Chapter 007

VALERIE 🎀

TRIGGER WARNING.

Blood drained from my face, and my heart raced with a thousand thoughts.

Oh God… I’m going to die.

My chest rose and fell in quick, ragged breaths. Then—

“Don’t.”

A whisper, cold and close behind me.

I froze. The sound sent a chill down my spine, and sweat broke out across my back. My hands trembled. Panic surged through me, and without thinking, I turned and bit the intruder’s finger.

“What the—!” he yelled, recoiling with a pained hiss.

That voice. It was familiar.

I lunged for the light switch. The room flooded with brightness, and my eyes landed on him.

“Zachary?”

He scowled, nursing his finger. “Are you some kind of rabid dog?”

I folded my arms, still trembling. “Good for you. Why would you scare me like that?”

He shrugged as if nothing had happened. “Because it’s fun.”

My lips parted in disbelief.

“ You are insane, who the hell scare the shit out of someone just because it’s fun?

“ I think you are asking the wrong person, the question should be directed at you”

“ me? Why would I even……”

I paused.

I used to make fun of people and bully them but time has changed , I was no longer that insecure girl.

But why does it seem like Zachary knows something.

All the records of me being a bully has been erased except he….

I looked up to see that his expression has changed.

His eyes darkened as they were trained on my body.

I suddenly became conscious that my night dress stopped very high above my knees.

“ what are you wearing? His tone went cold.

I fiddled with the hem of my nightie, my face flushing red.

" I didn't know you were diagnosed with night blindness.

He raised his eyebrows.

“ Don’t worry , I have no intention of seducing you” I rambled.

“ Take it off” . His voice was calm like the calm before a storm.

“ listen, I already said i wasn't …. Wait what? My eyes widened as soon as his words registered in my brain.

“ I said, strip, it’s our wedding night after all”

“ you are joking right?

“Hmm let me see” he tapped his chin as if deep in thoughts, a silly smile playing on his lips. “ No, strip”

“ Are you crazy? I yelled at him , my face burning with anger, my eyes welled up with unshed tears.

He laughed, his chest rumbled as the deep sound echoed through the room and I stared at him in disbelief, wondering what I have gotten myself into. I clenched my fists in anger and I stared at him like he was someone else.

He brought me here to humiliate me and I fell for his deceit.

He stopped laughing and his expression hardened, making me want to coil into a ball and hide.

“ Do you want me to do it myself? He asked , his hands trailing the strap of my night dress.

“Don’t you dare touch me, you maniac” I yelled and slapped his hands .

He chuckled bitterly, “ there’s nothing to hide, we are married”

“ Now, take it off.”

“You really think I would do whatever you want? I asked,my face red with anger.

" I'm not your slave."

" Oh, you are worse." His lips curled into a smirk. " You are my wife."

“ The more you hesitate, the more It become worse, you wouldn’t want me to summon all the maids and servants to strip you and we can do it right in front of them. That would be more fun, what do you think?

An amusing smile danced on his lips . He was having fun with seeing me miserable.

I gritted my teeth as I stared at him in shock. The realization hit me like a brick, I wasn’t getting out of this free. He was going to humiliate me either ways.

I pursed my lips as I could feel my eyes fill up with fresh tears.

I bit the inside of my cheek and I could taste the metallic taste of blood as I slowly pull down the straps. I slowly shook off the dress and I shut my eyes tightly in shame . I stood bare and vulnerable in front of him , only in my bra.

“ I changed my mind, there’s nothing fun to see anyway”

I opened my eyes as his words cut deep.

“ You asshole” without hesitation, I raised my hand and hit him, the sound , reverberating through the room.

His expression darkened as the realization of what I have done settled in.

He chuckled bitterly.

I raised my hand to hit him again and he held it mid way in the air .

His fingers curled around my fist tightly and I winced in pain. His jaw ticked as a red imprint of my fingers on his cheek glared at me under the bright light.

“ you still don't realize what's going on here.” he drawled out. " You're stuck with me."

“ you are mine now and I will do whatever I want with you." Something in his expression shifted and before I could process it , I was shoved against the wall, my back pressed against the cold surface.

I thrashed against him but his hold only tightened.

“ This should be the last time you will ever lay your hands on me” he let out , his voice dangerously low.

“ the next time, you try to do what you did earlier, I can’t promise I would be a gentleman, sweet heart”.

His warning sent a shiver down my spine and I stared at him, wide-eyed.

“ I assume you understood” he let go of me harshly and the reality came crashing down on me . I am doomed.

What did I ever do to him, why was he treating me this way. Is that why he brought to his mansion.

My heart raced with these thoughts as he walked towards the door.

“ What did I ever do to you? Why are you treating me this way” I voiced out, my voice broke as he paused, his hand on the door knob.

“ You don’t want to know, sweetheart”.

Just like that , he left .

I slumped to the ground and let the tears fall.

I fell for his tricks . Now I'm trapped.

" Are you okay, Miss? A voice asked behind me and I jumped on my feet.

I turned to see an unfamiliar middle aged woman staring at me in concern.

" who are you? I asked.

" I'm Rosa, the housekeeper." she stepped closer.

"Are you okay? she repeated and I nodded.

" I'm fine. can you get me a blanket?

" yes sure." she went up the stairs and not long after, she returned,this time with a blanket.

" Thank you." I muttered when the draped the blanket over me.

" He wasn't always like this you know."

She sighed as her eyes flickered to the door.

" I didn't ask."