Art of Survival: Part One (A Stern Family Saga Book 5)

by Monique Orgeron

  While pouring another drink, I continue my story, “When our relationship started it was one of the first things she asked of me. She wanted nothing more than to learn how to shoot. Every chance we had, I would get her on the back of my bike and we would drive out to some secluded land, letting her fire until she finally learned how to shoot like an expert. Those were good times.”

  Liam interrupts my thoughts and asks, “You got my mother, Catherine Stern, on a motorcycle?”

  I laugh and say, “I sure in the hell did. She loved it too. She even had her own helmet that I had custom made for her. We would ride out for her to shoot and then leave, driving around for hours, neither one of us wanting the day to end. It’s been years, but those moments of us riding, holding on to each other, were some of the best times we shared. We both felt free.”

  Vin stays quiet, thinking, so I ask, “What’s wrong?”

  He says, “I’ve watched her shoot many times, but I never understood it.”

  “Understood what?”

  “You would think if she wanted to learn so bad, it would’ve been to shoot William, to at least protect herself from him. But I never saw her, not once, aim a damn gun at him.” I can see Vincent boiling the more he thinks of the past. I decide to tell him of the one time she did.

  “She did Vincent, once. I remember one-night, William had a meeting, he asked me and Tony to attend to be his look out. Like with all meetings, they both laid their guns on the opposite table. He’d brought Catherine dressed inappropriately, trying to bait the man to make a move on her. It was your father’s thing. He loved to entice men and distract them with your mother’s beauty. When the man did make passes at Catherine, William grew in anger. The minute the meeting was finished, the man left. William threw your mother to the ground and started kicking her. I tried to intervene, but Tony held me back. William made a mistake though, he turned his back on your mom. She got to her hands and knees, trying with all she had, to get on her feet. Once she was fully standing, she grabbed his gun off the table and aimed it right at his heart. I didn’t say a word, praying she would finally pull the trigger. She stood there, for I don’t know how long, shaking and crying, just staring at him. For the first time, I saw terror on William’s face. He didn’t say anything; just stood there. The longer they stood, staring each other down, the more his arrogance grew. His stance changed, like he was taunting her to shoot. And she did, she pulled the trigger.”

  I pause needing a small break from the memory. “She missed, on purpose. There was no way in hell Catherine would have missed at that distance. Your father laughed so hard at her all while she just stood there, knowing she had the chance to end it all. I couldn’t take it anymore, I threw Tony off me and left. I knew right then, she would never do it. For some reason with all he had put her through, she would never kill him.”

  Everyone is quiet for a while, soaking up the story I told, until Liam breaks the silence and asks, an odd question, “Tony who?”

  “Tony Guidry. We were both soldiers at the time. But he became a boss before me. I never understood how. He was a shit guy.”

  “I’ve never heard of him. What happened to him?”

  Swallowing the last of my whiskey, buying me the time I need to figure out how to answer him, I simply say, “That son, is a story for your mother to tell, not me.”

  Looking over to Cherry, I know she remembers what happened but like me she’s not willing to tell it. She hurries to change the subject, telling some funny stories that I had completely forgot about. She has everyone laughing including me. It’s helping to take our minds off the nightmare we will face tomorrow.

  I find myself enjoying the rest of the night wishing that it could remain like this all the time.

  9

  Catherine

  Most people wish for time alone but not me. Staying in this room is doing nothing but giving me time to dwell on the past. A past that most of the time I try to leave just that, the past. Unfortunately, sitting here alone, reminds me of when William brought me home for the first time.

  I kept my distance while we were driven by his chauffeur. He seemed fine with it too, he didn’t say one word to me. I was scared, going into the unknown, not knowing what my future would be like with this man. My mind wandered as I looked out the window wondering but never asking. Where was he taking me? How long will he keep me? What does he want me for? Things that I should have asked before agreeing.

  The problem was, I didn’t ask because I just wanted to get away from Laura as fast as I could. In the end, William was right, my friends would be the ones to make the decision to send me with him. I would’ve never done that to Laura, but she did it to me. The hunger she and Billy had in their eyes for the money was enough to turn my stomach. So, I left without asking a simple question. Hell, at that point I still didn’t even know his name. I was still referring to him as the man in the suit.

  As much as I wanted to hate Laura for trading me and pushing me away, I couldn’t. I truly believe that part of her thought that I would be better off without her.

  When the mansion came into view, my heart skipped a beat. It was and still is, one of the most beautiful homes I’ve ever seen. I fell in love instantly. I still love this home, because if I didn’t, I would have burned it down to the ground the second I had the chance. For the next two years of my life, this beautiful home became my prison.

  Jeffery was the first person I saw. Yes, Jeffery has been here since the beginning. He was in his late thirties at the time. Skinny, not like the round, older man that walks around here today. He was there to open the car door for me on my first day. He nodded his haughty head at me then looked at William and said, “Mr. Stern, the room is ready.”

  Mr. Stern, that was the first time I’d heard anything about his name. I was now the property of Mr. Stern.

  William grabbed me by the arm and dragged me past the household staff, who were waiting to meet me. When we entered the house, I barely had a chance to look around before he whisked me upstairs in a hurry. He led me to a door to what I assumed would be the room Jeffery mentioned upon arriving. The door opened, and I was shocked at how beautiful it was. In fact, it still looks the exact same today. When William died, I had the room locked and no one has ever been in there since, not even me. The room might be beautiful, but it’s a reminder of the restraints William put on me.

  He waved his arm, gesturing for me to enter. “This is your room from now on, until I say differently.” He then turned, walked out, locking the door from the outside. I can still hear the sound of the lock clicking into place. It is a sound that still haunts me today. Over the years, I’ve heard it so many times, it still makes me cringe.

  An hour has passed before the door opened again. This time it was Jeffery, bringing me my lunch. “Ma’am, my name is Jeffery. I am the butler of the house. If you need anything, ask me and I will see to it. Mr. Stern said you will be taking all your meals in your room until further notice.” He was straight to the point; very formal. I could tell he was looking down at me, thinking he was better than I was. With his nose in the air, he placed the tray on a table and walked out the room. Again, I heard the lock on the door click.

  For the next three days, I stayed like that, locked in. Eating, sleeping, and bathing with no social interactions. The only time I would ever see anyone was when Jeffery would come into the room to bring my meals and changes of clothes. I later learned, he was instructed not to have any interaction with me. One thing about Jeffery, he’s a very proud stoic man and does his job very well, subservient to a fault. Now he is subservient to me and in some ways, he was back then too.

  On the fourth day, William entered the room. I remember being scared. After all that time, I still had no idea what he wanted. I stood back from him while he stared, inspecting me from top to bottom. Never coming any closer but he didn’t need to. I felt him all over me.

  He finally walked past the door, making room for Jeffery who had a tray with two meals this time. Aft
er the food was situated on a round table, Jeffery left us alone. I close my eyes, remembering that night.

  William walks up to the table that’s now set up for two and pulls out my chair. When I don’t move he finally speaks, “Please sit. I won’t hurt you. We have a lot to discuss.”

  I listen and nervously take my seat. Once we’re both seated, he waves his hand letting me know to start eating. We eat in an awkward silence. Once our meals are finished, the conversation begins.

  “My name is William Stern and yours is?”

  “Katie.”

  “Katie, who?”

  “Just Katie.”

  His eyes fall down but he smiles. “I understand. It’ll make things simpler.”

  “What things?”

  He doesn’t answer me right away, just looks me in the eyes studying me. Then he says, “You will be Catherine from now on.”

  My nose scrunches in confusion and distaste for the name. “Catherine! Why?”

  “Because I say so. I never want to hear the name Katie again. Do you understand?”

  I nod my head knowing I have no other option.

  “As Catherine, you will become refined in every way. Until you become of age, I will have teachers brought in to teach you everything. Stylist will come in and turn you into a proper young lady of the house. You will learn manners and everything there is to know about etiquette. You will do these things because you will want to make me happy. I hope you understand what I am saying? If not, if you choose to defy me, you will be punished like any other unruly child. Do I make myself clear?”

  “I thought you liked my defiance?”

  “Not with me. I like control and I will have it.”

  My first thought is to strike back and show him unruly but then I remember I have no other options here. Where would I go to and after all, he’s only offering to make me a better person. So I agree; straightening my back to show him I can tackle anything he throws my way.

  “Do you know your birthday?”

  My back now hunches from shame. I whisper, “No.”

  He reaches over the table and grabs my chin lifting it, forcing me to look at him. “Your birthday from now on will be November tenth.”

  “Why November tenth?”

  “Because it’s the first day I saw you and knew you would be mine.”

  Baffled and shocked, I argue, “But that was months ago.”

  “Yes, I’ve been watching you for a long time.”

  Before I could say anything in return, he stands and walks out of the room. He doesn’t even close the door. I want so desperately to go to the door. If not to run away, just to peak out. I haven’t seen anything but these four walls in days but maybe this is a sign that all will be well, and he will finally let me out to roam.

  Before I have a chance to decide, he comes back in carrying a folder. He sits and lays it in front of me.

  “Open it and sign where all the marked spots are.”

  “What is this?”

  “I am becoming your legal guardian. You will sign them as Catherine Stern.”

  “My legal what? But my name isn’t Catherine Stern!”

  Losing all his cool composure, William slams his hand on the table and harshly tells me, “Your name is Catherine!”

  My body jumps from fear. I can’t help but second guess my decision in coming here. Suddenly I see a shift in him, like he realized he allowed me to see the true him. I watch as he regains his control, relaxing back into the chair. Now collected, he continues to speak, “I don’t think I’ll ever need these papers, but my attorney wants them signed. And your name from now on, until the day you die, will be Catherine Stern. So, sign the damn papers like I told you to and quit questioning me. All you need to know little girl is from now on, I will take care of you.”

  Take care of me? Looking around the room, I think of how I’ve always wanted someone to love me enough to take care of me. How badly I wanted the comfort of a home and how desperately I wanted to be someone else besides who I am. Looking back to William, I see a man offering me all of it. All I have to do is sign on the marked spots and accept what he’s offering.

  Can I? Should I? Then I think, why not? I mean after all, he’s already done way more than anyone ever has. He gave me a comfortable bed to lay my head and food to fill my stomach. Hell, he’s even given me a name, a birthday, and he hasn’t even tried to touch me. What more could I ask for? I know I might not be the brightest, but I’m not oblivious. William does not look like a kind or soft man. His little outburst just gave me a peek of his true nature. But he can’t be any worse than what I’ve already dealt with. With my decision made, I grab the pen and sign my new name, Catherine Stern.

  That was the day I became Catherine Stern. With hope that all my worst days were behind me. If I only knew. But then again, I’m not sure I would’ve changed it. He did give me everything I have today, and he is the one who made me who I am. And no matter what he did to me, he gave me my children; my sons, my life.

  I open my eyes looking off in the distance but seeing my past like it is all playing out for me in real time.

  With the papers all signed, William looks satisfied. He stands and walks to the door, wearing a smile on his face. Opening it, he calls out to someone. Curious and nervous, I stare at the door trying to figure out what’s going on. Suddenly, I start freaking out when I see a man walk in carrying a black bag. Right behind him, Jeffery walks in, rolling in some kind of machine. Once Jeffery gets the machine set up on the side of my bed, he leaves the room, closing the door. Frozen in my spot, I watch William hand the papers I just signed over to the man.

  “She signed everything. You have what you need now. I want a full checkup. Everything we discussed.”

  The man reads the papers then hands them back over. “Catherine, my name is Dr. Paul Martin. William has asked me to draw some blood and give you a full examination.”

  He turns his attention back to William and tells him, “You can leave now. I shouldn’t be too long.”

  Crossing his arms, William raises a brow and says, “No one, even you, will see her without my presence. After all, I’m her guardian. How would it look to leave an underage girl alone, to be examined by an older man, even if he is a doctor?”

  He starts walking to the side of my bed, sitting in a chair that’s stationed in the corner. “Don’t worry Paul, I’ll be here in the corner. I won’t be looking at a young girl’s pussy. No matter how much it will pain me to wait, I’ll wait.”

  The doctor looks appalled but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he nervously asks me to sit on the bed. I look at William and with a nod of his head, I walk over and sit down. Dr. Paul pulls a chair up and starts asking me questions. He goes through everything from my name, age, all the way to asking about my periods. William just sits there listening to every detail. Paul then draws blood and tells me he’s going to give me a full physical exam. The doctor points to the machine, telling me it’s an ultrasound machine. He didn’t have the time to prepare me, so it’s going to be done vaginally. I look back over to William and again he nods his head. Handing me a gown, the doctor asks me to change in the bathroom. When I come out wearing the gown, I’m instructed to lie down. The doctors smiling but I see the glimpse of remorse he’s trying to hide. I lie down, and he begins telling me every step he’s making. Walking me through it like it will be easier on me if I understand. First are my breasts. He slips his hands under the gown and looks at the ceiling as he squeezes and rubs all over them. Once he’s done, he sits on the bed and asks me to raise and bend my knees. He makes sure the gown doesn’t fall revealing my thighs to William. Continuing to tell me every step he makes, I take a deep breath as he shows me the tool and pushes it into me while telling me to relax. Relax? I wonder if he realizes the more he tells that, the more stressed I become. He looks everything over then asks me if I’d ever been pregnant or had children before. I don’t know what to say. It’s something I don’t like talking about. No one knows except for Lau
ra and the asshole’s wife. But, if he can tell with this ultrasound and I lie, I don’t know what William would do.

  “I…I was pregnant once.”

  William shoots up from his chair. “You have a child?!”

  I yell panicking, thinking William won’t want me anymore. “No! I was pregnant once. I lost the baby.”

  Paul tries to calm William and asks him to sit down again. Paul looks at me once William is settled and asks, “How old were you?”

  “Fourteen.”

  His eyes close and he removes the instrument. “You can get dressed now Catherine.”

  Leaving the room, I look back over to William. He’s not happy. Embarrassed and ashamed I close the door and hear the two of them discussing me.

  “William, from what I can tell she’s clean. The blood work will show more. Her female reproductive organs look like there wouldn’t be a problem for her to have children in the future.”

  William shouts, “She’s already proven she can get pregnant!”

  “Jesus William! I don’t see a reason for her not to conceive and carry a baby to full term. She was fourteen; her body was young. Too young. I’m more concerned that someone got her pregnant to begin with, not that she lost a baby.”

  I don’t hear William’s voice again, but I do hear my bedroom door slamming. Walking out of the bathroom, I’m surprised to see the doctor’s still here waiting for me. He’s packing his bag up and without looking at me he says, “I will be back on a regular basis. I’m sorry.” He then walks out of the room in a hurry and the next sound I hear is the lock on the door click again.

  Paul. I can’t believe sometimes how we met. He has always been my doctor and I would never have it any other way. He’s always tried to handle me with care and over the years we have developed quite a friendship. He will be here tomorrow again to check on me once more.

  Standing, I make my way to my door. Touching it, like it’s the same door from upstairs, as I did so many times before. Wondering what awaits me on the outside.