“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 5

Chapter 4: Where’s Rabena?

***\-Thomas POV:***

As the night fell, I found myself staring at my phone. The time was 10:13pm, Rabena had been in the shed for over 9 hours and still had not called me begging for forgiveness.

*“What the hell has gotten into her!”*

This wasn’t the Raben I had grown accustomed to. When I first met Rabena she was 15 years old. I remembered everyone talking about how the Crests brought home their long-lost daughter. Apparently she had been kidnapped from the hospital shortly after being born. To be honest I quite surprised, The Crests never said anything about a missing daughter. The first time I saw her, she was playing a violin in the garden, I remembered thinking how beautiful the music was. When she finally turned to look at me, she reminded me of some type of angel. There was bright light in her eyes that I had never seen before. She gave me this angelic yet vivacious smile, I had to admit, I found her breathtaking. But that didn’t matter, I had already promised my heart to Danielle, and I wasn’t going to betray her.

Rabena tried everything she could to worm her way into my life including saving my grandmother. Luckily for her it worked because shortly after, an arranged marriage was set between the two of us. I’ll never forget the day I found out I was to be betrothed to Rabena.

*“Grandmother what is this!”*

My grandmother sat at her rose garden clipping flowers for her vase when she looked up at me.

*“What’s what boy? Be clear.”*

Annoyed I began to protest.

*“Why are you marrying me off to Rabena Crest! You know I love Danielle!”*

*“You’re asking why I want you to marry the young woman that saved my life?”*

I knew she was going to bring that up, although I was grateful Rabena saved my grandmother, I didn’t understand why I had to pay that debt.

*“Grandmother, can’t you just give her some money or something?”*

My grandmother stopped clipping her roses and looked at me with fierce anger in her eyes.

*“And exactly how much do you think my life is worth?”*

She always did this! Twist everything, I say!

“That’s not what I meant grandmother. I’m just saying I love Dan-”

*“I don’t care! Listen to me boy, one day you’re going to learn that Danielle girl is nothing but trouble! I just pray I’m not alive to see the downfall. You’re marrying Rabena and that’s final! You’ll do well to treat her right!”*

And that was it. I couldn’t contest, not if I wanted to become CEO of Lockwood Corp. So, I angrily married Rabena, I didn’t even give her a wedding. Just a trip to the courthouse and a cheap silver band. We didn’t even consummate our marriage; I refused to touch her, afraid that it mean I was betraying Danielle. Still, she played the role of a dutiful and obedient wife, never wavering or giving any trouble. That only made me hate her more, it was like she was trying to make me purposely feel guilty. Now, she was lying in a shed all because she couldn’t say sorry. Every other time she would apologize with no issues, why was today so different? I suddenly knocked out of my deep thought by Danielle sitting on my lap.

*“Hey, what are you thinking about?”*

She looked up at me with the sweetest expression. I was always a slave to that smile.

*“Nothing. What are you up too?”*

*“You know I can tell when you’re lying. You’re worried about Rabena aren’t you?”*

I hated to admit it, but I was worried. Why was she being so damn stubborn.

*“I just don’t understand why she’s acting like this. She’s willing to make herself sick just to prove a point. Ridiculous.”*

*“She’s just trying to get attention. I can understand that. Maybe I should stop taking up so much of your time.”*

Danielle’s face twisted up into this somber look as if she was about to cry. I could feel my heart tearing to shreds. I swooped her up into a bear hug.

*“I don’t ever wanna hear you say those words again! I won’t let you go anywhere! Your sister will never be able to tear us apart! She’ll be fine for the night. By tomorrow, she’ll be begging for forgiveness.”*

Danielle smiled a sweet and triumphed smiled indicating she had in fact won Thomas heart. Neither marriage nor his meddling grandmother would interfere.

*“You’re right my love. By tomorrow I’m sure she’ll be begging you for forgiveness.”*

Danielle placed both of her hands on Thomas’ cheeks and brought him to a sweet kiss. Instantly reacting, Thomas lifted Danielle up and laid her on the bed gently, passionate kisses began to fill the room as he began to enter her body, but there was still something tugging at his heart and he wasn’t sure why. He’d decided to tune the noise out with the passions of Danielle.

The next morning, Thomas immediately jumped up and checked his phone. There were no calls or texts from Rabena. Thomas brows began to fury and squinch.

*“Is she really going to be this stupid?”*

Danielle finally sat up and wrapped her arms around Thomas waist, her eyes darkened when she saw he was checking for Rabena. In a sweet voice, she began to speak.

*“Tommy darling, she’s probably just waiting for you to make a fuss over her. Maybe we should just cancel my final birthday plans and cater to Rabena.”*

Thomas’ face instantly harden. No way was he going to cave into Rabena’s tricks.

*“Absolutely not! If she wants to play chicken wither own life that’s on her! She’ll call eventually.”*

That day, the family along with Thomas all continued to celebrate Danielle’s birthday while Rabena laid in the shed. No one asked or even wondered if she was okay, all that mattered was Danielle having a great day.

By the third day, Thomas was furious Rabena had not called and begged for forgiveness. Both Amber and Danielle however convinced him she was just doing this for show.

*“She probably has food and water in there! Nothing surprises me about that wretched girl!”*

So, Thomas decided he wouldn’t fret. *“If she thinks she’ll get my attention from this she’s sadly mistaken.”* He thought smugly to himself as they all sat in the living room watching television.

Suddenly, the front door opened and Damon, whom had been gone for several weeks on a camping trip with friends returned home. As he walked into the living room to greet his family, he noticed Thomas and Danielle snuggled on the couch looking every bit the married couple. Damon’s face scrunched up with irritation and confusion. If Thomas was here, where was Rabena?

*“Damon! What’s up little brother how was your trip?”*

Daniel walked over to give him a hug. Puzzled, Damon continued to look around the room for Rabena.

*“It was great. What’s Tommy doing here?"*

Daniel looked at Damon with a confused expression but then remembered he had been gone and wasn’t aware.

*“Oh, that’s right you’ve been gone! We decided to celebrate Dani’s birthday for four days. We’ve been having a really great time! It’s good you’re back you’re just in-”*

But before Daniel could finish, Damon interrupted him.

*“So then where is Rabena?”*