Chapter 6: Lingerie

ALINA

Cleopatra ushered me into the sitting room. I didn't get a chance to speak with Derby.

Hector approached, his eyes locked on mine. "Tonight, you're mine," he said, leaning in close. "I break those who resist, but since you'll be my wife, I'll have you willingly. I'll have your devotion." He straightened up, and raised his voice. "Do you understand?"

Cleopatra answered for me, "She does, Hector. She's very compliant."

I glared at her, but she just kept smiling to ease the tension.

Hector gestured, and two large guards matched through the door, gathering my things.

I sat huddled against the car door, gazing out the window. All the while, Hector's eyes were on me, assessing. He seemed more interested on my body than his phone.

The car pulled into a massive home finally and we were well-received.

The young maid who greeted me seemed far too sweet to be part of Hector's world. She smiled, "Please, come with me, Ms. Hector. Your room is ready." He must have announced his impending marriage. I forced a smile back, though it felt strained. The house was large, but it couldn't compare to the Spencer estate, the strange man from the club.

As the young girl unpacked my things, Hector entered. "She'll be your personal attendant," he said, gesturing to her. "I chose her myself. She's reliable." He winked at the girl, a gesture I found odd.

I remained impassive, my thoughts elsewhere. I wondered about Clarence. How would he react when I wasn't in class tomorrow? What could he even do? Nothing, he had no means to find me. My future was now uncertain.

He was captivating, drawing me in with his pair of amber eyes that spoke directly to my soul. His gentle smile in class, the way he chose his words so carefully... those memories would have to sustain me. I had to escape. I needed to come up with a plan.

The young girl wrapped up her tasks and offered to help if I needed anything. But could I really trust her? She seemed different, and that wink from Hector made me uneasy. Her smile was almost flirtatious. They probably had secrets I wasn’t aware of. She didn’t seem like a reliable company. I would need to find someone else I could trust.

I rose to retrieve my cellphone, concealed in my school bag, when the young girl reappeared wearing a long face.

"Ms. Hector, I like you, and I'll be honest. You're not here willingly. Do you have any means to communicate? Your soon-to-be husband intends to search your room tonight during dinner. He'll keep you occupied in conversation while some men go through your things."

I forced a smile and shook my head, "Thanks for the warning, but I don't have anything. Could you help me get a cellphone?" She didn't smile, just looked at me with disappointment. "You need a phone?" I nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

I locked the door the instant she left, grabbed my phone, and hid it in my underpants.

Minutes later, two men barged in, ordering me out. I waited by the door for what felt like ages before they finally emerged. My room was a disaster. I refused to go to dinner, even though my stomach was growling.

I didn't want to face Hector, didn't want to be seen. I hoped avoiding him would make him forget, but it didn't. That night, he sent the young girl. "He wants you to change into these," she said, dropping a parcel with new lingerie. "He's partying. We have police visitors staying the night. He might give you to them if you upset him." She finished, feigning worry.

"Thank you." She shut the door, and I listened to her footsteps on the stairs. If Hector wanted me around tonight, I needed another place to hide my phone. Otherwise, I might lose it. A risky idea crossed my mind. Quickly, I found a rope, tied my phone to it, and secured the rope to a nail by the window, letting it swing outside the house. I sighed and removed the lingerie; it was pink, exposing most of my breasts.

I slammed my palm to my forehead in frustration. I didn't want him to touch me. My body wasn't meant for him, but Clarence. That was something I'd already decided. I snuck into the kitchen for red wine. I could use a trick on Hector tonight. I stood in my lingerie.

The lingerie, if you could even call these few straps of lace and fabric that, was nothing more than gold and white threads intertwined.

The bodice was cut dangerously low, revealing the hollow curve of my collarbones and far more skin than I ever wanted the world to see.

Every time I took a breath, the delicate fabric shifted, making me feel as though I were on the verge of spilling out of it entirely.

"Are you done?" I nodded at the young maid, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to shield myself from the cold air and the even colder reality of what I was becoming.

The maid put makeup on my face and a pair of false lashes.

She turned me into a slut.

I bet Hector might want to eat me up before anything else since I look too sweet.

The party hall had glass walls all around. I saw half-naked ladies dancing.

Oops! Strippers.

"Hector hasn't married me officially; he can't touch me until he does."

"Like I told you, if you give him trouble, the men will force themselves on you," the young girl said, making me shudder in fear. "What's your name, please?"

"Derby."

"What?" I screamed due to the loud music.

"What's what?" She raised her voice in like manner.

"I have a sister named Derby. She's cancerous. She..."

"Get in here, Alina," Hector said suddenly, reaching out to take my hand. I was dragged inside, and the door shut.

Derby just stood out there to watch me. She was my sister's namesake. What a coincidence!

I kept looking at as I went, and then she gave me a thumbs up.

Hector gestured to a seat. "You like what you see?"

I nodded, "It's beautiful." I replied, playing along.

"Soon, you'll have to dress like them." He turned to observe my body, "All these clothes won't be necessary anymore."

Did he just call this lingerie a cloth?

I wanted to remind him that I was going to be his wife. He wouldn't love to have his food exposed to all, but the aim was not to upset him, so I forced a smile.

"That's correct."

"Get on my lap." He commanded but I pretended not to hear him. At that moment, Hector reached out and grabbed my waist in a single motion and left me on his lap.

He smelled of a very strong love wine. He pulled down my lingerie and caught my left nipple between his lips while one hand fumbled the other slowly.

I didn't want to moan but it was impossible not to. I felt dirty having him do that to me. Disobeying him wasn't a nice option, so I played along, hurting inside.

He released his lips around my nipple and whispered into my ear, "My bedroom would be a better spot."

He got up and beckoned to me to follow him.