Joana's POV
People who had lost someone talk of a silence after the funeral. Where they feel the chilling touch of loneliness after the guests returned home.
I felt the cold silence during the party and I felt like death after. I could hear nothing but my own ragged breathing.
Tyler and Sasha were helping the workers for the clean up while I locked myself up in my room. A room that felt nothing like mine because of how empty it was.
"Ma'am," someone knocked on my door.
"Who is…" I wanted to ask but there was no strength in me to speak. Everything felt like a drag, even speech.
I opened the door and it was the house manager. She looked moody, her gaze conveyed the sadness that was eating her up.
I grabbed her cold hand gently. "Hi Naomi,"
"Young mistress, how are you?" She asked with a smile but anyone with vision could see the tears welling up in her eyes.
"I am fine Naomi. I just needed some quiet to myself," I replied.
"I need to talk to you," She started softly, gently rubbing the back of her head nervously.
"I plan on leaving and heading back to my home pack. I feel I have no other duty here,"
I stood mute, hurt but I could understand her perspective. She and my father were seen as best friends and she had taken care of all of us since the unfortunate death of our parents. It was normal for her to look for a way out from the pain.
I nodded in agreement , smiling to hide how shattered my heart was by the news."I understand. With hardly anyone in the mansion, I can't blame you for leaving. My father left a will that you should be paid pension till you depart from the world,"
"Watching you all grow into these amazing beings was the biggest achievement I could ask for. And now, there is noone. I don't think I can do it," She sobbed uncontrollably and fell into my arms.
I couldn't even comfort her, my own soul needed comfort. My brain, my heart, my mind, it all felt numb to me.
"You have been a mother to us. I never apologized for hurting you when I left but I'm sorry," I held her as tight as I could. I could see the workers staring from corners with tears in their eyes.
My father was a strict man but he was loved by his workers. I never knew how he did it, it was like a gift.
"We will keep in touch Naomi," I said as I let go of her.
She walked away in silence, her crying doing all the talking.
"Why now?" I thought out loud when I shut the door.
********
It was quickly night fall and I crawled up on my bed to shut my tired eyes. But I couldn't, all I did was roll back and forth.
My head was filled with memories and terrifying imaginations. I couldn't even close my eyes with sweat escaping my body profusely.
I couldn't help but remember what he said about me coming back to his mansion that night.
"Joker," I scoffed and decided to clear my head by taking my bath.
While in the shower, I heard a feint rustle sound in the bedroom. My body froze in fear for a second with my heart pounding against my chest.
I quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped myself in it. I walked slowly out of the bathroom and with a shower rod in my hand, I walked to check the source of the sound.
I looked around but there was nothing except a tree branch hitting against my window.
I laughed at myself because of how paranoid I was. I shut the window and was about heading to my closet when I felt a chill in my spine.
The aura in the room became intoxicating that I couldn't move. I could feel a presence behind me and combined with the panic I had, my vision became darkened.
"Why are you shivering, wife?" His deep voice asked behind me, with his hands slowly coiling round my waist.
I quivered in fright, feeling his muscle tighten around my waist like a serpent. "What do you want?"
His hot breath slapped against my nape fiercely. I couldn't turn, couldn't react, I was stuck.
"It's past curfew, needed to know what was holding you back." He turned me around to face his dark gaze that melted me instantly.
The will that I had crumbled in seconds, my courage was nowhere to be found.
The intimidation was demeaning, an insult to a lady of my standard. I got a grip of myself and retorted. "Curfew? I told you before Dire, I am not going to be your lapdog."
He chuckled softly and held on to my hand, pulling me towards my bed.
"Submitting is not a cage," He groaned with his deep icy voice.
"You want me to do what you want. I don't know what you that is, but that is a prison," I shot back as I tried prying his strong grip off me.
"Is your life not a prison right now? You feel empty inside don't you?" His eyes while he spoke, it was like he could see inside of me.
"Why let the burden of decisions weigh you down morethan it already has,"
"I am not going go be your puppet," I declared softly.
"You are not going to be anyone's puppet wife." He brought me closer to me with a smile.
"You are going to be mine,"
Before I could say another word, hide lowered me to the bed. I was terrified because I was in my towel and just a little slip would expose me.
"What are you doing?" I asked but I got no response. His hands gently went to my thighs, massaging their way up on my body. I exhaled heavily, my legs quaking with excitement as he drew closer to my mid-region.
I thought he was about to do something until he stopped. With a smile on his face, he kissed me on my cheek and walked to my door.
Just when he was about to step out, he turned around
"Good night. See you in the morning," He said before shutting the door.
I was left totally confused and speechless. I had nothing to say than stare at the door with my mouth hung open.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp sting at the back of my head. I turned around in shock but there was noone there. My eyes became blurry and I felt a sudden weight on my shoulder. I fell back on my bed, dozed off instantly.
I woke up the next morning to the sound of an alarm next to me. I was shocked because I was sure there wasnt an alarm in the room. I jumped awake in my night dress, knowing that I passed out in a towel.
That was when realization hit me, I wasn't in my father's mansion anymore, I was back at my room in the Armstrong's mansion.
I stood up in fear, opened the door but that was when Dire stepped in with a smile and a tray in his hand.
"Good morning wife, do you want a cup of coffee?" He offered, smiling maniacally.