Dread
Evelyn's Point of View
I balled my hand into a fist, my stomach quivered with each second I was in this damned room. Half of the people in this room were men, and I felt like prey, like they'd attack me at any moment. My lungs constricted at the thought of it. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible, or else I'd lose my mind.
But it didn't seem like we'd leave anytime soon. I could hear the sound of the people in here talking, but all their words fell on deaf ears. The memories I'd tried to bury for the past eight years came flooding back into my brain like a horror movie on a loop. No matter how much I tried to stop it, it wouldn't stop.
If I don't get out of here in the next ten minutes, I'd lose my mind and go back to where I promised myself never to go. But what can I do? It was the only thing that reduced my fears and made me feel better.
My fist trembled against the table, a cold chill running down my spine. It was getting out of control, and I was losing my mind.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I leaned closer to Arthur's ear. He turned to me, throwing a sharp glare without uttering a word. He continued with his conversation, and I didn't even understand where it was going. I grasped my handbag using my free hand and, without asking for Arthur's approval, I rose off the chair and started making my way out of the room. My jaws clenched as I felt gazes following behind me.
As I reached outside, the guard opened the car door for me. I stepped inside and flung my handbag open. I grabbed a small plastic bag with white powder in it and one of my credit cards. I poured the powder on the card, leaned closer to it, and inhaled all of it through my nose. I let out a deep breath, shutting my eyes.
Excitement rushed through my blood, and all the fears and discomfort seemed to disappear into thin air. I had promised my parents that I'd leave everything behind and start my life afresh. But now, which life did I actually have with Arthur Madison?
There was no love between us. He married me just for the sake of his reputation, but in reality, I was his whore. I had lost my freedom, and there was nothing exciting in my life. So, I might as well do everything that makes me feel good.
An idea flashed through my mind, and without thinking twice, I shifted over to the driver’s seat, started the car, reversed it, and drove off. I burst into laughter as the guard rushed after me. Too bad the gate opened, and I left the so-called Red Mansion.
I played loud music on the car radio, sang along, and laughed hard, with excitement rushing through me.
A few minutes later, I parked the car at a nearby club. I tossed the car keys to the door staff, who quickly caught them.
As soon as I stepped inside the club, I was welcomed by loud music pulsing inside and the reeking smell of alcohol mixed with different perfumes.
With confident strides, I walked over to the counter, a smile spreading across my lips. “Hey there,” I winked at the bartender, chuckling. “Give me the most expensive whiskey. Arthur Madison is going to pay for it.” I laughed at my words. He forced me into this messed-up marriage, right? I'd make him suffer.
“Sure, Miss Madison,” the bartender said. I laughed harder at his words. Did he just call me Miss Madison? If he had known that I was nothing but a whore to Arthur Madison, he wouldn't have. He would have pitied me instead. A few seconds later, he came with a bottle of whiskey. I grasped it from his hand, placing my handbag on the counter table.
“Take care of my bag until I'm back,” I threw him a sharp glare that didn't last for seconds before I burst into laughter, covering my mouth with my hand. Everything had turned into a joke, just like how my pathetic life had become.
I gulped the glass of whiskey, losing myself in the music playing in the background. The song was my favorite, “Shameless” by Camila Cabello. I swayed my hips to the beat, gulping my whiskey non-stop. It was just me and my bottle, and my problems seemed to have disappeared completely until the sound of a gunshot echoed inside the club, suppressing the loud music. People started screaming and running out of the club, turning the whole place into chaos.
Until there was only silence, my vision was blurry. But as soon as Arthur's cold gaze locked with mine, I walked over to him, my steps unsteady, the bottle in my hand.
“Bravo, dear husband,” I slurred. The bottle I held in my hand fell to the ground, shattering into pieces with a loud thud. “What an entrance. You scared everyone away just like that.” I burst into laughter, stumbling a step back, my steps unsteady. “Can I tell you a secret?” I leaned closer to his ear. “I'm not scared of you, jerk!” I whispered above a whisper before bursting into laughter, clapping my hands together.
All my senses dulled, and the effects of alcohol started to take effect. I couldn't control what came out of my mouth, nor did I give a damn.
“Right now, I wish I could just blow your skull and bury you in my backyard. Unfortunately, I don't even have a house. You've taken control over my life. Do I need to ask permission from you for everything, even farting too?” I burst into laughter at my words. Arthur stood there, throwing a murderous look at me. I stopped laughing, placing a finger over my lips, my eyes wide open. But the look on his face was so serious that I ended up laughing again, stumbling and falling to the ground.
One thing was for sure, he'd murder me for sure today, and I didn't even care anymore.