I'm Blind Not Fragile

Chapter 12

Be brave, get through this night.

Easier said than done.

I didnt understand why we needed four hours to do my hair and put on a dress, but as I sit here for the third consecutive hour of my hair being burned and tugged on, I cant help but think this is all unnecessary. And that is after they fitted my dress for an hour.

"Alright! That'll do it!" Isabel-who has been rather kind through this whole ordeal-chirped. "Now please do be careful not to do any cartwheels or anything of that sort, hairspray can only do so much."

"Thank you so much Isabel. Tell me does it look as good as I know it does?" I asked

"Better." she replies nonchalantly, making me giggle.

"Did I hear that it's done?" Sherry asks as she enters the room.

"Yes ma'am" Isabel responds dutifully.

"I guess it will do. You may leave Isabel." She dismisses.

"of course ma-"

"Isabel, go" Sherry interrupts.

Once Isabel had gone Sherry turns her attention to me. "Alright brat, let's go."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Let's go, your father doesnt like to be kept waiting." Shery snapped

"You can't speak to me like that. My last name is still Lewis, you still work for my family." I defend.

"No, I work for your father. He trusts me with everything, and he all but disowned you. So who do you think he will believe if this issue is brought up before him? You or me?" I stay silent in shock, "That's what I thought. Now we leave to your father's mansion in 10 minutes." With that she left the room.

"Brandon..Brandon" My phone chimes,

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey Raine" Brandon replies stiffly.

"what's wrong?" I ask.

"I'm leaving." Brandon says

"Ok, for how long?"

"Forever" He replies leaving me speechless for a moment.

"What! Why?" I ask frantically

"Because"

"Because why? You have a life here!"

"There's nothing keeping me here." Ok that one hurt.

"Nothing? Brandon, what is this about?" I pause "You know what, I'm coming over."

"Don't. I dont want you here. Can't you get that through your thick skull?"

"Brandon I dont understand."

"Raine we can't be friends anymore."

"You can't just end our friendship, Brandon."

"We aren't friends! God! We never were! My dad told me to hang around you so I did, but now I dont need to anymore." He fumes, "Look, I have to go, dont try to call this number again. It won't go through. Goodbye Raine."

"Call ended." My phone robotic voice announces.

I stood there shocked, willing myself not to cry.

"Ms. Lewis, I am here to escort you to the car." A man says by the doorway. I walk towards his voice and he starts to lead the way.

Why would Brandon say those things? Why now?

All these questions and no answers. Maybe I'll find at least some answers by the time this night is through.

"There you are" Howard says with no emotion.

"Yes Howard, she was being difficult so we are later than expected." Sherry blamed.

I was about to deny it and defend myself, but Howard grabbed me by the back of my neck and growled "You little bitch. This meeting is very important. If you cannot do what I tell you tonight, I swear I will cut you and your brother off."

After he released me I swallowed and nodded. Although I can hold off the average thug, and Howard has never actually harmed me physically, I am absolutely terrified of him. He can do so many worse things to me, He could cut Eric off, or pull me out of school.

"Now c'mon we dont want to be actually late. Your little stunt made it a possibility." Howard snapped as he lead me to his car impatiently.

A short time later the driver pulls off the road and down what I presume is a long driveway. The car finally stopped and Howard helped me out of the car and leads me toward wherever we were going.

"These are very important people inside, Gertrude. You will show them every bit of respect your small mind can muster. This deal is very important to me. Tonight you are 18 got it? This deal cannot go sour, you know what will happen if it does." He murmurs in my ear. I nod. "Good, smile."

The door opens: "Welcome, You must be Howard Lewis and his daughter. My employer is expecting you."