YOUR MONSTER, MY PRIDE

Chapter 10: The Monster Behind The Door

Annabel sat front of her mirror, smiling softly as she recalled Reynold's words, his firmness when he defended her. 

"I should thank him," she whispered, then walked toward the door. 

Just as she opened, she froze.

Jaden stood in front of her, his hands raised as though he was just about to knock. 

She looked at him, a bit surprised, and then asked gently, "Jaden, right?" 

He smiled, tucking his hands into his pockets. 

"Can I come in?" He asked, his tone was calm, with an innocent smile. 

Annabel hesitate for a few seconds before sliding the door open, allowing him in. 

He stepped in slowly, his eyes scanning every corner of the room. 

"You are married but not sleeping with your husband, that's not very good," he said with a sly smile.

Annabel frowned. She wasn't sure what he was up to but it didn't feel right. 

"I choose to live separately until Reynold and I feel more comfortable with each other." 

Her gaze followed him as she tried to read his intentions.

Jaden smirked. 

"That's the thing about arrange marriages."

He walked towards the door, leaned his body against it and then locked it.

Annabel breathe nervously. 

"Jaden, why are you here? Do you need anything?" Her voice was calm but her body tensed as she felt uncomfortable in his presence 

He dropped his head and chuckled. 

"Do I need a reason to say hi to my sister in-law," he said, lifting his head to meet her gaze. 

He took slow steps towards her. "I just want to welcome you…..personally."

Annabel eyes narrowed. Her heart raced. Something felt odd.

He seemed to want more than just a mere 

 welcome. 

She nervously took few steps back. "I….I don't think that's necessary. We already did that at the dinner earlier." Her voice broke as she spoke. 

Jaden didn't stop. A wicked smiled curved on his lips. 

"I told you, I want to personally welcome you."

Annabel heart pounded but just as she continued moving, her back hit a wall. 

She was stuck. 

Her eyes scanned the room. She was searching for anything— anything that could be use as a weapon to defend herself.

She found nothing. 

Her legs trembled as he approached her with his a smile that showed he was up to no good. 

Suddenly, Annabel took a deep breathe and then burst into laughter. 

She moved towards him, tapped his shoulder playfully and said, " I just knew it. I thought no one really cared about me in this house." 

She playfully walked past him, approaching the door. 

"Thank you for checking up on me," she smiled. "Reynold is on his way back here. when he comes, I will tell him how kind you were."

She grabbed the doorknob but then it was locked.

Her heart dropped. 

She pulled again and again. 

Still locked. 

Her heart raced. Her hand trembled nervously. 

She closed her eyes deeply and then force out a fake smile. 

She turned slowly—jaden was standing there, swinging the keys in his hands. 

She forced a shaky smile. "Why do you have my keys," her voice crack with nervous laughs. 

"Are you looking for this?" he teased, spinning it between his fingers. 

"Jaden…" she called with a nervous laugh. "This is not the best way to make me feel welcome. What if Reynold walks in and misunderstands?" 

She inched closer her bedside. Her hands slowly wrapping around the night lamp behind her.

Jaden grinned.

"Don't you know?" he whispered. 

"Everyone has gone to the office," he said with a teasing smile and then lean forward. "Even your husband isn't here today."

Annabel legs trembled. 

Now, she knew she had to fight her battles alone. 

She tightened her grip on the night lamp.

"But don't worry, to help feel more comfortable," he continued, stepping closer. "I told all the maids to leave too." 

Annabel chest tightened.

She nervously shove the night lamp towards him. Her handing trembling. 

"I don't know what you are up to but I am asking you to stop." 

She tried to speak firmly but her fear made it crack.

He laughed.

And with one swift move, he kicked the lamp from her hand. 

Annabel gasp. 

He grabbed her arm and then pin her to the wall. 

She fought but his grip on her was too strong. 

She felt his hands racing towards her thigh. 

She panicked. No. Not like this. 

She wasn't going to let him have his way— at least not without a fight.

She jacked, kicked and screamed.

But no one came.

He was having his way, faster than she expected. 

He covered her mouth tightly, cutting off her air. 

Annabel struggled, gasping for breathe.

His body pinning her to the wall as his other hand pulled down her panties. 

Tears dropped down her cheeks. Her lungs burned. she was losing consciousness. 

"Someone save me….. save me, please" she cried within her heart.

Then— his pinky finger slipped into her mouth. 

Annabel bit him hard with all her strength. 

Jaden screamed. 

And then smacked her across her face. 

Annabel collapsed on the bed but before she could react, he climbed over her, pressing her tightly to the bed. 

Annabel screamed— "REYNOLD!!!."

And then— Silence.

Then— BANG

Once. Twice. Thrice 

BOOM!

The door flew open, slamming against the wall with force.

Wind rushed through the room.

Reynold stood at the door way. His eyes opened wide. His chest rose and fell with rage. 

Breeze blew his thick black hair.

He stood still, his hand clenched tightly. His jaw tightened. 

His eyes— cold. Piercing. Unforgiving.

Jaden released her immediately, jumped away. His legs trembled.

Annabel lifted herself from the bed, weak and trembling.

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. 

And then she saw it. 

The fire in his eyes was different. Familiar. 

She had seen this anger.. this look… the darkness. 

This wasn't Reynold. It was the monster in him.