Chapter 47

Ashley

I could not label what I was feeling through out my body. Everything was just there for me. I didn't know what to feel. It's been two days since Rapheal kidnapped me. Ever since the day we had a talk, he didn't visit again. My legs and hands were untied but I wasn't able to find a way, considering how tightly they secured the place and I won't be able to fit in the window.

Whenever it's time for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I would be served. At first, I vowed not to eat a bite or drink from their filthy hands but my hunger self left me with no choice. Besides, I had to eat if I want to keep my energy intact even though I doubt if I'm strong than before. My thoughts wandered off to last night. A slight chance for me to knock the guard down but with his strong physique, I wasn't able to.

And I stop trying to. I will just keep eating and gaining my energy. I know he won't do anything to me because if he wants to, he would've done that since day one. Night came and I was all alone again. In the dark room. I hide my face between my legs. Neil must be worried sick about me. Did he miss me too like I did? I missed cuddling in his arms feeling his breathing through my eardrums. I missed our little time. I missed his face. His voice and most of all I missed his kisses.

I can't wait to get the hell out of this lonely place. I know Neil will come for me. My parents too. They must be worried sick too. I heard the sound of footsteps which made me lift up my face staring at the door. I clutch my dress tightly ready for whoever is at the door.

The door made a cracking sound walk in Raphael. My eyes were secured on him as he made his way to me with a bag on his left hand. Even if I'm sleeping, I can't forget his face. The face of a killer. He grabbed a spare chair since I was sitting on the other one. "Hello little miss" He ushered that annoying smirk curving up on his face.

I didn't answer only set my eyes on him. A light smile made it way out of his mouth. "Acting strong is it?" He said again. "Well I missed your face so I decided to pay you a visit. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Over my dead body" I spat spitting my saliva on the floor.  "Aren'you ashamed of showing your face to me?" I added.

"I'm not. But I'm sure you'll be ashamed after finding out your father's little secret" To be honest, I'm fed up with his riddles.

"If you want to tell me then do so. Stop toying with my emotions already. I don't have the strength to waste in exchanging words with you" I said with a roll of my eyes. His chuckle resonate through the room.

"Do you know one thing I like about you? Your courage. You don't seem to be afraid of me or what I can do to you?" My face might not show, but truth be told, just his presence scared the living soul out of me. That is my second face that he'd never know.

"Anyways, I'm here with an interesting news for you. Your poor father offered me a nice deal which I think is suitable for me. Besides, it has something to do with the past, I won't trade it for anything"

"What do you mean?" I asked raising my face to his level.

"You'll find out very soon" And then he reach for the small bag that was sitting quietly beside him, open it to the view of a small laptop. "What are you trying to do?" I asked once again seeing him so focused on the laptop screen.

"Easy woman. Don't be faster than your shadow.  Like I said, you'll find out soon" He got a glare from me in return. Only if he know how much I hate his presence.

One minute passed by with him pressing on the laptop while I was left staring at his actions. "Okay... It's done" He turned the laptop screen facing me.

"Dad" I found myself saying, seeing my father's face surfaces on the computer screen.

"Ashley" He ushered back. My eyes shifted to his side. "Mom" I didn't know when a lone tear fell from my eyes. Seeing their faces made me realize how much I missed them. It made me realized how of importance they are to me.

"Don't worry dear, nothing will happen to you. I'll save you with whatever means I have" For some reason, I felt the sincerity in his words. And it gave me the strength.

"I have my complete trust in you. I know you'll save me from this heartless man" I spare him a glaring glance. "I-"

I was immediately cut off by Raphael turning the laptop screen away. "Enough of all that. This isn't what I want to see. Richard" He shifted his chair to mine and I shifted back. I don't even want anything that will make my body touch his. This time around, my father's face was visible only on the laptop screen. "What I want to see is the disappointing look on your daughter's face when you tell her the secret you're hiding"

"Dad don't listen to his fake acts. He's doing it only to obtain money from you and that isn't happening" I exclaimed. His laughter erupt to my eardrums.

"It's so funny that your daughter is still clueless about the whole thing. Will you or should I?" Looking at my father's face clearly, it was a mixture of unease and hesitation. If to say, then I will say this the first time I'm seeing him in that state. But why?

"Will you? Or should I tell her how you destroy my sister's life" My eyes instantly snapped towards him in confusion. "What do you mean he destroyed your sister's life?" I turned to my father. "Dad, what does he mean by that. Is there something you're hiding from me?"

My heart escalate to the fact that my father is indeed hiding a secret. Yet, I kept a calm face. "Dad?" I called again snapping him out of his thinking.

He realised out a deep breath. While Raphael was busy keeping a smirk face. Enjoying the event taking place. "I'm sorry Ashley"

"Wh-"

"I know this will come as a shock to you but it took me a lot to gather the courage and be able to sit in front of you like this. I will accept whatever decision you take regardless of what I'm about to tell you" That kind of put me into a state of nervousness. Hearing how his voice appears, tells me whatever he's going to tell me isn't something small.

"What a reasonable sight to see. Richard himself turning weak. I regret not taking action sooner." Raphael muttered beside me. Yet, I was occupied with what my father is about to tell me to listen to his acts.

"Tell her how you took my poor sister's virginity that night"

"What?" I found my mouth letting out immediately not believing my ears. "Yes. Was it five years, your father was drunk to the rim and couldn't keep his desires to himself" I slowly turned to the computer screen, his face was casted down.

I didn't want to listen to how my heart was pounding fast. Yet, I need to know if what Rapheal is saying is the truth or not. So, I asked my father. "What is he saying Dad?"  Nothing came but silence. Which made me ask again. "Is he telling the truth or not?"

"Ashley, I-"

"I want the truth Dad. I'm not taking any -"

"That's the truth" For a moment, everywhere went still. The only thing formulating in my brain are his words.

That's the truth.

"If it is then.... You... You" Bile rose in my throat when the words were not able to make themselves out. My very own father took the virginity of someone's daughter? He raped a girl?

A lone tear from nowhere make it's way out of my eyes. I stare at my father in total shock. "And you kept it a secret for over five years!" I snapped my eyes shut to calm myself from hyperventilating. Even in my widest dream, I never thought a day like this will come that I will hear about my father committing a grave mistake like this.

"I'm sorry Ashley. I wasn't in my right state of mind. I didn't kn-"

"How could you do that to an innocent girl? How!" I yelled in one of my unfamiliar voice. I didn't care about the tears making their way out of my eyes and I didn't care about the smile of satisfaction playing on Raphael's face. It clearly shows that he's enjoying the event happening before his eyes.

How could someone commit such a despicable act? Here I was labeling Raphael as a heartless man little did I know my father isn't different from him. His sins are more disastrous. My legs went completely weak and I found myself stumbling on the bare floor. Didn't he think about what the innocent girl will go through in her life? Didn't he think about his mistake coming back to hunt him and his family. Didn't he think about all that?