TWO.

At the Deventon airport, his plane had landed. 

He slowly opened his eyes, his face void of expression. His family had come home a week ago which he should have been part of them, but he just couldn't bring himself to this town. 

With lies of extra work, Ethan Reed locked himself away in the office, mentally preparing himself for this visit he could not miss, yet even as he stared out the plane's window, the memories flooded in with a rush.. 

Why, of all cities, would his grandfather choose to settle here?! Why Deventon?! 

This city had left a permanent scar in his heart and as his feet touched the ground away from the plane, Ethan shielded his eyes with darker shades. A black face cap sat on his head and he walked away to get his luggage. 

Five years ago he was in this city, and the day he left, that same day he vowed never to return. 

His phone rang in his pocket, the screen boldly displaying MOM. He swiped green. 

"You're not planning on skipping grandpa's birthday are you?"

Ethan exhaled. He really wish he could if it was an option. 

"I'm at the airport mom. I just landed", his voice weak and dry. 

"I thought you're planning on keeping us waiting all day! You've missed the important part already. You know the orphanage is the main deal for your gra....." 

"how about you nag me in person hmmm? I haven't even taken in ten breathes of Deventon's air and you're making me wish I didn't come". He sighed. 

"Well if you didn't come, I'd make you wish you weren't my son", she scoffed and cut the call on him. Ethan managed a smile at the dimly lit screen of his phone. He threw it into his pocket and kept walking whilst reasurring himself that there was no way he'd run into her. He didn't plan on touring the city. He'd seen enough of it...and her family can't possibly be attending this party.

Yes! This crazy would soon end like it never happened and he'd go back to his life. 

Meanwhile back at Sanderson's mansion, Julian tore her bra off. His fingertips pinching at her cold and pointed nipples... 

She shivered......not in pleasure. 

Locking her up was the kindest he could be and seeing her naked body like that....he just couldn't control himself. 

Asides a beautiful talent, Talia had a beautiful body — what he called the perks of having your own human. She could be anything to him...at anytime he wanted her. She lived for his satisfaction. 

With every thrust he gave, her heart bled even more, but he focused more on the adrenaline rush and dopamine that coursed through his being...caring less of the useless and worthless tears that fell from her eyes. 

He bent her however he pleased over the couch. She'd been sold to him anyway, how could she resist him when he owned her. 

Careful not to release in her, he spread it all over the floor and rose from her. His sweat-covered body glistening in the bright bulb that luminated the room. He slapped her legs close. A lone tear ran down her eyes. He saw it but he looked away. He pulled up his pants and began walking away. 

"Get dressed and looking pretty", his voice came through just before he disappeared through the door.

Talia sat up and pulled up her panties. She cried badly. She'd expected the tears to stop flowing now. It's been five years already, but they weren't stopping. The hurt she felt wasn't stopping. This was her hell....but she couldn't understand why?

Wasn't hell meant for those who'd been evil? People who had done bad all their life? 

The essence of life was hope....but there was no light at the end of her tunnel! It was plain darkness! And even scarier, she knew it was going to remain that way till her death!

Her death was only escape! 

Her chest tightened in pain, but to avoid another hell breaking loose....she quickly stood and got to cleaning his semen off the floor first.

She walked into the storage room where he had her keep her stuff as her own closet and she got out the gown his sisters rented for her for the night.

The painting was for the old man who loved arts and collectibles, so Talia washed up quickly and packaged the painting first, then began dressing up.

She'd sustained too many marks to count, there was need flaunting her body. It wasn't perfect. But the black gown they'd gotten was perfect. It flowed to her heels and was long-sleeved as well. It covered the marks on her back and the little on her face, she did the magic with her makeup.

At exactly ten minutes after seven, she was done and stepped out to see him on a call which he ended right away.

"you're lucky, I would have hated to come check on you myself", he snorted and began walking.

Not a single compliment on how she looked. She wasn't even expecting it anyways. She simply trailed behind him...meeting the rest of the family in the larger living room.

"I really don't know why she has to come..." Bianca - the last daughter of the family rolled her eyes on seeing Talia.

Talia clutched tightly onto her purse, her eyes on the floor as she felt their million eyes on her.

"Don't fucking say a word and disgrace us there!" Aria - the second daughter warned.

"Where's mom?" Julian asked as he stared around the living room.

"I'm here," the elegant woman descended the stairs with grace, her husband solidly behind her with an even more commanding presence. 

"you don't look so pitiable today..." her mother in law charged at her. Talia bit her lips. 

"of course! I picked the perfect dress. How else would a rodent look manageably presentable on her own?" Bianca giggled and her mother nodded. 

"Hmmm" chairman Sanderson cleared his throat, "let's go else we're going to be late". They all nodded and headed towards the door when Julian's voice rose again. 

"And Where's Nora?" 

"she said she'd meet us there" Aria responded dryly. 

Nora was the eldest daughter and first child. Julian came after her and then Aria, before finally Bianca. She wasn't a doctor like the family wanted. She was more stubborn and studied law instead. 

Chairman Sanderson and his wife drove in a separate car. Aria and Bianca drove in another, whilst Talia gauged her breathing as she sat beside Julian in another. 

The ride was a suffocating and long one, but soon they were driving into the largest compound, littered with cars and flickering with lights and breathtaking decorations..

The compound was filled with people.

The Sanderson's cars parked in and they all alighted.

"if you don't want to sleep with the dogs tonight, do not cause a scene" Julian warned sternly buttoning his suit. His face relaxed into a smile, ready to mingle with the flow of affluence all over.

"I know you've never been to any gathering such as this... Thanks to us you're experiencing one...better stay out of trouble leech!" Bianca spat and walked away with aria.

Talia exhaled..

What could she possibly do to cause a scene? They just needed a reason to call her names tonight, but she exhaled and walked in. The night was yet to start but she wished it was over.

Stepping into the hall that was solely for the birthday celebration, she couldn't even admire the decors enough... Who knew? That might be her 'disgracing the family and causing a scene'

She tore her eyes off the chandeliers and the rested on Julian who was shaking hands with big smiles with men she guessed were wealthier than himself. His mother and father stood beside him with smiles as well.

She exhaled again, quickly grabbing a glass of champagne off from the waiter that passed with a tray full of it..

"they shouldn't be needing me for anything" Talia sighed and took the stairs on her right.... She didn't know where it was leading to but she wanted somewhere quiet.

It was definitely not that route. She returned to the hall and left through the doors.

If it was possible, she'd rather just go sit in the car and wait till its all over...but she kept moving, turning away from every corner that had atleast fifteen persons in it till her feet finally brought her to a glass door. She pushed open and came to face with a pool.

A smile spread across her face for the first time since today.

The way the lights above danced in the blue waters of the pool, it was calming to watch. Her eyes glanced around, finally a place without people.

Talia walked in fully, taking in the cool breeze till she finally stopped. The pool called out to her but she couldn't jump and 'cause a scene'... Even more, she couldn't wet the rented dress. 

She settled for the pool chairs instead, releasing her feet from the shackles of the white heels she wore and gently placing her purse down. She emptied her glass of champagne and shut her eyes, savoring the taste and the way it worked down her throat, not to mention the quietness around her.

She smiled again, letting her eyelids part to capture the glory of the night stars in the sky, but from the corner of her eyes, an image formed. Blurry and slowly rising from the water. 

Her eyes widened immediately. In reflex she flung the glass, her eyes tightening shut and a shrill cry escaping her throat..."ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"