" So you rejected Davis?"
I watched as my mother mentally crossed out another name from her list of prospective son-in-laws sighing as she sipped her lemon water. She'd been trying harder than usual to lose weight. Something about gaining her youth and rekindling the flame between her and Dad. I couldn't wrap my head around all this goofy love stuff anyway so I always chose to remain as a silent observer.
" I'm not ready for marriage. Plus I feel like he's going too fast , don't you think?" I was trying to calm her down so that I didn't have to answer any more questions. " We've only been together for a few months-"
" Two years and three months , Belle. Two years and three months. " She spoke with a stern face.
" You've been keeping tabs , huh? " I rolled my eyes as I scrambled my brains in search for a reason why I'd failed to last in a relationship. Any relationship.
" Listen...mum...I just..."
" Just?" She groaned and threw her arms around me from the back. " Belle , I don't mean to pry into your life or anything , but I just hope you'll find a guy...no...the right guy and settle down one day. "
" Yes mother dearest. " I kissed her hand and took a deep breath. " By the way , you're putting way too much pressure on me. Marriage isn't a priority for women in today's world. "
" Here comes the feminist again." She rolled her eyes.
There was nothing particularly wrong with Davis. Infact , he was an amazing guy. He was handsome too. I gazed at the diamond ring on my finger . It was beautiful and I didn't deserve to be wearing it.
I had just left Davis on one knee at my favorite Italian restaurant. He'd planned a surprise engagement. All of our friends were there , most of his family too and what did I do ?
I just stood there like a snowman and watched him put a ring on my finger. He had a wide smile on his face while I looked like I'd just seen a ghost. I didn't realise when I'd left the restaurant at all. My mind was blank and I felt like I was in a dream.
" Belle ! Belle wait! " I could hear him running after me so I ran faster. I needed to get away.
I didn't stop. I couldn't. I didn't have the answers to any of his questions. Why was I leaving like that? What did he do wrong? Why didn't I say anything?
" Taxi! " I quickly called for a cab and came straight home.
" Just a simple reminder , you're not getting any younger , Belle. " My mother's voice broke through my chain of thoughts.
" You never let me forget , do you?"
I gave a dry smile. I was feeling awful and I couldn't hide it. You know that feeling when you are genuinely repulsed by yourself?
" It's okay. Cheer up , " She patted my shoulder ,
" Maybe the next guy will be better."
" Amen!" I laughed as I stood to go to my room.
Sometimes I just wanted to disappear or turn into a butterfly and sit on flowers forever or something. I don't know ...something to keep me busy forever.
Looking in the mirror , I see the same average looking nobody that was often sidelined in high school. I was practically the invisible blonde girl with braces. Well , atleast the braces were gone now.
I had zero confidence back then. Luckily enough , that transformed into a feeling well defined as ' currently not giving a shit about what anyone says.'
" Well...I'm not ugly. " I scanned myself in the full body length mirror as I turned around. " My ass is growing."
I laughed at my foolishness and ran my hands over my hair. The lights made it glow beautifully. I made eye contact with myself and felt a wave of pride sweep across me. My eyes were always my trump card. They were a breathtaking mystic grey. I'd gathered hundreds of compliments because of them.
I was smiling again but then I suddenly recalled that I'd just broken Davis' heart and that he probably hated me now. His family must think im a bitch. Well , that would seem right. I did display some very bitchy behaviour. I had no right to be smiling right now.
As though on command , a sulk escaped my lips. It was like my body wanted to process this situation but my brain wanted to skip it. Did I want to cry this out?
" I'll just sleep it off. " I flung my heels across the room and landed on my bed. I'd rather sleep than face my reality.
It wasn't long before I drifted off.
" Belle...Belle..." I was hearing voices...again. I turned In my sleep and tried to block them out.
" Belle..."
I sprung from my bed and looked around my room on panic mode. I was sweating and hyperventilating all at once. I noticed that It was dark outside.
It was 3 am. My heart sank even deeper. Since young , kids used to say it was the hour of the dead. The hour when all the evil forces in the world gathered together to unanimously fuck you up!
I started imagining my soul floating out of my body , the shadows coming off of the walls and oh! I didn't even want to think about what could be under my bed.
" Stop it!" I pinched myself. " It's all in your head. " I rubbed my now dry throat. After many failed attempts , I accepted that I obviously couldn't sleep so I decided to work. That would be better. Off to the kitchen! It would be safer there , I guess. Basing off the horror movies I've watched , a kitchen would definitely be safer than a bedroom.
I sipped my coffee as I worked on the kitchen island. I was a seasoned insomniac so staying up was no big deal. I scrolled through my latest story.
" Fraud in the parliament . "
I worked with the Newland News Channel - NNC. I'd made my way up the ladder and made a name for myself. Journalism had always been my first love. I knew I was made for it and it for me.
" Mayor Flynn Baldster..." I squinted to read off my monitor.'' I forgot my glasses up stairs. Typical of me..."
Without them, you might as well hand me a walking cane.
I dragged myself to the staircase but stopped dead in my tracks. The lights were off , which explained the numerous shadows in the room , but yet there was this one shadow at the top of the stairs that was... different.
My heart was already pounding in my chest but I was adamant on believing I was just seeing things.
" It's in your head. It's all in your head. "
I placed my foot on the first stair and almost tripped. My legs were trembling immensely. Best display of spaghetti legs yet.
I took the next step with a fixed gaze on the dark silhouette ahead of me. I took the next step and noticed that each time I blinked ,it was closer. I froze in place. I could almost see my heart beat from my t-shirt.
I held my chest and closed my eyes. I prayed silently and opened my eyes again.
It wasn't there anymore.
" It was all in my head. Ha!" I was laughing all on my own. I probably looked like a psychopath. I felt like I'd won a mini - war . I wiped the sweat from my forehead and laughed at my foolishness. It was probably my anxiety pills that were getting to me. I was a fucking mess.
I took another step but stopped again when I felt a chill down my spine.
" Belle..."
My soul left my body immediately. It was that same voice. The voice I'd been hearing since I was eight , but this time it was closer than ever before. I could feel a presence standing right behind me.
" Belle. "
I didn't let myself register what was going on. I sprinted up the stairs and made for my room. I shut the door and grabbed the nearest defense I could get which unfortunately, was my bedside lamp.
I held it like a sword and was ready to attack the moment that door opened.
I could hear footsteps coming towards my room and I felt the air leave my lungs. I could see a shadow beneath my door. My chest was swollen with fear and tears were pouring down my face.
" Belle. "
I heard that voice again , but this time...from within my room.
I dropped the lamp.