-Hazel-
I ran into the room with so much force. Slammed the door behind me and locked it like he was chasing after me.
My body shivering from the close contact. His scent and touch stirred something in me. I become so numb when he's close. Why??
I move towards the bed and sink to the floor. Trying to catch my breath. I can still feel his touch. His fingers were cold against my warm lips. I trace my hands to my lips, and towards my jawline remembering how his hands were firmly holding my chin up. The dominance in his voice as he said, "Do as you're told little doll."
"Little doll," wow.
God. I hated how those words clung to me. Like a stain. Or worse….like they belonged. Some part of me responded to them, even when everything rational inside me screamed that it shouldn't. I wasn't a doll and I sure as hell wasn't his to play with.
I just stood there, staring up at him like I'd forgotten how to move. I lost myself when he touched me, losing my ability to speak and didn't push him away the way my insides were screaming for me to... My body betrayed me again.
I thought about what he'd said. About taking care of myself. About the baby.
He didn't care about me. That much was obvious. He cared about the child. "How could someone like him love a child?" I muttered.
And it wasn't like he was wrong. I hadn't eaten properly in a day. Even the vitamins I was given were just lying around the room. I actually haven't done anything I was told to except panicking and crying.
I stretched to get water beside me when my phone started ringing. I fumbled to grab it and answered immediately. "It's Mabel," I grinned happily to myself.
Her face popped up, hair pulled into a messy bun, eyes sharp with worry…but behind her, the room was familiar. The room had flower wallpapers and looked warm very much comforting. A crocheted blanket across the couch and sitting right beside her—my mother.
"Ma!" My voice cracked.
My mom's eyes lit up. "Hazel! Oh, baby girl!"
I pressed my fingers to my lips. "Ma, I'm okay. I promise. I'm safe."
Her hand fluttered toward her chest. "You're not hurt? You're okay?"
"I am. Just… not at home. I'm sorry. I couldn't call earlier. Everything happened so fast.
Mabel tilted the screen slightly so I could see both of them. "I came over as I promised," she said.
"I miss you so much Ma, I'm so sorry about all this. You look better, how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling better, they are taking good care of me. I just miss you."
I nodded with tears already rippling down my face. Her smile made me feel much better.
"I'll visit soon, I'll make sure I'm able to leave here so I can take care of you."
"That's my girl, be careful okay? Don't do anything ra—as-ash," she said coughing.
" I won't Ma" I bite down into my fingers to stop myself from crying harder."I love you Ma."
"I love you too." She responds.
Mabel gave me a look, half-smile, half-smirk. "Alright, now that we've got the emotional reunion out of the way—what does your room look like? The man has money. Show me around. Come on."
I laughed, a breathy, unexpected sound. "Really?"
"Yes! Don't make me beg. I need a distraction from your mother's homemade tea. No offense, Ma."
"It's good for the nerves," Ma said, nudging her with her elbow.
I flipped the camera and stood up. "Okay, okay. Don't judge me if it's looking messy, I've been tossing things around and crying."
The camera showed how large the room is, the king-sized bed with the peach headboard. The floor to ceiling windows and high curtains. The chandelier overhead that I don't understand the role it played in this room.
Mabel gasped.
"Hazel. Hazel. That's not a room. That's a damn hotel suite."
I turned back to the camera. "Right?"
"You've got a freaking chandelier in there. That's some Cinderella-level rich man décor."
I couldn't help it—I laughed again, and even Ma smiled.
"There's even a walk-in closet I'm scared to go near. I think it has already filled with clothes."
"Girl. You're living in a palace."
"I'm living in a prison with really nice furniture."
That sobered the moment just a little.
Mabel nodded, serious again. "But at least you're safe, yeah?"
I nodded. "For now."
After another few minutes of small talk, Ma got tired and Mabel promised to stay until she was asleep.
We Said our byes and the screen went black. Officially back to my doom.
I came down and walked to the window. It showed my reflection. I leaned my head against it. Looking at the large fortress. Mabel was right—I was in a palace. I'm trapped here but I'm around to move around and that's an advantage.
"I need to get out of here." I'm not naïve and It wouldn't be easy. He has guards and cameras. Hell, the man might have drones watching the perimeter.But he wasn't God.
I'm not going to sit here like some silent, pretty little doll while he decides how my life should go. No matter what I was carrying.
I wasn't his.