Chapter 4. The Pain

“Brring brring … brring brring … brring brring …". The phone rang insistently. Turning to her dressing table where her cell phone laid, she wondered who the caller could be. She wasn't expecting any call so she let it ring till it ended as she continued arranging the clothes in the closet according to their colors and shades.

It began again. “Brring brring … brring brring … brring brring ... brring".

This time she made up her mind not to pay heed to the call even if it rings for hours.

'Click...' went the door which flew widely ajar almost in split seconds. There he was! With both hands in his trouser pockets, Jack stood at the entrance of the room. "Take that call now!"

"Ok" . Amy's wobbly voice muttered. Fear could be spelt all over her as she hurriedly reached for the phone across the room. "Hello..."

"I thought you were never going to take the call" began the excited voice on the other end. "How are you?"

Heaving a sigh of relief just when she realized who the caller was. "I am well. Apologies I wasn't free the first time you called."

"I guessed so. I was hoping to seeing you this weekend. My family would be hosting a birthday dinner for my husband Steven and we wish for you to come". Lily brittled hoping that Amy would consider her feelings, at least tried to honor the invitation before cancelling on it.

Turning to her husband who stood by the door while covering the microphone of her phone, she whispered; "That's Lily. She is inviting us to her husband's birthday dinner".

His brow arched in disgust. "Since when do I honor peasants' dinner?" He bragged. "You can go but be back before I get home".

"Thank you but that would be on Thursday not today..."

Cutting in, he exclaimed "what do I care?I have no need for details on peasant gatherings". Jack turned to leave the room then he bellowed ; "make sure you throw out your dress before getting into the house right after hugging and dinning with them. For I do not want to perceive their cheap perfumes in my house".

"Yes sir", she noted. As mean as he was, she was however grateful that he allowed her dine with her family. This was not the usual so whatever conditions he gave was good. He already had done more than she expected.

The door banged behind him to announce his exit from the room. Amelia's smiles could reach her sparkling eyes. This was certainly a big deal for her and she was greatful. "Hello sister..."

"Hello Amy. Are you ok?"

"Oh yes! I was just speaking to my husband".

"You mean your monster?" Lily added quiet emphatically.

She rolled her eyes as she switched the phone to her left ear while she sat down on her bed. "He isn't so evil you know?"

"Yeah. He is God sent to punch life out of you. Yes we know". Lily who is older with just 2years has been very protective of Amy all their lives. She had previously challenged Jack and this made Jack extremely detest her. He hates women with guts and Lily happens to be a woman.

Amy who is so protective of her mean husband would not let her family talk ill about the monster she is married to. "If you can stop talking about him like that, I will come to your dinner party". She bargained.

"If saying the truth and making you see that that monster hates you would make you not come, please don't honor our invite".

"Lily!" She snapped.

She wasn't easy to manipulate. "I heard him call us peasant. But you know what? We are peasants who are happy. Are you happy in all the wealth you swim in?"

The silence.

For few seconds none of the sister's altered a word. Amy didn't know what to say. Maybe it's because her sister was right. Maybe she was jealous. Maybe the life of peasants and rich people are not alike.

"I pray you make it alive. He could kill you one day you know?"

"Stop it! Stop it now!" Amy bawled as she disconnected the line.

She instantly threw her self on her bed as she sobbed profusely. What was it that she did wrong for God to punish her this way. What kind of sin would a child commit that her father would punish her this way. The pains felt like thorns on her chest. She was trembling and sobbing at the same time.

The sun was up and so bright that its ray fell on Amy face. It was so discomforting so she turned to the window to see why the ray was that much. Apparently, in the early hours of the morning, she had parted the heavy velvet drape which decorated the windows to allow natural light illuminate the room.

Tired and not desiring to get up from the bed, she pulled on her duvet to cover her face too.

In minutes, she slept off.

***************************************************

She could hear her name being called in her dream. 'its a dream I can choose not to answer anyone'. Amy said to herself as she laid by the beach tanning her skin while enjoying her worry free life.

The voice became a bit real and louder. "Amelia!" Screamed the disembodied voice.

"Thud!" Amy fell to the floor as she rolled out of her bed. Her eyes were heavy but she needed to rush to her husband's call. She lightly slapped her cheeks in an effort to stay awake while eyes widen and blinked repeatedly. Pulling on a robe that hung on a rocking chair in her room, she threw her hands into the sleeves one at a time as she shoved her feet into her furry slides. "In a minute!" She screamed.

She raced throw the corridors and down the stairs into the hallway then dashed to her left which was the study room. Panting lightly while her left hand held her chest grabbing tightly a part of her robe. She Babbled, "you called for me?"

"Goodmorning ma'am" .

Amy waved at the young man with her husband in the office. Carl has been working with Jack on their latest project so he quiet frequents the house these days. "Hi Carl. Hope you are well". She replied while trying to keep her head high. She can only cower before Jack and not anyone else.

"Oh yes I am well. Haven't seen you in months. I could swear you traveled out of the state". He giggled as he made the joke. Carl knew his boss would never let her travel or spend the night even with her family.

She understood he was trying to make her wear a smile so she responded with a light grin across her face. He is known for his jocular nature and Amy couldn't stop wondering how lucky his wife is.

Turning to Jack she quickly got rid of the smile so as not to get accuse of flirting with Carl.

He was writing something and seem really busy. "What were you doing". He inquired and still not looking up.

"I slept off".

He quickly darted a glance at her while adjusting his reading glasses to rest on his nose as he looked through the space above the glasses. "Hmmmmmmm.....!" His brows raised.

Carl pushed his chair back to create a space in front of him. The sound echoed through the quietness in the room, "I will be outside sir. I need to make a call urgently". He excused himself as he walked to the door then shutting it behind him.

Jack continued to write, "I don't know of what use you are to me? You can't give me children, you can't be loyal to me". He looked up at her in criticism then continue, "again, tell me why I spend my money on you?"

She had no answer for any of these and even though she did, she dare not say them otherwise she would be battered to pulp in minutes.

"Look at this empire that I have built with my blood and sweat", he looked around, his index finger pointing to every corner of the room as he gushed. "Who is going to inherit them? You? Or your peasant family?" Jack chortled and instantly transitioned to his emotionless mean face. "When last did you see the doctor?"

If only money could make her become pregnant, Amy would have long conceived. "A month ago".

Jack was furious. Did this woman swear to ruin his generation? "And why is that so?"

Frightened Amy stammered, "his reports had no negative records about my reproductive organs so I thought I did not need to keep going there". She managed to say in so much fear.

He nodded. "Yeah. I understand. You decided my generation would be forgotten forever. Right?". He scowled as he threw the glass pen rack sitting on his table at her.

By chance, the object hit her arm as she protected her face with her arms.

"You are lucky I have a guest. I will ask Dr. Sam to wait for you in his office today. Get dressed! My driver will take you there now!"

Amy shook her head as she turned to leave the room...

"Don't let your stupid blood mess up my house", he thundered.

It was at this point Amy realized the glass pen rack did slit her skin. She covered the injury with a piece of her cloth as she left the room.

She wasn't crying . Infact, Amy wished she could cry but just somehow, there wasn't tears left for Jack's monstrosity.