Love's eternal blaze

Though she felt a little tipsy, although her mind buzzed and swam with the effect from all the alcohol Tris made her drink, she forced herself to move quickly towards the door. This wasn't the plan, she had thought to wait till the wedding morning in two weeks time when everyone would be busy trying to put everything in place, to busy with last minute preparations to keep an eye on her and when more attention would be given to Tris. That would be the best time to slip away unnoticed or so she had thought.

But now after another evening of endless scrutiny and the stifling presence of Tris and her family, she couldn't take it any longer.

She had to escape, ever since a month back when her marriage to Tris was announced, Adele had been watched like a hawk and now with no one hovering around her she had to leave, it might be her only chance.

She hesitated, her heart pounding as she opened the door just enough to slip through.

Successfully sneaking out of the room, she found the hallway empty. Her pulse quickened with relief. No one guarding the door, an oversight she hasn't expected. It was obvious that Tris had not expected her to try and escape. It seemed Tris as self assured as ever, assume her will had been broken by now, that she was simply biding her time to accept the life that had been chosen for her. He was wrong.

Ignoring the dizziness, Adele took off down the hallway, her steps as quick as she could manage. The cool night air helped sharpen her senses but her legs till felt weak. The alcohol clung stubbornly to her system, dulling her coordination.

Adele couldn't use the elevator from fear of being discovered so she wasted no time and headed for the stairs.

Halfway down the stairs, she stumbled over nothing and fell over the stairs, her knee smashing painfully against the hard, cold marble floor. She gasped, pain flaring hot through her leg. She winced as she forced herself to stood up. Blood oozed from the scrape, darkening her fur coat.

It was nothing, she told herself. An injury she could handle. What she could not handle was staying here any longer.

Ignoring the pain and the blood oozing from it, she continued her walk down the stairs though a bit slower, thankful that she had not twisted her ankle which would have made it even worse for her.

She successfully made it to the ground floor, she steadied herself and made for the back exit that led to the underground parking lot. Her fingers shook as she fumble through her coat pocket searching for the car keys she had previously hidden there.

She found it with a sigh of relief, clutching it tightly but as she moved forward, she bumped into someone so hard that she lost her balance. The impact almost sent her reeling to the floor but strong arms steadied her, gripping her hands firmly.

Adele squinted as she moved away from the arms of her savior when she had regained her balance.

Her vision blurred as she felt her head split in two, the impact from all the alcohol and the force of collision which she had bumped into the person.

Eyes narrowed as he stared at the half drunk girl and it narrowed even more when his eyes fell on her bleeding knee. What was she doing trying to escape with an injured knee.

" You're bleeding. You should be in good shape before considering an escape."

Adele's vision cleared immediately she heard his words. She looked to see the owner of the voice and her jaw dropped.

The night wasn't going exactly as Adele had planned in her head. She had planned to sit as far as she could from Tristan but she was forced by her mother to sit right next to him. She wanted nothing more than to blend into the background at the grand dinner her foster parents had arranged, even planned her escape from it entirely, an early retreat back to her isolated corner of the family mansion but when her foster mom, Elena Reid, placed a hand on her shoulders and pointed it to the seat beside Tris, Adele knew her plans were shattered. Reluctantly, she had sat next to Tristan.

Throughout the entire dinner, she tried to keep her gaze downwards or on her plate, avoiding Tristan's presence and her parents penetrating stares. But it was impossible to ignore him entirely, all through the dinner, Tristan's hands kept finding it's way under the table. She could feel his hands trailing on her thighs in a way that made her stomach twist while she tried as much as she could to keep a straight face praying that no one that the table would notice. She desperately wanted to move away but even the slightest shift would earn her a suspicious glare from her mother, Elena and a icy comment from her foster father Zach. The Reid's expectations for her behavior was clear, she was to play her part, whatever that might mean.

Soon it was starting to get unbearable. Tristan's hands had reached too far up her thighs and Adele could not take it any longer. She mumbled an quiet excuse, something about wanting to use the restroom and pushed back her chair, standing up. Her heart pounded as she walked away from the table, feeling both relief and dread knowing her absence wouldn't go unnoticed for long.

Inside the washroom, she locked herself in and let out a shaky breath. She stepped up to the mirror and stared at her reflection, trying to calm her racing heart.

Her makeup perfectly applied by the family's hired artist that was designed to complement the fancy dress Elena had picked out for her was beginning to smudge.

Adele had grown up in a foster home, shuffled from one family to the next, never truly belonging anywhere until Zach and Elena Reid, the city's wealthiest real estate moguls had adopted her. The Reid family was a household name, one that demand respect and opened doors as the family owned half quarter of real estate properties in the city. They were powerful and influential and for the public, adopting Adele was a generous and charitable act.

Anyone would consider Adele lucky but it wasn't as it seemed.

Behind close doors, Adele was nothing more than an accessory, a pawn for her father's polished public image, photo ops and strategically placed news articles.

The family had one child, a son and Adele was just a charity case Zach Reid, her foster father used seek praise and high recognition from the public and promote his company. Adele was neglected by the family, they never acknowledged her as a member of the Reid except it was for the public show. Eventually, Adele learned to isolate herself from the family as much as she could. Living in the same house did not make it harder because Adele was given a room in the distant wing of the mansion, far removed from the family's main living quarters. To them she was just a duty fulfilled, a good deed they had taken for the benefits of their own reputation.

Her fingers grip the end of the sink as she tried to steady herself, it was suffocating, been in a family were everyone else was allowed to shine. She had to isolate herself, to disappear even when she was expected to be present. She'd built a shell to protect herself from the Reid's coldness, a shield to hide her pain and resentment. But tonight, the shield was beginning to crack.

The loud, impatient banging on the washroom door brought Adele consciousness back. She quickly splashed water on her and dabbled it with a towel before moving to open the door. Elena, Adele's foster mother was standing on the other side of the door, the frown on her face sharp enough to cut glass.

" What on earth do you think you're doing Adele?" Elena asked, her voice laced with irritation.

" I excused myself to use the..............." Adele started to say.

Elena's eyes narrowed as she examined Adele's face, noticing the smudged makeup

" What happened to your face? Why is your makeup ruined?" Elena yelled.

Ah, she had forgotten she had makeup on when she had splashed water on her face.

Adele felt a flush of shame but she resisted the urge to lower her head

" I'm sorry Mrs Reid." She apologized a bit exhausted as she tried not to sigh. She kept her expression as neutral as she could but inside, a part of her wanted to scream, to push back against the ends streams of judgement.

Elena quickly snapped her finger as two maidservants who were behind her. " Get her fixed and back to the dining area in two minutes." She said and stormed off without bothering to wait for a response.

In silence, the two women touched up Adele's makeup, their hands brisk and efficient. Adele had her makeup fixed and was ushered back to the dining area in no time where Tristan's eyes followed her every steps as she made her way back to her seat. She forced herself to sit, ignoring the glint in his eyes, a gaze that lingered a bit too long.

Tris picked up her hands, his fingers lightly caressing her hands in a way that made her skin crawl.

" What took you so long?" He asked in almost a whisper.

It took Adele all willpower not to push him away. He spoke so close to her ears that she could feel his lips almost brushing her ears as his hot disgusting breath fanned her neck. She tried not to cringe as she knew she was being watched. She detested the smell of garlic and wine from his breath that mingled into a sour nauseating odour that made her stomach turn, she detested the owner of the breath even more.

Adele clutched her jaw, fighting the impulse that told her to wrench her hands away. She wanted nothing more than to shove him back, tell him to stay far, far away from her and also to brush his mouth.

But Adele felt the eyes of her parents on her from across the table, watching, waiting and searching for any sign of rebellion. Adele swallowed hard, trying to mask her repulsion, knowing she had no choice but to endure Tristan's touch. She was well aware of her role here, be silent, compliant and unnoticeable.

" I asked you a question." She felt the grasp on her hand tighten.

" I ... I had to redo my makeup." Adele answered, feeling the pain from his grasp on her hand.

" Trying to look good for me uh?"

You wish.

Adele forced a smile as a reply.

Tris has always been considered a fine man, the kind of person that naturally commanded attention. He was tall with a confident stance that came from years of privilege, his sandy blond hair added to a certain charm. His sharp, attractive manly features that easily magnet the opposite gender.

But for Tris, it was never enough. Coming from wealth and power, Tris' father had a global real estate company that had taken him to prestigious circles all his life. He saw the world as his for taking. People's opportunities and dreams, everything felt within his grasp. A merger with his dad's company would easily catapult Zach to heights he always wanted to reach.

Tris in turn wants a doll like wife who would look and act exactly how he wants, as his dad's pressure for marriage had become unbearable. He didn't need the loud high maintenance type who filled his social scene. No, he wanted someone more quieter, more refined, someone who wouldn't complicate his life or challenge him. Adele was just the ideal choice or so they thought.

She wasn't so much of a classic beauty compared to the women that hover around Tris but she had certain understated allure, a softness and feminity that was appealing.

She had attractive womanly figures that was capable of turning heads without even trying. Adele but her demeanor was far less attention seeking than the ladies Tris had dated. She had a docile nature and was far more easy to control than the celebrity women he surrounded himself with. Her gentle, agreeable nature only seemed to confirm his assumptions that she was the perfect woman he wanted to mold to his will.

For Adele, the relationship started to show it's dark side. She had thought it would be okay, that she could overlook his flaws as long as he was taking her out of this prison of a home till she got to see him for who he was. She realized that she was about to enter another prison.

She had thought that perhaps his brashness was part of his charm but as time went on she began to see the truth behind his facade.

Tris wasn't just controlling, he was a big philanderer with an ego that needed constant adoration. He went through women like he goes through business deals damning the consequences. And worse yet, his treatment of Adele turned darker as his possessiveness grew.

He had a cruel streak, one that surfaces in unguarded moments, a cutting comment here, a dismissive gesture there. Soon enough, it escalated into something more physical. She had lost count of how many times he has lashed out, pushing her, grabbing her too roughly as if testing the limits of his control over her. Even in the presence of her family as they just watched. They weren't even married yet, they had just met for a month and Adele already felt trapped in a life she hadn't anticipated.

She could feel Tris' hands on her thighs again and his breath near her ears.

" I'm taking you out."

There was a thrill in his voice, one that did not account for her discomfort.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was a nightclub. It was pulsed with bass, dim lights casting shadows that stretched and twisted, giving the entire place an eerie allure. Adele wore a short black gown and white fur coat to shed her from the cold and preying eyes of men. The dress which her mother had insisted on felt more like a costume than clothing, chosen not by her but for her, as if to prepare her for a night she never wanted to have. Her stomach knotted with dread as Tristan pulled her into a private room

Inside, Tris' friends crowded around, laughing raucously, each holding glasses brimming with strong liquor. The table before them was loaded with expensive drinks, champagne, whiskey and crystal tumblers reflecting the low light. A dozen women were ushered in and Adele watched Tris kiss one of them.

Adele sat quietly like the doll Tris wants, hoping her silence would make her invisible, her gaze shifting uncomfortably as Tris' friends eyed her, their gaze never quite her as they drank from the table full of drinks, not bothering to hide their lust.

Tris grinned as his eyes roamed over her. He leaned in, his voice an unpleasant whisper.

" You're looking pretty. Your mother made the right choice picking this dress for you, didn't she?I think she wants me to get you laid as soon as possible." Tris said eyeing her body even in the coverage of the coat.

His hands drifted to her thigh, resting there with a possessiveness that made her skin crawl, as if to tell the prying eyes to back off.

She felt trapped, like a doll he dressed and posed to his liking. His arms tighten around her as he yanked her closer to him, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers.

Adele's heart hammered hard against the cages of her chest. Reflexively, she pushed him away and jumped on her feet ready flee but Tris reflexes were quicker as he caught her right in time and yanked her back on the couch where she had been sitting. His expression darkened as he exerted his strength over, forcing her to stay still.

" F***ing b***h." He kissed, his voice harsh as his fingers collided with her face anger simmering in his eyes. Her head snapped to the side, pain blossoming across her cheeks. He raised his hands, hitting her again, her vision momentarily blurring.

Adele did not have the time to think about the sharp sting from the slap as she felt his hands tearing her dress open, his hands savaging her body ruthlessly.

Adele felt panic surge through her, the taste of fear bitter in her mouth. She kicked and struggled to escape his grip but he was relentless, pinning her down with his weight as his hands tore her dress.

Her body moved on instinct, fighting and thrashing but all her attempts to escape only seemed to fuel his anger. Her kicks agitated him even more as more as slapped her again and again, her head reeling from the impact.

He picked up the glass of whiskey he had been drinking, pressed the glass on her lips and forced the liquid into her mouth. Adele felt helpless, as he tilted the glass, the harsh liquid burned at her throat making her cough almost choking.

She tried to turn away but Tris forced the glass back to her lips pouring more, the sharp taste searing, overwhelming her senses till she had no choice but to swallow.

No one came to her aid as everyone quietly slipped out of the room leaving her alone with Tris. He did not stopping forcing the liquor into her mouth so she continuously had to swallow.

Her vision blurred as she struggled to breathe, her thoughts spiraling in panic.

How could it come to this?

She had been raised wretchedly only to meet a life of privilege later. She had thought herself lucky but all those luxuries felt shallow, her weight overwhelming. All she wanted was to escape this nightmare. The thoughts of her family, her mother, who had chosen the dress, who had raised her to be an obedient, docile girl stung as much as the whiskey making her feel totally abandoned.

She felt his weight lessen on her as he shifted, fumbling with his belt. In a flash of clarity, Adele saw her opportunity. Without hesitation, she reached out for the nearest weapon her hands could find which happened to be a big glass bottle, smashing it on his head. Tris did not see it coming as he attempted to get in top her again, losing his balance and staggering off her.