marriage preparations.
Awakened by a sweet voice, I opened my eyes to find a beautiful lady standing next to my bed. Surprised and disoriented, I attempted to rise, only to discover that my skin had turned a pallid gray from soaking in the water for too long. Panic set in as I realized I was naked. "Miss, I came in, and you were floating in the bathtub. The water was cold, and I thought something bad had happened to you, so I called out to Mr. Baris. He came in and carried you to bed," the lady explained.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment – he had seen me naked. Wishing my skin could swallow me whole, I stammered, "Miss, are you feeling warm now? We need to start preparing you for the wedding." Oh no, the wedding, I had forgotten. I quickly put on a bathrobe and asked the lady for a few minutes. Stepping out of the room, I headed to the dining room, but it was empty. The house was silent, leaving me wondering where he could be.
A young man, very white with black hair, emerged from a door. I stared at him momentarily until he introduced himself, "I am Ali, I work here. You seem lost; do you need anything?" With his red lips, tall, slim frame, and immaculate attire, I couldn't help but wonder about his role in this place. "Hello, please, where can I find B… the master?" I almost called his name but remembered my status as a prisoner. "He is on the second-floor balcony with the old master. I will lead you to him," Ali said, offering his assistance with a gentle smile. "I'd love that," I replied, looking up to him as we exchanged smiles before entering the elevator.
The house revealed itself through the elevator ride – a big circular glass room, wings leading to suites, a bar, a large aquarium with colorful fish, and other captivating features. Ali guided me to the balcony, where Baris stood smoking alone. He opened the glass door and left me there with Baris. As the door closed, Baris spoke with a cold voice, "The next time you feel like dying, just ask, and I can kill you silently. You don't have to try killing yourself in my house. At least grant me the pleasure to kill you."
His demonic demeanor left me unsettled. I considered running away, but the haunting reason for my presence halted my thoughts. Before I could initiate a conversation, he remarked, "You don't follow instructions, do you? I told you we will not see each other until the wedding. Or did you miss me too much?" Miss him? I almost cursed at the notion. "There will be no wedding," I asserted with a shaky voice. He turned to me, closing the distance, and asked, "Who said? Now let me tell you, you are my property, and I do with you as I wish. Your passports just arrived, and you should be ready. We are leaving in an hour."
"I do not wish to question you; I can do anything for you, my master, but please do not force me into marriage," I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Mmh, really," he mused, moving closer, and I tensed. "Tell me, what can you do for me?" I was at a loss for words. "I am your slave; I can do your house chores or cultivate your garden, anything," I offered, hoping he might consider making me his servant instead.
"Is that what slaves do in your country?" he asked. "We do not have slaves in our country, sir," I replied boldly. "Well then, let me educate you about myself. I do not like to be questioned by a woman. Don't come to my suite uninvited, and lastly, I do not like repeating myself. So now, do as I say before I lose it. Go, get ready." His tone was low, almost a whisper. His eyes had shifted from grey to brown, and he pressed his teeth together while speaking, forming fists as if trying to control himself from hitting me. Panicking, I took a few steps back, glancing at him one last time. He had truly changed; his white skin turned red, and he clenched his fists, hitting his lower lip harder. "Go!" he roared, echoing like an angry lion.
I hurried inside the room, descending a spiral staircase with smart lights illuminating at every step. Fear gripped me, and my body trembled as I entered the room where the lady was waiting for me. Seated in the chair placed next to a full-length mirror, I closed my eyes, and tears streamed down my cheeks like rivers from the mountains.