Lilianna POV
Sitting in the reading nook set into the window in my bedroom in my apartment. I have to say I am quiet happy. The sun shinez through the window so brightly. I have recently been to the salon and am working on getting my hair to a platinum blonde color. I decid that since I am seeing Eirik that I need to get rid of the wild style. The colors have not come out fully and I have a little while more until my next appointment. So I'm keeping my hair tied up. Hiding it as much as possible.
Looking out over the city that fateful night comes to mind. Taking me back to a place I long to forget. The nightmares had come back from the night that changed my life. The nightmares of being tortured and raped. The horror of being betrayed by my own family member. A family member that I trusted and that I thought loved me. I had come back to a small cabin from a friend's house after studying for finals in my second term of college. My cousin thought it would be good for me to get out for a small time and be with my friends. Mary was among those that I had studied with. It was a beautiful day when I arrived back at the cabin. You see I was hidden away, changed my name, kept in touch with Mary, because lets face it she was my only true friend back then. I was being hidden away from an ex boyfriend who had become controlling, obsessed, and for lack of a better word...evil. My mother and father, and my cousin I was living with were the only ones who knew where I was. My family and I had received death threats from Thomas so they and the cops agreed that it would be wise to hide me away until he was found and put behind bars. As I arrived back at the cottage I noticed something a bit odd but no warning bells or red flags went off. Normally my cousin would be outside waiting on me to return if I ever left. This time the lights were off, and my cousin was no where in sight. Thinking that my cousin must have gone to bed I shrugged it off and head inside. I lay my things on the couch and head straight for the kitchen. I start making myself a sandwich for dinner and grab a bottle of water. Making my way into my room, I start doing some research on a paper that`s due in my history class on the War of the Roses (The Cousins War). I adored my history class and even more so the Tudor era. As I entered my room I dropped my sandwich and my bottle of water. There standing by my bed, going through my things was Thomas.
"Welcome home my dear. I have been looking for you for a very long time." He said staring me. I was frozen in place. I'd heard about fight or flight but for some reason, my feet wouldn't move. "My my you have grown more beautiful since the last time I saw you." he said moving closer to me.
"Wh...What...What do you want? Why are you here?" I stammer out the words. Fear taking hold of me. My brain barely functioning from shock.
"Why my dearest darling, I've come to take you away so we could be married and live the happy life that you so desperately long for. Don't you remember telling me all about the things you wish for. You're dreams of a happy suburn all american dream." A sadistically evil grin spreading across his face.
I left him in the first place because he'd become abusive towards me and obsessive. Wanting nothing more than to fuck me whenever he felt the need and to make me have his children. I wasn't ready for that. I still had so much I wanted to do. He made sure to hide my birth control, and one time I caught him punching holes in his condoms. Even when we had sex he was getting rough to the point he started to leave marks on me. Had started weeding out my family and friends. Cutting me off from almost everyone.
"No! I'm not going anywhere with you! My cousin will be here any minute and you will be arrested." I said to him as my feet finally started to move me backwards away from him. I bumped up against an end table near the sofa. I fell back landing on the sofa. Next thing I know Thomas is on top of me holding me down by my wrists.
"You really think so? Apparently you don't know about your cousin's little… habit. You see he likes playing out in the snow." He breathed on me and I could smell the liquor on his breath. He always did like Southern Comfort. He looked at me and smiled. I guess the puzzled look on my face was what was making him smile that shit eating grin. "You mean you don't know. Well then, you're cousin sold you out to me for exactly 3.8 grams of cocaine."
"But….but…. I thought there was no way to get a hold of him. How did you find out he and I were...unless...What in the hell did you do to my parents? Where are they you asshole?" I started to fight him. Kicking him and jerking, trying to get my arms free of his grasp. There was no use though, even with him being drunk he was still stronger than me and out weighted me by at least 100 pounds.
"Well it took some...what's the word... persuading. However I did get your mother to tell me after I put a bullet in your father's head. After she spilled the beans well, I put one in her head too. You see they wouldn't let us be together baby. I need you. I have to have you. I can't live, breath without you next to me." He said. He looks down at me. "You are mine and have been since the night I popped that tight little cherry of your`s. We belong together."
I just stared at him as hot tears stung my eyes and started to roll down my cheeks. My parents were dead and I was the cause of it. It was because of me they were dead. This asshole holding me down had pulled the trigger, and the pathetic excuse of a man for my cousin is probably out getting high. I didn't know what else to feel except anger and hatred. I had so many oth emotions coursing through me. My brain working into overdrive as I tried to process all the information I was given. I broke right then. Could anyone blame me really? I'd lost both my parents. Now he wamtss to take away my freedom.
"Awww don't cry baby. I'm here. I'll take care of you." He said pulling me into him and smoothingmy hair down. "But if you are a bad girl I will have to punish you." He talked to me as if I were a toddler. Gripping mynhair tightly, pulling it hard and making my head jerk up. He just told me he killed my family. How in there he'll did he expect me to act? "Come now we'd best be getting out of here. Put some distance between us and all these people who think I'm no good for you." He pulled me up and held on tightly to my wrist. He grip was painful and there was no way I was getting out of it and away from him. I knew if I tried to resist Without much protest He shoved me into a truck and hurriedly climbed into the driver seat. I tried to jiggle the handle but it was no use. It was either broken or the child lock was engaged. I knew I was royally screwed and that I needed to get out of here. Though, at the moment I couldn't do anything expect go along. "Come on now baby. Don't look so sad. I love you and I thought you loved me too. Thought you wanted a big happy family. Remember what happens when you make me upset?" He said as he drove off. I just stared out the window watching my entire world fall apart. I knew from here on out nothing would ever be the same again. I knew that I was alone. We rode in silence and I had gone completely numb. After a while I just let the sweet blackness of sleep take me under. Taking me away from my living nightmare, if only for a short time.
"Wake up my dearest. We're home." Thomas shoves me awake. I bolt up in my seat and look around. I notice woods everywhere. Just ahead over a small hill was what seemed to be a barn. I looked around to see if there was any way for me to escape and run from this monster. Before I know it Thomas grabs me by my wrists and zip ties my hands together. He attaches what looks like a leash for a dog to the zip ties and pulls me along.
"Why? Why are you doing this?" I ask as I jerk on the lead and plant my feet firmly on the ground. My fighting spirit starting to come back to me. I stare him down and demand an answer. " I said why are you doing this? I left you for a reason you abusive asshole!" I say.
With those words he jerks the tethered lead causing me to lose my footing and stumble. He rears back and the back of his hand lands squarely across my face. "I did this because I will have you, and you will give me at least a child if not more. I did this because you are mine and no one else will ever have you. I will kill you before I let ayone else touvch you." He says coldly. I knew he spoke the truth. I knew that since he did kill my parents he would kill me as well. Though, if he were anything like he was before I'd rather die. "Now come along dear wife." he calls jerking the lead once more.
I stand my ground and jerk back "NO!" I scream at him. "I would rather die than ever be underneath you again." I say through gritted teeth.
He walks over to me smiling. "I may not kill you dear girl, but I will make you beg for death to take you. The once I'm findished with you, then I'll kill you and dump you."
I look him in the eye and spit in his face. He just smiles, wipes the spit from just under his eye, and punches me in my mouth. "You stupid stupid girl. You want to play these games then fine. We shall play these games." He says coldly. I stand back up after being knocked down from his punch. I give him that, he did know how to punch. I stand there looking at him. I could taste the metallic like liquid in my mouth and knew that he had busted my lip. "There now see what you made me do?" He said as he turned and pulled once more on the lead.
I jerked again on the lead and made him lose his footing, stumbling slightly. When he stumbled I took that opportunity to jerk the lead once more from his grip and take off running. He may try and kill me but it would be better than being his prisoner. I ran as fast and as far as I could. Running for the woods and praying that I would make it to a road. I looked behind me and didn't see him following. I ran some more and came across a creek. I stopped, looking around when all of a sudden everything went black. The last thing I heard were footsteps and a muffled voice.
I woke up in a dimly lit room on some dirty nasty mattress. My eyes tried to focus in the low light. Then I heard footsteps. His footsteps.
"Well well look who's finally up. I didn't think I'd hit you that hard. Oh well. Welcome home sweetheart." Thomas said coming into view. He pulled up a chair making it scrape on the cement floor. I looked around and figured I must be in some type of basement.
"Just let me go asshole." I shout at him. "I'm not your sweetheart. And I never will be again. So keep dreaming." I went after him when I was jerked back by something around my neck. I felt around my neck and noticed I had a steel collar around my neck. A chain attached to the collar seemed to be attached to the wall or even the floor. He had actually chained me up like an animal. I jerked and pulled on it, trying my damnedest to get free.
"Now now calm down there Lilianna. You aren't slipping away from me ever again. But don't worry darlin. I'll teach you to respect me as your husband." He said leaning into me and punching me in the stomach. I doubled over in pain. Trying to pull air into my lungs. "That's right little girl. I'd suggest you get use to this. You're mine now and forever.
He left me there on that mattress in the basement of what I assumed was the barn I'd seen. I cried myself to sleep. Like I would for the next six months. Over time Thomas would come down leave me food, let me handle my business, shower, and other things. However, over the next few months Thomas raped me, beat me into a bloody mess, and tortured me. He tried to break me, but I swore I wouldn't let him do that to me. I swore I'd fight him until he killed me. I had to, for the sake of my parents. I couldn't gve up. I wouldn't give into him.
One night after a brutal rape and an even brutal beating I was on the mattress praying for death. Praying that I would just die already. When in the dark I saw a shadow. Thinking it was Thomas I froze. "Come to beat me some more?" I asked. No reply. The shadow got closer. I just squeezed my eyes tightly waiting for the pain to start. Waiting for him to start beating me again or worse. To my surprise nothing happened. I opened my eyes again and all I saw were these purple eyes glowing, in the dim light, they were staring back at me. I didn't know what to do. I tried to cover myself up. "Are...are you the angel of death? The angel that God has sent to take me away from this hell?" I asked as tears started to roll down my cheeks.
"I'm no angel sweet child, but I am here to take you away. And you needent worry about the man who has tormented you. He's been dealt with." The stranger said. He took the chain that was attached to the collar and broke it like it was a twig. "You may want to wrap your arms around me. Unless you can walk on your own." He spoke softly as he knelt down in front of me. I decided to wrap my arms around this stranger's neck. I knew I was weak, hell I thought I was on death's doorstep. But, I gathered up my strength and held on to this man. I don't know why but I trusted him to keep me safe. I felt him walking me up the stairs. I felt the cooling spring breeze wash over me as this sweet angel, who ever he is, carried away from my hell. I looked around the open area and saw Thomas's body on the floor. A weight lifted off of me right then. I didn't know if I wanted to cry, laugh, or be upset I couldn't do it myself. I decide just to curl up into this man, my savior.
That was the first night I had met Eirik. When he rescued me from my own personal hell. Honestly, I think hell would have been nicer than what I survived. I was glad that asshole was dead. Still, he tormented me in my dreams from time to time. After all, it had only been two years ago. Within that first year I had stayed very close to Eirik. I never wanted him to leave me. I was too scared to be alone. Then, one day, I was ok. I didn't fear the darkness any longer. I knew that I was safe and that no one would harm me again. I made a session to be able to protect myself. I no longer had anything left to lose. Hell or high water,no man would ever do to me what Thomas did.
Antony stone cold lying to me opens up those old wounds. If he can't tell me the truth where Eirik can, then there is nothing wrong with my being with Eirik. With the sun setting and my heart speeds up its pace. I know soon I'll be in the arm's of the right man for me. A man who will never let me down. Who is always honest with me, and who truly loves me for me. Even through all the messed up things I've been through in my life. Eirik has seen me at my worst and in my opinion deservesd my best.
Snow has blanketed the city and I am ready for work once again. I know Eirik's already on his way to pick me up if he isn't already here. I dress in my usual attire, sleek jeans, a cute top, my wedge suede boots, and my hair pulled back. Smiling as I look out over the beautiful city and its people busy rushing around. I smile sweetly and gather my purse, keys, phone, and water. Quickly, I head downstairs making sure my apartment is locked up tight and that I'm ready to head into work. Heading out through the door into the world outside I see a Eirik's Acura sitting by the curb. All black windows most likely shielding out what's left of the setting sun.
I hear the door unlock as I approach the vehicle and climb inside. "Good evening my sweetheart." Eirik says leaning over to kiss my cheek. Just as he has done since we made things official between us. Everything felt right. I feel as though I am where I belond. The funny thing is that I've had always felt like this.
"Good evening good looking." I answer back. "Come on lets get to the club."
"Wow eager to get to work are we." He says and he puts the car into gear. He hits the gas pedal, throwing me into the back of my seat. Squealing, and smiling, I enjoy the rush of the drive into work. I always have. Eirik always finds a way to put a smile on my face. "The Gala that is going on this coming weekend. I have to be there since I am a contributor." He pauses.
"And that means what? I thought I was in charge at the bar for the Gala. And I thought you weren't going." I say eyeing him intently. I cross my arms over my chest and wait for my answer.
Eirik pulls into the garage of the bar in record time, and we sit in the car for a moment before he turns to me and smiles. "That means my dearest, you will be accompanying me to the Gala." He says smiling. I go to open my mouth but he stops me. "No need to worry about what to wear. I have picked something out for you and it's being made by the best seamstress in the city." He stares into my eyes and I see the purple glowing haze of his stare. A sight I have come to love dearly.
"A dress you say. Suppose then I will need shoes, and of course a few other things." I say shaking my head. "I'll go with you on one condition." I say leaning over to him. Our lips only inches from one another. "I get to wear something that you didn't put into the expo." I lean back into my seat, smile sweetly, and exit the vehicle. Before shutting the door I lean back into the door and grin like tge little minx I am. "Now come on we have work to do." I shut my side door and trot off inside the bar to get ready for my shift.
Twenty minutes later I'm listening to Ocean Eyes (Astronomyy Remix) by Billi Eilish blasting over the speakers. I make sure my till is ready and that my bar is stocked for the night. Visions of me dancing around a dance floor with Eirik twirl around in my head, as I absent mindedly clean my bar top. I turn and start dancing on my own, assuming that no one is watching. My body flowing like liquid with the beat blasting in my ears. My body popping and jerking in time with the bass hits. It is my own dancing. Just being myself and letting my walls down completely for the first time in years. Once the song ends I check the time. "Oh shit." I have ten minutes to double check everything before the bar opens. I get everything together and ready for tonight.
%He nigh5 rolls on smoothly. Drinks are flowing and everyone is happy. Eirik comes and checks on me every so often. Mwking sure everything is ok and to love on me. Three am rolls around and that's when I learn things hit their peeks. I guess that being the witching hour and all. It seemed fitting for this place, and because of the people that I knew actually existed. For some reason tonight the DJ was playing some good remixes. Something I would consider listening to at home on a lower volume to relax to. My body responds to the music, making me dance every so often. I catch myself dancing around behind the bar when I'm not busy making drinks. When I was fixing drinks or grabbing beers, I'm bouncing along with the music. Tonight is turning into an awesome night.
I have my back turned to my bar bouncing along with the beats of Hard to Forget by Major Lazer- ft Wild Belle ( Vanic Remix). When I hear an all too familiar voice. " I see you are very happy..." The words either trail off or I can't hear the rest over the music. I didn't need to turn around to know Antony is at my bar.
I turn around and face him. It has been a while at least a few months if I remember correctly. I hadn't seen nor heard hide or hair of him. Frankly, I was fine with that. Crossing my arms over my chest I just stared at him. After a few tense seconds Henry shows up by my side. He whispers in my ear if everything is ok. "Yes, everything is fine. Just go let Eirik know I will handle this. There's no need to make a scene." I say nodding toward the office windows. With that Henry was gone. "What do you want Antony?" I ask staring him down. I am still mad at him, I won't lie, but I'm not going to be a total bitch.
"Just stopping in is all. Eirik had a few things he wanted to talk to me about concerning the Gala. I was told you will be there. I hope you enjoy yourself." He says when a curvy champange blonde walks up to him. She intertwines her arm in his and smiles at me.
I figure this is his new girlfriend. Wiping my hands I move closer to her. "What would you like darlin?" I ask politely, putting on my best face. I knew Antony knew it was total BS, but still had to be nice a some degree.
"I'll have a 007 with grey goose. What would you like baby?" She turns her head to Antony. He looks at her all smiles. I knew that smile. He'd given it to me so many times before. Memories flood my brain, and it pains me because it reminds me of his betrayal.
He looks at me no smile. I can see pain shining in his eyes when he looks at me. "I'll just have water. I have business with Eirik."
As if on cue Eirik came down and stood beside me. He places his arm around my waist possessively. Helping me keep my tears at bay. He knew that I still had some pain from the whole ordeal. Time heals everything they say. "Antony. Lets you and I go to my office. I'm sure you know remember the way." Eirik says before kissing me head. He and Antony head to his office and I make busy with getting his girlfriend's drink.
For the next hour and half I just keep busy and smile. The gala I knew wasn't going to be to pleasant but getting to have my own couture dress made would be very exciting. I had to remember to ask Eirik what color the material is so I can get shoes to match. I make sure everyone at my bar is good to go and I start mentally thinking about what piece of jewelry I may try and borrow from Eirik. Since, after all, I'm to be his escort for the night. I know even if I went and Antony was there, I would have Eirik by my side to give me strength.
"Hey miss... HELLO" someone shouted over the music.
I shook my head of my day dream and walk over to the blonde once again. "Yes, miss what can I get you? Another 007?" I ask. Waiting on her to answer me.
"Yes I would. I also have a question for you." she says. I turn and start making her drink for her again. "Are you the girl that had my Antony all bent out of shape?" She asks leaning over the bar. "Because you see. You could have never made him happy. I don't know if you know and frankly I don't care. He's a wolf, as I am a wolf. The pack would have never accepted you. An…." she was cut off with Antony and Eirik returning after a few minutes. He touched her shoulder and inclined his head toward the exit. Eirik came back to my side and kissed the top of my head. I smiled feeling his strength coming to life around me.
The pair left without so much as another word. I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. I turn into Eirik's strong masculine embrace and feel my every muscle relaxing. Releasing the tension it had been holding since I heard his voice. " Are you going to be ok?" he asked me.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Come on I need to work up some tips so I can go buy some fancy shoes and go get my make up professionally done. I want to look my best for the gala." I say looking up at him. I knew he would pay for everything I ever needed or wanted but I had to mess with him somehow.
"You know you don't have to do this. You don't have to work." He says releasing me so I can the fill the drink orders coming in.
I beamed at him. Loving how he wanted to take care of me and treat like his queen. But, I just couldn't do it. I need to work. I will lose my mind from boredom if I stay in the manor, his estate, or even my little apartment. I love working. Working for me is a way to prove that I can take care of myself. That I don't need anyone to take care of me. I still consider his offer for it to be just us, all the time. I spend a lot of time with him already and frankly I can't get enough. Our time in bed together is always something to be envied, something most girls only dream about having in a partner. Giggling at myself, I start back working. Serving drinks and making tips. Without a care in the world.