I'm Blind Not Fragile

Chapter 14

Hans leads me from the bathroom, and the silence surrounding us is choking me.

"So what does your dad do?" I started a conversation to escape the tension

"None of you business," Hans tensely replied

"Jeez sorry. Didn't know it was such a touchy subject." I stupidly run my mouth.

"You can't talk to me like that." He threatened? Warned? Who is this guy? I could feel his anger as if he had an extra set of hands to shake me senseless. I guess this was my early warning system on the fact that my body thought I was in danger. I was never one to heed warnings though.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were the crowned prince of England." I mock. In the next second I was pushed against the wall. The sudden slam knocked the breath out of me. I could feel Hans towering over me, his breath on my hair and his chest moving in front of my face was distracting to say the least. He was so large compared to my small frame, it made me want to shrink within myself, but I couldn't. Not with him pinning me so securely. I was leaning against the wall, and yet I could still feel the heat of his chest near my face. I looked up so my face wasn't smothered. I tried to buck him off but he caught on and gripped my hips to keep me secure.

"You just think you're so funny don't you? Little girl with no protection. Do you even know who I am?" His grip on my waist tightened ever so slightly in response to his words.

"I must admit you are pretty. Much prettier with your mouth shut, that is for certain"

His words sent a chill through me and I put up another futile attempt to free myself. Pushed off the wall as hard as I could while being pinned down, but trying to push Hans was like trying to ram into a wall. He gave me no leeway. The cacophony of warning bells in my head rang all at once. Why can't I ever just keep my mouth shut?

"Strong too, you might even be able to throw a decent punch. Did daddy sign you up for self defense classes?" He asks mockingly. "interesting, signing a blind girl up for self defense. Who would want to hurt a smart mouthed annoying blind girl?" He says right next to my ear, somehow making it sound like a threat.

Hans suddenly straightened and started walking away. I was so shocked I just stood there for a moment. He is so bipolar. At the sound of his footsteps getting fainter I panicked about getting lost and caught up to him, as fast as I could without knowing my surroundings. My body was tense from the encounter. My hips still had the invisible pressure of his hands even though he was at least 10 paces away. I'm sure some bruises would form later, only to disappear overnight. My bruises never lasted long unless they were really bad.

I followed him through the house not saying anything. My fear angered me. If Brandon were here he would have killed him, would have stuck up for himself, but I'm not Brandon. Maybe I was a fool all things years thinking that I was badass and could take care of myself, maybe Howard was right. There has to be something wrong with me if my own father can't even live with me anymore. Even Brandon saw what a mess I am and abandoned me too. That is If he ever cared about me at all.

We finally got to the dining room. My father stood and guided me to where I was to sit. When I sit down and he pushes my chair toward the table, he leans down next to my ear.

"Don't tell me you're whoring around with the Chamberlain boy already? You're a disgrace. If you in any way mess up this business deal for me. I will make your life a living hell. Trust me," he murmurs threatening me. How could I be surrounded by so many dangers at once? Even once I escaped Hans's presence I could never escape my father. Howard terrifies me more than anything ever will. There is just no way of predicting what he wants from someone until he takes it.

Howard walks away slowly and starts up a conversation as if he didn't just whisper in my ear. The seating around me seemed that Mr. Chamberlain was at the head of the table while Hans wan on his right and my father on his left. I sat next to my father across the table from Eliza. My father and Mr. Chamberlain talked about business almost the entire time. Apparently Mr. Chamberlain owned a great deal of product he wanted imported and exported through the city. He already had plane and train connections, but he really wanted access to my father's ports and waterside connections. The deal would make them very wealthy because together they would control nearly 70% of all import and export through the city, but will also knock Mr. Chamberlain's rivals down a peg. One of the main factors though is that Mr. Chamberlain didn't know my father very well and needed to trust him to keep some stuff secret. I couldn't understand what exactly was such a secret, but I wasn't exactly trying to fish for info.

I sat silently and politely as I barely touched my food. I didn't want to create a stir after Howard's threat, so I said nothing at all. It was Eliza who started the conversation with me.

"So what do you want to go to college for?" She asked me and I had to remind myself that she thought I was 2 days shy of 18. I had to think about it for a moment. I had been thinking about this kind of thing for a while but I never actually said it aloud.

"At one point I wanted to be a musician, but I am thinking of majoring in law. Being a lawyer will help me help people who feel like their life is over."

"Oh wow! That's a lot of work and studying to be a lawyer. Your dad must be so proud. I am going to go to an art school and become one of the most sought after painters." She said and I could hear the joy in her voice when talking about painting. She must really love it. It took all I had in me to not wince when she mentioned Howard, he knew nothing of my plans to become a lawyer.

"That sounds wonderful. Maybe one day when we're rich and successful we'll be each other's clients." I said, with a smile. Eliza is a kind soul. I hope she gets all the fame and recognition she deserves.

"I like how you think Raine. I think that we are going to be great friends." I didn't realize that everyone was listening to our conversation until Mr. Chamberlain finally spoke up:

"Well Howard, it seems our daughters are hitting it off. In the spirit of tonight, let us toast to new friendships and new partnerships." Howard guided my hand toward my glass so I could raise it.

The dinner slowly came to an end. Me and Howard are on our way out of the door. I say goodbye to Eliza and avoid Hans. At least this horrid night is finally over. Tonight was just downright terrifying for so many reasons. But it's over and I can finally go home to Eric.