PROLOGUE: The Helpless Orphan!
1088 Words
(MAYA’S POV)
“You Poverty stricken b***h!”
A deep irritated voice was heard before a jolt of icy water snapped me awake. My eyes flew open to the furious face of Mrs. Victoria Windsor, a woman whose wealth and power rivaled that of royalty. Her voice, sharp as a whip, echoed through the room. "Wake up, you filthy little thing."
I scrambled to sit up, my breath ragged. A shiver ran down my spine as I took in her cold, disdainful gaze. Her bodyguards, towering and menacing, stood silently behind her.
I held the bedsheet closer to myself aware that I was only wearing my lace nightie and I turned to face the empty side of the bed. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that Atlas was nowhere to be found.
My eyes moved to the clock on the wall. It was four a.m. A very odd time for all this.
“I am sure you know who I am.” She said her eyes piercing fiercely in to mine.
Of course I did, the whole of London knew who she was. Victoria Windsor, the mother of the man who I was just recently engaged to.
"Mrs. Windsor... What a surprise," I stammered, my voice barely audible.
"Don't 'Mrs. Windsor' me, you peasant!" she snarled. "How dare you seduce my son?"
A wave of confusion washed over me. I shivered in fear. "I promise, I didn't seduce him, Mrs. Windsor. We love each other." I managed to say softly.
Her lips curled into a sneer. "Love? You, a mere cleaner, think you can have my son's heart?” She said with a scoff. “You who doesn’t even know where you’re from!”
I lowered my head feeling hurt by her words. Being reminded about being an orphan was never easy for me no matter how many times I heard it.
“Atlas loves me for who I am.” I said lowly unable to meet her eyes.
“Rubbish! You're nothing but a fleeting amusement, a distraction." She said. “Girls like you are foolish to think you can sow where you didn’t reap. That’s why you always end up getting used.”
Her words were like daggers, piercing my soul but it didn’t make me falter.
“Im very sorry to upset you ma. If only Atlas was here then he would explain to you. We do love each other.” My soft voice said.
A month ago, I would have not been bold enough to say that. I would have never known that such a perfect man could love someone like me.
I thought of the past few weeks that I had spent with Atlas in the privacy of his penthouse, away from the world and in his loving arms. He had proposed to me just two nights ago and I had said yes.
“You are such a foolish girl to think you can be with my son!” Mrs Windsor said as she took a step in my direction making me sit back.
“You could never measure up to Atlas. He knows that and he knows that I am about to take care of you.” She laughed, a cold scary sound. “Do you think you’re the first girl to be deceived? How foolish!”
There was something dark and menacing in her voice and I managed to look up at her. She made a quick gesture with her hand while her eyes never left mine.
“Take her away.” She ordered.
My heart started thumping then and before I could react, the bodyguards surged forward, their rough hands gripping my arms. “Atlas! Help!” I struggled against their hold, my cries for Atlas echoing through the empty room.
Perhaps he was in the bathroom or he had gone to the balcony.
"Oh, spare me your dramatics," Mrs. Windsor scoffed. "He's not here. He can’t be here. That will be too messy. As I’ve said, I’m the one who has to handle you and he knows it.”
“No, he won’t do that to me.” I begged.
She cackled wickedly. “He was kind enough to spare you his presence.” She said.
“What are you going to do to me?” I couldn’t help but say.
My voice was shaky, my body was trembling and my heartbeat was rapid.
Victoria Windsor smiled slyly at me.
“I’m going to take care of you.” She replied and then with a little wave she added, “Merry Christamas, you poor thing!”
As they dragged me away, I clung to a glimmer of hope. Surely, Atlas would not abandon me.
Would he?
I was bundled into a car, my protests muffled by a gag in a mouth. Fear gnawed at me. The car journey was silent, the only sounds were the rhythmic thump of the tires on the road and my heart thumping inside my chest.
As the car screeched to a halt, I was dragged out and forced to my knees.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to beg but my mouth was gagged. I could see the gun pointed at me and I felt my body weaken at the sight of the metallic barrel.
How could this be happening? Just when I thought my life was changed for the better. Just when I thought I had found my true love.
I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer while the tears streamed freely down my cheeks.
Was this how my life was going to end? Would I be wasted this way?
Atlas had promised me, that I would be safe with him . He had promised to love and protect me. I had been reluctant at first but then I believed him.
His words, his confessions, his proposal, his love, was that all a cruel illusion?
A deafening roar filled my ears, followed by an excruciating pain that seemed to consume my entire being. As darkness enveloped me.
So this was my end.
Would I be reuniting with my parents and leaving this world which has been nothing but unfair to me?
As I felt myself fade away, I could see him. His jet black hair, almond grey eyes, high cheek bones and perfect dentition as he smiled down at me and told me.
“You’re an angel to me. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. You’ve changed my life and I will always love you.”
- Writer
