by Mahita Varma
I wanted to run, but my legs were jammed. I couldn't move nor speak. I stood still. He waited for me to speak, but when I didn’t, he slowly turned to face me.
I woke up sweating; my whole body was soaked in it. It looked as if I just walked after having a long shower. That man, that note, the woods, the breeze, the howling everything seemed so real. But I realized that it was a dream, a realistic one. It seemed so real.
Who could he be? Was he real? Did he have a connection with me? Why did I get a dream? I never got a single dream from the day I was born. The first dream I got is this. Why? Is it related to my life or just a dream?
Chapter 14- Mystery man
"Sassy, how much time, will it take for you to c…" Shouting, Rob came bashing the door. But stopped, seeing me,
"You look fab, a dream for any man." He said looking mesmerized.
Dream, as soon as that word slipped his mouth, everything around me went blank, that man's face came before me. It took me so much willpower to forget. Unknowing to Rob, he made my mind wander to that man in my dreams. I couldn't see his complete face, only his strong jawed chin with stubble was visible, and his eyes that sparked ice blue in the dark, with a little light from far that fell on him.
His eyes made me shudder; they were beautiful but held darkness that could make anyone crawl, with fear. If he was real, I would never want to meet him.
My life is already a mess; I don't want it uglier anymore. I was so into the thoughts about him, I forgot we had a party held and I am supposed to be one of the hosts.
"Sassy, are you ok? I have been talking to you since ten minutes and you aren't listening. What's wrong? Is there anything bothering you? Please tell me." He asked concerned.
Should I tell him? I thought a lot about it, but then I didn't want to bother him much. He was already having hard time, as he took all the blame for that night. I didn’t want him to worry for anything.
"Nothing Rob, it's just a little awkwardness, due to the time I have been spending here in this room. Coming out of it after a long time is a little different." I said trying to cover up, not totally, as half bad I am feeling to move out of this room.
"Oh c’mon Sassy, you just look fab. Come now, let's go. I will be there with you. Aye by the way, will Elle come?" He asked, hoping for a positive reply from me.
"Did you invite her? If you did, she will definitely come" I said with a wink.
"Oh I did. So she is coming." He exclaimed.
This guy is my booster. In which ever mood I am, he surely brings a smile on my face.
"Robsy, let's go." I said, linking my arm with his.
We walked down to celebrate Christmas. The house was decorated so much and so perfect, that the mansion looked even more magnificent.
The gold curtains held sparkles, and the steps were decorated with white lilies, it gave away a very elegant look. Little far from the steps and the Christmas tree was beautifully decorated, which made me forget all my worries, and took me to a world of Christmas.
As I was busy examining the decorations, "Sasha, you look marvellous. C’mon give me a hug, darling." exclaimed Mary.
Returning the warm hug she gave, "You look amazing and young, Mary." I said.
"Not more than you pretty girl." She replied.
"Hello Sasha, it's been long since I have seen you. Welcome down." Said Peter, sarcasm clear in the last sentence he spoke.
It was clear that he didn’t have the amusement in his eyes that was, when I first came to the mansion. It was all gone, if anything was left, it was only anger and sarcasm for rejecting his son.
I did fear him, but not anymore, neither him nor his son. I despise them both, from the bottom of my heart and nothing else.
"Oh thank you, Mr. Knight. I think your son is to be blamed for that and you, for not giving him proper manners." I gave him a reply that held, direct insult to his and his son's face.
Saying it, I walked away. But heard Mary stop Peter, telling him, I was immature. I was immature till now, not anymore.
"Little sister, how are you?" Hugging me from behind, shouted Elle.
"Elle" I turned back and hugged her so tight, as if loosening the hold, will make her disappear. We cried for some time.
Mary came to us, and asked us to come with her. She wanted me to meet someone.
"Come Sasha, I want you to meet my youngest son. He is just back from London." She said, dragging me with her and me, in turn dragging Elle.
As we walked a little, someone pulled me holding my waist, which made me yell.
"It's me love." I shivered, hearing him whisper in my ears.
"It's been long, did you miss me?" He asked, over sweet.
His voice made my anger return, "No, Robsy filled that place." I said turning to face him, mocking as much as I could.
"Hope you haven't forgotten what mocking can do to you, love." He said with a smirk.
"I don't keep remembering insane people's doings." I mocked back.
Before he could reply, seeing him flare with anger, "Sasha, Elle let's go." Saying, Mary pulled us with her.
After walking for some time, greeting all the guests, we finally reached the destination.
Woah! All men here had white suits. I think this is the family tradition.
"Mary, is this your family tradition? Only men from your family wore white suits." I asked.
"Yes darling, this is our family tradition. They wear black and grey every day, but only during Christmas and New Year they wear white and royal blue." She said smiling.
As we were talking, six men stood there in a circular fashion. Peter was standing to the side, Rob was standing to the right of peter, and That-person was standing left to Peter and facing me. Other three stood beside Rob and That-person.
There were two young men and one similar to Peter standing beside That-person. The other two young men, one was beside Rob while the other beside the old man resembling Peter.
"Sasha, those three there are Rob's father, brother and my younger son." She told pointing to them.
"Oh! Rob's dad looks like Peter, Mary."
"That's because they both are brothers." She said laughing.
"Oh so Rob and That-person are paternal cousins." I said nodding.
"Oh! My. You called Damon, That-person, Sasha? I totally understand, and I love the new name anyways." She said chuckling, trying to lighten my mood.
"Hey ladies, come here." Peter Knight called.
"So Sweetheart, you want to introduce her, to the family? But anyways she doesn't come out of her little paradise." He said mocking me.
"Well Mr. Knight, someone did ruin my little paradise." I said returning him the mock.
He gave me a glare that could bury me thousand feet inside.
"Feisty one" exclaimed Rob's father.
He smiled in a way that his dimples were seen. Now I get to know where those cute dimples, Rob got.
"I wasn't before Mr. Jr Knight, but few people did make me what I am now." I said sending an arrogant glare to That-person and his dad.
"Well, Jr Knight? No pretty girl, I am Alexander Knight. But you can call me Jr Knight, I liked it." He said chuckling.
"If you insist Mr. Jr Knight" I said laughing.
"This is my son, Ken Knight." He said pointing to the person, sitting on a couch.
"Ken as in Barbie’s boyfriend?" I asked giggling.
"Yes beautiful, you look like one, why not make me yours?" He said winking.
That-person growled and Ken stilled.
"Oh come on brother, I was kidding."
"Ah I thought it was true. I guess I missed someone like you then." I said giving him a flirty smile.
"Ok, stop it. Come on, Sassy let me introduce you to the other family member." Rob said, pulling me with him.
"Is Ken the youngest of you all?"
"Yes Sassy, Damon the oldest, next me, then Alan and last is Ken." He said.
He took me to the man, standing near the out gate, talking over the phone.
I didn’t want to meet him, as something gave me an uneasy feeling.
"This is Alan Knight, the youngest brother of Damon." He said, patting Alan's back.
Alan turned, looking straight into my eyes, which gave me an adrenaline rush.
I stilled.
Chapter 15- Intruder
Why this? Why me? What did I do for this?
He is the same man from my dreams. He looks exactly the same, deadly handsome.
His eyes held mystery, dark, cold and all the negativity. I never felt this much fear, not even for Peter Knight.
Peter and Damon were cruel but this man looks like a million tons of cruelty. I have never met a person with those eyes. They were different, so much that I can't believe he exists.
This is the first time I am seeing him, then why did he come into my dreams? Is there anything to this? Or is it just a coincidence?
I was so busy thinking all these that I forgot, I was staring at him.
"Well I know I am handsome, but don't you think staring is bad, lovely lady." He smirked.
Same voice and he called me the same. No, this can't be happening. My life is already a mess, now it can't become a mystery. I have no strength to find.
"Sassy, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Rob asked.
"I am sorry." I stammered, and earned another smirk from Alan.
"I am Alan, and you might be Sasha West, are you?" He asked, knowing the answer.
What is wrong with this family, they only know sarcasm and mocking. If it would be anyone else I would have given the taste of their own medicine. But I am afraid of this man that, talking a sentence properly is becoming difficult, let alone a retard.
"I don't think you are dumb." He said.
I stared, didn’t utter a single word.
"Sassy, are you okay? Is there anything that is bothering you?" Rob asked concerned.
"Robsy, please take me in." I pleaded.
"Alan, we are going in. Finish your call and come. Everyone is asking for you." Rob said, seeing Alan.
"Sure brother. When my heart beats to go inside, what will I do outside?" He told Rob, giving me a wink.
I moved and hid behind Rob's back. I didn't want to face him. This man is giving me creeps. We were walking inside, when suddenly I realized my bracelet was missing.
"Robsy, my bracelet is missing. Can we go and search it near the gate." I said stammering the last word, when I realized Alan standing at that place.
"Rob, come inside I have something important for you." Alexander called.
"Yes dad, coming."
"Sassy, go ask Alan to find it for you. I will be back in a minute." Saying this he left.
What the hell? Why did he leave? I didn’t even stop him. Shit!
But I had to find the bracelet; my mom gifted that to me. I can't lose it. He won't eat me, it's ok.
Trying to reason myself, I walked back to the gate searching for my diamond bracelet. I searched the whole way to the gate, but couldn't find it.
So it must be near the gate, summing up all the confidence I could, I walked. Alan was standing, leaning on the gate facing his back to me and was talking on the phone. As I neared I could hear him,
"She saw me as if she knows who I am, it is very important for me to gain her trust. Only then our plan will be feasible." He was saying in a serious tone.
Was he talking about me? What is the plan? Why he wanted me to trust him? Who was he talking to?
"Shut up, just shut the fuck up. I never fail in anything, and will not now. What I want is what I get, do you get that? Say one more against me and I swear I will rip your heart out, Asshole." He was shouting in his deep baritone that made me want to run for the safety of my life.
When I turned back to leave, I saw my bracelet shining in the light, on the grass. As soon as possible I grabbed it and walked as fast as I could, but trying to make less sound, so that I wouldn't be caught.
I went inside and searched for Rob, I wanted to tell him. I was afraid. Only Rob can save me from Alan, so I searched the whole house hoping to meet him, but didn’t. As I reached a corner near the door for the dining, I saw Rob.
I ran to him, and before I could call him, I saw Elle with him. Finally he got what he wants. I am so happy for my sister. Rob surely is an amazing person to spend the rest of her life with. They were flirting, chirping and talking. They were so happy with each other. I never saw both my loved ones so happy before. I didn’t want to ruin it.
Tears streamed down my face, why was my life a hell. As much as I knew, I never hurt anyone. They say whatever happens with you, is your karma. But what did I do to achieve this?
As if Damon and Peter were not enough to make my life a hell, Alan joined the line.
Whom should I tell? Whose help should I take? Who will pull me out of this misery?
I ran up to my room, feeling sophisticated. Breathing here was getting impossible. So I thought staying in my room, would be better.
I reached my room, opened the door and sat on the bed. My mind wandered to all things that happened today, to seeing Alan, meeting him, talking to him and hearing him talk about the so called plan for me.
How much ever I thought about the plan, I didn’t know what it could be. As much as I thought, except tears and sorrow nothing else I got.
So I thought it would be better to shower and sleep for some time. I went into the bathroom, and leaving my clothes behind I got into the tub. Relaxing myself for about twenty minutes, I went to shower.
After the bath, I covered myself with a cute pink fluffy towel and searched for the clothes.
"Oh shit! How did I forget to get clothes inside?" I sighed to myself, hitting my head.
So I opened the door, and closed it. As I turned to face the bed,
"You?"
Chapter 16- Marriage on cards
Fear isn't real, danger is, and fear is a choice. But when they together combine as one and pounce on you, it would be your most dreadful nightmare. Like the one before me.
The man standing in front is such a fear, I wouldn't want to cross. I stood still. I might be a candy to watch in that pink fluffy towel and nothing else. He was checking me out from past ten minutes and I am standing dumb.
"You definitely are one sexy lady." He said, walking closer to me and me, as a reflex, walking back.
"Thank you." I stuttered, not understanding what to do or say.
"Seriously thank you is what you say?" He laughed.
"You are not as feisty as other people think." He said, raising an eyebrow.
"Are you?" He asked, not getting a reply.
"Oh come on, Dam as done so much to you and you can talk to him, but not me. Why, lovely lady?" He asked inching closer, to which I went so much back that I hit a wall.
Taking it as a chance, he pounced and locked me between him and the wall.
"If I would have seen you before, I would have surely made you mine." He said licking his lips and touching my face with one hand and the other on my waist, pulling me closer.
I stood as if I was a mannequin. All the confidence that I show to that-person and Peter just vanished, before this man. Something stops me say anything against him. I let him do anything he wants with me. Why? What is wrong with me?
"Excuse me, I have to change. This is his room; you can't come in like this." I said, trying to push him. But he was lot stronger.
"You don't have to, you look hot. And I love hot women, especially when there is a combination of innocence with it." He smirked.
"By the way lovely lady, anything that is Dam's is mine. We share whatever it may be." He whispered, coming closer to my ear and then nibbling it slowly.
Still I didn't have the courage to push him, nor go against him. What is pushing me towards him? Is fear or in..
No it can't be. I am just afraid of him and nothing else. He also has a plan for me, and it definitely would be bad. This family can't do me good, never.
I pushed him harder this time. "Leave me you moron. Are you
mad? Can't you see I am not interested in you? Just get the hell out of here." I said collecting all the confidence I had.
"Hey they are right; you surely are a feisty one. But I can ta..." He said, now nibbling my neck.
I stood there, not able to move, tears streaming down not sure due to fear or something else.
At this point, someone bashed the door, entering in.
"What the fuck is wrong with you Alan? She is my girl." He shouted.
"Oh! Hello brother. Heard that she despises you, so thought, why not have a try?" He said hands wide in the air.
"Shut up. She is mine, whether anyone likes it or not."
"But it's her life brother. Maybe she is interested in someone else. After all, it's her choice." He said, pointing towards me and him.
This man is going to be the death of me. I don't want the after complications of this argument, so quickly took a dress from the wardrobe and rushed inside the bathroom.
I heard them shouting at each other, no that-person was shouting and Alan was provoking.
They fought for some time, when I was ready I went near the door and heard Alan,
"My girl is yours and your girl is also yours brother. No not happening, never brother never never never nev.." Saying, no singing the last words, he left. Maybe I assumed he left.
Did that-person leave? Oh! Shit. Okay, calm down. And with one final thought of okay, I opened the door.
Ah he wasn't there. Thank god. Then walking to the bed, I sat thinking about Alan's last statement. What would have happened to his girl? What did this man do? And he said never for what? Is it related to me?
As usual, so many questions but answers to none. I was busy in wanting to find answers when,
"Hey Sassy, what's up? Don't want dinner?"
"No Robsy, I will have it here."
"Ah I would love to bring it, but Peter want's you for some important talk. So, come let's go."
"Oh so he wants me down, then I am definitely having my dinner here." I said falling on the bed, on my back.
"Come on Sassy, don't be like that. Come down, not always you can be fussy. Isn't it?"