Chapter 42
1419words
She looked at the photographer who had asked the question "no, look at all of this, do you think one man deserves all of me". With that she rose her hands signaling she was done and walked away from the cameras. As she watched the crowd dance and sway to the music, she felt an all too familiar presence behind her "Nightcross, what do you want" she asked picking up her clutch", he trailed behind her wordlessly, "you seem to have become bolder this days Mary". She stopped walking, turned back, looked him square in the eyes and proceeded to say "I pay you; I do not owe you my time nor my attention". With that she walked away her back facing him. Oh, he loved what she had become he thought with a smile, hopefully that spitfire attitude lasts when she knew what she was up against.
Walking out of the club, the sight of a smiling man walking in made her heart stop, Walters. He looked different from the last time he saw her and he had a smiling lady in his arms. She wasn't as beautiful as a Victoria secrets model, but she was pretty with a warm smile and a sweet aura. Still deciding if she wanted to talk to him or not, she noticed him walk up to her "hello Martha, it has been a while since I last saw you". She smiled but hid her pain, she felt nauseous and just wanted to leave "you look good too Walters , who is the young lady", he smiled at his companion before introducing them "Martha, this is Jane, my fiancée and Jnae this is Miss Martha Benard, an long time friend of mine".
The girl smiled at her and Mary extended a hand to her smiled at him and said
"I wish you the best Walters and you too Jane" and she meant every word. With that she made her way out when Walters voice called out to her "Martha", she turned back to see the hint of sadness in his eyes "I wish you the best too".
The ride home was the most agonizing one she had endured in years, and when she got home, she laid in bed thinking of the five souls she had given all these months, all gone without a trace and no connection to her. Sleep refused to come and when it did, it came only for a short period.
Morning came with noises downstairs, and this was what woke her from sleep, wearing her robe, she walked down stairs to know what caused such and of course, there was Night Cross in a staring competition with Moses. Both men noticed her presence and Moses said "I am sorry Ma'am, I tried to stop him but he walked in by force", she sighed, there want anything he could have done to stop Nightcross
"Its fine Moses, you can leave ill handle him from here". With a bow Moses left and she walked up to her worse nightmares
"what do you want Nightcross she asked with arms folded". He walked around for a minute, building tension before he answered "you have five more souls to give me Mary", her brows rose in a way that signified he was stating the obvious
"well there are some conditions to these souls". Her body became rigid with anger
"what fucking conditions are you talking about".
Nightcross smiled "now don't be so upset Mary, you made a deal with the devil, there are always conditions, anyways I want three souls at once and the last two I just don't want random people, I need people that have a place, not just random men".
Her face turned red as she fought the urge to punch him, "get out Nightcross, I am tired of you, you come up with all these stupid conditions to make my life hell, get out" she screamed, rage filling her.
Smiling, he opened the door "I'll be back Mary, you won't wait too long". As he slammed the door, her body shook in anger when she noticed Moses move, he must have heard everything.
"Moses" she called,
"Moses come here". He walked up to her making eye contact to avoid suspicion
"what did you hear Moses", he took a deep breath and shook his head ,
"I asked, what did you hear Moses" she asked this time with a commanding tone, look up at her, pity filled his eyes before he proceeded to speak.
*
*
The last few weeks had been terrible for the Winstons Mary thought, different rumors spread about them and it drove Amelia and Lady Winston mad.
Enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin, Mary closed her eyes as her mind went through the past events, the smell of the lake in front of her making her drunk with nature. The arrogant steps behind her announced whose presence it was and when Lady Winston spoke, she was not surprised.
"What do you want Lady Winston, funny you are here to see me", the older lady looked at her, anger in her eyes,
"I am here to out an end to this abomination going on between you and my son, leave Philip at once".
Martha looked at her, smiled and spelt out the word "NO".
Suddenly, the anger on the woman's face turned to sadness, before Martha could see it coming, she was on her knees "please leave my son alone, I'll give you anything, any amount you want, name it".
Martha walked up to her, rose her gown and pushed her feet to her "Kiss my foot" she said most condescendingly. Lady Winstons face twisted in disgust, Martha smiled "just as you can't kiss my feet, I cannot leave your son". The older woman grabbed her legs
"please Mary, I beg you, if you were a mother or capable of being one, you would understand my plight. Martha watched her look as pitiful as ever
"funny how you beg me and insult me at the same time, get out of my sight and prepare for the wedding, it is soon". She turned her back to leave, making the biggest mistake, suddenly she was pushed into the lake in front of her.
She did not know how to swim and couldn't flat as she was held in place. Water filled her lungs and her eyes and just as she was about to let go,
Philip's voice rang out "what in heavens name are you doing mother!". Marth let herself give into the darkness.
The voice of the doctor lured her out of the darkness alongside the smelling salt, her eyes fluttered open to the face of a worried Philip who held her hands.
"What happened Philip", he looked relived to her har her speak and was about to reply when the doctor chipped in "you are fine miss, you just have to rest, both of you are doing well".
Confusion at his words hit he and it was evident on Philips face too, the doctor seemed to see it as he clarified "you and the baby are fine". Martha froze in shock; this was not part of the plan. Noticing her reaction, the doctor excused himself and asked Philip to call him in an emergency.
"Mary talk to me, I know you are angry at my mother but please speak to me". This wasn't about her anymore she thought, there was a baby in this plan and she was doing the same thing her father did by bringing her into a mess. "Please leave me Philip". She could see the sadness on his face. "Mary, I…, She lifted her hands, signaling that she didn't want to talk "leave" she said once more.
Defeated, he walked out, shutting the door behind him. Immediately he left, Mary allowed herself to cry, what had she done.
