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First things first, I head to my room, where my only two electronic devices are charged. Snatching up my headphones, I return to the kitchen and pick my tunes to enjoy while I cook and clean.
My stomach rumbles with hunger just thinking about what I’m making tonight. It’s nothing special, but it’s such a delicious stew. It will take an hour to make, but it’s so worth it as the nights grow colder. Prepping the vegetables from my garden, I chop and rinse them before bringing them to a nice simmer with the small piece of meat.
As I wait for the kitchen to fill with the wonderful aroma, I get to cleaning.
I twirl around in my cottage to the music from my newest MP4 player I got for Christmas last year. Has it been that long already? Of course, it has. The older air has gripped the area, and it is the end of October. I grab the broom that has seen better days. “Care to dance, Good Sir?”
I press play and dance around the room like the old wood is my prince, feeling like Briar Rose without the nutty fairies or a wicked evil being out to get me.
Spinning around the kitchen like it’s a ballroom that I’ve only read about, I picture myself in the loveliest pink gown as the man of my dreams, while he tells me I’m the one he wants to marry and have a family with. Goodness, in my head I sound completely like her.
I suppose I’m more like her than a normal girl my age. I’m orphaned and locked away because my father’s afraid people will find out about me and use me to get to him.
My mother died in childbirth, and I was quickly sent to this cottage before I cut my first tooth because I’d almost been kidnapped. They were never triumphant again, but I feel I lost out on a family because of it. Maybe that’s why he’s never acted like a real father to me, or what I believe a father should be. My only references to parents are from the books I’ve read.
I’ve never owned a television, and books have been my only outlet to the real world. My music player has been a blessing. I didn’t know I was missing it in my life, and a part of me wants to know what else is out there. I’ve fallen in love with so much of the music. According to my nanny, most of the music is old, but it’s really good.
A band called The Beatles plays in my ears, and they’re probably one of my favorites. I dance to While My Guitar Gently Weeps and I find happiness.
Suddenly, I’m caught off guard, and Olga comes into the room. She snatches the broom from my hands and then catches me on the ass, swatting me with the handle. The quickness of her attack always gets me, and I’m never prepared for it, but I bite back the pain. The bruising will last for a week, and there’s nothing I can do about it. My father tells me it’s the lesson I need to learn, and I’d stop getting beat when it sinks in.
I thought Olga was gone for the week, and I wouldn’t see her again for another one.
With her over-jeweled fingers, she slams the curtains shut and starts shouting. “Have you lost your mind, you dumb girl?” she yells in English because even though I was born and raised in Russia my entire existence, they never taught me anything but English. I rub my hand over my backside, hoping to stop some of the pain from spreading, but it doesn’t help.
“You’re useless, and if your father didn’t pay me to keep you alive, I’d kill you myself.” She yanks my headphones down and steps on them. My heart cracks with the device. Every word from her mouth cuts sharper than before and there’s a new sense of anger building in me.
“You broke my headphones.”
“I’ll do more than that if you don’t learn to behave. There are people out there ready to steal you off, and you act like a foolish girl with dreams. They will never happen.”
I’ve had enough of this woman who’s been nothing but a plaything for my father when he does actually visit. “Then why am I here? If I’m trapped in a cottage with no future, I have better things to do with my life.” My voice is raised and higher pitched than it’s ever been as I feel like I’m going to just lose it.
“You will once your father has the highest bidder to take you.” The snide comment slips past her lips as she adjusts her blouse.
“What?” I ask, finally ready to take control. Never have I heard anything about being someone’s bargaining chip, an item for sale. Although it would make sense, I hadn’t thought he’d be capable of that. They have taken my last piece of comfort and now this.
The anger on my face must show because she’s quick to correct herself. “Oh, he’s not putting you up for sale just yet, but he can’t lose out on such a precious commodity. Why don’t you think he’s kept his guards out of the house with such prime meat in their faces all day? Young pussy goes for a lot of money.”
Shaking my head, I narrow my eyes at this woman who has no regard for me in the least. “You just hate me so damn much. It makes no sense, so if you’re done assaulting me, do you mind getting the hell out of my home?”
“I would, but I’m waiting for a call from your father.”
“Looking for someone to screw that old pussy.” I toss her disgusting words right back at her.
“You have a filthy mouth on you.”
“I only learned it from the best.” I look over at the knives in my chopping block and consider what would happen if I just stabbed this bitch. I’m sure my father could easily find another whore to deliver groceries.
“Little girl, know your place.” She slaps me across the face. I’m about to grab the large knife when my crappy cell phone rings. It only allows me to make a call to my father’s number and doesn’t have any internet. It’s like a phone from before I was born.
“Katya,” he says the second I answer.
“Daddy,” I call him, hoping he’ll hear the upset in my voice.
“What have I told you?” Of course, he doesn’t, or he doesn’t care.
Straightening my shoulders, I clear my throat and respond like the dutiful subject. “Mr. Volchek, can I help you?”
