55

The reflection of the sun shimmers through the window, making me open my eyes out of discomfort. I noticed I am not in my usual room, and it took me a while to process my surroundings. I am in Armani's room.

My head is banging so bad, and I feel sick. It must have been the result of yesterday.

I tried standing up, but I immediately sit down back because it feels like a heavy weight is being carried on my head.

While I am trying to maintain my stead, Armani walked out of the shower. He takes a look at me and once he sees that I am fully awake, he walked into his closet to get dressed. He didn't say a word. Maybe that is my cue to leave. I ignore the pain in my head and try to step out of his room as quietly as I can get. Too bad, he was watching me from the mirror all along.

“Where do you think you are going?” He voiced out, making me stop right on track. I am doomed. “Good Morning” I greeted, with a fake smile, trying to put on an act.

“If I were you, I'd keep my greetings to myself because the morning you called good is just about to turn bad for you, he warned.” I kept quiet at the sound of his voice. It gives me shivers.

“Where were you last night, Lila?” I was dead drunk yesterday and I don't remember much of what happened, but I think I heard Ava lied about hanging out, so I will use the same thing as an excuse.

“Hattie and Ava said we should hang out after class, and we initially intended to take just a bottle of champagne, but we ended up in those silly games and I had a low tolerance for alcohol so that made me drunk.”

“Great, you were dead drunk in that ridiculous dress I told you not to wear. Now, tell me. Where did you guys go?”

“Hmm, it was Hattie's house.”

“I didn't take you to be the lying type, Lila.” Heck, this calmness is killing me. It's like I am on the edge of a cliff, unbalanced. I can fall into his trap at any time and that is like a suicide mission.

“I am not lying. You asked me to keep close contact with Hattie and that is why I go with them, since it was meant to bond and get to know each other better.”

“So, what did you learn?”

“Unfortunately, I can't recall anything that happened because of the Alcohol.”

“Why did you have makeup on? Did you do that while bonding too?”

“That, I did it before leaving home yesterday.”

“Good! What did I tell you yesterday?”

“Hmm, hm m…” I stammered.

“No need to stutter, you were talking just fine now. Where did that confidence go?”

“I am sorry”

“That is not what I heard. You said you will take consequences for your action. Didn't you?”

“No, I mean yes, as in…”

“Answer me with a yes or no! He shouted. Do not make me lose my calm. So, I told you not to leave this house, and you went ahead to disregard my orders. I said I do not want you in that dress, but you went out in that exact dress and even did makeup, only for you to get home drunk. You started going out within how many days, and you are already rebelling? Oh, I must have been too soft on you. Now, listen. This will be the last time you will ever go against my order. If you want to be a whore, all you have to do was say it. Dressed in that cheap dress, reeking of alcohol. Am I a joke to you? Anyone can easily see beyond your lies, Lila. You went to a club. I was once a college student, I know all of this. If it wasn't a club, then it was a party. A fucking married woman getting drunk amidst horny teenagers. Isn't that amazing? And you have the nerve to be telling me it was all for bonding. Did I ask you to be bonding with guys over alcohol? Did I? I am so going to make you regret this. Trust me, by the time I am done, you will never have the strength to go against my orders ever again.”

I don't know where the confidence came from, or maybe it has something to do with my head banging and him shouting at me, but I find myself talking to him. “I am an adult for crying out loud! I can do what I want! You brought me in here as your wife, not your slave! Even though you didn't rightfully marry me, the moment you considered me your wife and start introducing me to others as your partner is the exact moment, you should learn to start respecting me. This is wrong! All of this. I shouted. Just yesterday, you were blaming me for not having a ring on my fingers. Should I go to the store and buy myself an expensive ring, only for you to take the grace?

If you want to seem like a caring husband, then fucking act like one! For how long do you think I will take your shit? Just how long?

There is a limit to everything Armani, and in all honesty, you are overstepping those boundaries.”

I tried attempting to leave his room, but he pulled me back forcefully by my hair and landed a slap on my face.

“Would you have me tell everyone that you are just my whore?

I do not know where that confidence is coming from but cut that wings before it's ready to fly. If not, it will only get you into trouble. You are nothing but a piece of property to me. Do you understand? You will only do what I ask you, and you dare not go against my order. If you think highly of yourself, then I dare you to walk away."?

“Watch me,” I said as I push him off me angrily and walk out of his room. I do not care what happens, I am leaving this house now. I was still on the stairs when he begins to shout my name, threatening me to come right back.

He must be kidding me. Just because I decided to be submissive towards him doesn't mean I am Weak. I am not. I may not have the confidence to go against him, knowing he has a joint force with my father and Michael, but one thing he doesn't know is my anger knows no limit and alcohol just helps to fuel my anger. Which means I would not be submissive like he had always wanted today.

I continue walking without looking back. It's days like this that make me hate how ridiculously long the stairs are.

He probably figured I won't be going back to him because he literally chased behind me to get a hold of me.

“Leave me alone!” I shouted, not minding if all the maids can hear me.

“I won't take any more of your disrespect. Now go back to your room.”

“Too bad, I have no intentions of doing that.”

“Lila, for the last time, go back to your room.”

“Do your worst. I am not taking a step back in there.”

He grabs me with force, not minding if he hurts me in the process. I tried to get out of his grasp, but he was too strong. I kept shouting in his face to make him lose focus. When he did, I bite his hands so hard, making him loosen his grip on me. He tried taking me back and while trying to escape from his grip, I lose control and slipped. I do not know for how long I rolled on the stairs, but by the time I got to the floor, everything become a blur.