Covenant family

Juliana Starkwood

~~

She sat in her office, hands on her head. Ever since Davis Montgomery had held that art gala in honor of the Evelina girl, her father had been restless.

He had ordered her to get closer to Evelina. Now, Juliana feared for the girl’s well-being. She had no idea what he could do to her if he suspected that she could stand in the way of his plans.

Ben Starkwood – her dad, he was the most dangerous man she had ever known.

People who acted like they were good people on the outside but did bad things inside were worse, Juliana thought with a grimace. And her father, Ben Starkwood, was the epitome of that hypocrisy. The art gala for that Evelina girl had put the young girl in trouble.

She needed to save her.

Juliana would never be able to live with herself if she allowed her father to hurt another innocent girl. She had watched him hurt her, her brother, and their mother for a very long time.

She could remember how he got her to date Donovan Thornfield. That dreadful night, he had ushered them all into the ‘punishment room’.

“Everyone undress.” He ordered.

Juliana clutched onto Theodore, fear already gripping her chest. She would feel her brother’s greater fear emanating from the touch.

They knew what was about to rain down on them.

Their mother had already begun to strip off her nightwear while Theodore had begun to cry. Juliana gripped her younger brother tight.

“D — Dad.” She tried to counter him but was cut off by him.

He flipped out his usual whip and hushed her. “Shut up or I'm going to…” He was about to whip it on her when her mother shrieked.

“BEN!” She rushed over to hold him back but even she could not dare to touch him. “Ben, please. The kids will listen.” Tears streamed down her face.

Her father relaxed a little. “They better do.”

Jane Starkwood nodded pleadingly at her kids to comply. Juliana just couldn't bear to see her mother that way. Hence, she released Theodore and whispered to him.

“Obey.”

Hastily, her little brother had already begun to undress. Juliana did too. It was embarrassing to stand naked in front of her younger brother and father but it had already become a culture in their house.

As soon as they had all done Ben’s wishes, he motioned to Theodore. “Now, come here.”

Timidly, her brother took unsure steps toward their father with tears in his eyes. “Your sister is being stubborn about dating Donovan Thornfield, my boy.” He held the boy at arm’s length, his whip dangling in his other hand. “You see, we need her to date Donovan because we have to acquire a debt from him. Living in such a big mansion with so many maids to take care of you is good, isn't it?” He leaned to meet the boy’s height and whispered into his ears.

Theodore shook with apprehension. His tear-filled eyes met with Juliana’s. Juliana gulped down a bitter lump down her throat. Her brother didn't know what to say.

Juliana nodded at him, tears welling up her own eyes. She knew what her father would do should she digress. He’d done it before. Theodore – her father would hurt him.

Her brother already had enough scars on his body. “I will.” She cried out, helpless. “Just don't hurt Theodore, Dad.”

“You will?” Ben looked up at her with a psychotic glee in his eyes.

Juliana couldn't help but decide that her father was running crazy in the head. “Yes.”

“Oh, Juliana…” Her mother cried, wallowing in her own pool of self-pity.

It would hurt to see the man she married hurt her children so. She blamed herself. She should never have married such a man.

“Come, my lovely daughter. Come.” Her father gestured for her to come closer.

As much as Juliana wanted to bail and run out of the door never to return, the love she had for her brother and mother would not allow her.

Many times she had decided to expose her father but her mother’s dedication to the family was boundless. She would beg Juliana to obey and save the family’s reputation.

Bound by her loyalty to her family, Juliana could do nothing but obey.

She forced steps towards her father and Theodore. Theodore’s eyes were darting nervously with fears of getting hit. Juliana’s heart broke just by watching him.

When she reached her father, she placed a reassuring hand on Theodore’s shoulder. Ben let go of Theodore and cupped Madeline’s cheeks. “Oh, my beautiful daughter. Look how fast you've grown.” He stared down at her body. “Look at those developed organs. Now, you are going to fetch us so much money with it like you've been doing.” His hand began to move down her shoulder. “You belong to me, all of you. I'll do whatever I want with you all.”

“Ben, let go of her.” Jane cried but that only diverted Ben’s attention to her.

With madness glinting in his eyes, “Oh, my wife! My wife, come, come!”

Jane who had been eager to go to her children and shield them from potential harm from her husband hurried over. Ben pulled her close and pulled both Juliana and Theodore close too.

“This is our family. This is a covenant every time we do it. Naked and in one another’s presence. Let's use what we have to get what we want, okay?”

He received no responses from them but continued to mumble on like the madman that he was.

.

Thinking of it now was brewing anger within Juliana. It was funny how she hated herself more than her father. She had allowed him to do this to them.

Every time she tried to make a move, her mother’s words haunted her and hence, she did nothing.

Now, another layer awaited her. "Get close to the Evelina," Ben had commanded, his eyes glinting with something cold and calculating. “Make friends with her, figure out what Davis wants with her. We can't afford to let him good around with another woman. He seemed enchanted by you but now, he's confusing me. Restore that balance."

.

Juliana sighed as she she sank deeper into her chair. All of this pain – when would it be over? When would she finally be happy? When would her brother finally get to live like the young boy that he was?

She had called Davis because her father wanted her to. However, in all frankness, she enjoyed seeing him. He was a stark contrast to all the men she’d grown to know.

Her father, Donovan.… Davis Montgomery was different from the two men. He was a good man and every time she looked him in the eyes, she could see that he cared.

She was still deep in thought when Davis Montgomery’s call came in. Juliana's phone vibrated, startling her from her reverie. The name on the screen sent a tremor through her. Davis. Taking a deep breath, she answered, wondering why he had called back.

“Juliana, it's Davis," his voice, warm and steady, cut through her emotional haze. "My schedule just cleared up unexpectedly, and I was wondering if — well, if you'd still be up for that lunch."

Juliana hesitated. Seeing Davis was a welcome distraction. But was she ready to face him? She really didn't want to deal with him on the account of her father but there was nothing she could do.

She felt bad that she’d hurt a good man like Davis. Yet, she had to. Somewhere deep down, she also longed to see him. She was just using her father as an excuse.

"Yes," she said, surprising even herself. "I'd like that."

Relief washed over Davis' voice. "Excellent! How about..." he suggested a quaint Italian bistro she adored, a place that was mad expensive. "One o'clock as said?”

Juliana smiled. "Perfect."

“Alright, see you in a few.” He hung up and Juliana muttered a silent prayer.

“Sorry, Davis.” She muttered to herself.

She never wanted to take advantage of him. All her life, she’d been taken advantage of.

The following hour was like forever in Juliana’s eyes. She kept glancing at her watch until it was time for lunch.

She did a light touch of makeup to bury the dark circles under her eye bags and grabbed her bag and headed out.

As she entered the bistro, a familiar figure caught her eye. Davis sat by a window seat, dressed in a blue suit that held an expensive sheen.

Such a gentleman; Juliana thought. Arriving at the date before the lady, unlike Donovan who would make her wait forever.

He stood, pulling out a chair for her with a courtly gesture. "Juliana," he said, his voice filled with genuine pleasure. "You look radiant as always.”

Give Davis Montgomery the award for the best flirt; Juliana thought.

Juliana felt a blush creep up her neck. "Thank you, Davis. You don't look half bad yourself," she countered.

He sat and laughed. “Ah — I can be bad in other ways, you know.”

Hm. Make the award double – he was a flirt too.