•Dedicated to ethereal66 Welcome back!

•Dedicated to girls who struggle with heels. :P

•If you hate dress descriptions, there is a picture above, for you.

Happy reading!

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Chapter 18 Dramatic talks and Dream dresses

"But wishes are only granted in fairy tales."

-Simone Elkeles, Perfect Chemistry

• • •

"Mom, can I go out tonight?" Mallory said, sitting on the couch, next to her mother who was watching television.

"Where to?" Her mother said muting the sound.

"It's a party." She said nervously.

"A party and you?" Eva raised an eyebrow.

Her daughter nodded.

"With whom?"

"I am going out with Andrew." She said.

"I thought you didn't like the guy." Her mother smiled.

"So did I." Mallory said. "But well I am going. Can I?" She asked. Ever since the last incident, her mother had been protective over her. But then after what happened to her, every parent would be.

"By what time will you be back?" Her mother asked.

"I am not sure." She replied truthfully.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know that either." She said.

Her mother eyed her suspiciously. "Mallory, I hope you remember that I am your mother?"

"How can I forget it when you remind me everyday." She scoffed.

"What are you hiding?"

Mallory groaned. "Why does everyone keep asking me that? It's not like I could hide anything from you for long!" She pointed out.

"Well, that is true." Her mother smiled. "You are a terrible liar."

"Actually, I am a very good liar! You people just know me well." She pouted.

"Okay. Don't try to change the topic, young lady. Tell me where are you going and by what time will you be back?"

"I don't know where we are going. It's a...uh...surprise." She said. "And I would be back by eleven or twelve?"

"Is it a date or is it a party?" Eva said, confused.

"It's a party." She said. "But Andrew won't tell me anything because he wants it to be a surprise." She mentally prayed for her mother to believe her lie. She could lie to the world, but when it came to her mother, it was the hardest thing to do. And that is why she felt guilty.

Her mother thought over it and nodded. "Okay. You can go. But a few conditions."

"Yeah?"

"Since it's a school night, I don't want you coming home late. So, eleven is your curfew." She said.

"Alright." Mallory pouted.

"And I hope you won't be drinking." She looked at her sharply.

"You know I won't."

"I hope so. Because last time..." Her mother began.

"Mom. I know, okay? I won't drink, I swear." She said crossing her heart.

"Alright." Eva said giving her a thumbs up. "You are good to go then."

"Thanks!" She beamed and got up.

"Melly, wait a second." Her mother called out. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Yeah?" She turned back.

"I have decided to...umm..."

"Mom, is everything okay?" She asked with worry. Why was her mother fumbling with words?

"I have decided to start dating again." Eva said, her voice a barely audible whisper.

"Wow, mom. That's awesome!" Mallory replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"You don't mind?" Eva gasped. "You don't think it's inappropriate? That I am trying to replace your father or something?" She shook her head in disbelief.

Her daughter narrowed her eyes. "Father? Did we ever have a father?!? All we had was a guy who walked out on us. And if you wish to replace him, by all means do it. I would be the happiest!"

"Hey. Hey." Eva got up from her spot and stood before her daughter, keeping each of her hand on her shoulders. "No matter how much you curse him, you can never hate him. If it wasn't for him, you wouldn't have been here. He is your father. You have his blood in your veins. And no matter how much I hate to admit it, but you belong to him more than you would ever belong to anyone, even me." She sighed at the end.

"Seriously? That's what you think?" Mallory said, taken aback. "Then, you are wrong, mom. You are very very wrong. Just because he gave birth to me doesn't make him my father. Because there is something thicker than blood. Love is one of them. Sure, we aren't connected by blood. So what? I love you and you love me. That's all that matters." She took her mother's hand. "And as much as you despise it, you are stuck with me for rest of your life!" She smiled wryly.

Her mother grinned. "Good Heavens! My daughter has grown up. Did hell freeze over yet?" She said dramatically touching her heart.

Mallory rolled her eyes. "If you are done with your melodramatic portrayal of a soap-opera-mom, I need some help. I swear I will have to keep a watch over the number of 'Desperate Housewives' episodes you watch in a day!"

"Let me remind you who pays the bills, daughter dearest." Her mother said sarcastically. "And bills include cable, food and of course internet and Netflix. So, we wouldn't want me watching over stuff? Would we?"

"Alright. Alright." Mallory raised her hands in surrender. "Forgive me mother."

"Since I have a huge heart, you are forgiven. Now tell me what do you need help with?"

"My hair, of course." Mallory said in 'duh' tone.

"Oh, yes, of course. I almost forgot your date."

"Party." She corrected.

"Date...party...whatever." Eva gave her a knowing smile. "Did you pick up a dress to wear?"

"You mean from my closet of eighty thousand dresses? Gee, no mom. How could I do it alone?" She said sarcastically.

"You shouldn't mess with people who are supposed to style your hair. A lot of things can go wrong when it comes to straightening irons." She winked.

"Of course! I am so sorry mother. Please don't spoil my hair. My date, as you put it, already thinks I wear sweatshirts to parties. I mean, can you believe him?"

"Actually, I can."

Mallory rolled her eyes. "You know what, mom? Why don't you go adopt Andrew and let me live off the streets?" She mocked a hurt expression. "Maybe Ben's parents would adopt me? Mr. Jones adore me!"

"Alright, Drama Queen. That would be enough. Go to your room and wash your hair. I will be there in ten minutes."

"Parents these days." Mallory face palmed. "Till the time you don't show them their competition, they just won't get along."

"To your room, now!"

"Aye aye Captain." And with a mock salute she ran up to her room, with a huge smile plastered across her face.

• • •

An hour later, Mallory was standing before the floor length mirror, admiring the beauty of her normally-untameable hair. Her mother had ironed them till they became pin straight. They fell on both of her shoulders and a few smaller ones on her face. She didn't apply any makeup except a little eyeliner and lip gloss. Even though her mother tried to convince her again and again, but she didn't give in.

Finally she picked up the brown paper bag. It took all of her patience not to rip it up the moment she got it. But she wanted to save it for the last. It was after a long while that she was dressing up, and she wanted it to be perfect!

The moment the dress came out of the package, she felt instantly fell in love with it. Immediately she slipped in it. It was a beautiful strapless dress which hugged her body just above her waist and went down in a ball gown fashion. The upper part was black while the skirt portion was peach coloured. It had a wide belt just above her waist which gave an illusion of a tiny waist. It was a floor length dress.

As she touched the soft material, a gasp escaped her lips. It was nothing like the dresses she ever wore. The very fabric and it's smoothness screamed expensive. Besides it accentuated her curves as if it was custom-made especially for her, a perfect fit. She almost wanted to steal it and never return it back. But then her ears remembered his words.

If you don't wanna pay a fortune...

She cursed under her breath. One day she would have a closet filled with such luxurious dresses, she swore. But for the time being she would have to deal with it. It was only after she was done admiring each and every inch of the fabric, did her gaze fell over her bare shoulders and a loud gasp left her mouth.

The dress being strapless presented her scars on display. All color left her face as suddenly she felt nauseous. She couldn't wear the perfect dream dress. Why? Because it would show the world that she is flawed. The very thought of people knowing her well-guarded secret was repulsive.

Showing her scars to the world was almost like going out without any clothes.

Naked.

And she couldn't do it. Maybe, that was the reason that she frantically searched her wardrobe for something, anything that would cover her scars. She couldn't look at them. They reminded her of a helpless girl who desperately begged to be spared. The girl who was humiliated. The girl who was tortured. The girl who died years ago.

All that was left was her shell.

An empty shell.

In an almost frenzied motion, she picked up the short black jacket and threw it over the dress. She looked in the mirror again. The beauty of the dress was ruined, in a way. It lost it's perfection. It was now tainted by the hideous black jacket. Much like the scars tainted her!

Wiping away the stray smears of the eyeliner, she smiled at her reflexion. She lifted her chin up and told herself that she was beautiful, no matter what. Like her mother and brother had told her millions of time, in the past.

"I am beautiful." She whispered to the mirror and with renewed self confidence, slowly made her way towards her car.

• • •

It was exactly at 7 P.M. when she parked in Andrew's driveway. She was well on time and she wanted to rub it, in his face. Triumphantly she set one foot outside, followed by the other. Though, her supposedly graceful exit was interrupted by the fact that she was wearing heels. The moment she was on her feet she stumbled and clutched the roof of the car for support.

Slowly and carefully she made her way towards the main door of his house. Just when she was about to ring the doorbell, her gaze fell upon a note that was stuck on the door. An array of colorful curses left her mouth as she read the contents of the note. It read:

'I am in the outhouse I told you about. Go around the house, you will find a dirt path. Follow it to the wooden cabin.

I am waiting.

-A'

Was he for real? She thought stomping her feet in annoyance. Grudgingly she lifted her cellphone and dialled his number.

"Andrew."

"I was expecting your call."

"Of course you were, you asshole!"

"Did you have any questions regarding the instructions I left? That is assuming you have reached my place." He said coolly.

"Questions regarding instructions?" Mallory scoffed. "Are you an idiot? How can I come all the way to your cabin-in-woods?"

"Did you read the directions I left?"

"Of course I did!"

"Did you understand them?"

"Yes. But-"

"Did something happen that made you incapable of walking?" He said so neutrally that Mallory could imagine him blowing his nails on the other side.

"Obviously not, moron. B-" Mallory began, frustration evident in her tone.

"Then, I see no reason, why you cannot come here." He said. "See you in five minutes."

"Because I am wearing a floor length dress and heels that are freaking two hundred inches high!" She said but the phone had already disconnected.

She groaned. He was impossible. Talking to him was like arguing with a granite statue. Only a statue was more likely to hear out her reasoning than him!

About ten tiring minutes later she was knocking at the door of a very old and creepy looking house. She lifted her skirt a little, not wanting to ruin it by the dirty floor and timidly pushed the creaky wooden door open.

"You are late." Andrew, who had his back to the door, said the moment she set foot inside the house.

"Really? Tell me about it!" She said sarcastically. "Ever tried walking in six inches heel with a million-dollar floor touching dress? No? Then, there's no point of this argument."

"I don't think I--" Andrew turned around and began but stopped short.

Mallory smirked. "Dazed by my beauty. Are we?"

He looked at her like she was some green skinned alien. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"The dress you gave me. Isn't it one pretty thing?" She said turning around in a full circle.

"I am not talking about the dress, that thing over it..."

"It's called a jacket. Ever heard of it?" She said rolling her eyes.

"Mallory, you are not going anywhere in that hideous thing!" He screeched.

"Great. You made it easier for me." She beamed. "I didn't want to come along anyway. Toodles." She said and turned around.

"Not so fast." He said. "Remove it now!"

"Not happening." She pulled out her tongue. "You wanted to take me. The jacket comes free."

"Do you realise how many strings I had to pull to get this dress? And I am not going to let you spoil my efforts and that dress. So, take it off yourself or I swear to god, I will rip it off your body!" He hissed.

"Now now, Mr. Bells that's no way a civilised man should behave!" She said giggling.

"So, you won't take it off?"

"Nope." She said adding extra pressure to 'p'.

"I am giving you one last chance. Remove. The. Jacket."

"Not a chance, sweetheart."

"Alright. You brought it upon yourself." He said.

She expected him to lunge at her or something but instead, he turned around and started rummaging through the drawers until he found a rusty looking key. The moment he found it he gave a low cry of triumph and clutched it in his wrist. He turned towards a door at the farthest corner of the room and jammed the key inside the keyhole.

Confused, Mallory followed him, with hem of dress lifted. She saw an oddly empty room. It's walls were black and dangerous looking like the rest of the house. The floor had a lot of dust and dirt. The room didn't have any furniture except a chair, in the middle, on which someone was tied.

Marko.

She rolled her eyes. "Like you have the nerve to untie him."

"Never. Challenge. Me." Andrew said, her eyes boring into her.

"Yeah, go ahead. By all means, do whatever you want to." She winked.

Andrew looked at her. "Alright."

He moved forward and shook Marko's shoulder. "Look you have a visitor." He said in a daunting way. Marko, who was a little dazed looked up from him to Mallory but couldn't say anything since his mouth was closed shut by duct tape.

As he stood behind Marko's chair, ready to open his ties, Mallory was engulfed in a feeling of déjà vu.

• • •

It had been a few days since she was taken and the first time she saw Antonio.

"She refuses to eat or drink anything. She kicks and struggles anytime anyone would go near her." Someone was telling Antonio. "I tried talking to boss but..."

Antonio raised a hand to stop him from talking. "That would be enough. You may leave."

"Yes, sir." The man said and went out of the door.

Antonio moved towards her as she heard the door close with a bang. He sat at the edge of bed. "So, you are the feisty one, huh?" He said lifting an untouched apple from a plate at her side table.

"Why am I here?" Mallory said paying no heed to his words. Her hands were tied to the bed post and her entire body was stiff from lack of movement.

"You don't know?" He said his eyes widening in mock-horror. He was taunting her.

"Why the hell I am here? What did I do?!?" She demanded.

"Well you princess made a mistake. A huge mistake. You messed with us. With 'The Beasts'." He said cooing her.

"Oh. So that's what it is about?" She said, realization hitting her.

"You figured? Aren't you a smart one!" He said sarcastically.

"Where is Emily?"

"Oh, she is alright. Much better than you actually." Antonio smirked. "She eats her food, you know. Unlike you."

"Let me see her!" She screamed.

"Not yet, sweetheart." He said.

"Please, let me." She begged this time.

"It means so much to you?" He said solemnly.

"Please." She whispered, feeling tired.

"You love her that much?" He said.

"She is like my sister!" She screeched.

"Not all 'like's are same, princess." He said quoting Brutus from Julius Caesar.

Mallory was irritated beyond anything. Why was the guy messing around! He was pretending to be her long lost friend, only he was anything but friend.

"You know, what?" He said. "Your love has touched me. I will untie you." He said and cut off the ropes around her hands.

Mallory twisted her wrists which had welts from ropes. They were pale and blue from lack of blood supply. Her entire upper body was painfully sore. As soon as her wrists were free, she shot up in bed, unsure of what to do next.

"You are free to go." Antonio said, a smile adorned his face.

"Y-you are letting me go? Just like that?" She said suspiciously.

"Yes, I am a kind hearted man. Go take your friend from the next room and leave." He said.

She dared to believe her luck. She dared to believe the Satan. Right when all hope was lost, she felt as if her wishes were finally answered. And the naïve girl jumped from the bed to the floor. Not wanting to spend another second in the dreaded hell hole. She ran off to the next room and pushed the door open.

There on the bed was a sight she would never forget. It was Emily, tied, just like she was moments ago. She stood in the doorframe and saw her face. It was badly bruised and battered. If it wasn't for her blonde hair and green eyes, she wouldn't have believed it was her. She looked barely alive.

Her blood boiled as her hands curled into fists. He lied. The bastard lied to her. He had been torturing her friend all along. As she took a step in the door, sirens blared all around her.

Emily's head shot up. "Mallory..." She whispered, tears trickling down her eyes.

Just when she was about to take a step forwards, Antonio pulled her out. "I am sorry to disturb your little rendezvous, but that would be all."

"But you said, you said..."

"I say a lot of things, princess." He smirked. "Now say good bye to your little friend."

"No!" Mallory screamed, raising her hand to punch him.

He blocked her feeble defences and grabbed her from her waist. While Mallory looked inside the room where Emily was watching her. Her green eyes wet from tears.

As she saw the distance between her and her best friend increasing, she yelled a loud ear piercing, "No!"

• • •

"No!" Mallory yelled.

"Excuse me." Andrew said raising his head.

"Don't untie him, I am taking off my jacket." She said. She knew he would untie him for a while to scare her and then bind him again. She knew how it felt to be given hope and then snatching it away. And she didn't want anyone, not even someone as pathetic as Marko to experience it.

There was a glint of victory in his eyes. "Afraid?"

"Yes, I am very very afraid." She said. "Look I am shaking with fear." She rolled her eyes.

"See, wasn't that easy?" He said, guiding her out of the room.

"You know, I liked you better when you were all angry." She said moving slowly and carefully. "This sort of playful side of you is downright annoying."

"Playful?" He scoffed.

"So, why would you call me here?"

"Hand over the jacket first." He said stretching his hand.

"There's a reason I wasn't taking it off." She said, peeling it away.

You are beautiful.

She chanted her mantra.

No matter how he reacts, you are beautiful.

She peeled it off her shoulders and gave it to him while he stared at her bare shoulders. Momentarily he was taken aback and she knew why.

"Are they..." He began.

"Yes."

"Oh." He whispered, his hands curling into a fist.

She knew he was thinking about his sister. He was enraged. "It's nothing some makeup cannot fix." He said.

"Who applies makeup on shoulders?" She said sighing.

"People." Andrew shrugged. "Here, wear it. We will fix it in on the way." He said as she slipped back the jacket on. "And I called you here because I wanted to see if you can shoot."

He took out a gun and gave it to her. "I made all the adjustments. All you gotta do is shoot the target. Do you see the target on that wall?" He pointed to the wall behind her.

She turned around and nodded.

"Shoot."

She timidly took the gun. It was an alien feeling. She remembered the last time she held a gun and a shiver ran down her back. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. It's just a test. She thought and pointed it at the wall.

Bang. She shivered as a low voice echoed from the silencer installed gun.

She assessed the target. She didn't hit the bull's eye. But it was close.

"Not bad." Andrew said almost reflexively. He was impressed. "Good." He nodded. "Here." He tossed her a black gun cover. "Hide the gun. There's a hidden pocket at the side of the dress."

She felt for the pocket on her right side and found it. She slipped the gun inside, silently wishing that she wouldn't have to use it.

"Let's go, we are already late." He said rushing outside. As she abruptly followed him.

"Where are we going?" She struggled to keep pace with her heels and dress.

"Sacramento."

She stopped dead in tracks. "It's a two hour drive."

"I know." He said. "Now, fasten up. We have no time to waste."

She groaned and involuntarily followed him. It was going to be a long long night...

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Vote. If you enjoyed. :)

Hi,

Sorry for late update. I hope I made it up with the long chapter.

What do you think? ;)

By the way, do you like the new cover?

May god bless you. ^_^

-Ridhima☺