Set me free - Episode 30

 

Michelle:

 I stare listlessly out my window. The sound of the sea doing nothing to calm me. Have you ever thought maybe claustophobia doesn't just have to do with tight and suffocating places but also with tight and suffocating situations as well? I've never been claustophobic but sitting on this silk sheets among the luxury of life, I feel suffocated. I want out . I want to be free, but who will set me free from this monster who calls himself my father? My eyes sting with unshed tears as depression sets in.

"I miss you, mother." I whisper into the quiet evening as I hug my knees. A cool wind blows in and rattle my window. The room is too quiet so I do what I do in times like this and turn on the television.

"A statement by the city's latest hero, Mr Mike on the masked men who tried to traffick about thirty people just days ago is and I quote 'I just did as any good citizen of this country would, given the situation and I hope the police catches these menace to the society soon.' 

"Arggggh!" I scream in anger as I throw the remote control against the television on the wall. My phone vibrates on my lap at the same time. It's a text from Rory.

  I have a surprise for you, Mara

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/set-me-free

. 21st street rooftop in five minutes. You'll love this.

 What the hell is he talking about?

"ma'am!" My help comes running into the room. I quickly drop my phone and look away. Her eyes goes to the broken television on the wall and she gasp in horror. I take her distracted state to pull my dark glasses on to cover my eyes then stand.

"umm Are you okay?" she asks as she comes over to fuss over me.

"Don't touch me." I growl. I see her roll her eyes at me. I can see you b*tch. I swallow my retort and just walk pass her and pretend to feel my way out of the room. 

"Your father asked that you remain locked in your room till he brings you a new bodyguard madam." she tries to reason with me but I don't pay her any attention. I am going to meet Rory and I want my father to panic and think I've run away.

"ma'am! You are going to hurt yourself, walking into a wall or something!"

"I'm blind not stupid!" I yell at the clueless help.

"Please? Your father would go raving mad if you go out. I'm going to lose my job and quite frankly, your dad scares me." her voice which sounds close to tears makes me stop in my steps.

"I'll just be gone for a few minutes." I say quietly, feeling a little sorry for her as I walk on.

"Tell my father not to--" The front door pushes open before I reach for the handle and my mouth falls open.

"Will--Who just open the door?" I quickly stop myself from calling william's name but barely.

"Mara, honey. It's your father." his cold hands take my left hand and kiss my knuckles lightly.

"where you going somewhere?" he asks as he leads me back to the living room. I try not to keep my face to William who's standing just behind my father. My mind is reeling at to what William could be doing here. Did he recognize me from that building? He couldn't right? I had a mask on afterall. Dad sits me down on a couch before turning his attention to my help.

"I told you not to let her out. She can't get hurt!" My dad snap at the girl. My eyes slowly wander to the man who looks too much like William. If he's one of dad's goons then he certainly ain't my William. He's currently trying to stare through my glasses. He won't be able to see anything but a blind girl. My eyes notice a bit of blood on his fist and I'm finally sure he's not William.

"You're fired! Get out of my sight!" My dad's sudden retort snaps my attention back.

"Dad, calm down. I'm just blind not an invalid. I should be able to go out for a walk on the beach shouldn't I?" I feel around the chair till I touch dad's hand and I squeeze it lightly.

"I'm sorry but I don't think you can. You might get attacked or something and you won't see anything or anyone coming at you." dad reasons.

"The help was going to go with me. It's harmless." I say.

"No. There will be no walks on the beach. Remain in your bedroom at all times okay?" I slowly drop my hands as they turn into fists at my sides. I try to quell the desire to strangle my own father. Maybe I should just kill him then myself. The world would surely be a better place.

"She doesn't look like she can't handle herself on a simple walk on the beach with her help." A rich baritone voice which sends shivers down my spine says from behind dad and my head subtly goes up to study William.

"I hope you don't plan to let her walk around blindly on this beach while you are here William?" My dad says and I gasp at the final confirmation that this man is really William. My William. Everyone's eyes go to me and I quickly feign a coughing feat.

"You okay?" everyone says at once. Dad hands pat my back and my skin crawl. I try not to flinch.

"I'm fine."

"You should have some water." There is that rich baritone voice again. Butterflies swarm my stomach and I feel like an high school student all over again. William takes my hand gently and wraps it securely around a cup. I try not to jump at the bolt of electricity buzzing between our hands as he withdraws his hands slowly and his fingers brush mine. Sweet Mary mother of Christ. What is wrong with me. I feel hot all of a sudden and quickly gulp down the content of the glass.

"I should retire to bed now." I say to no one in particular and I stand up unsteadily.

"Why don't you escort her to her room, William." dad says and I try not to freeze.

 Warm fingers splay across my lower back and I jump slightly.

"Relax." William says quietly as he leads me towards my room. But how the hell can I stay calm?

*****

Rory:

 The metal door of the rooftop screech open and my head snap up in renewed hope. It's been hours since I sent Mara the text.

"She's not coming." Jessica waltz through the door and sits herself on the rose-adorned chair I had her prepare for Mara.

"She'll be here." I say mostly to assure myself.

"You've been waiting for hours! Don't be a fool!" she snaps and my brows draw in. "What's wrong with you? You sound almost angry?" I've never seen her like this.

Read " Falling For Innocence " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. Now that I look at her, she looks tired with bags under her eyes.

"You fixed your eyes. You can have any other woman." she says instead.

"You know I don't want other women. I want her."

"And by her, you mean the daughter of the man who killed your parents?! Who destroyed your chance at happiness?! You must be a fool Rory."

"She makes me happy."

"She does? Where is she now huh, Rory? Where the fuck is she?!" 

"She'll be here!" I snap. We stare down each other for long seconds. Me, not understanding what's gotten into my long time friend.

"Your parents must be turning in their graves at this madness." she spits with so much venom as she pokes my chest with her index finger.

"Don't you dare bring them into this." I grind out as I grab her hand rather harshly. Her unsteady eyes tells me she's had too much to drink.

"Rory--"

"You should leave. I don't want Mara to see you like this." I say quietly and release my grip on her hand.

"She will never accept your proposal. And I feel sorry for you for that. I'll be at home when you need someone to cry to. I always am aren't I?" Jessica says finally before she stands and staggers away from me. What just happened?