Melokuhle

The castle had endless corridors that seemed to stretch on forever, there were many twists and turns in every direction leaving me confused. I felt like I was trapped in a maze or better yet a loop. 

The cold stone walls started to suffocate me. My heart tightened around my chest and the silence of the long corridor left my stomach twisting. My hands were sweaty with nerves, knowing that Melusi would soon realise that I was gone.

I looked around the corridor, it was dimly lit with a few flickering candles to light the way. The shadows danced on the walls, making me feel like I was being watched. I shivered, despite the December heat. 

I knew I had to keep moving, but I stood frozen, my feet refusing to move. Fear gripped me and for a second, I considered giving up and going back to the ballroom. At least there, I knew what to expect. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before looking around again. I was only halfway through the castle so instead of giving up I forced myself to walk, my heels echoing loudly. 

I kept my eyes fixed on the curve ahead even though I was terrified I carried on. I turned a corner, and my stomach dropped. 

I was back to where I started, how? 

The music and the laughter mixed together like a nightmare I couldn't escape. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, making my stomach churn with anxiety.

I took a deep breath and smoothed out my dress. Trying to calm my racing heart, I was buying myself time before I could walk inside the packed room. 

I took a deep breath, lifted my head and stepped inside the ballroom. My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Melusi's  face. 

Before I could take in my surroundings, I felt a tight grip on my arm yanking me aside. "Where were you?" Melusi's voice sounded like thunder over the music as he dragged me into a quieter room. 

I stumbled, my feet tangled together when I tried to stand up straight. I stuttered, "I— I needed some fresh air." The words came tumbling out, it was a lame excuse but what else was I to say? 

Melusi's eyes bore into mine, his face twisted and his lips curled back like a snake. He closed his fingers around my throat tightly. I felt air escape from my lips, without oxygen my lungs felt like they were burning. I grew numb with my brain shutting down in self-defense.

I bit the inside of my cheek, the pain snapping me back to reality. At that moment, I hated myself. I hated myself for not fighting back, for not screaming for help but I hated myself more for reacting to Melusi's tight grip around my throat. I could feel the pool of wetness gather between my thighs, I squeezed my legs together, ashamed of myself. How could I be aroused at a time like this?

Melusi released his hand and walked out. I collapsed on the cold floor gasping for air.

When I walked out of the room without the tears staining my face I saw Melusi smiling at the other guests like he wasn't a monster a minute ago. He excused himself when he caught sight of me and dragged me through the crowds, his fingers digging into my skin in a clear warning. 

When we got to the car, I ripped off the stupid mask and threw it away. Melusi didn't wait for me to fasten my seat belt before he sped away. I rested my head on the window, feeling the  cold glass against my skin.  

The maid greeted me with a curt nod when I stepped inside, but her face was blank. She led me back to the basement, the stairs creaking beneath our feet. I stripped out of my dress when I heard the maid turn the key and I put on the pyjamas that I found laid on the bed. 

I slowly dragged myself towards the mirror with my eyes 

drawn to the red marks on my throat. With a trembling hand I slowly touched my neck. I blinked away the tears and wiped off my make up before I crawled into bed. It didn't take long for sleep to pull me in.

***

The sound of the door opening made me sit up, the maid walked in with a smile plastered on her face. For weeks, she had been cold and uninviting but now her eyes sparkled with some kind of warmth. I felt a lump form in my throat as I watched her walk in, with a tray in her hands.

She placed a bowl of yoghurt on the table and turned to look at my neck. I could feel it throbbing with pain, I winced when she reached out to touch it. She pointed to the two pills on the table and nodded. "They will help with the swelling," she said, her voice surprisingly soft.

Before I could thank her she turned and left, disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.

I picked up the pills and swallowed them down with a glass of orange juice. Then  I took a spoonful of the yoghurt. When I was done eating my breakfast I laid back down on the bed, my mind drifting to Melusi. I hadn't seen him since yesterday night, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. It was stupid of me but I couldn't help it. It was like my mind couldn't register that I should be hating Melusi and not be missing him. Why was I even missing him?

Despite the tug of war I had with both my brain and my heart, I waited for Melusi to walk in, I watched as the hands of the clocked tick away. When it was time for dinner I held my breath, waiting for the door to open and when it did, disappointment settled deep in my stomach.

The maid walked in telling me to get ready because I wouldn't be eating dinner in the basement tonight. I was surprised, making me wonder why. But I didn't question her, I simply nodded. 

When 6 p.m struck, I was led out of the stuffy and musty basement. The maid took me to a huge dining table. It was so big it could fit a whole village. But what caught my attention wasn't the long table, it was the food that filled up the entire table. There was spaghetti, lasagne, oxtail, baked pies, and lots more. My stomach growled with hunger, making my mouth water. 

Melusi walked in, a minute later. I swallowed thickly at the sight of him. He looked handsome, I would have been lying if I said he wasn't. Instead of his usual suits, he was wearing casual clothes that showed off his muscles. The T-shirt fitted tightly around his chest, and I found it hard to look away. 

When Melusi sat down across from me, he seemed to fill the whole room with just his presence.

Now that it was just the two of us I sat there frozen, unable to do anything. I shifted uncomfortably when Melusi looked at me, his eyes roaming on my face, taking me all in and my dumb stupid heart fluttered. 

I had no reason to be feeling like this but here I was like an idiot feeling what I should not be feeling. Melusi continued to look at me for another couple of minutes before he finally nodded and a young guy who looked like he was in his early twenties came into the room. He walked over to the table, his eyes scanning the dishes before him. To my surprise, he started tasting the food, moving from one dish to the next. I watched him, confusion etched on my face. When he was done he stood up straight, and turned to face Melusi. 

"You can start eating," Melusi said when the young guy walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Melusi. 

I slowly started serving myself, taking small portions from each dish and poured myself a glass of wine. With Melusi looking at me I felt like I was moving in slow motion. When I was done serving myself, I watched him move from one dish to the next filling up his plate.

I'd been in many awkward situations before, but this one took the cake. It was so quiet the only sound that bounced off the walls was the soft clinking of utensils on the plates and the occasional creak of the wooden table. It was so quiet that I could hear the drum of my beating heart.

The soft click of Melusi's fork hitting his plate made me slightly jump and my heart galloped on my chest but I didn't dare look up, afraid of what I might see. Melusi cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Are you better?" he asked, his voice startling me. "I mean, your throat, is it okay?"

I slowly looked up from my plate, my eyes meeting Melusi. I found him already staring at me, his eyes piercing through. I nodded. "The pills helped, thanks." The word thanks slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. What was I thinking? I should be angry, not grateful. Melusi had hurt me, choked me,

and yet I was thanking him?

I felt myself boil with anger, but I pushed it down. Melusi nodded, his face unreadable. He slowly pushed his chair back, placed his serviette on his plate, and stood up. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone.

I was taken aback by his sudden departure. I didn't expect him to be friendly or apologetic, but to just leave without a word? It was rude. But when the huge doors closed behind him, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. 

My chest, which had been tight with tension, began to loosen, making it easier for me to breathe. When I finished eating, I got up from the table feeling more relaxed than I had in weeks. I made my way back to the basement, not bothering to wait for the maid to escort me. 

As I walked, I thought about making a run for it, but I knew it would be pointless. Melusi had cameras everywhere,  and even if I managed to slip past them, I doubted I'd make it to the front door.