by Emily Sharp
Adara had told Louise she could share anything, and though she would not completely, the voicing of her fears to Adara the first night as they headed to the gate were true. She was terrified leaving the castle, the world seeming to crash in on her anytime she did. Though why she chose to go along to the gate or open herself up to Adara had Louise confused. Making an inward promise to make sure Adara's naive views were not affecting her own, Louise took a deep breath.
The sound of laughter broke her from her thoughts and ignited her anger. Hurrying over to the door that led to the hallway, she pulled her hair around her face and peered around the door frame. Sofia stood facing Adara, and both were laughing and engaging in small talk. Adara's face was lit up, her cheeks, even from this distance, a slight red.
From arousal? Perhaps.
Louise let her eyes linger on Adara's face for a few moments, soaking in her beauty, a warm sensation running through her body. As her eyes traced down her body, her breath caught in her throat. Adara was wearing a white turtle neck that clung to her, emphasizing the large swell of her breasts. Finding it hard to swallow, her breathing was off, and a tingling came between Louise's legs, something she had not felt in years. Pushing her thighs together to try to quell the sensation, she imagined removing the clothes from Adara's body. Kissing her smooth skin, tasting every part of her body, bringing Adara to heights she never knew.
And then as she began to be carried away in that fantasy, the words that came to her ears replaced the feelings with even more anger.
“That is too funny! Oh, Sofia, I love you,” Adara said with a laugh. Louise watched in horror as Adara hugged Sofia, her breasts no doubt pushing hard into Sofia's. Louise clenched her fists, and stepped into the hallway, her steps long and loud.
Their hug broke, and Sofia quickly looked down.
“Face the wall!” Louise said, her voice echoing in the long corridor so loud, she expected the paintings to fall off the wall.
“Hey? What is wrong?” Adara said as Louise came to a stop in front of her.
“Meet me in the library.”
“I don't think…” Adara started to say.
“You are my employee, now go,” Louise said, pointing toward the library.
Adara shook her head, and then stormed off, her footsteps loud. Once she saw Adara enter the library, she turned around, her anger now growing to levels she had never experienced this quickly before. Rage filled her, and she imagined herself throwing the tramp in front of her out into the cold to let her suffer as Louise was suffering now.
Taking a step forward she whispered in Sofia's ear. “You mock me openly, teasing the one I desire.”
Sofia gasped. “No, Madam. I was not!”
Louise shook her head. She was no fool and her eyes did not betray her. “She told you she loves you, words I have never heard said to me. It makes me wonder what you are doing behind my back?”
“Madam, if I could explain, please,” Sofia said, her head turning to the side.
“Face the wall. Do not defy me anymore tonight,” Louise yelled, a small wave of pleasure watching her words obeyed. “Why must you talk to her?”
“Because she is kind, and I enjoy her company, she is my friend.”
Louise laughed. “You are not paid to be her friend. She is not your friend. Do you understand me?”
The mop of blond hair moved off her shoulder as she nodded. “Yes, Madam.”
“Do you miss your mother and brother, Sofia?”
Silence for a moment, then a small sob came out. “Yes, Madam.”
Louise smiled, her hand going to Sofia's shoulder. Playing with the blond locks in her hand, she let out a small laugh. “I know you do. And you want them here in America, don't you?”
“Yes.”
“I can have your mother working a job in Los Angeles, making good money. A life she wants and needs. Your brother can attend a university, which I will pay for of course.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I will arrange it tomorrow for you. For you, Sofia, I will do this,” Louise said, her hand running through the soft blond hair.
“Thank you, Madam,” Sofia said, her voice shaky and skeptical.
“Do you not believe me?”
“I do. Thank you,” Sofia blurted out.
“Good. Never doubt my kindness. But it will cost you two things. Two small things and you can have this for your family. As a matter of fact, we can call them together and tell them the good news.”
“Thank you, Madam! Anything you wish!” Sofia said, her voice now happy.
Louise smiled, running her tongue along her lips. “The first is, no more being friends with Adara. Her beauty and friendship is for my eyes only.”
“But what is she requests it of me?”
“Then make an excuse. If she is persistent, then do not engage in conversation. If she stops you in the hallways, tell her you’re very busy. Make something up, I’m sure you have enough intelligence to do that.”
“Yes, Madam, I do.”
“Good,” Louise said, patting her on top of the head.
“And the other thing?”
“You will reside here with me forever. No more trips back home to visit. No leaving to pursue a man nor will you take a lover here. Remain loyal to me, and your family will be taken care of. Of course you could leave at any time, but I worry for your family's wellbeing. It is such a dangerous world out there.”
Louise heard nothing except for the heavy breathing coming from Sofia. For a moment, she thought Sofia would refuse, perhaps even try to be defiant, but then she spoke up, her voice choked with tears.
“Yes, Madam, I agree.”
“Thank me for being so kind to you.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Louise stepped away. “Now, you may go use the phone in the dining room. Call them, let them know their lives are now better thanks to me.”
“I will, thank you,” Sofia said, gratitude in her voice.
And she should be grateful, Louise thought. The French woman belonged on the streets.
Louise turned and with hurried steps, headed back into the library, moving her hair back across her shoulders. Adara was waiting by the fireplace, which was lit, her arms crossed under her breasts. The anger leaving Louise was now replaced with lust, her eyes soaking in Beauty.
“What did you do to her? I heard her sobbing,” Adara said, her voice shaky.
“They were tears of gratitude. She has been rewarded for her service here. Her mother and brother are going to be flown to Los Angeles to start a new life. And of course I am going to pay for it all.”
She watched as Adara dropped her arms. “Really?”
Louise sighed. “She is in the dining room calling them as we speak.” Seeing the look on Adara's face, Louise walked over and grabbed the remote off the table. Pushing a button, the purple curtains on the wall parted, and using the remote, she typed in 11, the screen showing Sofia on the phone.
“Now, listen,” Louise said, turning up the volume.
She watched as Adara walked over to stand next to her, the voice of Sofia clear as though standing in the same room as them.
“Yes, as soon as you are ready. Madam is paying for it all out of her kindness.”
Turning the volume down, she closed the curtains and returned the remote to the table. “Well?” she said, turning to face Adara.
“I am sorry for judging you and assuming the worst,” Adara said, her brown eyes kind.
“Think nothing of it, my friend.”
“No. I mean it. I really am sorry. Please, forgive me,” Adara said.
Louise’s breath caught in her throat as the beauty rested her hand on Louise's shoulder. “It’s OK. Let us move pass this.”
Then she nearly melted as Adara hugged her, the firm breasts pushing into her own. How she wanted to run her hands through Adara’s chestnut hair and place a kiss on her lips. But as the fantasy seemed to become a reality, the hug was broken.
“So, what is the plan for tonight?” Adara asked, her beautiful smile now back on her face. And there it was, a slight red to her cheeks. Perhaps she enjoyed the hug as much as Louise did.
“Follow me.”
Walking down the hallway, they arrived at the foyer. They made their way to the elevator, and Louise pushed the button, the doors opening for them.
“Not feeling the climb up today?” Adara asked, a warmth to her voice.
“You will see,” Louise said. Pushing both the one and two numbered buttons at the same time, the elevator began its ascent.
“Where are we?” Adara asked as they stepped out of the elevator and into a large room.
“The third level. Well, part of a third level, anyway,” Louise said. The room they were in was square and about fifteen feet wide and the same long. A single door was to their right, and walking to it, Louise opened it up.
“You go first.”
“Thank you,” Adara said.
Louise closed the door behind them, leaving them on a small landing, a winding staircase leading up. Watching the firm butt in front of her move with each step, Louise found her body to be so hot that she considered removing her sweater to cool off.
At the top of the stairs was another landing area, the same size as the one below, and around all four sides, one could look out for miles during the day and observe the stars and property at night. The 360-degree view was priceless.
“This is amazing. The view of the sky! Look at the stars, we are even closer to them!” Adara said, her words like music going right to the soul.
“I have not been up here in years. We talk of secrets like friends do, correct?”
Adara turned. “Yes, of course.”
“Well, this is one of my secrets that I wanted to share with you. This castle if full of them, and as a princess, you should know them as well.”
Adara laughed, though the sound was not mocking. “Thank you, princess,” she said and curtsied. Seeing it, Louise let out a laugh, then closed her mouth when she saw the confused look on Adara's face.
“What? Am I not allowed to laugh in my own castle?” Her heart started racing. Perhaps Adara was disgusted with her face in a laugh, the image itself laughable.
“No. I just wished you did it more often,” Adara said, then turned back to the railing, her hands resting on top of it.
Louise stepped over to stand beside her, her thoughts going over what Adara just said. If Adara wanted her to laugh more, then she would.
“This is amazing. Do all the spires have a lookout point?”
Louise nodded. “They do. My father…” she said, letting her voice trail off.
“You can tell me. Or if it’s too painful, I will understand.”
Her words encouraged Louise, and she felt herself dropping her guard completely for the first time in a very long time. It was as though Adara had some sort of magic around her that transmitted through her presence, her laugh, and her words. And try as she might, Louise found herself under her spell, not able to refuse her request.
“My father, like I told you before, built this for my twenty-first birthday. We sat down many times with the architects, when I was twelve to look over the designs. It is based off of one in France that we had visited many times when we would reside there from time to time.”
Adara turned toward her. “I did not know you lived in France.”
Louise nodded. “Sometimes a few months at a time. It is a beautiful country and the museums, the countryside, they are majestic. But that castle, I knew a princess would live there. My father had the original plans sent to him, and eight years later, this place was completed.”
“It is a beautiful castle. Do you have more secret places like this made?”
“I did, and I will show all of them to you.”
Adara turned toward her, her brown eyes kind in the dark, reflecting the light of the stars. “I would like that. Thank you for trusting me with what you shared.”
Louise nodded and turned back toward the opening. Though she could not see the mountains this night, she thought about coming up here during the day.
“Louise, before winter comes and the snow is too much, I thought of something else we could do.”
“What is that?”
“The large building beyond the gardens, near the main gate by the road, do they store your vehicles?”
“They do. There are snow plows, ATVs, my limousine, countless other cars. It is also where the grounds-men and security stay.”
Adara turned toward her, her hand going back to Louise's shoulder. “Let’s make a trip out there soon. Together.”
Fear went through Louise, chilling her blood. It was hard enough going to the first gate, but the one beyond was so far. Turning to Adara to tell her no, she felt a warmth in her heart, knowing the woman in front of her would keep her safe, and more importantly, be there with her.
“All right then, let’s do it.”
***
Louise stood in front of her vanity mirror, the heat from the fireplace roaring at her side, its warmth reaching her nude body, the same flames that brought her into a world of torment. Many times she would catch herself staring at them, her mind wandering, reliving the pain of the past. But tonight, they brought comfort.
Turning to her left, she looked into the mirror, the reflection one that was pretty. Her breasts stood out proudly, her rear having a curve that was just enough. Then she turned to face forward, and she let out a small cry. The fire had not only destroyed her face, but the skin on her upper arm and shoulder, and some along the rib cage. Staring at her own reflection, she cried, knowing no matter what she did, Beauty would never love her because she was so ugly.
That was what she realized she truly wanted—to be loved. Louise desired it more than anything else in the world and would sign away everything she owned for it. Though in one sense she had. Adara had full control over the castle and all the money that came with it. Yet she would not buy much, even when Louise insisted, it was done with hesitancy.
She wanted to hear the words “I love you” come from her lips like she said to Sofia earlier in the evening.
“But who could love a beast such as yourself?” she whispered to her reflection.
And the answer came into her heart, cruel and merciless. “No one.”
Letting out a yell, she grabbed the foundation, and began applying it to the right side of her face, caking it on until her skin appeared smooth. Then she grabbed the lipstick, covering the thin strip that was left of part her lip. As she tried to apply the mascara to the few lashes that remained, her eyes clouded over with tears, stopping any application from staying on.
“You are a beast!” she yelled at her reflection. Even with the makeup, it only enhanced the horror that she was. Screaming, she threw her arm across the table, all the containers of promises of being pretty flying to the floor. Walking over to the fireplace, she grabbed the fire poker, feeling the heavy weight of iron in her hand.
“I hate you!” she yelled, charging toward her own reflection. Lifting the poker to her side and, like a baseball player, she swung hard, the glass in front of her breaking, although several of the shards did not fall from the frame. Large pieces remained, showing her reflection. Breathing heavily, Louise looked into the remaining glass and cried out. The distorted image showed no scars, the lip curled in anger now a smile. What was looking back at her was a woman who would be considered beautiful. Louise yelled out, angry that even in the wake of destruction, she was tormented.
Crying out, she swung again, the last shards dropping onto the floor. All that remained now was the black backdrop, no truer image shown to her in the last seven years.
“That is what I am! That is my true reflection,” she screamed, walking over and stabbing at the painting on the wall, its canvas tearing.
“Louise!” came the cry from her door, stopping her rage for a moment. Louise walked over, her hand going to the handle, the metal cold.
“What!�
�
“Let me talk with you. You need someone.”
How she did need someone, and it was the woman on the other side of the door, the one thing she could not have, and it crushed her, the weight heavy.
“Leave me alone! I do not want your pity!”
“I just want to make sure you are fine. I am worried about you.”
“Go away!” Louise screamed, taking the fire poker and hitting a vase from the Yin Dynasty, its history now in pieces across the floor.
“Don't destroy everything around you,” Adara said.
Louise shook her head, ignoring the woman. Her anger to great, and the rage in her body controlled her as it had so many times over the years. Walking over to an oval stand-up mirror, she looked at her reflection once again. Her face was a mess from the makeup she had applied, lines in it from her tears, and her long golden hair was a mess. Her stomach hurt and she doubled over in pain. “I hate you!” she yelled, doing the same with this mirror as with the other one, this time striking it so hard that all the glass fell away with one swing.
As she continued to destroy everything around her, a sound came to her ears that caused her to stop. It was Adara, and she was singing a song she had never heard. The clanging sound of the fire poker falling against the floor echoed in the room as Louise ambled over to the door. Her palm rested on it as though reaching out to touch Adara. As the song continued, Louise began to sob, the lyrics moving to her heart.
“…the darkness will soon be far, a day of sun and hope closer than before.”
Louise cried out, her hand trailing down the wooden door, and she fell to her knees, her heart aching as the tears fell. For how long Adara continued to sing, Louise did not recall, but the words of the song soothed her, her rage leaving, and exhaustion came upon her. Her eyes became heavy, and the light melody that came to her ears gave her peace once again.