Chapter 1: April's P.O.V
April, April, April James!!!
As soon as Damian called me by my full name, I knew I was in trouble. His voice was laced with a quiet fury that sent shivers down my spine. To avoid another round of beating later that night, I decided to tread carefully. I paused, taking a deep breath before responding in a tone that was equal parts rude and cautious.
"What? Why are you barking?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt. My heart was racing, and my palms were slick with sweat, but I refused to back down.
This was the first time I'd ever talked to him in this manner. Damian's anger was palpable, a living, breathing thing that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. I could feel the weight of his gaze upon me, a physical force that pressed down on me like a heavy blanket.
But I stood my ground, refusing to be intimidated. I knew Damian couldn't beat me in public. That would have to wait until we were alone. I'd already planned my escape for tonight – I'd sleep over at Ivory's place.
My mind wandered back to the argument we'd been having. Damian had used up our savings – actually, it was my savings, earned from working tirelessly day and night at the store. I'd spent countless hours on my feet, dealing with difficult customers and stocking shelves. And for what? So Damian could squander it all on his own selfish desires?
The thought of it made my blood boil. That money was my ticket out of this toxic relationship. It was my chance to start over, to build a better life for myself.
As I thought about the money I'd worked so hard to save, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. It was my escape fund, my ticket to a better life. I'd been dreaming of using it to get married one day, to start a family of my own. And now, with Damian's reckless spending, it all seemed to be slipping away.
I wouldn't have to imagine what it would be like to have children of my own, to give them the happy childhood I never had. I could make it a reality, with my own two hands. But only if I could keep Damian's grasp off my hard-earned cash.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't let Damian see how much he'd gotten to me.
As I waited for him to approach me, I overheard the neighbors whispering amongst themselves. "Look at these two, fighting as usual," one of them said. Another chimed in, "I could swear on my late mother's grave that she was beaten just a day or two ago. And have you noticed how much skin foundation she's been buying lately?"
Madam Lucy's daughter groaned, "Mom, please! She can obviously hear what you're saying. And I've told you before, nobody cares about your mother's grave." Madam Lucy turned to face the other neighbors, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's a secret, my daughter got a job at the city's supermarket," she whispered, but we all knew that our landlady didn't have secrets. She was a parrot disguised in human form.
As the neighbors continued to gossip, Damian did what I least expected – he hugged me tight and muttered sweet words into my ear. And, as usual, I forgave him. Not because I was foolish, but because Damian was so good with words. He could make any woman fall for him.I just couldn't resist him, because he was just perfect.Damian was a good looking man.
He was tall, with a slight, toned physique and a high nose bridge. His red lips and deep, manly voice only added to his charm. What more could I ask for? I wasn't even pretty, and yet the heavens had gifted me this good-looking man.
As the night wore on, Damian maintained his charming demeanor. I knew he wanted to ask for money, but what could I do? He was Damian, and he always had a way of getting what he wanted. There was no need to resist.
I smiled weakly, trying to play along. But inside, I was seething. I knew I had to get out of this relationship, and fast. Before Damian sucked every last penny out of me.
Damian's POV:
I gazed at April, my eyes narrowing as I took in her defiant expression. How dare she speak to me like that? In public, no less. I could feel the eyes of our neighbors upon us, their whispers and snickers like a buzzing in my ears.
"April, April, April James," I said, my voice low and even. I could see the fear flickering in her eyes, and it satisfied me.
She paused, her chest heaving with a mixture of fear and defiance. "What? Why are you barking?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
I felt a surge of anger at her tone, but I pushed it down. Now wasn't the time or place to deal with her insolence. Instead, I took a deep breath and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Hey, baby, I'm sorry," I whispered into her ear. "I didn't mean to yell. You know I love you." I could feel her tension ease, her body relaxing into mine.
I smiled to myself. It was always so easy to manipulate her, to make her forgive me. And once she forgave me, I could get what I wanted from her.
As we stood there, I could feel the eyes of our neighbors upon us. They thought they knew us, thought they knew our business. But they had no idea what really went on behind closed doors.
And that was just the way I liked . I'll milk her dry and then leave to go and marry the one I truly love and with the money I've made off April,we won't have to worry when we start having kids