Chapter 25
Broken promises ruined something within me. They take away your faith and hope, turning you into a cornered kitten, scared and hiding from people. Your faith becomes shaky, and trust is nearly impossible to come by.
“Don’t look at him.”
I turned away.
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t ask any questions.”
We got outside and Eric roughly turned me to look at him like I was his possession, and not a human being.
He was enraged.
His eyes seemed even more terrifying in the night. He looked like a bloodthirsty predator, ready to rip me apart.
I was rocking on the waves of anxiety.
“How long have you been talking to him?”
“Not that long.”
“How. Long?”
“He came up to me and started a conversation first. Am I supposed to stay quiet when someone asks me a question? You taught me to answer questions when...”
“I taught you to answer my questions, not that bastard’s. Can’t you see the difference, Zoe?”
“Yes.”
I looked down.
“What did you talk about? ”
“Nothing, really. He asked if I liked it there. Asked me if I was jealous about you and that girl. Asked...”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That I wasn’t jealous. That we were an item and I wasn’t jealous.”
I decided to omit the part where I asked August questions.
He ran a hand through his hair and smiled, looking at the ground.
“Nothing bad happened. I’m sure everyone thought we were a couple.”
“That’s not the point.”
“I get it, I disobeyed you. But I didn’t do it on purpose. I...”
“What?”
I could feel his anger infecting me.
“Why are you angry? What made you so mad? He was sweet to me.”
His eyebrows shot up.
“Sweet?”
He said it like an insult.
Smirking, he took a step back with a distant look on his face.
Cool night breeze got to me. It played with my hair, tangling it and sending shivers down my spine.
My heart was beating rhythmically, waiting for what he was going to do next.
I could see he was contemplating something. I had a weird feeling he was worried about something. But people like him were never bothered with anything. He had no problems. I was only seeing what I wanted to see. Something that wasn’t there.
We stood by a tall and still lush green oak tree. The yellow light from the large windows of the mansion lit up our small clearing.
Eric looked up and I felt a wave of adrenaline wash over me.
He spoke quickly and I couldn’t understand him at first .
“A black car will arrive in about five minutes. You will get in and go wherever it takes you. You are not to resist or run away. You will do everything they ask you to do.”
“What?”
“I’m only gonna say it once, so listen closely. Find a safe in his office. The office is through the door from the bedroom. There’s a silver necklace in that safe. Open the safe and put it on. Leave his house after that. Levi will be waiting at the corner of the house.”
“You...”
I wanted to tell him exactly how I felt about him. Let him know everything I’ve kept deep down from the moment we met.
I knew he didn’t bring me here to have a good time, I wasn’t on a vacation, he owned me.
But to give me away like I’m some kind of commodity? It’s like I wasn’t even human and my life was worthless. I couldn’t comprehend that.
“The car’s here,” he said in a calm tone.
I could feel panic taking over me bit by bit.
At that moment I realized I had to let go of my pride and do anything to avoid getting into that car.
“Please, Eric, anything but that. I beg you. Please. Don’t make me go with him.”
I grabbed his arm with both my hands.
“I’ll do anything you want. Ask for anything. I’ll do it. But, please, don’t make me go.”
Tears rolled down my face, tickling my cheeks.
A clicking sound interrupted my pathetic sobs. My gaze fell on the silver gun in his hand.
“Please, forgive me. I know I shouldn’t have talked to him. I’m sorry. I will never defy you again.”
He raised the gun and began sliding it over my chest slowly .
“Your pleas are so sweet,” he said mockingly, “and your offer sounds very intriguing. You’re tempting me, Zoe. I’ll definitely take you up on the offer. But not today.”
He pressed the cold barrel of the gun to my heart.
I could feel it beating against the cold metal in a futile attempt to save itself.
“You’re so beautiful. Don’t cry. It’ll ruin your makeup.”
I clenched my teeth hard enough to make my face hurt.
Hatred was raging within me like a wildfire. I was ready to pounce at him, ignoring the barrel of the gun aimed at my heart.
I was on the verge of sacrificing myself, risking my life for a chance to hurt him.
I never knew I could feel such overwhelming, all-consuming emotions. I wanted to let them take me over, for them to take control of my arms and legs. I wanted to embody them.
I knew what anger was. But this was my first time feeling hatred.
He looked me in the eye, smiling. This was just a joke to him. A game.
“Shoot me,” I hissed through gritted teeth.
He tilted his head to the side slightly, raising one eyebrow.
The smile still adorned his face.
“I like watching you squirm. Like breaking you down to see what’s coming next.
I’m having so much fun. You think I’m gonna kill you?
Here? No. First, I’m gonna kill your dear mom and dad.
One after another. Death will be long. Torturous.
And you’ll be sat right next to them, watching it happen, powerless to change anything.
By that time, you’ll change your mind, as you do, but I won’t. I will finish what I started.”
He looked away theatrically, acting like he was trying to remember something.
“But someone’s definitely missing from this line-up. Don’t you agree, Zoe? Who did I leave out? Why, of course. Isabella.”
Anger snapped within me. I could feel my stomach turn .
She was safe. He wasn’t supposed to know her name. I knew this would happen.
I messed up.
“Maybe I should take her in once I’m done with you?”
“Don’t even think about it,” I spat it like an insult.
He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand.
“Then be a good girl, Zoe,” he kept stroking my face with a smile, “and get your ass into that fucking car.”
His hand left my face and his smile disappeared.
The gun was still pressed to my chest, ready to shoot and injure me for disobeying him, but not to kill me, unfortunately.
I slowly turned and headed to the black car.
My motions were wooden, I felt stiff all over. My body barely moved.
I forced myself not to think or feel anything.
The pulse was ringing in my ears, loud enough to stun me.
The driver opened the car door for me, but I didn’t get in right away. I lifted my head to take one last rage-filled look at the reaper. He stared back at me with a blank expression.
You would pay for this. The day would come, and you would pay for everything.
Once I got in the car, I heard a voice that sent a wave of primal terror through my body.
“Finally, the diamond blessed me with her radiance.”
I was met by Roosevelt’s raspy voice and creepy smile.
I wanted to scream bloody murder. Wanted to open the door and run until my feet start bleeding.
I wanted to kill Eric.
“Drive.”
He barked the order to the driver and the car rolled on.
My hands were shaking and I tried to hide them in the long sleeves of my dress.
“Did you enjoy the evening? ”
“Yes.”
I replied without thinking, trying not to look at him. My voice didn’t sound familiar to me. It’s like I could hear someone else talking through me. Like I lost my voice the moment I got in this car.
“I’m one of the sponsors of these events.”
His voice grew hoarse at the last word. A coughing fit overcame him. He coughed so loud it sounded like he was going to die.
I probably should’ve had pity for the frail old man. But I felt none.
We were going to his home, where he was going to destroy my body and soul. What pity could I have for him? Pity for what?
Eric told me I hadn’t met the real evil yet, but he couldn’t be more wrong.
Roosevelt wasn’t the true evil.
True evil dwelt in an old manor with a basement prison.
He hid his corrupt mind behind expensive garments.
His talk was sweet, yet his actions were ugly.
His black eyes mirrored the endless void of his empty soul.
His heart was long dead, hanging in his chest like a rotten apple on a branch.
His looks were deceptive, just a trap to lure you in and tear you apart in the blink of an eye.
People like him came from hell itself to torment and destroy others, leaving nothing but searing pain and bottomless void behind.