Title: Bitter Tasting
Summary: Full, mind-blowing passion and lust isn't a bad thing in a relationship. Unless, that is, you're feeling it for someone who isn't your boyfriend - more like your boyfriend's worst enemy.
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I miss him so much. Ella let her eyes linger on the shadows on the floor. It had been a little over three weeks since the last time she had spoken to Reid. Not that she blamed him; this had been what she thought needed to be done. But still… Part of her couldn't help but wonder what he was doing, or who he was doing.
Looking over to the side of her bed she stared at the boy who laid beside her. Aaron Abbot – her boyfriend. Brushing a hand to her cheek, she flinched a bit from the pain. It's probably swollen. Without having to look, she knew she had a bruise of her cheek, and probably other parts of her body as well. Not to mention she could taste the blood from her lip.
For the past three weeks, Aaron had taken it upon himself to practically move into her dorm room every night. It wasn't like she had never slept with him, actually she had become used to having to be with him. Lately, however, he had become so much rougher. He would go as far as to tie her up sometimes; he said it added to his sexual excitement. She, however, had to fake the entire time – again, it was something she was used to.
Her eyes remained fixated on the sleeping boy; can I ever become used to not seeing Reid. She closed her eyes as she mentally cursed herself for thinking for the blond. Slowly drifting her eyes open she eyed the boy on the bed once again. He's usually a heavy sleeper, maybe he won't notice.
Getting up from the bed, she picked up her robe from the floor in order to cover her naked body. She felt on the verge of tears as she stretched her muscles and realized how sore her body really was. Every inch of her body screamed at her to get back into bed.
Taking one another look at her boyfriend, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. She needed to get away from him even if it was just for a few minutes. Without hesitation, she proceeded to walk out the door and towards the showers.
As she walked bare foot down the hallway, she let the memories of the past three weeks consume her mind. She missed him; she missed him more than she would ever care to admit. He's probably already forgotten all about me. The realization stung more than she thought it would.
Thankful she was already at her desired location, where she hoped to wash away some of the excess pain she felt she was carrying. That's easier said than done. Placing her hand on the doorknob, she opened the doors to the shower room and quickly walked inside.
Ella breathed a sigh a relief as she noticed no one else was there. Walking over to the sink, she let the cold water run as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes fell to the bruise on her cheek and then to her bloody bottom lip. Each time he was getting more and more rough with her. Yet, there was nothing she could do about it.
"How did I end up like this…" she asked herself as she put a finger to her lip, wiping the blood away. She felt her eyes on the verge of tears and she continued to look at herself. I'm so pathetic… letting them use me like this…
Flashback
"Dancing bears, painted wings. Things I almost remember. And a song someone sings. Once upon a December." Ella sang as her delicate fingers effortlessly played along on the piano. It was the typical afternoon in the Barton household. Every afternoon for two hours straight, Ella would be forced to practice the piano. Her fingers traced along the keys as her playing came to a complete stop.
Her mother, Victoria, walked into the room. Walking to the piano with hands on her hips, she started tapping her foot with impatience. "Why did you stop young lady? You know perfectly well how important it is…"
Slamming her fists on the piano keys, Ella interrupted what her mother was saying. "Why did you make this arrangement with the Abbot family?"
Her mother rolled her eyes as she took a deep breath. "Listen, you're not very smart my dear and while you may be pretty now, those looks fade away all too quickly," her mother paused as she brought a finger to the side of her head, rubbing it lightly. "You should actually be thankful," she said shrugging her shoulders a bit.
"Why would I be thankful?"
"That Aaron boy, he finds you attractive, which is why this arrangement worked out so well," her mother explained calmly.
"Like I care what he thinks of me. I'm being sold off so you can live the good life mother!" Ella yelled as she stood up and faced her mother. She hoped to see some type of remorse in the woman's eyes, but she saw none. All she saw was indifference, and possibly even a bit of hate.
"Don't be absurd! You are not being sold off and this isn't just for me. You are saving this entire family Ella; you know very well that your fathers' business is failing. We have been very fortunate to come to an arrangement with the Abbot family."
"We? Don't you mean me? I'm the one who is going to have to marry someone I have never met! I'm the one who has the carry the burden to be with someone that I don't love. Sorry mother but I'm not you, I can't marry someone for money."
Victoria's eyes flared at her daughters' statement and without a second thought, slapped her right across the face. "Don't you dare speak to me that way. I made my sacrifices for my family and you will do the same. This isn't just for your father and me. This is for you; this is for your future. If you don't do this then this family will be ruined. Tell me, can you honestly live with yourself knowing you had the chance to help and didn't."
Ella slowly brought her hand to her cheek and she cupped it. It hurt, but it hurt more knowing that her mother was right. "Isn't there…"
Her mother waved a hand, dismissing her thoughts. "No, there is no other way. If you don't do this then you will have to make a living for yourself. Do you see yourself making hamburgers and smelling like fries Ella? Because that is your future if you do not go through with this. "
"Fine," she said holding back a sob, "I'll go through with this." Ella sat back down on the piano bench and silently broke down into tears.
Victoria watched as her daughter cried but didn't utter a word to comfort her. Turning around she decided to leave the girl alone. But before she walked out the room, she turned to look at her daughter once more. "Think of it this way… at least now you won't be as worthless and useless," with that said, she walked out and left Ella alone.
End of flashback
Ella let out a groan, hating every second of those memories. She had been so easily manipulated by her mother, just like she always was. I'm so foolish. Despite the fact that the woman displayed no type of affection towards her, she still found herself loving her mother. She loved her and her father. For them she would go through with this arrangement, no matter how much it was killing her on the inside.
Turning off the facet, she walked over to the glass shower doors and went inside. Without removing her robe, she turned on the water and stepped under it. She winced when the water hit her body, not because of the temperature, but because how much her body hurt. I feel so dirty… my mother was right… I'm so worthless….
In seconds, she was completely soaked and the robe hung tightly to her body. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her hands over her face and dropped to her knees. The tears now freely escaped her eyes and small sobs came from her lips. She hadn't cried since the day she had found out about the arrangement.
She hated this… her entire life was a nightmare. He was the only good thing I had… now I didn't even have him.
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Author Notes:
I have broken this chapter into two parts. This is Part I and it was all about how Ella found herself in this arrangement. It was kind of sad, wasn't it? Well anyway, Part II will be about how Ella and Reid found themselves in their situation.
I hope this chapter answered some of the questions you guys had. So please leave me some reviews. Otherwise how can I possibly find the motivation to get my lazy ass to type? Reviews make for a happy author.
