JULEKA
"Allen, please. I'm sorry. No!"
I cried, getting hit across the face by my husband, sending me to the wall.
He grabbed me by the hair, turning me over and taking me by the jaw tightly.
I stared into his raging eyes, seeking for mercy.
"Who gave you the right to join my party? Tell me!" He roared, pushing me against the wall.
"Allen, I'm sorry. I was..."
"Shut up!" He yelled, raising his hand to smack me again.
Fear came over me, afraid he was going to strike me again. But his hand remained in the air, as he groaned in rage, tossing me to the ground.
"I can't lock you up even if I want to. You have gotten so many attentions on yourself, you fool!"
I stayed on the floor, shivering in fear.
"Once this party is over, I'll make you pay for your disobedience," He promised, ordering me to wipe my face and return to the party.
He left me alone in the room, as I cried out bitterly at my misfortune.
All I did was attend his party for the first time ever. He just got a contract and I wanted to celebrate in his joy.
"Why me?" I cried, rising from the floor, and wiping my tears.
As Allen had instructed, I made my way back to the party, trying to keep my distance from his guests.
But someone, who has been following me with her eyes, didn't skip that opportunity.
"Tell me," A lady in red grabbed me by the arm, pulling me to a corner. "Who are you? "
"What do you mean?" I asked, getting scared of being spotted by Allen.
"Don't act stupid. I saw you with Allen not long ago. Who are you to him? " She gripped hard, showing her desperation.
From her behavior, it was clear to me who she was.
The lady, Miranda, whom Allen has been trying to impress since the beginning of the party.
She's the main reason why I attended the celebration, but Allen scolded me because of it.
I was ready to tell her my relationship with Allen, but when I recalled all the beatings and punishments from him...
"I'm just a worker here at the mansion, " I lied to her.
"You mean you're a poor filthy servant?" She questioned, lifting her right brow.
I nodded, pleasing Miranda, who smiled with pleasure.
"That's good. Now get out of my sight, you rodent," She ordered with an insult.
I did as she said, leaving her side with so much bitterness in my heart.
It made me wish I could hit her across the face.
"At least I'm safe."
Just when I thought all was well, Allen showed up, directing me into a secret corner from the guest's blind spot.
Fear took over me as I wondered if he had seen me with Miranda.
I was ready to beg and tell him what transpired between us, only for him to grab me by the jaw, asking, " What is your wretched father doing here?"
"My father?" I gazed out in astonishment.
"I thought it was clear in the contract that I don't want to see your father here?"
"I swear Allen, I didn't call him."
"You better send him away or otherwise..." He pointed at me, sending a warning.
Terrified, I raced outside of the mansion to meet my father being pushed back by the guards.
When he saw me, he proudly called me his daughter, requesting to be allowed in.
"What are you doing here, old man?" I sparked at my father, who stared at me in shock.
"Juleka, don't you recognize your father? " He asked with sadness in his tone.
I was hurt on seeing his eyes but scared of Allen.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop coming here?! Your presence irritates me. Leave!" I roared at him.
My father, who was broken by my words, left the mansion sadly.