Chapter 6
Edited
"Where's my Daddy?" Clara asked peering at me with bloodshot eyes and fresh tears brewing again.
"He’s coming; don’t worry honey, he’s looking for you" I pulled her into another hug and she relaxed into me
"I want my Daddy" she wailed
"I know, I know" I looked up to see Phil staring at me with wide eyes.
"She doesn't let anyone touch her, not even Alex!"
"That's her Mom, right?" He nodded
"My Mom is in heaven" Clara stated matter-of-factly as she lifted her head up from my embrace
"Did Daddy tell you that?"
She nodded and snuggled into me. "Clara, you need a bath and a change of clothes" I stood up with her in my arms "Where's her bathroom, Phil?" He signalled towards a door in the room; I walked in and saw a giant tub with rubber ducks all around the rim and loads of assorted bubble baths lined up against it.
With Clara in my arms I bent down and put the plug in, turning the tap for the warm water on. Sitting Clara on the toilet I gently pulled her dress over her head and gasped, little bruises dotted her body. I felt bile rising up my throat but swallowed it down; Clara was staring down at her feet almost as if she was embarrassed.
"I'm going get you back to Daddy" I promised, lightly kissing her forehead. Pulling off her pants, I sat her in the half full bath. Immediately she dipped her head under the water emerging with her eyes pinched tightly; she wiped her eyes before opening them. She looked at me with a little smile playing on her lips; her thick eye lashes glintingwith water making her eyes more prominent.
For about half hour,Clara was splashing around; playing with the ducks. I washed her lightly with a flannel, and every time she winced I felt awful. I would not let them hurt her anymore; I'd rather it be me than her. Once I took her out of the tub, I wrapped a towel around her small frame and took her back to the bedroom, only to find Phil still standing in the position I left him in. I gave him a questioning look
"Just in case" He said and I nodded understanding that he wanted to offer help.
"Let's get you in some clean clothes" I said to Clara smiling brightly- who just nodded solemnly, not looking as happy as she was in the bath moments ago. I walked over to the wardrobe and opened it and looked at all the different outfits, should she wear a dress? Maybe a pair of jeans? Wait... is it nearly her bedtime? "What's the time Phil?"
He looked at his watch "Quarter to 6"
"Thanks, let's put you in your jammies"
"I don't have any..." Clara whispered
"You can borrow these" I suggested as I opened herevery draw until I found one filled with fluffy jammies- I pulled out a white pair with red hearts scattered all over it, I also took some socks out of another draw. I dressed Clara then looked at her damp hair that was still knotted "Wait here" I instructed smiling softly at her. I wentback to the bathroom and searched for a brush, I finally found one walking back out towards the bed that I left Clara on but she wasn't there.
"Clara?" I called out, looking over to Phil who pointed at the bed. I got down on my knees and peered under the bed, there she was cramped into a small ball hugging her body tightly "Baby, it’s alright. Trust me." I said holding my hand out "I won't hurt you, you know that Clara" I soothed until she took my hand and crawled out, I sat her back on the bed and raised my hand to brush the wisps of hair out of her face but she flinched "I'm not going to hurt you" I promised again "I'm just going to brush your hair, okay?" I asked her setting her between my legs.
"Daddy likes brushing my hair" she whispered
"Really? What else do you and Daddy like?" I asked as I began to brush the knots out gently
"Swimming and dancing and counting, oh and daddy also likes’ shopping" she giggled
"Daddy dances?" I laughed with her
"Yes, he does this funny thing with his bum" Then she quickly slapped her hand over her mouth "I'm not allowed to say that word"
"Oohh!” I gasped as if she said a really bad word "We won't tell Daddy, it will be our secret"
"Yes Shhh!" She agreed putting her finger to her lips, Phil laughed in the corner and Clara tensed up.
"Clara, that's Phil. He’s really nice" I assured her as she turned around to look at me
"Hello Clara" Phil greeted waving at her
"Say hi” I whisperedto her "He won't hurt you" I started brushing her hair again; Clara lifted a hand and sent a timid wave towards Phil. He smiled and I continued brushing Clara’s hair until all the knots were out, by then her hair was practically dry.
"Lorelai, you have to go for dinner now" Phil saidsombrelyashe shifted on his feet, I nodded.
"Is Clara coming?"
"You could bring her down and see what he says"
"I'm not leaving her alone" I turned to face Clara "We are going to go for dinner; you need to stay with me and only speak when I nod at you, understood honey?" I instructed and she gave a short nod "Good" I picked her up and carried her towards the door that was held open by Phil, I sent him a thankful smile and walked through the corridor, turning at the end.
"Wrong way Lor" Phil told me walking in the opposite direction
"But we came..." I trailed off confused, He walked to the end of the passage and pushed the wall just under a picture and to my surprise it opened
"This is a big place, you need to learn your way around" He advised strolling through the dimly lit hallway "He made it like a maze so that if an unwanted person came here, he would lose his way and get caught " He took a right and then a left leading us to another door that I hadn’t noticed before
"I think I need a map" I mumbled, Phil laughed
"I’ll take you on a tour tomorrow, we are nearly here anyway" Finally he opened a door that unveiled anextravagant dining room.
"Ah Flower! You made it, I see you brought Angel with you" Terry stood up and walked over to us, kissing me on the lips making my insides squirm uncomfortably and kissing Clara who leaned into my leg. "Come sit" He smiled, guiding us to the table "Get my Angel a chair" He barked at a man who was lingering in the corner, He jumped and ran out the room returning with a high chair and replaced a normal chair with it. I sat down in the seat next to Clara’s chair, quickly placing Clara into her chair. A girl about my age walked into the room and glanced at Clara in disgust then her eyes settled on me, her nose wrinkling up instantly
"Who is this daddy?" She asked in a whiny voice
"This is my Flower, Lorelai" He introduced me
"Uh huh, why is she with it?" She questioned as she sat down opposite me
"She's the new Nanny" He beamed at me, it took everything I had in me to hold back the dirty look I wanted to send him, I’d ratherbe with him when he’s happy instead of angry.
"How did she get it out from under the bed?" It was irritating that she was referring to Clara as ‘It’
"I don't know- ask her yourself Alex" My eyes snapped up to Alex in surprise and I just stared at her, she didn't look like Chases’ type... Well I didn't really know what Chases’ type was but I never thought it would be someone spoilt and bratty like her. She was petite with brown hair and green eyes, her face looked a little mousey too.
"Want a f*cking picture?" She yapped me
"Alex, don't be rude to Flower!" Terry commanded, raising his voice at her
"Flower" She said maliciously "Why did you get it out?"
"I got CLARA out because she needed to be washed and fed" I told her, making sure I emphasised Clara's name. Alex rolled her eyes.
"The little sh*t wouldn't come out when I tried and when we did she would just run back" Alex muttered angrily
"Maybe if you didn't hurt her she would have come out" I growled
"I don't know what you’re talking about" She sneered obviously lying through her teeth
"She's three!" I yelled out
"Oh Flower, you’ve never been this loud" Terry laughed, I shrunk back in my chair. Alex smirked at me.
"Dinner is pasta el la me" The chef informed as he came out of the kitchen and looked at me "Is this Lorelai!?" He asked Terry, who gave him a cold stare and a curt nod "My, haven't you bloomed!" He placed my plate in front of me "Enjoy!" He said before cooing over Clara. I looked down at the food it smelt great! Promptly shovelling it down my throat, I helped Clara who was getting more food around her mouth then in it. Once we both finished I piled our plates on top of each other
"Don't do that Flower, that's what the servants are here for" He scolded, I stopped instantly. "Why don't you take Angel up to bed, she must be tired" He told me, I stood up hastily sweeping Clara into my arms. "You go as well Alex"
"Why?"
"She is your daughter, so you must learn to look after her if she is staying" He waved her off, she roseto her feet and walked towards the door in the wall, I hurriedly followed. The walk was silent and I tried to remember where I was going by the ornaments and decorations. Alex stormed into the room and sat on a chair. I laid Clara down in the bed and tucked her in "I’ll be here in the morning, ‘kay?" She seemed so frightened, like a lost kitten "I promise" I whispered to her
"Ca-can you tickle my arm?" She requestedsoftly, I giggle lightly that was something Chase had asked me to do and she said it in the same manner. I settled down next to her and I gently ran my fingers over her little arm, and at once she fell asleep. I rose from the bed and glanced at Alex who looked bored beyond words.
"I'm not letting you do this" she guaranteed
"Shh, she's sleeping" I said in a low voice
"Whatever. I know your game" She sauntered out of the room and I followed closing the door quietly.
As soon as the door was shut, Alex grabbed my hair and roughly yanked my head towards her- so close I could feel her breath fanning my nose, I yelped in pain and shock. "Don't think I am stupid you wh*re!" She told me through bared teeth, "You’re not going to get him"
"Get who?" I squeezed my eyes in pain
"Chase" She spat “He’s mine... I know all about you getting closer to him these past months" She punched me in the face and I whimpered. "You deserve everything you’re getting and I'm going to make it even harder for you" She dropped me to the floor and I hit my head against the wall. She marched down one of the hallways; I gingerly touched my head and winced when I felt a lump budding already, I went back into Clara's room still groaning. I was not going to leave her alone tonight,so I locked the door and I was about to switch the light on but there was a knock on the door.
I stayed silent. The knock repeated but louder this time. I was frozen- it could be Alex or worse Terry. "Lorrie, let me in" I heard Phil whisper from the other side, I let out a heavy breath that I was holding and opened the door; Phil quickly slipped in and turned the light on. I locked the door again and turned to face him "Sh*t, what the hell happened?!" He touched my cheek and I flinched
"It’s nothing" I told him "I’ve had worse"
"Was it Terry? Already? He seemed really happy to have you back?" Phil asked utterlypuzzled
"Alex" I breathed "But it’s Ok, I'm fine" I looked at Phil who doubted me, I sighed "Honestly, I'd rather she bruise me than Clara. You should see her body Phil, she’s covered in them" I glanced at the peaceful Clara across the room "I'm getting her out of here, even if it means I stay" I said firmly
"I'm not letting you waste your life away here, Lorrie. It’s just not right. You’ll end up wishing for death" He sat down on the chair that Alex previously had, I moved and laid back on the bed next to Clara and started playing with her hair.
"Like you?"
He nodded "I haven't got it in me to kill myself though, no matter how inviting it sounds"
"I don't like this defeated side of you Phil"
"It’s the truth"
"It doesn't have to be, I’ll get all three of us out" I sounded more confident than I felt. On the inside, I could feel my hopes being crushed
Sorry this is really short! My new aim is to upload 2 or 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday/Sunday) Please leave your comments about how you think the story is going :) oh and votes would be nice
M xxx