Chapter 43
Ashley
Darkness.
Was all I could make out before me and the sharp pain I felt on my head was something I haven't felt before. It was as if a metal has been banged on my head. I wanted to open my eyes, yet, surprisingly my eyes felt heavy and my body went limp. I parted my lips and no words were able to make themselves out. What is happening to me? Am I dead or what?
"Boss, I think the lady has woken up" I heard an unfamiliar voice from afar followed by footsteps. And the next thing I felt is chillness all over my body which fluttered my eyes open instantly. A cough left my lips as the water got in my throat. Slowly, I raised my face to the figure standing in front of me.
"You're awake" He uttered out in a husky voice.
"Who are you? And why am I here?" I asked straightforward. The man crouched down to my level. The room was dark, I couldn't make out his face.
"Relax, all your questions will be answered very soon" As I try to move my legs, I felt them numb same with my hands. "Why did you tie me up? Where are my parents?"
Even with my weak form, I managed to try lossening the rope but nothing seems to be moving and the man only kept staring at me with an annoying smirk. "I said where am I?" I exclaimed anger rising up in me. A loud laugh filled up the whole room.
"Don't be faster than your shadow woman. Very soon you'll know everything" With that, he rises up turning his back to me.
"By the way, you two look good together back there"
"What do you mean?" I asked. He didn't answer or turn around. Only walk away, closing the door shut behind me.
What just happened? My eyes scanned the unfamiliar surrounding. You could barely see any light. The only light is the one coming from the small window. How the hell did I end up here. From what I can remember, I received a letter from Neil that I should meet him at the lake and when I arrived there, Neil was..
Wait..
It was him. The same guy who attacked me back in Ithaca inn. Raphael. My heart thump in fear at the thought of Rapheal kidnapping me. Are my parents aware of my disappearance? I attempt to untie my hands even though it might not be possible considering how my hands are tied behind me.
"Is anybody out there?" I began shouting with all the strength remaining in me. Yet, silence was the only thing I heard.
"Hello!"
"Anybody there?" Getting no answer doesn't mean I will give you. I'm stronger than that. With so many attempt, I wasn't able to untie the rope. A hiss made it way out of my lips. Why is this happening to me? Can't I have a normal life? Am I the only one who's parents are rich and well known? All these are the words I kept chanting in my head until the door was banged open that almost turned my ears deaf due to it's loudness.
"Who are you?" I ushered to the figure. I wasn't able to make out his face but by the look of his physique, he mustn't be a young man. His footsteps emerged majestically towards me. "Who are you?" I repeated again. My voice echoing through the whole room. He trekked to the other side of the room and from nowhere a light emerged from where he was standing which gave me the cue to check on his face. And just like that, I felt something banged in my heart. My eyes widened as I stared at him.
"Raphael" The words left my mouth huskily. "You finally did show your face" I didn't know if it was my words that made him turn around immediately but whatever it is, I won't let my guard down. He trekked his way towards me taking the chair close to him along and sat himself in front of me.
"Are you surprised?" I commenced again boring my eyes into him. Deep down, my heart was making an unusual beating but outside, I kept a neutral face. His face looks nothing like Neil. If not because Neil told me he's his father, I would've denied.
"I like your boldness" He said his lips curving up.
"Why did you kidnap me? You're going to pay for this if my father get a hold of you"
"That won't be necessary. Because, before he do that, his precious daughter will be long gone" As soon as the words left his mouth, I felt my heart escalate and by the look on his face, he wasn't joking.
"Or you will be gone" I challenged a chuckle escaping me. It's too early for me to give in. He went silent for a while only stare at me with the corner of his mouth twitched up. How I hate the smirk. "Are you challenging me young woman?" He finally speaks.
"I won't call that a challenge, I will rather call it a warning. I might not know the issue between you and my father but know that you made a mistake by kidnapping me"
His laughter filled the whole room. He leaned over to my face, closer enough that I could feel his bad breath up to my nostrils.
"I bet you're clueless about the whole thing just like my so called son" He whispered out. An annoyed hiss left my lips. "The one who is clueless is you. And for Neil, he's nothing like you"
"Oh is that so? The poor child was blinded by his mother's fake masks and dares to defy me" He leaned back on the chair, one leg on the other.
"Should I tell you a short story?"
"I'm not interested" I spat back throwing him a glare. It's surprising to me to be this strong when I know the man can do anything to me at any moment. But I still say whatever's in my mind.
"Even If you're not I will still tell because I know you will be interested after hearing a bit of it" I threw him another glare. Daring him.
"You know, Neil's mother and I were living happily together. No argument or any sort of misunderstanding and most of all, no any hidden secret between us. She tells me everything and do whatever I order her to do without complaints"
He slipped his hands in his pocket. "She was so obedient. But the optimistic boy isn't. At first I labeled it as a childish behaviour but things got worse when he and his mother decided to go against my words. She dares to disobey me. Do you know what I did to her?" Though I was curious, yet, I kept mute. He started the talking and he'll be the one to finish it.
"I can see the desperation in your eyes. The same look she gave me when she chose the path of going against me. You're cuuriou but your ego won't allow you to ask. Just like Neil. Anyways, as I was saying, I thought her a very good lesson and to my son also. To show him what I'm capable of when people go against me. No matter who it is" I waited for him to continue, yet he kept silence. I know he wants me to ask myself. So I did with the curiosity rising up in me.
"What did you do to her?"
"What do you think?"
"You-"
"Yes. I killed her. Does it answer your question?" To say I was shocked will be an understatement. I felt more weak when bile rise in my throat. How could someone be that wicked to the extent of killing his wife?
"Does Neil know about your dirty acts?" My words almost came out hoarse due to the bile that rose in my throat.
"What do you think? If he knew about it, he wouldn't have been sitting idle. With his arrogance I bet he won't stay quite" I would be lying if I say I saw any remorse within him. I don't think he regrets his actions.
"Don't you regret what you did? Don't you think Neil will be shattered when he comes to know his father killed his own mother?" A chuckle out of nowhere revamped to my ears.
"Regret? She made a mistake and that was her punishment for making that mistake. I don't think there's anything for me here. Because I don't. And for Neil I'm waiting for the day he would kneel before me" All my life I've never felt so weak the way I felt at that moment. My whole body went rigid as I stared at the man in front of me. How can he do that to his wife and his son and he calls himself human.
"And for my case with your father, he's ashamed of his daughter finding out his dirty little act. But worry not the truth shall be revealed very soon"
"Are you going to keep me tied up like this. Don't you think this game you're playing is enough?" I spat back equally.
"Game?" He repeated his brows creasing. "If you consider it a game then so be it. But let me make one thing clear to you. Your father isn't what he appears to be. I will make sure he pays for what he did. Rest on. We shall meet later" And just like that he left. Leaving me utterly confused with his words.
