Chapter 17: Chapter 17

He stroked his member up and down and was about to push inside when I stopped him on his stomach. Ethan's eyebrows knitted into a straight line, confused with why I suddenly stopped him from continuing. He looked annoyed when I sat on the bed, covering my body with the sheets. I looked in the other direction, unable to make eye contact with him. I don't know what's gotten into me. I would always let him take me anywhere in this house since it's just us who lives here, but I somehow don't feel comfortable all of a sudden.

"Can you tell me what's bothering you?" his taunting voice echoed, causing me to glance at him.

"I was just….tired," I said, but I know that's not the main reason. I closed my eyes and was about to leave the room when Ethan grabbed my elbow. My eyes widened, and adrenaline rushed into my system. Before I knew it, I had already slapped his face, which caused him to look to the other side. I covered my mouth with my hands, that was trembling.

"E-Ethan…I-" before I could even finish my apology, Ethan suddenly looked back at me. His menacing eyes stared directly into my soul, caging me with his rage. He suddenly pulled me closer to his side and pinned me down on the bed.

"Ethan!" I screamed, terrified of what he would do. Ethan crashed his body on my legs so that I wouldn't escape. I tried to fight him, but he was stronger!

"What are you doing?! Ethan! Stopped!"

He spread my legs and then put my hand above my head. When I looked into his eyes, I saw desire in them. But it was a different kind of hunger you'd see in a person's eyes. It was something else. More complex and surreal. But why? I didn't do anything to him!

"You hurt me!" he yelled ominously. I boot my feet and move my whole body to leak myself from his grip.

"I was sorry! I didn't mean to! Please! Let go of me, Ethan!" I wailed and begged. My tears were forming in the corners of my eyes. But he didn't listen, as if he was deaf to even hear what I was saying.

Ethan ceased for a moment when we heard Bobby's bark outside the room. His claws were scratching on the door. His continuous bark echoed until the door slammed open, and Bobby flared inside the room, ready to attack Ethan.

I screamed when Bobby bit his arms. Ethan's torment wails ring in my ear while shaking his arms to remove Bobby. I tried to calm them down, but Ethan suddenly stood up and threw Bobby away! The poor dog hit the wall and was almost unconscious when he dropped.

"Bobby!"

I kicked Ethan hard on his stomach, causing him to fall on the floor, and I rushed towards Bobby's side. My hands were trembling when I stopped before him, carrying him carefully between my arms. I listened to his heartbeat and was glad he was still alive. He was crying, and tears were falling off his eyes. My whole system went livid. I stood up and then glanced at Ethan, who was also startled.

"You almost killed him!" I pointed my fingers at him, furious.

"What is wrong with you? You're not like that! What is happening, Ethan? Please you can tell me everything. You know what we promised to each other, right? Is that we don't-"

"Promise? I don't recall any promises."

I froze from my spot, unable to comprehend what he talked about. My brows knitted in a straight line. His lips curved up into a mischievous smile. What is going on here? He suddenly grabbed my hand and yanked me. I thought he would do something, but he just embraced me. His hands stroked my back head.

"I was just kidding. I'm trying to light up the mood because you were so serious." he soothingly said before letting go of me.

"I'll take care of Bobby. Go and wear something decent," he told me before stepping away. He was about to hold Bobby when I took a step back, looking down.

"I'll treat him. Can you uh…cook something for us? I'm kind of hungry." I asked, pleading my eyes. Ethan stopped for a minute, looking at my eyes before letting out a harsh blow of breath, and nodding.

"Okay, I'll call you when food is ready." he beamed before stepping out of the room. I sighed in relief when he was already gone. I didn't realize I was holding my breath for a while now. I glanced down at Bobby, whining silently, but the pain was bearable for now. I decided to go to the other room to change my clothes, and that's where I would treat Bobby.

"From now on, Bobby, you're not allowed to go out of this room, okay?" I told him, and the dog looked at me with puppy eyes. I know he loves playing outside and chasing some squirrels in the woods, but I can't risk his life.

"Bobby, I don't know what happened to your Daddy…." I mumbled while putting the bandages around his paw. Most dogs I know barely survive instances like that since the blow earlier was brutal, and you could see the irritation in his eyes. Ethan would never hurt bobby in his life until today.

"Did someone cast a spell on him or something? He was somehow different when he got back from the market." I whispered before letting go of Bobby's paw. He crawled closer to me, and I placed his head over my lap. Bobby barked loudly, but I didn't look at him. I was staring into nowhere, trying to think of something.

"Could it be that Ethan got traumatized while outside alone? He lost his sense of empathy?" I asked Bobby, and he barked in response.

"Or someone threatened him while he was away? Ethan could have fought it, but he looks fine when he got back, no scars or bruises." I closed my eyes and was about to lay down when Bobby snarled.

"Oh! Hey, what's the problem?" I asked when I noticed he was barking at the door. I glanced at it and saw no one was there. Could it be that Ethan is outside and listening to us?

I swallowed the lump in my throat, then stood up, and was about to go towards it when Bobby barked again. I shushed him, but he didn't stop. I ignored him and opened the door but saw no one. I sighed and placed my hands on my hip, darting my eyes on Bobby, who was still barking.

"What are you trying to say?" I hissed, but he stood up. Good thing his back legs were okay so he could stand up. I tilted my head to the side, unsure what he wanted me to do. I walked up to him, and Bobby placed his paws on my belly.

"Oh, you want me to carry you?" I suddenly understood what he meant. When I caught him, he was still barking, not me but the door behind us. My eyes squinted, looking back and forth between him and the door. Suddenly, I felt like Bobby was telling me something, and he wanted me to check it myself.

I walk outside the room, looking back and forth to the hallway before closing the door behind me. Bobby barked at the left side, towards the grand staircase. I followed his sound. He was leading me to somewhere else inside this house. But why? Did Bobby see something before?

When I stopped in the middle, I looked for Ethan, but no sign of him. My heart was abruptly heavy, and the place's ambiance suddenly changed. I was startled when Bobby barked, and I saw his mouth as directed in the kitchen. I breathed in, composing myself. Maybe, Ethan was there, and he wanted me to see what he was doing.

I started to cross the distance in the kitchen. When I reached the entryway, I peeked my eyes and sighed when I saw no one was there. I frowned at Bobby, who continued to bark.

"You're just making a fool out of me-" I was about to touch his mouth, but he snarled at me as if he was telling me to take this thing seriously. I raised my free hands in defeat. Bobby continued to bark, but this time, it was towards the door that was familiar to me.

My heart intensified when I saw what Bobby barking at was.

The door from the basement.

I looked from my right to my left to see if Ethan was there. When the coast is clear, I use this advantage to stride toward the door to see what was Bobby barking at. Could it be that bobby saw something before? If that is the case, I need to set my foot there.

Every step I make gives me this weird eerie feeling that will turn your stomach upside down. When I stopped before the door, something whispered inside my head, but I shook the thoughts away. I should stop imagining things.

My eyes were directed staring at the doorknob. I was having trouble with myself if I should open it or not. Why do I feel like something I will see down here is illegal?

I raised my hand, and suddenly the time had stopped, and the world slowed down when I was about to open this door. I narrowed my hand, driving myself to just open it, when someone spoke behind me.

"What are you doing?"

My eyes widened in pure horror when I saw Ethan behind me. His menacing eyes were darting and asking. It was as if he had caught me in a terrible crime.