Chapter 1 Behind the closed doors

Zarina's POV

I stared blankly at the scenery before me that was meant to be beautiful. I watched the servants that went about their work without a care in the world. They all had smiles on their faces.

This was a scene that was supposed to uplift my spirit but all I felt was a hollow feeling as my hand holding the bow started to move across the strings of my violin. A melody that seemed as mournful and empty as me rang out. The servants all stopped and turned towards my direction. They couldn't see me due to the tinted window separating us but I knew they could feel my every song.

I played continuously, tears beginning to stream down my cheeks as I let the song wash over my bruised soul.

Heal me please. Save me. Let me out.

Immediately my song came to an end, my door was shoved open, startling me into jumping and almost tossing my violin.

"Little Miss." Cara, my personal maid, called and my body instantly sagged when I registered that it was just her. I tensed again though as I noticed that she was panicked. I didn't need her to say it as I already knew what was coming but like every prey being cornered, I tried to hope. "What happened?"

"He is calling for you." And with that, all my hope fled as my body began to shake with fear.

I wasn't even aware of how I got to my destination. I wasn't aware of Cara leaving me. I wasn't aware of the sympathetic gazes the servants gave me. I tried to blissfully detach myself from the real world and it worked, until the door opened.

There he was, looming over me with a smile that would have made me calm and worry-free had I not experienced his true side.

He moved out of the way and I took that as my cue as I walked into the room, heart pounding in my chest. The door closed behind me and I prayed that he would at least give me time to get ready but like every time, my hopes were dashed.

"Ahh!" I screamed as pain exploded through my body once it made impact with the wall. I immediately curled up into a ball, whimpers leaving my opened mouth continuously like a mantra.

It hurt so damn much. I feel like I want to die.

My hair was suddenly pulled up in such a tight grip and I was sure that it would all rip off my head. My hand immediately flew to my hand in a bid to try and lessen the force but he seemed to be expecting that as he immediately backhanded me right across the face. My vision grew blurry as I saw stars for a moment. I was too much in a haze of pain to notice that he had released my hair.

He squatted till his face was level with mine.

"Tsk tsk, Zarina. You know better than to try and control what I do the most. You know I hate disobedient pets the most. I'm actually a nice person if you listen to me, right?" He asked and I nodded so fast, I was sure I would get whiplash. I had learned the hard way that dawdling never got me anything asides more pain so I was always quick to answer.

"Oh! So you do know? Then tell me Zarina dear, why Elder Tom called to tell me you bit him like a savage dog and then fled, when I specifically gave you instructions to make him very happy?" He asked, voice going tight at the end.

My mind began to work rapidly as I tried to think of an answer that would reduce my punishment but like he knew what I was thinking, he spoke. "Don't even think of lying to me girl. You'll suffer more if you do."

I gulped. "I... I... He tried to force himself on me and I panicked so I... I'm sorry. I... I know that I was wrong. I'll make sure to apologize as so...." My words were cut off when he started laughing hysterically. I watched him laugh like he had heard the funniest joke and shivers ravaged my whole body because to me it sounded like my death toll.

"He tried to force himself on you? Is that some sort of a joke? If it is, you are incredibly funny." With that his smiling expression changed in the blink of an eye and his hand was gripping my hair harshly. Pain rang through my scalp.

"I need you to get something very clear, Little Zarina. You are not in the least bit worth anything so don't act like you are special. He tried to force you? What a joke! You are a whore that is meant to pleasure men. One whose only life's purpose is to serve between the legs of the opposite gender. I did you a favor by making sure that the person you would serve first was a man in power. You should be grateful for that privilege but instead, here you are whining like a bitch. Your actions have almost cost me the relationship I had tried so hard to painstakingly build between myself and Elder Tom yet here you are whining about him almost raping you."

"Uggh!" I groaned in pain as he punched me straight in the gut. I tried to curl up but he didn't let me as he proceeded to use his free hand to rain blows after blows on my body while swearing profanities and curses at me. I screamed and cried begging him to stop but he didn't let up till I was teetering at the edge of unconsciousness.

He stopped and then threw me asides harshly. "That will teach you not to ever disobey me no matter what, bitch. Thankfully, I have made an appointment for you to rectify you ridiculous error. On your eighteenth birthday, a gala will be held. There you are to make up for your mistakes and if necessary, do more. Make sure not to let me down again Zarina or else it would be worse than this. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father" I croaked out knowing my onslaught would only begin if I didn't respond. With that, he put on his disarming smile, turned and then left.

Once he was gone, I allowed myself to fully let go as I curled up into a ball and cried my heart out.

Yes. This monster is my own biological father and from his words, it seems I am going to be defiled on my own coming of age ceremony. Isn't my life just splendid?