MARRIED

Chapter Twenty

****Liana's POV***

It's been three months staying with Pharrell and his increasingly annoying wife and I must say it wasn't as pleasant as I thought it would be. The day that Velma and I had breakfast with them, I got to Velma's home to find my few clothes packed outside in my small suitcase. It was right at the gate and the gate was locked. It was hurtful, but It didn't bother me at all because unlike when I first came here, I was not homeless so I picked them up and returned to Pharrell's house. That first day, They made me sign a contract of which I was not given enough time to read through. I knew it was talking about the baby and DNA blah blah blah. The truth is, I wouldn't have been able to read if they gave me all the time in the world. I am an illiterate with no educational background. I am only able to speak English because people speak English a lot at the part of Spain I grew up in. So I was able to pick up.

"Hurry with the laundry. And make sure our lunch is ready by noon!" She Threw more clothes at me in the laundry room. 

"S-sure,"  I muttered, trying not to cry. It was almost noon, and I had not had anything to eat. I was hungry and tired from cleaning the entire eight-bedroom house. I was required to be awake at 4:30 am every day. And from that time, I clean each and every room in the house. This treatment started just on my second day staying here. I remember vividly the first day I got here with my luggage. I was excited to start this new chapter of my life and thought I would be staying in one of these beautiful rooms but I was sadly shown to this room under the staircase which used to be a storage room. It was dusty and filled with cobwebs. Probably the worst collection of cobwebs I have ever seen. There was no bed, no couch, no mat, no washroom, NOTHING!.

The only thing the witch gave me was an old blanket and a pillow that smelled like it was picked out of the dumpster. There and then I realized how mistaken I have been. But I decided to fight on. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?

I removed the washed clothes from the machine and refilled it with the last set of dirty clothes before going to the kitchen to start preparing their lunch. Pharrell is always out working but comes home every time for lunch and he adds nothing to my life than torture.

His treatment was worse than his wife's. Once he asked me to make tea for him knowing very well he doesn't take tea. He poured the hot tea on me, complaining that there was too much sugar. Another time he met me eating late because I had a lot to do and didn't eat early. He beat me up, kicking me in all ways possible. I couldn't sleep that day because of the pain from the bruises. He has destroyed my phone and banned me from talking to anyone. I don't go out, not even grocery shopping. But in all these, I didn't hold anything up against him. I was still hoping for a miracle. This is not how I planned my life to turn out. I wanted to be with the one I love yet I am suffering in his hands.

Just like I thought, right after noon, Pharrell walked through the doors and was demanding for his meal. I had delayed a little due to the laundry but he would have none of that. He came along with Heath and two other friends. Heath stopped talking to me the day he found out I am pregnant for his friend. Since then, he looks in an accusing way.

"Liana! Liana! what the hell! where is my food!" he bawled. His loud voice could be heard echoing in the hall.

"So-sorry Pha...."

"Sir! How many times do I have to tell you to refer to me as sir? Now, where is my meal? Why isn't the table set yet!" I flinched at his tone. I was confused and felt surrounded by wolves. 

"I am sorry sir, I had a lot of clothes to wash today so I was a bit...."

A sharp and loud slap landed on my right cheek before I could finish what I was saying. Carmine and the two other friends of his started laughing at me. They mocked me like I was nothing. Like they couldn't feel my pain. 

"You lazy brat, you can't do anything right. You are so useless. Now get in there and bring our meal. Guys have a seat."

My head was bowed, too ashamed to look up. I could feel Heath's stares on me, but I dared not look up at him. I knew his eyes will hold the same accusing look. But I was wrong. When I returned from the kitchen to set the table, my eyes briefly locked with his. He was angry but there was a different emotion in his eyes: pity.

I set the table and brought out the dishes I prepared for lunch. I was grateful that now I can have a bite. I had nearly made it to the kitchen when Carmine called me.

"Liana dear! This looks good. I hope it's not filled with salt. Anyway, thank you. Ermm, I have placed three different attires on my bed, kindly iron them for me. I have a meeting right after lunch and I don't know which one I should wear so please iron all three. I will choose when I am done.

"Okay ma'am I will when........"

"Now Liana. I want you to do that now.!

I was weak and didn't have any strength to climb up the stairs but I tried. I blinked the tears back and at that moment, I missed Gladys. I hadn't called her since I moved here. I was communicating with her when I was at Velma's but not anymore.

My head was spinning, I couldn't walk straight. My tummy hurt, my head aches. I had just started climbing the stairs. I had taken about six steps when I felt dizzy. Before I could contemplate what was wrong with me, I became limp and lost control over myself. I fainted and fell down the stairs making a loud noise. 

"Leave her guys, she will be fine. When she is done resting, she will stand up on her own." I could hear Pharrell saying before I blacked out.

Is this the same man who told me I am his world? Is this the same man I refer to as the father of my baby or has some beast taken over his body.?

***Heath's POV***

I was furious with my face red. Everyone around me was laughing. A poor helpless pregnant girl just fell down the stairs and they were laughing instead of helping her. Am I missing something or is that how wicked the world has become?

"What the f**k is wrong with all of you?!" I yelled causing their loud laughter to come to a halt. The hall became quiet and if a pin had fallen at that time, it could have been heard loud and clear.

"Pharrell you are despicable. That girl is pregnant with your child. How wicked can you be?"

"Hey, man is being emotional like a woman." He joked and the others didn't fail to join in laughing.

Carmine, you amaze me. You are a woman how will you feel if you are being treated like this?"

"Yes, I am a woman but I don't frame other's husbands and lie that I am pregnant for someone's husband." It was unbelievable that that was coming from her: A woman I respected so much. Knowing that no one will help, I walked to where she lay and scooped her into my arms. Though pregnant, she felt like a feather.

*****TIME SKIP****

"Why are you allowing this? Why are you letting yourself be disrespected?" I asked calmly but with a rage-filled tone. She was mute looking at me with her huge eyes which were filled with sorrow and pain.

"I really don't know."

"Why are you so dumb? Were you created this way? Why can't you defend yourself and stand up for yourself and your baby? Or have you forgotten that you are pregnant?"

"No, I haven't. You can call it foolishness' but I call it love."

"Wake up, there is nothing lovely about this situation. He doesn't love you!"

"You don't need to tell me. I have figured that out. I got to go."  She stubbornly made an attempt to get out of bed.

"You are still weak Liana. The doctor said you have not been eating and you are malnourished which might affect the baby."

"What do you care Heath? I thought you were accusing me. Why then do you care? Let me go!"

"Where are you going?"

"I am going back home. To Pharrell's."

"What! Are you that stupid? They left you to die. That is suicidal."

"I know. But weren't you the same person who said I should stand up for myself? I have an unfinished fight that I need to win."

 There was this new stony countenance I didn't notice about her before. It was the look of someone who is broken and hurt beyond repair and I could see the resolution in her eyes. She was angry and doesn't look anything like the angel she is. Right now, she looked like a beast who is thirsty for blood. Pure anger had replaced her normal smiley face.

"No Liana, I will not allow you to go. I have lost you once, I won't lose you again."