# CHAPTER 9

Ashley's POV

Aubrey already gave me what I want. These hitech hearing aids with double decibels that she needed.

I'm here at the apartment where I moved this girl I first met in the department store. I put the groceries I bought in the nearby convenient store and a breakfast. She has a strong sense of feeling whenever someone is here with here.

She's in her bed all day. I gave her a book to read/touch everyday, food on the right desk, two water bottle and three chips beside her. Sometimes, when she wants to go to the bathroom, it's hard for her so it leaves her bruises because the bathroom is way to far from the bed and sometimes she just stay on the bathroom all the time and when I came here, I just pity her that so much.

But this morning, of course she's sleeping in the bed. I didn't sleep with her in the same bed all the time but constantly I made her comfortable and safe so I snuggled at her until she sleeps. This morning, I'm with Aubrey all the time. I beg her to do me what I told her to do and she already did it the first time I asked her.

I gently shook her arms and her eyes suddenly opened in panic. I held her hand and squeeze it a little bit. She sat up in the bed.

"Ashley?"

I turned on the devices and put it on inside her canal ears. It's so small that it can suit inside the ear.

"Lee?" I whispered.

"Oh my god! I can hear you now!" She said in frantic as she held my hand.

"Yeah Lee. You okay with that?" I asked and she bit her lips. Her eyes are watering. "Oh no Lee. Don't cry please." I pulled her for a hug. She let out a small sob. "I'm so sorry."

"No. Your voice is so powerful to me."

"Really? Isn't so loud?"

"It's okay. I could... I could hear you clearly." Lee answered in awe. "Thanks.."

"Our only problem for now is your eyes.."

"Do you think... uhm. I.. I deserve to see?" Lee asked that made me frown. "I mean.. I'm sorry."

"Do you.. want to see?" I asked softly. I'm still holding her hands.

"I-I think it's too much." Lee stuttered in nervousness. I know it's too much but I really want to help her. I want to help her because she has something that I saw the last time I made her bath. I saw a tattoo on her nape. On her wrist. On her back.

"Okay, listen to me Lee." I inhaled. "I just wanna help you, okay? But if you're not comfortable of what I'm gonna do to you then I won't force you."

"I'm.. I'm scared of what will I'm gonna see." Lee said in a low voice. "Now that I'm hearing myself again.. I don't think I'm ready to s-see or what. I only know blue as an ocean. Yellow as a hot sun. White as the cloud. I don't know what people looks like. I don't know what I am looks like. I'm scared.." I don't know what it exactly feels like that you don't know what exactly the world looks like but I'm sure it's terrifying for her to see everything behind the pitch black. Everything that she's used to just feel under her skin.

"I understand." I sighed. I'm planning to take Peter's eyes before he totally terminated by Beca. His eyes is grey as well as his hair and I think it suits with Lee but if Lee doesn't want then I won't force her.

"Are you mad? I'm sorry.. I'm just really scared." She whispered and gently held my cheek.

"It's okay. Do you want something?"

"Are you.. are you going to have a breakfast with me?" She asked in hesitation. I smiled.

"Of course." I said and gently pulled her to the kitchen. I made her sat on the chair and I sat beside her. As I prepared the plates, I saw her smiling. "Why are you smiling, lady?"

"I can't believe I finally hear you right now." She said still smiling. Her hands on either side gripping the chair.

"Me too. I can't believe that I'm not going to use braille anymore just to talk with you." I said and put the foods in the plates. I put the bread in another plate and the sterilize milk on her side.

"Yes. I felt you're so impatient because of that." She giggled. She... giggled?

"Oh. I'm not that impatient. I'm just.. sometimes too uncomfortable to touch you constantly- I mean. I'm not a touchy person for god sake." I rolled my eyes in my rambling. She giggled again. God. She's now giggling.

Well, I'm really not a touchy person but when it comes to Jessica..

I am.

"You're too respectful." She blurted as I sat beside her.

"I'm well mannered." I said in a firm voice and held her hand to guide her into her plate but she held it. I frowned.

"I'm happy that you're the one who's caring for me now." She sincerely said. "I don't know how can I thank you because of that." I smiled and removed her hand on me to guide it on her plate with chicken sandwich.

"I'm happy too that I helped you. Now, we have so many things to talk about. But first I wanna know why you're alone."

"Yeah. Right. Well, I'm living with my parents before.. maybe 5 years ago, I think, when I'm 14 but I got lost in their arms when I was a child. I could still hear that time. Then a.. concern citizen talked to me. They found out I'm blind so they.. took me to their home with them." She bit her lips as she paused.

"If you're not comfortable of talking-

"No. No. It's okay. I trust you." She smiled at me. "Uhm.. I stay with them. They are parents too. With I think 3 children. 3 boys. I think same as my age that time." I gasped. "I thought they would going to totally care for me while finding my parent.. but they don't. Their children molested me for being with them and they didn't believe in me. They asked me to do house course and when I messed up they will going to beat me til I couldn't walk. It was after 2 years they still didn't find my parents.. same routine. But added the old man who constantly touch me whenever his wife is not around. I resisted and he didn't insist. I knew that the old man likes me. Like more than a child but I ignored it coz I'm living with them not until I've been... raped by him.. and I can't do anything about it." Her eyes didn't blink but there's tears falling down on it. She had a visible scars on her back and I guess it's not from the old man. My temper starts to boil. I know i'm not in the right place but I seriously hate them because of doing this to her. Even it's not Lee, it's still cruel. I composed myself not to create any noise that will show Lee my behavior right now. "The old lady found out what he's doing to me, I thought she's going to save me or what but she didn't. Instead she slapped me and dumbed me where I don't know with someone. I think she sold me. I-I don't know." She cried. Damn. I held her hand to comfort her. She stopped crying after minutes, I didn't talk, I just continue comforting her until she speaks again. "And that's it. I live with someone. He always beaten me up. I became his slave. I could still hear him shouting on me whenever he gets angry on his job." This is it.

"What's his job?"

"I don't know. He just have a bunch of people calling him and interrupting things he does to me and I just heard him talking about drugs and girls. That's my very regretful thing I did when I asked him about it. She slapped me exactly on my ears, and everything went worse. I heard nothing after that. He continued hurting me even I don't know the reason.. I'm like a lost soul after I couldn't hear. I couldn't see or even heard. And being unable to heard made me dead. I was like, I could feel but nothing else anymore. Just feel. I sleep and wake up like nothing. I sometimes tried to speak but it's like even speaking is not able because I can't hear myself. If I'm talking loud or not. If I'm talking right or not. If somebody's listening to me or not. I'm clueless for years. But his plans still continued on me. I don't care anymore. I just wanna die. I told him I wanna die. I don't know if he hears me but he just beaten me up until I.. couldn't walk. I didn't felt him for days, he didn't feed me for I think three sleeps. I only sleep when I felt cold and I guess it's already night. Until one day he came and feed me. He also made me bath. That's the day he dumbed me somewhere cold and where you found me." She sniffed. I wiped her tears. It's silence overtook when I let go of her hand as she started to grab her sandwich.

"What's his name?" I finally asked and eat.

"I don't know he's name but they called him Omega before. I don't think if it's name or what. He put it on my nape I think when she called me his slave."

"I saw it." I smirked. "Do you still remember his voice right?" I asked again but I stopped when I saw her brows furrowed. "Oh I'm sorry to ask that."

"A-Are you planning to... give me back to h-him?" She asked hysterically. Her hands trembling as she put the sandwich back on its plate.

Oh no.

"No, no. No. That's not what I meant.. I'm planning to.. kill him. If you want."

"He's dangerous Ashley-

"I'm more dangerous than him Lee. I'm willing to help you to get a beautiful revenge."

"You don't know him." She purred and went back eating.

"You still don't know who's you're talking with, Lee." I said in my very stern voice. She chuckled. I looked at her. Her tears still falling.

"Yeah. But I trust you. Coz if you're just like them. I'm more willing to die.." She mumbled. "If you're just same with them. I must say, if you'll going to use me and after getting tired of me, you'll going to dumb me, don't dumb me please. Just.. just kill me. Or.. if you're going to sell me then sell me one last time with a killer." She hesitately said. Her hands still shaking.

"Your imagination is way too far from what I think you deserve Lee." I chuckled and eat my sandwich. I held her trembling hand and gently squeezed it. "I will kill him for you, just trust me."

Beca's POV

I am walking down to Photography Club when I saw a bunch of men outside the glass window of the room 23. Okay. I know they're having a photoshoot today but it's open to public? I thought it will be only open in the fashion show?

I continue walking on their spot. I'm small enough not to see what's going on inside so I better walk inside then. I knocked and after 3 knocked the door flew slightly open and I saw a grinning Emily like she was there the entire time.

And oh. She's wearing a dark make up like her lips was black and her eyes has a dark eye liner. Her make up and dress up is more like Avril Lavigne style with a black jogger pants. Showing her toned abs. Why she's fond of showing her firm stomach?

She then pulled me inside the room and I saw a bunch of people inside. We're inside the green room and I almost choke my own saliva when I saw who's the girl in the green background surrounded by many light equipment and people who's handling the camera monitor and camera itself.

Oh my fcking god.

Is that my girlfriend?

"I send everyone an example picture of Chloe. She's now blonde Beca and she's so damn gorgeous. I wanted to kneel in front of her earlier then you slipped out of my head and realized she's yours." Emily giggled beside me. I can't take my eyes off of her. I licked my lips as I stared at her.

She's wearing a lowcut one piece inside a see through stripe robe. Showing a bit of her cleavage and legs. She's also wearing a black heels that really highlight how flawless she is from head to toe. Her hair is shorter than before and.. blonde.. and slightly wavy. Her eyes looks brighter than before because of the make up.

Damn.

The way she fiercely pose in front of the camera makes me want to close the window.

And I really did.

Some stuffs looked at me but I ignored them and walked back to Emily.

I exhaled and spoke. "What are you doing here?" I whispered to Emily who was looking intently on Chloe's direction.

"I saw her got in here after my shoot so I decided to stay for a while and show you what I.. got." She paused when we see Chloe... stripped the robe... like a slow motion over her shoulder down to the floor... like there's no one in here... showing here white skin... and took the black chinese robe and take it in. "Also. Securing her and watching the guys here. You know. She's too damn beautiful to be ignored by them."

Shit.

"Fuck. She didn't tell me she's turning to blonde." I cussed and gripped on my seat to fight the urge of standing and wrap my arms around her.

I really didn't know she has this kind of aura that could overtook me especially Emily who told her she's not pretty.

"Well, I think you pissed her off a lot to turn into blondie too like... you know. Jean." I can feel she's smirking right now beside me as she leans back on the mono block.

There's so many staffs here and all their eyes was into Chloe's gorgeousness.

So I have this urge to stand up and walked to the staff who's wearing an eye glasses and press a pen on her cheek as she stares at Chloe. Her arms cross in anticipation. She's the Head Photography, I guess.

"Hi. I'm Beca Mitchell. Chloe's girlfriend. Can I ask something?" I said politely and fortunate to get her attention off to Chloe. She sternly looked at me.

"Girlfriend?"

"Y-Yes." I retorted. She looked at the 2 people beside her confused so I continued speaking. "When is the release of her magazine?"

"I know Chloe Beale is popular in Barden now but I don't entertain her admirers." She scoffed. I shut my eyes and opened it patiently. I need to be patient. For Chloe's reputation in this kind of stuff.

"Okay. If you're not believing on me then don't. Just answer my question." Do I sound rude now? She looked at me for a while before chuckling. Okay. What's funny? "Fine. Just don't be surprise if I kiss her and she kissed me back." I smirked and left them with jaw dropped. I sat beside Emily again.

"Are you okay?"

"That girl's pissing me off. Am I looked like an admirer?!" I whispered. Avoiding some attention.

"In case of a blonde Chloe with a robe.. you are. More like a drooling admirer." She giggled.

"I'm so pissed." I hissed and crossed my arms above my chest. "She's still mad at me."

"She loves you enough to forgive you Becs. Just make it up to her. You know." Emily said and turn her cap around. She has a long black nails. "I think she's done." I immediately turn my gaze to Chloe who's already standing and biting her bottom lip. "I think it's some kind of touch up."

Okay. So this is it.

"BABE!" I shouted that made a lot of attention. I got Chloe's attention and meet her smiling.

Then suddenly I felt a big hand clutches on my wrist that made me frown and looked at him.

"We're not allowing people who's not part of the prod-

"Hey, hey. Hey. Stop. She's my girlfriend." Chloe said while walking towards us that made the guy let my wrist go. All eyes on her. I smiled at Chloe and at the same time nervous because she's like a different person now, especially the way she looked at me.

It's intimidating.

I know Chloe's really intimidating before but she's MORE intimidating than before and God knows how I struck on her right now.

"T-Thanks." Oh fuck I stuttered. I can't help but to looked down on my trembling hands. "Uhm.. just checking on you- I mean Em t-texted me to see you so I went here- no. Not like what you think. I also need- want.. uhm.. like to see you too so- oh f.. sorry." I rambled like a teen meeting her crush for the first time. I heard her giggled and placed a soft peck beside my lips that made me surprise..

Okay guys I know I'm acting weird but dude.. A hot kind of blondie is in front of me right now.

And I want to pass out because of a quick affection she does before she spoke. I looked up on her.

"You'll still gonna see me later baby. I'll be with Emily and Stacie tonight at Amy's Book Lovers Club so.. I'll see you at your spot." She said and gave my arm a little squeeze. I bit my lips to contain my grin.

"God, babe. You're so gorgeous and sexy." I spurred while looking at her. That made her smirked and saw her eyes darkened. She ran her hand down my hand and strangled them together that made me shiver a little.

Shit.

"That's the real plan, Mitchell." She seductively smiled and turned around. "Can I take a 10 minutes break?" She asked the stuffs.

"Chloe, this will be your last two take. Do you really want a break?" Someone asked from somewhere. I'm too aroused by just looking at Chloe's smooth hand that's gripping on mine and maybe later on, holding my hair.

I smirked at the thought.

"I'm willing to wait babe." I whispered as she looked at me.

"Fine." She let go of my hand but before she totally let go of me, I kissed the back of her hand and smiled.

She went back from touching up and I went back to my seat where Emily was sitting. I took off my hoodie jacket I was wearing since our jog this morning coz it felt so hot in here. I'm still wearing my sweatpants. Emily's caught up by the situation that she blinked her eyes thrice before looking at me.

"I saw that eyes Becs." Emily said that made me chuckle. I'm lucky that this part of the studio was dark. You know. I'm hiding my little embarrassment right now.

"Yeah. I saw it too."

"And you're like a horny teenager there." She giggles.

"Stop. You know I have this kind of dangerous thing in me so stop teasing me."

"Poor Mitchell.. so I better get going now? I still need to change my clothes and meet my gang for some meeting. I'll come to CR today coz she asked me to order them to guard the whole place while University Week is happening but I still don't get the exact details. So.. good luck Becs." She winked and walked towards the door.

I looked at Chloe again and bit my lips.

Stacie's POV

I'm preparing my hair here at Cosmetic Clubroom. They dyed my hair into copper blonde and it really suits me well. I'm so thankful that I gained my weight that fast. Well, I just lost 2 pounds so nothing to worry about gaining fast.

I still don't have idea of where we'll going to shoot but they told me that it's outside the campus. I just been also told that I'm going to be 'half naked' on this and I almost amend but they assured me that I'm going to cover my tits with something. It's like more skin, enough for everyone's imagination.

My wardrobe is kinda eye catching and I'm not sure that I'm going to really wear all of it in case.

Everyone is busy in this floor. I constantly hearing clicks behind me but I decided to ignore it. I think it's for the behind the scene in case the production asked for it. It's early in the morning when saw Jessica on her heels, denim shorts and shirt before I got here. I think she's going to have a shoot on the quad that early so only few people could see her.

I could only tell right now that we have different kinds of theme like main. I think of mine as more cowboy type base on my wardrobe.

"Okay." My make up artist clapped her hands that made attention. "Our Stacie is now ready! Get this things together and put it on the van next to us." She ordered to them and smiled at me. "Ms Conrad let's go."

I looked at the mirror and how my hair light up my face. It's just a simple hairstyle, loosy straight up. I smirked and stood up.

I know I don't need to be ashamed of myself when I wore my robe but seeing Emily on her dark aura as I got out of the room was making me more insecure and weak at the same time. She's wearing a black cap, dark make up with dark lipstick, grey croptop longsleeve and black jogger pants with sneakers. She passed by me while fidgeting her phone. I just looked at her as I heard my name being called.

"Ms Conrad this way please." A guy said to me and motion where should I walked. I complied.

Then I felt my phone vibrated inside my robe pocket. I pick it and click who's the sender.

Unknown: ITS BEEN A WHILE AND I'M MISSING YOU SO MUCH, DARLING. -elf ruler

Okay.

This 'elf ruler' is getting creepier. I know this person is just one of my acquaintances. It's just hard to guess especially if this person was really had no plan of revealing herself or himself.

Stacie: You're creepy but I'd like to meet you.

I replied and my phone immediately vibrated.

Unknown: REALLY? -elf ruler

I bit my bottom lip as I entered the van. The guy entered too.

Stacie: Yes.

I know how desperate I am at this moment but I'm seriously curious of this person. I felt the van and I frowned.

Wait.

Why we're only three here? I looked back and I saw no other van..

I heard someone spoke, in the driver seat.

"Hi Conrad. After so many years of admiring you... You're finally here with me. Again."

Then the guy beside me put a handkerchief on my face, then suddenly everything went peach black.