Chapter nine

The moments I said the words I wished I could take them back.

The look on Beast's face would be forever etched into my head.

The look of betrayal as he turned away from me and walked away. Everyone started at me, at first with blank confused expressions and in time when their expressions turned to that of scorn I realized something about rich people, they were like what people called the ton back in the 1800s they may hate towards each other but when it came to them or you they always chose them.

I heard the whispers and fought to control my tears as I just stood there.

"You do a lot of bullshit Cathy and maybe I did sometimes but Beast never deserved any of it."

I turned to see Emerald looking at me with rage.

"He doesn't deserve that."

I couldn't fight the tears any more they cascaded down my cheeks in waves.

"He doesn't deserve you."

She ended and left me standing there wishing the ground could open up and swallow me whole.

I got home went straight to my room thanking God that my step mother wasn't around to worsen my already terrible day.

I opened the door to my room and saw my little sister struggling against a boy on her bed while he kissed her with a hand up her shirt as she silently sobbed.

I screamed barely aware of my bag sliding away from my fingers and pushed him off her and onto the floor.

I knelt down and started to punch him with all the anger and shame inside me that I barely heard my sister shouting for me to stop hurting him.

Barely, but I heard it.

"He tried to..."

I struggled to find words as I panted and struggled against a fresh stream of salty tears.

"I am so sorry, Jake."

She cried rushing to the side of the boy who had just tried to rape her.

He brushed her away and had the audacity to look angry before he left the room.

"Are you okay?"

I turned to my sister inquiring after her.

"You ruined everything!"

"What do you mean. He was forcing you."

"It doesn't matter just stay away from me."

She yelled and ran to the bathroom.

So the hounds of hell were after me today.

I saw my alarm ring reminding me to get ready to go to the club.

Or maybe I was in hell itself.

"Hey Cathy could you please pass me the stretcher?"

Gar asked as she sat in front of a mirror while we were in the dressing room.

"You better stay away from that one today. She as prickly as a 40 year old virgin with blue balls."

Tasha advised.

"Mind your fucking business."

"See what I said?"

She remarked and stepped out of the room as Gar came to me.

"Honey what's wrong?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

I said firmly. Gar might mean well but I didn't want a pity party.

"Any time you're ready."

Before I could reply Tasha perked in from the curtains smirking.

"Mr. Logan has asked for you again tonight Cathy."

She says in a nearly sing song voice.

"Gar I can't. "

I nearly started to sob for the 100th time that day.

"You'll be fine honey. Just put on your make up and game face on."

"Its broken Gar."

"What is?"

"My game face, my grades, my heart, my life."

"Oh honey."

She purred as she pulled me into a hug.

There was something about either her soothing hands stroking on my back or her voice that made me feel loved. Or maybe it was just her.

It made me feel better.

I entered into the dark room equal parts anxiety and confusion why did he send for me again, who was he and why me specifically.

"What do you want?"

I said immediately I closed the door behind me.

"Well hello to you too miss sunshine. You're in a good mood today."

His voice came from the right end of the room.

"So are you it would seem."

I ignored his sarcasm and folded my arms on my chest.

Unlike the last time there was a red fancy looking lamp like the kind you saw in the expensive commercials, hanging from maybe the ceiling. I wasn't sure since I couldn't see the base. The lamp was hanging low over a round little table, illuminating the room so it wasn't consumed by darkness. If the aim was to soothe. They failed and not just lowkey they failed miserably and woefully. I had no idea the identity of the man I was meeting and he could be a shaman, voodoo artist, a spirit. any number of things my overactive and over imaginative mind cared to conjure up.

Instead of a dark room there was a red table. Albeit with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. But that could be easily dismantled fir when he wanted to slaughter me on that table.

Or am I just overreacting.

"Come sit with me.”

Just a man with tragic past no face and absolutely no reason to want to kill me. At all.

I started to walk with all the bracelets of... a knight. Or so I thought until I I acknowledged the ringing on my head. Lamb lamb. Sacrificial lamb on her red altar.

"I think I'll just stay here."

I leaned back on the nearest wall.

"Are you scared of me, Catherina? "

My stomach started little fluttering just as my name rolled off his tongue. I was nervous not affected by him. It was a coincidence at worse.

"How did you know my name?"

"I asked a few questions in the right places."

"So you gossip huh?"

I pursed my lips at him sassily.

"Occasionally." He surprised me by answering.

"You are shameless." I scoffed.

"And you are a hypocrite." He retorted.

"Excuse me?" I said taken aback.

"You berate me for quenching my curiosity when you yourself have done the same thing."

"I don't know what you ate talking about." I swallowed uncomfortably, who was this man.

"Am I wrong, Catherina?"

"I said don't know what you're talking about."

I repeated for lack of better response.

"Then sit with me. Unless of course you've been frightened by the things you heard about me, then you can walk out the door. I dare you." I felt like he was staring straight into my soul even though i couldn't see him.