CHAPTER FOUR: Pleasure

My face was saddened but I didn’t regret what I did even if it was an accident.

“That’s the nastiest thing I’ve heard in my entire life.” She wiped her tears and laughed. “Love? What is love? There are anger, obsession, envy but love? There is no such thing as love.” She emphasized every word with contempt.

She picked up her red thong and went around my back. She pressed it on my wound to stop my gushing blood. How ironic!

“The truth is I want to know why girls were so crazy about him despite being sexually harassed they still wanted him. Now that I tasted it I thought that I’ll finally put an end to my thirst but I’m very disappointed.” She gently caressed my shoulder and blew warm air in my ears. “Watching other’s suffer is still the best entertainment and pleasure giver.” She gently nibbled my ear and licked it. “Besides it should be me, Bruce. I should be the one to kill Mark.” She dug her nails on my shoulder.

“You’re insane– arghhh!” I cried when she dug her fingers in my wound.

She thrust two fingers back and forth as she gradually moaned as if she was pleasuring herself.

“I hated his gut but envied it at the same time. If I couldn’t have his guts then might as well get rid of him. But you came in the picture and ruined everything. You took away my happiness. You deserve to die.” She twisted her finger 360 degrees inside my open wound.

“Just kill me right away!” I yanked my right upper body back and forth, trying to break free.

“Where’s the fun in that?” She chuckled and ran her fingers with my blood on my cheek. “I’ll test how tough you are. I wish you don’t bleed to death.” She gave me a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.

The heat of my body subsided. The pleasure was immediately replaced by pain. Coldness washed over me that made me shiver. A sour smile curved in my lips and tears stream down my cheek.

I looked up the ceiling and cried, “Amara...”

Our memories flashed in my head that made my tears streamed more. The pain on my back trudged on my chest squeezing it. Her face smiling up to her eyes occupied my mind. I lowered my head and closed my eyes as my strength slowly drained out of me.

“I love you,” I whispered weakly.

I gasped when cold water splashed over my body. The water was like needles pricking my skin. My throat dried and I couldn’t utter a sole sound. I quickly opened my eyes when I felt water poured on my head. I unfolded my mouth to get rid of my thirst.

“It’s not for you to drink but to wake you up.” She said signaling the man in front of me to stop spilling a bucket of water on me.

I examined the man and by the look of his face, I recognize who he was. He was her bodyguard and it hit me. If her bodyguard was her compliance it only meant one thing.

“He knew? Your father knew?” My body stiffened.

“Of course.” She walked in my direction while playing with a small knife around her fingers. “I get whatever I want.” She leaned down and pointed the knife on my forehead.

She was again wearing a blood-red dress. Her other hand was holding a bottle of Devils Springs Vodka.

I pursed my lips as her knife penetrated in my flesh. My fingers curled behind me forming a fist. I clenched my fist hard to deprive myself of howling. I felt her knife wrote letter A on my forehead.

She pressed my cheeks and forced my mouth open. I tried turning my head to the side to escape her grip but I was too weak. She emptied the bottle of vodka in my mouth and then her lips brushed mine like waves splashing on the shore, fast and rough.

“You’re so tough. Your blood hasn’t drained yet?” She chuckled.

Her bodyguard made me stand just by pulling my arm. He was strong given with his huge built.

“Untie him,” she commanded.

I reserved my strength for the opportunity. I don’t think she was planning to set me free. When the tie loosened I transferred all my strength to my fist and punched the man in the face but he didn’t yield. I gulped and stared at him without blinking. He just slightly scratched his cheek as if my punch hurt as mosquito bite. I raised my foot and targeted the thing between his legs but he caught my leg with just one hand. What he did next surprised me.

He pushed my foot back on the ground and grabbed my nape with both hands and repeatedly hit my stomach with his knee. It brought me down on my knees and made me coughed blood. At least I put up a fight before I die.

She clicked her tongue mockingly. I turned in her direction and she was shaking her head in dismay. She went toward the door as if she was leading our way. Her bodyguard brought me up on my knees ruthlessly. He dragged me out of the room and followed her.

I closed my eyes as light intend to blind me. The cold wind swept over my body. I explored my sight and saw the huge clock on the top of the door behind us. We were in the clock tower.

“Haven’t you noticed, Bruce?” I turned around in her direction. She was standing on the railings on the edge of the tower. “The devil inside you didn’t show up. He had the guts to impregnate every lady she came across with and force them to abort the lives in their womb yet he got no balls to appear in front of me.” She looked back in my direction. She beamed a bitter smile. “He felt your pain too and just like you, he chose to scream and suffer in silence,” she added and snapped her fingers.

Her bodyguard pushed me on the edge. Up here I could see every part of the island and it was so beautiful.

“If I were to describe you, Island of Vitam et Mortem suited you best.” I felt her glanced at me. “Beautiful on the outside but rotten on the inside,” I added still staring at the bird’s eye view.

I get to see such a wonderful view before I die, how cruel.

“No hard feelings, Bruce. You earned your death. My hands were itching to kill Mark but you snatched such extreme pleasure away from me.” I could still feel her eyes on me. “Besides if you die, Mark will experience death’s deja vu. It’s more amusing to watch someone die the second time around.” She clapped her hands and sat on the railings not bothered by the height.

I looked at her and said, “can I ask you a favor?” She didn't respond and just waited for my words. “Don’t touch them,” I added.

“Don’t worry there’s nothing to get envy about your girl.” She cackled with her hand on her lips.

“Everything about her is enviable,” I mumbled.

She sneered and crossed her arms on her chest. “I won’t touch them but I don’t know with Mark. He’s pretty obsessed and he can find another body and pester the love of your life.”

Her bodyguard made me face the clock and held me on my neck. The strong wind injected more anxiety into my already fraught situation. As soon as the clock struck at 3 o’clock it made a deafening ringing sound.

“It’s time.” She jumped back on the floor and faced her back at me.

“Serra will hunt you down,” I said.

She froze. It took her a couple of seconds before responding, “she’ll soon join you, Bruce.”

“We’re not sure about that.” I closed my eyes. Her bodyguard then let go of my neck.

Amara’s face smiling up to her eyes replayed before me. Drops of tears rolled down my face.

I extended my hands and welcomed demise with open arms. My heart drummed against my tightened chest. The gravity pulled my breath along with my body but I didn’t feel it hit the ground. Instead, the world instantly crumbled to silence and darkness ate my being whole.