CHAPTER 55: 55

NYLAH

I wasn’t able to do anything that day, to my dismay. And the next day was even worse. I couldn’t even get out of bed. The scene of last night kept replaying in my head.

How possessive and angry Xavier was and how he claimed me that night like a hungry lion.

I thought I could push it off since I loved having him, but I was triggered by it.

A knock sounded on my door, and I was too weak to answer. It felt like my body was glued to the bed.

"My lady?" A voice called from the other side of the door, and I pushed myself up and strained my way to the door.

I slightly pushed the door open and saw a maid holding a tray of food. She was looking worried already.

"Good morning, my lady. You didn’t come out for breakfast, so I brought you some food." She said, raising the tray higher.

I shook my head, repulsed by the good the minute my gaze fell on it.

"I’m not hungry," I replied, still shaking my head.

She looked at me with confusion on her face. "Are you unwell?"

"I’m fine, I’m just not hungry," I replied and closed the door.

I could picture her in my mind, still standing at the door, looking stunned. That was the first time I refused anything from her, and I was surprised as well. But I didn’t want anyone around. Neither did I want anything, I just wanted to be alone.

I lay on my bed, staring into the empty space in my room. Slowly, I drifted to sleep.

"Come here you slut!" A sharp, angered voice called.

Matteo.

I looked over my shoulder, fear etched on my face, my lips parted. Shook with fear.

"I said come here now! You useless..." He reached out and grabbed me by my clothes from behind, making the cloth choke my neck.

"Please..." I struggled to free myself but his grip was tight.

"You are nothing... I own you!!! You talk to men like a slut!" Just then, he dealt me a heavy slap that sent me falling to the ground.

I held my face, tears dripping onto my cheeks.

"I didn’t talk to him I swear!" I sobbed but my words were like a breeze that blew right past him. He kicked and punched me until I coughed blood.

I was slowly losing consciousness, bleeding onto the floor when he came to his senses and held onto my body calling my name like he cared.

"Nylah, Nylah!.."

"...Nylah, Nylah!" With a gasp, I woke up to find myself on my bed, in my room with Sofia looking at me with worry and concern.

"Nylah! Wake up!" She continued even after she saw that I already opened my eyes.

"What happened? Were you having a bad dream?" Sofia asked, looking concerned.

I nodded slowly.

That was when I noticed that I was drenched in sweat. The bedsheet was soaked from my body liquid.

I sat up and held my head.

"You’re safe now," Sofia spoke softly, patting my back as she spoke.

She stayed with me not saying another word and just watching me closely. When she saw that I had finally calmed down, she began.

"Is something going on? You retired to bed early yesterday and I thought it was because you were tired but seeing you having a nightmare, and refusing to eat or come out of your room all day has me thinking something is going on. This is unlike you." She voiced her concerns

I let out a sigh. I couldn’t explain to her my past trauma and what triggered it. I also couldn’t tell her the dream I had.

"Nothing serious is going on... I just lost my appetite. Maybe it’s the food she brought though." I lied. And she caught me.

"How did you know what she brought when you didn’t even check the food? You rejected it outrightly." She replied

"I’m sorry, I just feel like staying in today. I’m not my best today." I apologized, meaning it.

"It’s fine, you can stay in but you need to eat. I won’t watch you starve yourself. Now, tell me what you feel like eating, and I will ask the kitchen to prepare it." She said and a small smile played on my lips.

Sofia had always looked out for me and I was grateful to have found a friend in the most unlikely place.

"I’ll have anything spicy," I told her and she nodded and left to the kitchen.

I dragged a palm down my face with a sigh. I hadn’t had that dream or thought about that even in a while now.

Matteo was my ex-boyfriend and he was a total arse. He had anger issues that were out of control.

I met him in my first year as a stripper and he didn’t seem to have an issue with me working as a stripper at first but two weeks into the relationship, he seemed to develop a whole book of problems and reasons why I shouldn’t work there.

He would beat me for fun when he was drunk, if I coughed in front of a man or if a man talked to me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a harmless question. Matteo claims I seduce the men and make them talk to me.

When I tried to leave, he beat me for it. When I refused to give him money, he beat me for it.

I finally got some thugs to teach him a lesson and the security at the clubhouse stopped him from coming in or hanging around the premises of the clubhouse.

Ever since then, I hadn’t dreamt about it or thought about the awful nights until a few minutes ago.

And I knew what triggered it...

"I have something spicy for you," Sofia spoke from the door, bringing in a tray of food.

"You don’t want to tell me anything so you should eat a lot instead." She said as she placed the tray on a small stool.

I nodded a thank you and began to eat but I was not ready for the question she asked next.

"Does your mood and attitude have anything to do with Alpha Xavier?" I paused with food in my mouth.