Page 2 of Something New

“Don’t you dare hurt her.” I scream in anger.

He releases her, turning to face me again. I would rather his attention be on me, anyway. Anything to keep her safe.

“If you didn’t sneak around trying to take advantage of thehelp,you wouldn’t put me in this position, and I wouldn’t be forced to take action like this.”

“I am not taking advantage of her.” I snarl, clenching my fists at my side.

“He didn’t take advantage of me, sir—” Nerissa says, full of fear and hesitation, but showing how much she loves me by standing up for me.

He spins towards hers with hate in his eyes. “Did I give you permission to speak, girl?”

She freezes, wide eyed like an animal in a trap.

“Don’t speak to her like that.” I say, pulling his attention back to me.

My father grabs the collar of my shirt and lifts me off the ground. My feet hang limp and useless in the air. I gasp for breath.

“Let me make this clear, you piece of shit. If I ever catch you near her again, I will cut off your balls and send her so far away from here, you will forget she ever existed. It will be your fault that her mother loses her job in this mansion. You will be the reason her life falls apart. I cannot afford for people to be talking about my son -a Vece son- running around with an underaged girl who is nothing but amaid’sdaughter.”

My father drops me to the floor and grabs Nerissa’s arm again. He drags her down the passage towards her mother’s bedroom. They live in a small room together in the staff quarters. I am never supposed to be in that part of the house. And Nerissa is never supposed to leave the workers’ side of the mansion. Of course, we’ve been sneaking around for months, visiting each other, spending time together. This was the first time I dared to kiss her - and it was everything I’ve dreamed of - but my father ruins all my dreams. He ruins everything. He is going to ruin my life if he takes her away from me.

I follow behind my father as he pushes Nerissa into her mother’s room. I hear him screaming at her.

“I told you to keep your brat of a daughter on a leash. And tell her to cover up. What the fuck is she doing parading herself like that around my sons? My sons don’t want trash like this. They deserve better and they are reserved for better than anything she could ever offer.”

“Sir — I am so sorry — I didn’t know — I told her —” Her mother stammers in fear. I can hear the stress in her voice. If she loses her job, she loses everything. Her home, her income, her security.

“I don’t give a fuck about what you told her in the past. It didn’t work. I am making it very clear now that if you don’t pull herleash tighter, I’ll remove you both permanently. I will make sure that you never work anywhere in this city again. Do I make myself clear?”

There is a moment of silence, and I can hear both Nerissa and her mother crying. My heart is breaking for Nerissa. She will blame herself. It’s not her fault, it’s mine. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.

“I - I understand. It won’t happen again. Ever.” Her mother sniffles.

My father glares into the room for a moment longer, and then turns away.

His face is pulled into a sour scowl as if he’s bitten into a lemon.

I hate him.

I hate him for doing this.

I hate him for embarrassing me.

I hate him for trying to keep me away from the first person I’ve ever loved.

He stalks towards me, his eyes locked onto mine. Predatory, he’s like a lion moving in for the kill. I know what is coming — it’s going to hurt.

Without hesitation, he grips me by the throat and body-slams me into the wall with enough force to move the painting hanging beside me.

“Did you hear everything?” he hisses into my face. “You like to eavesdrop.” He yanks my ear. I think he might rip it off.

“Yes.” I choke, my hatred growing deeper.

“Good. Then stay away from that little whore. You’ll catch the clap sleeping with filth.” He snarls. Then drops me. As I hit the floor, I clutch at my throat, choking for air.

I don’t watch him walk away because I can’t stand the sight of him.

I won’t listen.

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