to keep everybody, please Neil

- You know what I want… just comply and your family is going to be safe…

- Why me?

- I love you, Candy…and I don't want anybody else to have you…

- Oh my God! Said Candy crying, you can't do this!

- But I can… said Neil with a nasty smile, or your brothers and sisters are in the streets becoming beggars, or you just spread your legs for me… and they will be safe as long as you do what I say

- How do I know you're going to keep your word? How do I know you're not going to change your mind once you've slept with me?

- I guess you don't! You'll have to take your chances with me…

- Neil Reagan, if I give in to your blackmail and you double cross me, I'm going to kill you or die trying!

- That's the spirit! Said Neil, so what say you?

Candy was crying, looking down…

- I wanted to go to nursing school and become a nurse and help people, I took this job so that I can pay for my school I don't deserve this! I'm a good person! How could you do this to me?! You say you love me! That's a joke! That's not love! You're sick!

- Well I can dream and hope that you'd fall in love with me… but I know that's not going to happen! I've seen you make out with that boy Tom… your brother? That's sick! I can't risk you ending up with him…

- You're spying on me?! Said Candy stunned

- How do you think I got Mr. Cartwright to sell me that land…he should've donated the land to your orphanage, it would've been untouchable… but now it's mine and it's my key to your bed…

- I hate you! Said Candy I will never ever going to love you, not in a million years!

- You want your orphanage or not!? Said Neil angry

- I want my orphanage…, said Candy in tears

- So that means that...

- I'm agreeing to your deal, but if you ever double cross me, I'm going to kill you! And I'm not joking!

- Why don't you kill me now?

- Because you have the upper hand… you're a creep!

Neil approached her took her brutally by the shoulders.

- You're mine now, he said putting his lips on hers and kissing her

Candy closed her eyes in disgust, she wanted to puke. Neil took her to an adjacent room where there was a bed, in case anybody in the study wanted to take a nap… He took Candy's clothes off… Candy was crying silently… He took his clothes off… He looked at Candy like she was a goddess in front of him, with desire in his eyes… he was so impatient to posses her, but he made the moment last. Candy wanted him to get it over with, but he was caressing her and savouring his moment. Candy felt her skin crawl with every single one of his touch. She was crying.

- Please, stop, don't do this, please Neil…

But he would say;

- Shut up you whore! You're my whore now! And I'm going to *** you!

- Please, I beg you…no!

Neil ignored her pleas and he finally penetrated her with forced and realised she was a virgin… Candy screamed to the brutality and the big pain she felt, she was crying her eyes out until Neil poured himself into her. He stayed on her, satisfied, kissing her some more. It was better than he expected and he forced himself on her again and again… Candy was crying all along, screaming… Neil slapped her…

- Shut up you b!tch!

When he was finally done, he stood up to get dressed and Candy was getting dressed still crying. The whole experience was awful, terrible, disgusting for Candy. She ran to the adjacent washroom with a shower, to puke. Then she took a long shower, trying to get rid of all the sins and dirt from that awful man…She was still crying her eyes out!

- Oh my God, I've made a deal with the devil! But I can't risk him destroying the Pony Home… Forgive me God… I had to let him do this to me!

The nightmare had started for Candy. She had to comply to Neil's awful demands. Neil told his family that he was marrying Candy… Candy was there looking down.

- What? Said his mother, why would you marry the maid?

- Because I love her?

- She seduced you! Said Eliza, the tramp! I saw you two kissing the other night…

Candy had wished Eliza had stayed longer, she would've seen her kick Neil between the legs. But Eliza was so mean, she would've found a way to blame Candy for her brother's awful behaviour.

- What you saw was two people in love kissing and expressing their love, said Neil, I love her , I want her to be my wife…

- Neil, said his mother, you can have her on the side, and marry a girl from our social circle…

- No! I want Candy! And I'm marrying Candy!

- Oh my God! Said Mrs. Reagan

Mr. Reagan looked at the scene. He looked at Candy and he knew how his son behaved with women. That poor girl seemed so lost… another victim and this time he wants to marry her…

- Well if that's the woman you want, said Mr. Reagan, welcome to the family, he said to Candy

- Thank you, said Candy with a little voice

- Todd! Yelled his wife

- He wants to marry her, Sarah, just let them be

Candy was hoping the family would forbid Neil to marry her, but … There was the matriarch of the family there; Aunt Elroy who was just looking at Candy with disdain.

- Neil, why would you want to tie yourself with a common girl?

- Because I love her! Said Neil, which part of the don't you guys get? I love her and I'll marry her whether you like it or not!

That was it. The spoiled brat got his way and he married poor Candy. Miss Pony and Sister Maria were happy for her, thinking she was really in love with the rich man. Candy was miserable and she cried during the ceremony and after.

- You better act like a merry bride, you hear me, said Neil with a threatening tone in Candy's ear when they were dancing.

- I wish I could kill you right now! Said Candy angry

- Tough luck, you're mine forever now, and I will do with you as I pleased!

- You'll get your comeuppance one day, not from me but from God!

- Whatever! Said Neil

The wedding night was a nightmare, he made her do the most awful things, he treated her like a prostitute. Candy could only cry… she was beat up and sexually assaulted by her husband…

Neil would give her money for charity so she would play the model wife. Eliza would be mean to her all the time.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Six month into their marriage she met Neil's Uncle William. He came for dinner one evening. Neil was late and Candy was making conversation with the uncle, who seemed to wonder what in the world a sweet girl like Candy was doing married to a creep like Neil.

- I'm sorry I missed your wedding, I was abroad and I couldn't make myself free to come for the wedding, but I've got a present for the both of you…

- Oh, said Candy smiling, that's very nice of you

She felt good with him. He was tall with blond hair and he made her feel safe. He gave her an envelope.

- What is it? Asked Candy

- It's a trust fund I give all my family members. You, by marrying Neil, you became a member of this family…

Candy looked at him with tears in her eyes.

- Thank you, thank you so much!

- You're very welcome, said William, the account is opened in your name, and yours only…

- Can you not tell my husband about this?

William looked at her surprised. His suspicions were founded…She was afraid of her husband.

- Is something wrong? He asked her

- I… started Candy but she stopped

William, looked at her… he wanted to protect the poor girl who looked like a scared cat.

- You can tell me anything, I won't betray your confidence…

- How is it that I believe that? She asked

- Because I'm sincere… Candy…

- I can't talk here…, she said

- All right would you meet me for lunch tomorrow at my mansion? I will send the driver for you…

- I don't know if my husband…

- Your husband will think you came to see his uncle…

- Who is young and very attractive, said Candy

William blushed at the compliment.

- I'm his uncle, I think he trusts me

- Like he trusts a poisonous snake…

- I'll invite him too, then

- But…

- Don't worry about it, let me do this

- All right…

The rest of the family arrived and they looked at them with weird eyes.

- William? Said Aunt Elroy, what are you doing whispering to Neil's wife?

Candy thought that the family had a weird way of thinking; why would they be suspicious of her and William?

"Maybe because that's what they would've done in my place? But one thing is sure, I wish I was William's wife, than the devil I married!"

- I'm just introducing myself to Candy and welcoming her to the family, said William smiling

He walked to Aunt Elroy to hug her.

- Well Neil wouldn't like it if he saw you so close to his wife, said Eliza

- Why? Said William, doesn't he trust me?

- He trusts you, but not his wife, said Eliza, she's a slut…

- Really? Said Candy upset, did you catch me with someone Eliza?

- Well, with William just now! Said Eliza

- Oh, well I saw you kissing your friend Joan's husband, what does that make you? Said Candy

Eliza became bright at red.

- How dare you talk to me like that?! Said Eliza, you slut!

- Well it takes one to know one, said Candy

- What a wonderful atmosphere to come back to, said Neil's voice

He approached Candy and kissed her on the lips.

- Good evening darling, he said holding her by the waist, how was your day?

- The same as usual, said Candy without any enthusiasm

- Uncle William! Said Neil hugging him, you missed my wedding!

- Yes, I apologise, but I got you a present for your wedding…

- Really, what is it?

- A little castle in Florida where you can go on vacation …

Candy looked at William with grateful eyes.

- Thank you Uncle William, said Neil

- Yes, thank you! Said Candy with sincerity

Neil looked at his wife. She was genuinely sincere with his Uncle William…He didn't like it. Dinner went on fine and William was talking about his trip and funny adventures. Candy was laughing for the first time in month and she and William exchange looks and smiles. Neil was dying and the rest of the family were actually seeing the real side of happy Candy.

Eliza who wanted revenge on Candy took her brother on the side.

- You better be careful with Uncle William and your wife there

- Why?

- Because they hit it off right away…

- Well maybe Uncle William was nice to her unlike all of you in the family

- She's going to cheat on you! Did you see the way he looked at her? Or the way she looked at him and laughed at all his jokes, even the unfunny ones? She's into him!

Neil looked at his wife who was talking to his Uncle William like they were old buddies… her body language showed she was comfortable with him

- Eliza shut up and go sleep with your friend's husband!

- You go to hell! Said Eliza leaving

When William left he kissed Candy's hand.

- It was a pleasure meeting you, dear niece

- Likewise, said Candy smiling, good night

- Good night Candy…

Later in their bedroom, Neil was not happy.

- What was that with my Uncle William?

- What was what? Said Candy surprise

- You were nice to him

- He's your uncle, Neil…

- And you were nicer to him than you are to me

- Maybe because he didn't rape me and blackmailed me into marrying him?

- Careful, remember what I have on you!

- How could I forget? You remind me every 3 seconds!

- Would you shut up!?

- Yeah whatever!

- Stay away from my uncle!

- You think I'm going to seduce him like I seduced you?

- You tramp!

- A virgin tramp! Need I remind you how awful you've been to me… I hate you! And because of you I will never know the supposedly joy of making love to a man! Every time you touch me my skin crawls and I feel like puking!

- Don't even think about cheating on me!

- Why would I cheat on you? Gee, maybe because you beat me every day and force yourself on me? As sick as you are, I take my vows seriously… I won't cheat, even though you deserve it! But I bet that doesn't stop you from sleeping around!

- I'm a man and I do what I want! Sometimes I feel like hearing someone moaning and enjoying me…

- How much do you pay them to pretend?

- You b!tch!

- Because no woman can possible enjoy what you do to me, they must be paid a lot of money not to puke at your contact!

- You're just a frigid b!tch!

Neil approached her and slapped her and possessed her right here and then, on the carpet. Candy had become numb, she wasn't feeling anything anymore, she was senseless…

oOoOoOoOoOo

The next day Uncle William's invitation came, but Neil was busy working on an urgent matter, so Candy went to the mansion alone. She was happy to see William. She followed her first instinct and hugged him.

- Thank you for getting me out of that house, she said

- Candy….

- I'm sorry I'm so emotional

- Are you happy?

- Do I look happy?

- Why don't you leave then?

- I… can't, said Candy

They went to sit in the living room.

- What does he have on you?

- But…

- I know my nephew, he's got something on you

- I can't tell you, please don't insist…

William looked at her and said.

- All right, I won't insist. If you decide to talk, you can come to me…now let's have fun, you know how to ride?

- Yes…

- Then let's go for a ride

- All right!

They went to the stable and he gave her a nice mare and they both went for a nice ride… laughing, racing and having fun. When they went back to the mansion they had a big lunch and Candy was laughing and smiling.

- William, thank you so much for this beautiful day! I hadn't had so much fun in like forever!

- We can ride again if you want

- I wouldn't want to bother you and Neil is not going to like that

- He gave you a hard time for having fun last night

- Something like that…

- You won't tell me what he has on you?

- How do you know I'm not making this up?

- Because you look too pure to be a liar

Candy burst out laughing.

- What do you want me to do with your present?

- The trust fund…. It's in your name…

- I don't want Neil to know about it…

- I can keep it for you and if you need access to it, call my right hand man; George Johnson…

- Why are you doing this for me?

- You're part of my extended family now, it was my welcome package, now I have to find a villa in Florida for you, he said smiling

- Thank you for protecting me…

- You're very welcome!

Candy hugged him hard and William hugged her back.

- What a touching scene! Said Neil's voice

- Neil! Said William

- Why are you hugging my wife, Uncle William?

- I was welcoming her into the family and she was thanking me for the villa in Florida.

Candy let go of William and her smile was gone.

- You're ready honey? Said Neil

- Yes, I am. Thank you again William, said Candy

- You're very welcome, I hope you come to ride with me some more

- I don't think that's going to be possible, said Neil, good bye Uncle William

Needless to say that Neil beat up and possessed his wife again as a punishment for being alone with William!