Twenty

Twenty
Lucy POV

It had been a few days since the last meeting with Tim and Alexander. Things at the pack house had been a bit quiet too. It seemed like Roland was already making plans and preparations for the ceremony and there were lots of meetings going on lately.

I had been out all morning tending to some business I had with college and some friends and also meetings with some people from the Rouge pack. I was quite in a mood that morning so I was not even smiling, my college was giving me issues with my certificate and I heard somethings that morning that was not pleasant.

“Hi, Please can I get a cup of coffee” I said to the waiter and waited for my order. It was a very chilly morning, the sun was not yet out and cold breeze hit my exposed skin. I shiver at the feeling, I left the house angrily so I forgot to take a coat. I instantly regret it. I collected the cup and walked out of the shop, I did not even stay for breakfast and my stomach was complaining already but I ignored it.

There was still more work to do before I return home and I was actually planning on stay out late today. I finished what I have to do in college later that afternoon and I immediately left for Tyuii pack to see Alex. I needed to tell him about the talk I overheard this morning. I was not planning to eavesdrop on their conversation but I just happened to pass by Lila’s room that morning and as always her door was slightly opened.

The gammas at Tyuii pack already recognized me so I had easy access to Alex office.

“Good afternoon Alex” I said as I entered his office. He was focused on some documents but he raised his head up when he heard my voice.

“Oh, Lucy. How are you doing?” he asked, not like he cared anyways.

“I’m fine. Are you busy?” I asked, looking down at the files.

“No. I was just rounding up, give me a minute. Have your seat” he pointed to the cushion across the room.

I sat alone for some minutes before he joined me.

“So Lucy, what do you have for me today” he said and sat few meters away.

“I happened to hear Lila’s and Roland conversation this morning. He has gone to see her family already and they are planning a wedding soon. They went on a trip to his mother’s hometown so I guessed he also went to introduce her to them. Plans are being made, so we might need to act soon and besides, he got a wedding dress already so the wedding might be anytime” I said, trying to hold back tears from falling from my eyes. I did not mean to tell him so much, it felt like he did not need so much information.

“You always to seem to know when they talk right?” he teased and I was surprised that he could laugh about something like that.

“We stay in the same house, it is kind of inevitable” I replied.

“Okay. Thank you for the information. Tim would let you know when you would be needed” he said and went back to his chair.

“Alex?” I called.

“You are going to get Carmilla and I would get my Roland back right?” I asked him.

“Yes Lucy. You would” he said and smiled faintly. It didn’t sound genuine but I decide to believe him anyways. Immediately I stepped out of the building, I burst into tears, I tried to hold back and go home but I couldn’t so instead of going home I stopped at a club not too far from home.

I entered the club and I was hit with loud music, different smell of wine and whiskey, sweaty smell from dancing people, drunk men flirting with ladies and underage teenagers making out on stairs. I was too sad and angry to notice the weird atmosphere in the club, I approached the bar stand and ordered their hardest drink. The bar attendants smiled and left to get the drink, and I took time to look around the club. He brought back the drink and I could feel the hottest on my throat. I kept ordering for more till I got tipsy, a man approached me and I could smell cigarette from his breath.

“Hey beautiful” he said.

“Hi!!!!” I replied and touched his face.

He must have noticed I was drunk.

“Do you want to go upstairs with me?” he asked.

“Definitely Roland” I replied.

He smiled and held my hand, pulling me upstairs with him. We entered the restroom and he immediately started touching my body, he kissed me from my mouth down to my neck and returned to my mouth. I moaned under his touch, he unbuckled his belt and pulled down his trouser. I stood there and looked at him undress, I then realized that I was about to be touched by a man thinking he was Roland. I wanted to run towards the door but he grabbed me before I could move.

“Where are you going beautiful?” he asked as he pulled me back.

“ You can’t leave me like this” he looked at his hard groin and I looked away.

“Please please, I thought you were someone else” I said and tried to lose from his grip.

“Roland? I can be Roland for you” he said and showed his set of yellow teeth.

He noticed I was not going to give in so he kept struggling with me to pin me to the wall, I fought very hard to escape from his grip but I could not. Tears were rolling from my ears as I screamed for help but I doubt if anyone could hear me over the loud music. In the process of making me stay still, he repeatedly slapped my cheek and I yelled louder, I got bruises from his sharp nails. He was able to successfully hold my hands and he was about pulling off his boxers when I gathered all my strength and hit him hard in his groin.

He fell to the floor and groaned and pain, I ran out of the restroom before he could get up. I kept running into the street, crying and gasping for air. I stopped when I ran for a long distance and remembered I left my purse and phone in the bat table. More tears kept falling as I walked home.

My knee hurt badly from hitting him and I leaped and walked into the compound. It was quite late so most of the lights were off. I opened the door quietly and walked in.

“Lucy?” I heard Roland’s voice and I halted. He turned on the light and walked to my side.

‘Where are you coming from?” he asked, looking at me. He moved closer to smell me.

“You reek of alcohol and cigarette. When did you start smoking Lucy?” he asked.

“Lucy?” he held my arm and I shivered when his hand grazed the injuries.

“Did you get into a fight? Who hurt you Lucy?” He asked, checking my body for more injuries.

“ Stop acting like you care Roland. Cause you don’t!” I said.

“What do you mean I don’t . I care about you Lucy” he replied.

I released my hand from his grip and walked away, ignoring him as he called out my name. I walked into the shower, turning it on and let the water wash away all the hurt. I broke down and cried my eyes out, I sat there in the bath tub and eventually fell asleep from all the crying. I woke up later that night and continued crying, I went to bed and cried again till I slept back.

I woke up multiple times that night from nightmares. It was like every time I close my eyes to sleep, I see the man’s face. I could not get enough sleep before morning. Morning eventually came I could not sleep anymore, I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling and wondering why I did not fight back last night, wondering why I was so vulnerable and weak. I knew I could have easily tackled that man but the slight drunkenness and sadness made me very weak and unable to fight back.

I stayed in all day, crying my eyes out and regretting why I went out yesterday. I did not leave my room till later that afternoon to get water and food. I met Carmilla in the kitchen and I cursed myself for coming out at the wrong time.

“Hey Lucy” she said with her usual joyful voice that irritated me. I mumbled back. She looked at me as I went to the refrigerator to check for any quick food so I could get out of the kitchen before she asks questions.

“Are you okay? You seem pale” she said.

“I’m fine” I replied.

“Your eyes are really swollen and your hair is a mess. Did you get enough sleep? Have you been crying?” she asked, moving closer.

“Why is she and Roland pretending to care. You guys should just ignore me as always” I thought.

“Excuse me?” she said. I did not know I thought out loud. I left the kitchen, leaving her standing in shock.

I returned to my room and stayed in all day. Roland returned from work and knocked my door but I did not answer him and he left. I stayed in for days, only coming out for food and water when everyone is not around. Carmilla and Lila has been going out a lot and I knew it was for preparations towards the wedding. I got angry more. I decided to leave my room for the first time in days, I need to see Tim.

“Why are you worried Roland. You should only be concerned about the pack and your wedding now. Lucy is just putting that up for attention” Lila said to Roland.

“C’mon Lila, Lucy would never do that. I think something is actually wrong. She returned home the other day with bruises all over and she has refused to leave her room since” he sounded worried and I felt bad for shouting at him that night.

“Uhm uhm” I cleared my throat so they could notice my presence.

“Lucy. How are you doing” Roland asked immediately he saw me.

“I’m fine. I would be leaving for some few days” I said and walked away.

Tim was glad to see me until I told him about the incident.

“What!? Who was the man? What is the name of the club? Do you know his name?” he threw questions at me.

“I don’t know his name or the name of the club” I replied with a cracked voice.

Tim walked to my side and placed his hand on my back and consoled me.

“Don’t worry Lucy. I would make sure I get him. He can’t hurt you and walk as a free man” he said angrily.

I stayed in Rouge pack for the rest of the week and I felt better staying with people that love me. Roland called several times to ask how I was doing. Carmilla also called.

“Hello. Good evening” I picked up my phone.

“Lucy?” she asked.

“Yes?” I replied.

“Oh, it’s Carmilla. I got your number from Roland. How are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Just wanted to check up on you. I actually do miss your presence here” she said. I suddenly felt bad.

“I’m sorry about what you heard. I did not mean to say it out loud. I’m sorry” I apologized.

“It’s fine Lucy. Just come back home so we can have those crazy talks again, I really miss them” she said.

“ Sure Carmilla. Thank you for calling” I said before she hang up.

Tim kept to his promise. He found the man and he had him pay for his crime dearly. I returned home few days later.