Dimitri turned in bed, half asleep. He listened for the sound of the doorbell. It came again, and he groaned, muttering in frustration as he snuggled his head deeper into the pillow and tried to block out the rest of the awakening day. It had been a long night at the office, signing documents, revising contracts and scheduling meetings. He intended to sleep into the morning until he was sufficiently rested, but whoever was at the door had other plans.
The ringing stopped. Two rings and everything fell silent. Ordinarily, he would have continued sleeping, but he groggily sat up, looking at the clock and searching for his phone. If anyone of his family was at the door, they would have called when he didn’t answer after the third ring. When nothing happened, he sluggishly dragged himself out of bed and into the living room.
Still hazy from his interrupted sleep, Dimitri padded to the door. He looked at the security monitor but only saw a woven basket filled with clear p
Three days passed like a snail on a lengthy road, but it passed nonetheless. And in the morning of the fourth day, Ayesha sat on her dressing chair, staring hollowly at the mirror as an enthusiastic portly man styled her hair. It took no effort to hide her excitement because it was not the only emotion rioting inside her head.Her fingers felt the embroidery of the gown she had on. When she got to the safety of her room after seeing Dimitri, Ayesha read the card her mother-in-law had snuck in with the dress. It was a simple card, with no more than four words."For the prettiest bride."And a gorgeous gown she was. That meant Ayesha was left to sit in her chair, pretending she wasn't in love with everything. Her parents needed to see her miserable and stone-faced. But while she put on the best act she could, she silently prayed that they, truly, didn't suspect anything. The day had finally come, and it was counting down to Rebekah's revelation. Nothing could go wrong here. Absolutely n
Dimitri was on pins and needles the entire morning. So much so that he almost launched himself at the door the second he heard the door handle jiggle. He covered the distance from the sofa to the door in record time, merely reaching out before the door opened, and Ayesha, as eager as he was, leapt into his arms. It felt surreal to hold her after so many days had passed. It wasn't the first time they had been apart for long periods, but he had never faced the anguish he faced in the week since she had been taken. He wondered about her health, about how they were treating her. He didn't have any redeeming qualities in her family to trust, and Rebekah had stayed away long enough to procure their wedding license. It had been hell. But she was in his arms finally. He brushed her hair out of her face and cupped her cheeks. He filed her sunken eyes away for that moment to kiss her soundly. "How are you?""Better." She sighed, melting into him. Her fingers sank into the muscles of his back
Somehow, after her manic episode had passed, exhausted from laughing and crying in solitude, Ayesha managed to fall asleep again. As punishment for her behaviour, the maids didn't bring any dinner that evening. No one came to fill her fireplace with wood, allowing the chill to steal into every area of the room. She kept warm by keeping her gown on and shuffling beneath the covers.She kept the knife hidden under her pillow, with her hand firmly around the handle so no one could come in and take it from her. When she opened her eyes again, piercing sunlight had replaced the dark sky. But, when she looked at her table, there was no tray of food waiting for her. Ayesha was unfazed. Hunger, she would bear. She would starve until she dropped. If they intended to marry Festus off to a corpse, she would see their wishes granted. When afternoon came, she sat by the window, hands wrapped around her midsection as hunger further settled in. No one came in throughout the day. She remained glued
"Open the door!"Ayesha yanked on the rigid door handle, pulling it back and snapping it up and down with all her might. Yet, the wooden doors did not open. She abandoned the efforts after some time and returned to the dressing table to pick up the metal chair to haul it at the windows, but they were too high. Even if she managed to swing it off the ground, despite its daunting weight, it would not make enough impact on the windows.For three days, she was confined to her old room, with maids bringing meals on schedule. In the morning, in the afternoon and in the evenings. They drew her baths and left her alone to wash. They set her clothes down on the bed, and with no other option but nudity, she had to put them on.Of course, she had tried multiple times to leave the room whenever the maids arrived, but to n
In the evening, a little past four, Dimitri arrived at the pottery store. He stopped abruptly as a car sped out of the parking space and gunned it down the road. They nearly brushed his car in their haste. He watched them with a judgmental frown. Some drivers didn't know how to respect others when they drove.When he entered the store, he smiled at the receptionist, looking around to see if he could spot Ayesha anywhere."Mr Adams, good evening.""Good evening. Is Ayesha still working?"The woman frowned, her eyes shifting to look behind him. "Wasn't she outside?""Outside?""Yes. She stepped out not more than three minutes ago to wait for you."
Despite their plans, Ayesha moved into his house, but argued to keep to the guest bedroom so they could still have some of their arrangements preserved. Dimitri didn't argue. It was a miracle that he didn't have to hound her into staying with him."How'd you sleep?" She asked when he stepped out of his bedroom."Uneventful. Thankfully. You?""Good. Same.""Have you called Joseph?""Yes, early this morning. My mom didn't go back. I am a little worried.""Nothing to worry about. We will handle whatever she does. What matters is that we have filed the report against her.""I don't think it would do much.""Not much, but at least, should anything happen, we don't need the police pulling tales of you leaving alone without saying a word."She tugged his shirt, and he settled against the wall so she could lean against him."You think she'll take me by force, right?""Don't you?""I wouldn't put it past her.