C 4
"Marriage changes passion ... suddenly you're in bed with a former saint." –Unknown
That night, Belle walked into her house. She nervously looked around for her callous husband.
She breathe a sigh of relief, realizing he isn't home yet. Gaston owns a hunting gear company, where he goes occasionally to oversee business, signs papers and attend meetings.
Belle decided to treat herself to a relaxing bath.
In her master bathroom, Belle smiles at the large soaking tub at the far end of the room. The tub is big enough to fit three people and looked deep enough to swim in. She was shocked when Gaston had chosen such a glamourous home for them to live in.
She opened the drawer and saw a bath bomb her dearest friend, Mrs. Potts, got her for her birthday last year. She grabs her phone and her book from her workbag and set both on the counter beside the tub.
Turning the faucet, Belle undresses as she waits for hot water to fill the tub. She grimaces as she notices her reflection in the full sized mirror next to the tub. The older bruises on her neck and collar bones had already turned yellow as they had started to heal but the fresh ones on her stomach and sides colored her fair skin purple and blue. Turning away from her reflection, Belle closes her eyes as she remembers what she had done to deserve that beating.
~~~Last Night~~~
Gaston was drunk again, so Belle figured he wouldn't remember when she came in late from work that night. She had lost track of time and had missed her usual bus and had to take a later one. In her confusion she had forgotten to pick up his cigars, but she didn't worry. It would be a miracle if he was sober enough to remember their last name.
Belle had ran all the way home to make dinner and when she didn't find Gaston in the living room, Belle made her way to the kitchen. She found him rummaging through their refrigerator.
"I'm home, dear," Belle panted, out of breath. She put her bag on the kitchen table, hung her coat on the back of a chair, and quickly slip on an apron. "I'll get started on dinner right away."
Gaston turned to look at her, slamming the refrigerator door shut. His eyes were red and, despite the distance between them, Belle could smell the whiskey on him.
"You better, bitch," Gaston slurred, drunkenly.
Belle turned away, quickly making her way to the pantry. As she looked through their food supply, she hears Gaston say something.
"What was that, dear?" Belle asked, looking at him.
"I SAID, WHERE THE HELL ARE MY CIGARS?"
Frowning, she tried to explain herself.
"Gaston, as hard as I tried, I couldn't make it out of work on time. I couldn't make it to the store. I'm sorry. But I promise to—" Her sentence is cut short by a swift, but hard slap to her face.
"You had one GODDAMN job!" Gaston yelled furiously at her.
Belle's cheek burned and she felt tears well up in her eyes. But she wouldn't cry. Instead, she looked up at him and smiled obediently.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sure the corner store is still open. Let me go get them for you."
As she attempted to walk pass him, Gaston grabs her hair roughly, spins her around, and pins her to the wall. He releases her hair in favor of her pale neck.
"You ungrateful bitch," Gaston spat at her cruelly. "You couldn't do this one thing her me?!"
"Gaston—y-y-you're hurting me," Belle choked out, weakly.
Gaston smiled, tighten his hold. "It's only been a few years, Have you really forgotten?" Reeling back his fist, he looked into her eyes as he said, "You hurt me first."
As his fist slammed into her gut, Belle felt the wind being knocked out of her. Gaston continued to punch her as screamed at her.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
When he finally released her, she dropped to the ground, gasping for air. He stepped away from her, wiping the tears from his own face, and left the kitchen.
It was then Belle finally let herself cry.
~~End of Flashback~~
She started easing herself down into the warm jasmine and sage scented water. She began notices the little pink flower petals that were flowing on the top.
For the first time in forever, Belle felt genuinely safe and secure.
She began to hum that song that kept replaying in her head today. She couldn't remember the name of the song, she grabbed her phone and typed the song lyrics she knew into google.
She played the song loudly, she began sinking lower and lower into the now fuchsia water.
Completely submerged she began to think about Adam.
She thought about his sparking blue eyes and how he naturally seems to exude confidence. Just looking into his eyes compelled her. She could only imagine what Gaston would do to her if he found out.
She came up for air. The song still booming.
"What are you doing Belle?" she asked herself.
Forgetting about the book, she went back to daydreaming about Adam. Oh, she loves him debonair smile and chisel facial features. He was beautiful. And funny. A million dollar man, something Gaston would never be again.
-Next Day-
Belle was suddenly awaken by Gaston strong hands squeezing her waist. He was sleeping, but regardless, his hold on her was constricting. Tense, she wondered why Gaston was holding her. They hadn't shared a single intimate moment since…
Belle blinks quickly, fighting back tears. She refuses to think about the past.
Glancing at the clock beside the bed, Belle gasps as she realizes she had overslept and now only had forty-five minutes to get ready. Belle tries to free herself from Gaston, but unintentionally jostles him awake.
"What the fuck? " Gaston mumbles, angrily.
She picked her words carefully. "I'm sorry, but sweetheart, can you release me?"
"No"
Gaston move his hand toward her neck. He started to tighten his grip around her neck.
"Please. I'll be late."
Gaston runs his nose against her neck.
"You smell delicious. Like an expensive stripper" Gaston whispers.
"I-I-I-I-I…." Belle could hardly get her words out.
"Shut up and don't move. Damn, I love that neck of yours." Gaston says, breathing against her neck.
Belle continue to stay still, while Gaston got up and cross the room, heading towards the bathroom.
She continued to stay still looking at the alarm clock, 6:35. She needs to start getting ready.
Belle exits her trance and walk slowly toward her closet. She brings her hand toward her throat once she got there.
In the mirror on the wall, she begin to see bruises forming.
"Turtleneck, it is" Belle softly said. Pulling out a black turtleneck dress.
Belle jump at the sound of her husband's voice. Who was beginning to walk toward her.
He take huge step, since he was 6'1 and slim. "It looks Grandma- ish, I don't fancy it" Gaston chimed in.
"I have to hide this" Belle points at the bruises around her neck.
"Oh, babe, it doesn't look bad"
"It looks bad. I-I-I- think we counseling Gaston, some anger counseling." Belle bravely said.
"Counseling?" Gaston said, like the words were poison on his lips.
"We don't need any motherfucking COUNSELING!?" Gaston temper was rising.
"Gaston, calm do-" and at that moment, Belle got slapped across the face.
"Bitch, don't tell me to calm down, Okay?"
"Okay Gaston" Belle said holding her left cheek.
"You always have to aggravate me, huh? It's—it's like you're asking me to hit you" Gaston says, pacing around the room.
Belle hurriedly went into the bathroom. Not stopping to take a shower, she puts on the black dress and brushes her hair, so it cascade down her shoulders. She begins to cover her small, red face with makeup.
The man from the bus stop, Adam, crosses her mind at that moment. That thought seems to be the only think that calms her.
Ten minutes later, Gaston left their bedroom and Belle breathe a sigh of relief. Heading towards the front door, she sees a tipsy Gaston with a wine bottle in his hand.
"BB-BBB-BB-B- abe, kissy kiss" He said point towards his lips.
She continue standing at her location, debating whether to walk toward him. She decided against it and remain glued to the floor.
She checked her watch, 7:15.
Gaston drunkenly walk toward her and kissed her hard on the lips. His kisses where vicious and brutal.
After he got his fix, she rush out of the house, tears blinding her vision.