Rage Room

DAVINA

I hesitated, searching Shaw’s face to really know if he was really interested in hearing me out. Or was he just showing superficial concern? But then, his gaze that rested on me was sharp and assessing, one that was deliberately boring into me, to slice me open.

I couldn't hide it.

My lips moved, quivering as I narrated the horrific nightmare. When I talked about the fire, I broke into sobs again.

“I feel stupid.” I managed to say, in between my sobs. “I don't even have any real children and yet I cry over...”

“You can’t help it.” He said, his eyes carrying understanding now. “It must have been a dream or a wish of yours to become a mother someday.”

I parted my lips in surprise, seeing that he didn't see my nightmare as pathetic as I was still clinging to a wish that couldn't be fulfilled. Growing up in a foster home and being adopted by a family devoid of true affection, I craved to have my own, to give love without bounds.

“But Semion took that dream away.”

Yes. If he had not been so sick that I would have had to take care of him. I had to delay my own desires and wishes to have a complete family, just to take care of him, I would have given those children life.

“However, what will happen if you birthed those children for a man like Semion? Would you be able to watch him treat your kids that way?”

His words hit like a bucket of ice water, pouring down my sizzling heart. Not everyone deserved to be parents and from what I had seen in the dream, I would never be able to stand it if Semion treated our children that way.

If he could abandon me so heartlessly after all I had done, he wouldn’t think twice about neglecting his children!

“But…” I let out, but Shaw shook his head at me. I went quiet immediately, knowing there was no plausible reason to defend having kids for that man.

He stood up, motioning for me to rise up while he led me out of the bedroom. Even though my bare feet on the cold floor were uncomfortable, I didn't stop.

We crossed the four wings on the top floor of the mansion, moving to the floor below. We moved past several locked rooms while I wondered what Nathaniel Shaw had in them. Business secrets? His wife’s remains and belongings?

We finally got to a door and as he pushed it open, I gasped.

“Wear that.” He pointed at a thick pair of boots by the door and I didn't hesitate before putting them on. I stepped into the room, staring at the mess in shock.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“A rage room.” Shaw walked over to a shelf at the end of the room and brought out a baton for me. I didn't accept it as I took in the horrible sight of shattered glasses, wooden cupboards torn apart, and several metal boxes bent out of shape.

There were three counters that housed untouched objects and then a large TV hung at the top end of the room.

Confusion was written all over my face.

“I created this room three months ago and I come here to let out unnecessary emotions that weigh me down and watch my enemy’s moves.” He swung the baton in his hand and it went straight toward a glass bottle on the counter.

Boom!

The bottle shattered, the glasses splashing all over the room and I swallowed nervously. Shaw didn't even flinch, still poised and clad in his dark blue suit.

“Try it.” He pointed at the baton but I didn't move an inch.

I shook my head, “I don’t want to be here, Shaw.”

“You just want to snuggle in your bed and cry till morning comes, huh?” He chuckled as he walked back to the counter. His laughter felt like mockery to my pathetic self and my body caved in, with my hands wrapping around me.

“You can leave if you want.” His voice had turned colder.

I so much wanted to leave after seeing the mess. This wasn't the space I wanted to be while my own life was a mess but when he told me to leave, why couldn't I move?

Was it the disappointment in his tone or his nonchalant dismissal?

“You are still here?” He turned to look at me with dim eyes, that displayed intricate emotions that made me shiver. “Then don’t blame me…”

Before I knew what he meant, the TV in the room came on. My head swung up to look at the news being rerun.

“Dead Heiress Davina Williams’ body has been retrieved and the family has called for a close in police investigations. The investigation which only lasted for a few days was immediately concluded as suicide with the family relenting to their fate.”

“Davina’s memorial will be held in three days, however, the family has expressed how devastated they are to lose their child.”

Videos from the police station were displayed on the screen as Adeline and my parents walked out, wearing sunglasses and black clothes. They looked like the perfect grieving family but beneath those glasses were cold eyes that wouldn't even care if I was dead or alive.

I watched Adeline walk with poise. Even after I was gone, she caught the attention and the light. Her pose for the camera even though it seemed unaware, was perfect.

She just knew the perfect angles. The perfect way to carry herself and in the end, she would look effortlessly beautiful.

While she walked, she covered her stomach with her designer bag, in an attempt to hide her growing baby bump. And then while my parents moved to another vehicle waiting to pick them up, she went straight to a black Maybach.

“That car…” I gasped, tears clouding my eyes again. “It belongs to Semion.”

Right before everyone, he was claiming her. Even when their supposed grieving moment was going on, those two were still together.

Reporters quickly gathered around Adeline and Semion, their path to the car blocked.

“You are Davina’s husband, right? Don’t you think you should push for more investigations into her death?”

“We would like for you to respect the family’s privacy at this time.” Semion’s sharp voice cut through as he tried to shield Adeline from the reporters but they wouldn't relent.

“Why are you two together anyway? Davina is now gone, Is there anything stopping you both from being together? I hear you are pregnant, Adeline. Does the baby belong to Semion?”

I froze, just the same way Adeline froze on TV. I clenched my fists, my fingers digging into my skin as I braced myself for her answer.

She got her sunglasses off, and I saw her eyes. Red eyes that showed her grief perfectly. Tears clouded in them, threatening to fall.

I refused to believe Adeline had been crying! She was the perfect actress after all.

“Semion and I are finding comfort in each other, as a family should. Whatever news you hear, is our personal business and is not true unless confirmed. You all should keep in mind that we would never hurt our dear Davina, even if she resents us in death.”

“Are you saying her suicide is her showing resentment? Was Davina mentally unstable?”

Just like that, before everyone, she indirectly nailed me as a bad egg. The unstable one. Planting seeds of reproach in their hearts toward me.

Adeline didn't give any more comments, she had done what she had to do. Her ultimate goal was to tarnish my image completely. And just like that, Semion helped her carefully in the car.

I had never seen him so gentle and caring before. He would not even hold my hands in public. Yet, he served as a loyal servant to her.

“You have been discarded, Davina.” Shaw chuckled, his cold gaze piercing through me.

“Your supposed dead memory has been trashed right before everyone.”

“No,” I whispered, holding onto my head as a torrent of emotions flowed through. Bitterness, anger, disgust, and hatred!

“Will you keep crying forever and let them win—”

“No!!!” A scream tore through my throat and in the blink of an eye, I pushed myself forward and took the baton. The hard tool flew out of my hands, straight in the direction of another glass bottle.

Boom!

The contents splashed everywhere, shards of glass cutting into my arms but I stood still, not feeling any pain but only breathing heavily. I was numb.

Shaw’s footsteps echoed behind me, “Let’s channel your anger the right way, while also protecting you.”

He took off his jacket and draped it over my exposed skin, “Continue. Envision them stepping on you like grass, I want to see you let out those emotions.”