CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

“Excuse me?” I retorted, barely restraining my anger as I tried my hardest not to retaliate her slap in fear of escalating the situation. “Have you no shame? Getting entangled with master Leonard whilst you're currently engaged to be married in only a month to sir Damian.” She spat, angry tears streaming down her face as she lunged at me, yanking me by the hair. “Master Leonard was mine, what gave you the right to take him away from me?!!! Weren't you already satisfied with Damian's looks and affection? Why choose to covet what belongs to others just for your own amusement?” She yelled, her voice rising with each passing second. “Is it because you're prettier than me, that you think you can take what's rightfully mine? Answer me!!!?” She went on, demanding a response but still refusing to let me speak. “Or is it because you're from a well off family that you think you're better than the rest of us and the world should cater the finest things only to you?” … “Fine” she continued, her reddened eyes sparkling with madness as she raised her hand once more, ready to strike. “We'll see how you'll be capable of seducing other men without that pretty face of yours”. And with that she attacked, clawing at my face with her razor sharp nails as we both went into a full on brawl. I tried fighting back but she was too strong, very easily overpowering me as she kicked me to the ground, repeatedly stomping on me as I screamed and begged for help but no one seemed to hear my cries. My life flashed before my eyes as she grabbed hold of a nearby vase. “Don't bother screaming, because no one's going to come to your rescue. I made sure of that” she voiced, the look in her eyes devilish as she smashed the vase over my head. My vision blurred, her threatening words echoing in my head in a daze. “Stay away from Leonard, this'll be my first and final warning to you. Today it's just a beating but if this happens again, I might decide to take your life.” And with that, it all went blank.

(Leonard's POV)

After the stupid interruption of my personal maid earlier on, I sought out to find her, heading directly to the maids quaters, slamming the door open as I stared at her impatiently. Upon seeing me, she angrily shot up from her bed, where she had been sobbing uncontrollably since she discovered my affair with Elisa. She reached out to slap me but I caught her hand mid swing, violently shoving her to the ground as I spoke, unwilling to deal with her antics. “If you ever attempt to lay as much as a finger on me again, I'll ensure you loose a limb”. Her tears flowed freely as she dramatically fell into my arms, nestling her face in my chest as she cried out. “How could you do this to me? You told me you loved me, just last night and today I find you in the arms of another woman!!! Don't you love me anymore? Or did I do something wrong to make you lose interest in me so quickly and choose to pursue that cheap slut instead!!!?”. My hands instinctively caught hold of her neck, squeezing tightly as she begged and pleaded for me to let go. “Ruth, I need you to listen to me and listen very carefully. What happened between us was just a fling, do you really think you're good enough to be involved with me long-term? It was all just in the heat of the moment, I was horny and you were present, ready to serve, tending to my every need like the good slave you are. In my eyes you're nothing more than a toy meant to be used and disposed of efficiently. I could choose to end this matter by simply taking your life but I'm deciding not to, only because of your outstanding performance in bed...” I voiced, finally releasing my grip as she choked continuously. “But…if I somehow discover the truth about my affair with Elisa exposed, I'll have to reconsider my offer on sparing your life. Is that understood?” She hesitantly nodded a silent yes as I calmly turned away and left, leaving her in her pathetic state.

(Damian's POV)

I sat helplessly in my room, silently awaiting Elisa's return, feeling increasingly uneasy with each passing second. No longer able to bear the long wait, I decided to retrieve her myself, heading straight to the north wing . Upon arriving, I didn't care to show any decorum as I began violently banging on the door. “It's Damian, open up. I'm here to bring Elisa back”. I announced but was met with pin drop silence as no one responded. After minutes of knocking I decided to leave, hoping that Elisa had already left and was probably just in the safe comfort of her room. Whilst on my way back to the west wing to check on Elisa, a massive fire broke out in the estate, wreaking havoc as it raged on, in fear of sustaining anymore casualties from the on going commotion, I opted to supervise the entire operation and aid the on ground staff in putting out the fire, but by the time we were done it was already noon. I hurried all the way to Elisa's room to ensure she had returned safe and unharmed from her chat with uncle. I decided to let myself in upon arrival only to be met with a pitch black room as all the curtains had been drawn shut with the lights turned off. I only took a few steps in, reaching for the light switch when I accidentally stepped on what felt like broken glass. As I finally managed to turn on the lights, my blood ran cold at the sight before me.