The last hope that was left in my heart was that he would melt or became normal when he came to know that my brother was innocent. That hope was shattered when he threatened to hurt my parents. It was a cruel blow that left me feeling utterly defeated.
That was the limit!
“Move!!” He shouted, and I flinched.
Wiping my tears, I decided to do as was saying before he decided to do as he said.
“Wait” he said, his tone different this time. I turned hesitantly to find him still seated, his posture had slightly changed as if he were contemplating something.
It seems like he wanted to say something but decided to change his words at the last moment.
“Don’t forget to bring ice cubes and a glass” he instructed, his words ringing in my ears. A part of me hoped that maybe, just maybe, he had a change of heart, but deep down, I knew it was unlikely.
I thought that he had stopped me because some miracle had happened and he had a change of heart.
With a heavy heart and completely against my will I meet my way towards the kitchen. As I passed through the hall I got to see the closed the doors of his sister’s room. I decided to focus on my work rather than go there because she could not help me with my situation.
My eyes flicked to the main door which was also shut slightly, leaving me with no escape. He would have never let me come out alone if the doors were open or unguarded.
As expected, there was no one around. The first thing I did was wash my hands before opening the refrigerator. My eyes searched for the drink, which was not tough for me to find. With remembering fingers, I picked out one bottle, grabbed a glass, and took a few ice cubes in a bowl before placing everything on a tray and making my way back to room.
Walking back felt like an eternity. My hands shook, the weight of the tray feeling heavier with each step. I took longer thann necessary, not wanting to face him again, wanting to delay the inevitable encounter.
The pain in my buttocks served as a cruel reminder of his recent actions, an ordeal that left me physically and emotionally wounded.
Drawing deep breaths and making myself ready to face him, I kicked the door of his room open and found him sitting on the couch, lost in his own thoughts. He was no longer wearing that bloody shirt, his upper body was naked, and his face and hands were glistening with a few drops water, indicating the had washed. One arm was resting on his thigh while the order was stretched on the couch.
He tore away his gaze from the wall and flicked his eyes to me he saw me entering.
“You took more time than required” he said.
I just looked down, not willing to answer him.
“Come” he said gently but I knew that his intentions were not even close to his tone.
My heart pounded in my chest as I slowly made my way toward him. With each step, I was reminding myself that I am strong enough to fight him and he many have power but he couldn’t break me.
I placed the tray on the table in front of him.
“Pour a glass of drink for me” he instructed.
The room was dimly lit and his looking presence made everything dark and scary for me.
Keeping my eyes fixed on my work, I poured a glass of drink for him. He knowingly brushed his fingers against mine as he took the glass from me.
“You want to drink?” He asked.
I shook my head immediately, my gaze still gaze on the tray that I had just brought with mine.
“My mood is good: that’s why I am asking you” my eyes flicked up to him as he took a sip. “It is actually a good thing, you know. One bottle down, and you will forget everything” he said with a smirk.
I averted my gaze.
“If you don’t want to enjoy I don’t care. But I want you to entertain me”
My eyes again moved back to him and I found him tapping on his phone and suddenly music filled the room.
“Dance for me”
It was the second time that he had commanded me to do the same thing. I am not getting what kind of obsession he has with my dance.
It is my passion but now it seems humiliating to dance in front of him. The very thought of it made my skin crawl.
“You are taking me every lightly. I think you will start believing my power once you get the news of your parents”
I rose to my feet on my own and took a few steps back. I whirled around and moved my body on the music but it was not coming out of my heart. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of his eyes boring into me, his dominance suffocating.
He was holding the glass of the drink against his lips while his eyes were penetrating my soul without blinking.
“Tsk”
He stopped the music all Ife sudden, bringing his body to a complete halt.
“I am not enjoying this” he declared, his tone dripping with disdain. “It is not the way you used to dance in college”
My fists clenched the fabric of my dress, my knuckles turning white as I struggled to contain my emotions. My body felt heavy with the weight of his gaze.
“As stated earlier, if you want he the safety of your parents then you would have to follow my commands and if you want to talk to them then you have to entertain me” he took another long sip “Dance and dance properly” he instructed again.
Closing my eyes, I tried to disconnect myself from the world and, especially, from him. In those moments, I just wanted to forget his presence and indulge myself in passion, to let the music guide my movements.
The music once again filled the air at this time, and for the sake of my parents, I dance. The beats pulsed through me, a lifeline to my passion and a way to momentarily distance myself from the reality of my situation. bit is the only thing that has always given me a sense of solace and freedom.
I kept my eyes closed all the time so that I wouldn’t get to see his face. I dance as if I were alone as if the world consisted only of the music and my body moving in tandem.
But suddenly I felt a presence beside me, which halted my movement for a second, and my eyes snapped open only to be met by a pair of dark eyes.
The moment stopped as he stared down at me. His gaze bore into mine, intense and unrelenting, and I felt as if I were trapped in a spell I couldn’t break.
His bare chest came into contact with my arm. The drink was no longer there. His eyes were red and I couldn’t tell what was the exact reason for it, the drink or something else.
“Don’t stop” he murmured, the words sending shivers down my spine.
And my feet started moving on their own once again. As I whirled around him, his head turned with each graceful movement, his gaze following my every twist and turn.
Sudden something came below my feet and I was about to fall when his strong arm came to my rescue.
Wrapping his arm around my waist he pulled me to himself. My body collided with his bare chest, his warmth seeping though my clothes, and the proximity was electrifying.
“I used to watch you from afar” he spoke against my forehead “always wanted to dance with you, on your steps”
His eyes bored deep into mine and for the first time in these two days I got to see the old Ansell, Ansell that I used to know.
As his hand sought mine, fingers intertwining, he lifted my arm gracefully and whirled me around.
“But now I want you to dance on my fingers” he whispered, his voice a blend of longing and possession.
I have to accept the fact that Ansell is no longer alive. He is a completely different man in the same body.
He made me whirl around and around until my head spun. He then left my hand, and I collapsed on the floor.
My whole world was moving, and I couldn’t focus anything properly.
I took a deep breath, my head clearing gradually as I fought to regain my composure. The room slowly came back into focus, and I realised that he was still watching me.
“Come” he beckoned, his voice slicing through the gaze.
I raised my eyes to find him seated on the couch, the glass once again in his hand. His pointed finger directed my attention to his lap, and murmured.
“Here”