Chapter 35 | Her
Istare in awe at the masterpiece in front of me and wonder why the hell am I supposed to be dressed like that.
Is Nakul already here... has he learned about his father. Am I supposed to be tying the knot with him tonight?
Because why else would they want me dress like a bride?
The alarm in my head has been going off since the evening, when I first started hearing the sounds of helicopters outside. I bet they have a helipad on this thing.
“Why is this dress here? I am not wearing it.” I say, “Get me something else, please.”
“I am not supposed to be taking orders from you, Ruza. You better get dressed before the escorts arrive, because they won’t mind interrupting you even if you are half dressed.” Marija looks at me with deep frown lines on her forehead, “Why do you want to get into deeper trouble than you already are?”
I huff a sigh before getting up to take a look at the boxes of jewelry. Shimmery gold and precious stones lie spread on the bed. A breathtaking display I would say if it were another place, another time, another situation perhaps.
“Get going, Ruza. Please...” She says, “They’ll be here in an hour. You don’t have much time.”
“What a pain in the ass! Now I am supposed to attend parties all dressed up like I am going to a fucking wedding.” I taunt, slipping my wrist inside a bangle.
“Shh... how many times will I have to tell you the same thing, you can’t swear in here. Nobody can but him, and even he hardly uses those words himself.”
“You talk like you’re afraid of him and still choose to work for him? Did you never want to leave?” I shrug.
Her laughter in response to my question is shallow, like it’s somewhat lifeless. “What do you know about me? I was never meant to be here, that’s what you think?”
The brush in my hand stills midway.
“I have never been better since I came here. Pray to God that King keeps you with him forever. Cause if Merlyn picks you up by any chance, you’ll get a free tour of the world beyond hell.”
The look on her face is a telltale that maybe she’s visited this version of hell she’s talking about.
Hearing the sound of boots approaching, she quickly hands me over a glass of water.
“Drink this. Quick!”
Bending my nose over the liquid to inspect its odor, “What is it?”
“Stop!” Vuk appears from behind the escorts, “No drugs for her tonight. King’s order is absolutely clear about it.”
The fuck!
So, she was drugging me. But that also means that they were drugging me before.
“Have you even seen her? You want her to get inside this without being high? Are you even human, Vuk?” She pleads.
“An order is an order. I’m not supposed to judge it.” His hand wraps around my wrist before yanking the glass out of it.
“Come, let’s leave.” Vuk pulls me away while I narrow my eyes on Marija who keeps muttering behind us in her tongue, probably pleading him to let me take the potion.
“Where are we going, Vuk?” I ask, walking between a duo of bouncers.
“You’ll know.”
This guy has a way of getting on my nerves with the cryptic messages and nonchalance.
“Why am I supposed to attend this party Vuk? I thought I had been kidnapped. Isn’t this supposed to be a prison of some sort to me?” Frustration is not a crime and the more they are hiding, the more anxious I am turning.
He shoots me an undecipherable look, “I’m not answerable to you...”
I stop in my tracks, putting breaks to all three of them in an instant, “I need an answer, or I’m going back.”
“Don’t force me to get you carried over to the place Ruza, no one is asking for your permission. Get it?”
I’m still contemplating in my head when the two men beside me grab my wrist.
“Okay, wait. I’ll walk myself.” I retort, “Please.”
They present to me the most crooked toothy grin of all time before exchanging glances at each other and eventually leaving my sore wrist.
Fear is so common these days, it’s like the only drug keeping me awake.
Vuk never speaks a word on our way to the same theater we visited a few days ago. Today, however, it looks different.
The lights in the hall are dim to the point that it looks ominous, but bright enough to make out every detail. Although one could hardly recognize another with the face masks on all of their faces.
All of these men have a dress code, black suit and a masquerade. But what really hurts is watching semi naked women moving around offering drinks and God knows what, to these hungry men. Some are seated on the younger muscular laps, while some getting groped by men old enough to be under the grave. The ugliness here is like spread on a wide display like they’re proud of it.
If I was paranoid before, I am panicking now. On a closer look, these women don’t even look like waitresses. They look more like escorts.
The closer we approach, the worse it’s getting. And the look on their faces is a clear picture that at least these women are high enough to hardly recognize what they’re doing with their own bodies.
My legs are getting heavier by the second to the point that I completely halt before the main doors. I can’t be here... a chillingly odd realization hitting me in the guts. I shouldn’t be here...
This isn’t a party. It’s something else... And I am highly out of place with my attire.
I turn around, trying to run away before a strong arm catches my hand, “Where do you think you’re going? I have only two balls to sacrifice Ruza. You’re staying right here.”
There’s less thoughts more panic going on in my already messed up brain, “Let go off of me. I am not going inside. Get your hand the fuck off you scoundrel –”
“Told you not to swear around here, but guess you only like to learn the hard way.” He raises his hand which stills midair when he freezes.
Someone is behind me.
I am growing breathless. I need fucking air. I need a dive in the deep blue sea around me. And I don’t want to ever come back.
“Sir...” The sound of that word catches my attention and my heart drops to my stomach.
When I turn around, the man before me is dressed in tune with the rest of the guests in there. Black tuxedo, but unmasked and flashing the wickedest grin known to mankind.
King!
My eyes widen in horror as his ugly curve of his lips curl and uncurl as his grey eyes twitch.
My mind is in a full-blown panic attack right now. Run! And run fast. You don’t want to explore the atrocious corners of his head and the only way you’re escaping it is by running.
But the devil is way faster than me.
As if reading my mind, he sprints in my direction the very moment my body jerks out of Vuk’s hold, and I land straight into his waiting embrace.
Thorns and poison. That’s what it feels to be held by the monster from hell. And I’m burning from his touch.
My helpless eyes dare to look at him when he straightens me up.
“Rosa, you look...” His eyes are nothing except nefarious in its purest form. “You look...”
I don’t want to know.
I don’t want to know.
“Exquisite!”