Confrontation part 2
Elisia after her "revenge" walked downstairs while Anson slept. She stood for what seemed like hours thinking how toxic her life and relationship with Anson had become. She could never have imagined she would be in this position of having to throw herself at a man like Abdullah. The thought of him possibly accepting her offer, while it made her skin crawl, if it would get her daughter's freedom she would do it. After all he would have this body which was just a mass of flesh and bone, but her soul and mind which were much more valuable, would always remain hers. Such a small sacrifice would be worth it.
Anson finally awoke, and finding Elisia gone, got dressed and went downstairs. He smiled thinking of the passion they had just shared. It is true that he was not happy with Zoe and Charmaine being in the clutches of Abdullah, but he felt that Abdullah would do right by the girls. So they would be unhappy at first, but they would have everything he couldn't give them. What woman wouldn't want to be married to a rich powerful man who could fulfill their every wish that money could buy. He was glad that Elisia seemed to see the wisdom in what he had done. He knew she would eventually understand. It is true that if he could undo it he would, but since he couldn't, the best thing to do was to just move on. In a few months, Betty would be going to her new home, and then Elisia and he could go back to his sons. He couldn't wait to see how they had grown. He was proud of his sons and couldn't wait until they found good mussim wives to give him grandkids. He would never be able to see the children of his daughters, as he would never come back here; but they wouldn't belong to him. They would belong to their husband's family.
Anson stopped seeing Elisia's back to him. He saw her hunched over, and it appeared she was crying. Why was she crying? Surely after what they shared she had nothing to be sad about. It seemed after all she hadn't accepted the situation. She had, for whatever reason, lied to him. That meant that what they had shared was a lie as well. He was getting angry. What was she up to? Well, he would find out and put a stop to this. She was a good mussim woman, and as one, she needed to accept that his decisions were, like it or not, his to make, and her place to accept. He had tried for her sake to undo things. Hadn't he at great peril and expense to himself done so? Even now he did not know how he was going to be able to pay the 100,000 simoleans to the council. That was a debt that they wouldn't let him fluff off. Thinking of the humiliation he had put himself through for her at the hands of the council it angered him further. Didn't she know what it was like to humble himself before them? Didn't she care? This was going to stop. She was his wife, and she was going to learn to be obedient.
Anson a little harshly: Why do you cry woman? Do you mourn for your girls? There is no need. I, as their father, made a business decision, and gave your daughters the best future they could ever hope to have. Marriage is a business decision. What do you a woman know about business? You dare question or mourn my wisdom? They were never yours to have. You being a good mussim woman, know it is always the way that women are so much chattel to be given to the highest bidder. I did more than they were worthy of. I gave them to a man who will bring them riches and honor beyond any worthless woman's dream. You know if I hadn't given them to Abdullah they might have ended up married to a camel trader or worse? Abdullah did us a favor by taking our lowly daughters. He is the most powerful man in this village, and for him to deign to even take your daughters into his household as future wives instead of concubines should please you no end. He could have taken them with no dowry, or just taken them until he tired of them and threw them away. He honors us by his beneficence. There were many families more blessed than ours which did not get such an honor. We are not of such a standing where we can look at Abdullah's generosity with disdain. I foolishly started to do just that because of your distress. I prostrated myself in humiliation in front of the council for you a worthless woman, because I thought it would please you! What a fool I was! I will debase myself no more, or pay heed to your simple minded woman's feelings. You are mine to do with as I choose, and you will stop that sniveling! I have been too lenient and patient. I blame my father for showing my mother weakness. I will not be my father any more! You will come here, and bow yourself before me and show proper gratitude for what I have done for your daughters!
Elisia hearing these words couldn't believe he was saying them. Her daughters? Weren't they flesh of his flesh as well? He was turning into her father! Her father made her go reside with three other woman in this man's house so he could choose which one pleased him most. This had made Elisia mad, but what could she do? Her father threatened to have her killed if she did not win Anson's heart. She always had a temper and tried to buck the horrors of the system. She resented Anson's choosing of her, and had wanted to just go home. She didn't know at the time that if Anson hadn't chose her, her father would have disowned her, and she would have been living among the garbage heaps. This would have been worse than death. It was only after she married Anson that her mother had told her this. Her father had felt with her temper, she didn't have much chance of his finding a suitable husband in the town, and that is why he sent her to Anson's house being he was a stranger. Her father figured he wouldn't know about Elisia and her beauty would be enough to woo him. It worked. Elisia ended up loving Anson in her own way, not with a deep love of a wife for a husband, but with a benevolent appreciation type love for being so good to her. Now he was turning into the husband she had always feared she would have being from the mussim culture. He didn't treat her like an equal, but like a paternal father who puts up with a wayward child. She put up with it as she knew it could be worse and she had no where to go. Life wasn't as bad for her as other women who claimed their husband's beat them regularly just to remind them not to get out of line. Anson had never hit her. So up till now she had been fortunate. She had never dreamed Anson would turn into a typical mussim father and husband. Yes she knew their daughters would have arranged marriages, but she never dreamed Anson would give their girls to a man of Abdulllah's character. She thought he loved those girls more than that. How could she have been so blind and wrong? Well she was going to make up for her foolishness, and get her daughter's freedom.
Anson finally awoke, and finding Elisia gone, got dressed and went downstairs. He smiled thinking of the passion they had just shared. It is true that he was not happy with Zoe and Charmaine being in the clutches of Abdullah, but he felt that Abdullah would do right by the girls. So they would be unhappy at first, but they would have everything he couldn't give them. What woman wouldn't want to be married to a rich powerful man who could fulfill their every wish that money could buy. He was glad that Elisia seemed to see the wisdom in what he had done. He knew she would eventually understand. It is true that if he could undo it he would, but since he couldn't, the best thing to do was to just move on. In a few months, Betty would be going to her new home, and then Elisia and he could go back to his sons. He couldn't wait to see how they had grown. He was proud of his sons and couldn't wait until they found good mussim wives to give him grandkids. He would never be able to see the children of his daughters, as he would never come back here; but they wouldn't belong to him. They would belong to their husband's family.
Anson stopped seeing Elisia's back to him. He saw her hunched over, and it appeared she was crying. Why was she crying? Surely after what they shared she had nothing to be sad about. It seemed after all she hadn't accepted the situation. She had, for whatever reason, lied to him. That meant that what they had shared was a lie as well. He was getting angry. What was she up to? Well, he would find out and put a stop to this. She was a good mussim woman, and as one, she needed to accept that his decisions were, like it or not, his to make, and her place to accept. He had tried for her sake to undo things. Hadn't he at great peril and expense to himself done so? Even now he did not know how he was going to be able to pay the 100,000 simoleans to the council. That was a debt that they wouldn't let him fluff off. Thinking of the humiliation he had put himself through for her at the hands of the council it angered him further. Didn't she know what it was like to humble himself before them? Didn't she care? This was going to stop. She was his wife, and she was going to learn to be obedient.
Anson a little harshly: Why do you cry woman? Do you mourn for your girls? There is no need. I, as their father, made a business decision, and gave your daughters the best future they could ever hope to have. Marriage is a business decision. What do you a woman know about business? You dare question or mourn my wisdom? They were never yours to have. You being a good mussim woman, know it is always the way that women are so much chattel to be given to the highest bidder. I did more than they were worthy of. I gave them to a man who will bring them riches and honor beyond any worthless woman's dream. You know if I hadn't given them to Abdullah they might have ended up married to a camel trader or worse? Abdullah did us a favor by taking our lowly daughters. He is the most powerful man in this village, and for him to deign to even take your daughters into his household as future wives instead of concubines should please you no end. He could have taken them with no dowry, or just taken them until he tired of them and threw them away. He honors us by his beneficence. There were many families more blessed than ours which did not get such an honor. We are not of such a standing where we can look at Abdullah's generosity with disdain. I foolishly started to do just that because of your distress. I prostrated myself in humiliation in front of the council for you a worthless woman, because I thought it would please you! What a fool I was! I will debase myself no more, or pay heed to your simple minded woman's feelings. You are mine to do with as I choose, and you will stop that sniveling! I have been too lenient and patient. I blame my father for showing my mother weakness. I will not be my father any more! You will come here, and bow yourself before me and show proper gratitude for what I have done for your daughters!
Elisia hearing these words couldn't believe he was saying them. Her daughters? Weren't they flesh of his flesh as well? He was turning into her father! Her father made her go reside with three other woman in this man's house so he could choose which one pleased him most. This had made Elisia mad, but what could she do? Her father threatened to have her killed if she did not win Anson's heart. She always had a temper and tried to buck the horrors of the system. She resented Anson's choosing of her, and had wanted to just go home. She didn't know at the time that if Anson hadn't chose her, her father would have disowned her, and she would have been living among the garbage heaps. This would have been worse than death. It was only after she married Anson that her mother had told her this. Her father had felt with her temper, she didn't have much chance of his finding a suitable husband in the town, and that is why he sent her to Anson's house being he was a stranger. Her father figured he wouldn't know about Elisia and her beauty would be enough to woo him. It worked. Elisia ended up loving Anson in her own way, not with a deep love of a wife for a husband, but with a benevolent appreciation type love for being so good to her. Now he was turning into the husband she had always feared she would have being from the mussim culture. He didn't treat her like an equal, but like a paternal father who puts up with a wayward child. She put up with it as she knew it could be worse and she had no where to go. Life wasn't as bad for her as other women who claimed their husband's beat them regularly just to remind them not to get out of line. Anson had never hit her. So up till now she had been fortunate. She had never dreamed Anson would turn into a typical mussim father and husband. Yes she knew their daughters would have arranged marriages, but she never dreamed Anson would give their girls to a man of Abdulllah's character. She thought he loved those girls more than that. How could she have been so blind and wrong? Well she was going to make up for her foolishness, and get her daughter's freedom.
Elisia turned around not bothering to hide her crying like she would have before.
Anson seeing her tears hardened his heart even more: Look Elisia those girls belong to Abdullah, and there is nothing more to be done. He will protect them from dishonor, and from anybody else who would harm them. Surely you can see how good their lives will be can't you?
Elisia: I just see how you put our daughters in a toxic, impossible situation. They are but 8 years old, too young and innocent for the likes of Abdullah. He will have no compunction to do with them what he wills. I sincerely doubt he will wait to deflower them before the legal age. He will debase them and throw them away.
Anson: You do not know any such thing. Abdullah gave me a generous bride price for them and he would not surely waste it by tossing the girls away.
Elisia: I do know. He is evil personified, and only the most foolish person in the universe would think that giving his daughters to such a monster is an honorable thing. I for one will not stand by and let that monster terrorize our girls.
Anson seeing her tears hardened his heart even more: Look Elisia those girls belong to Abdullah, and there is nothing more to be done. He will protect them from dishonor, and from anybody else who would harm them. Surely you can see how good their lives will be can't you?
Elisia: I just see how you put our daughters in a toxic, impossible situation. They are but 8 years old, too young and innocent for the likes of Abdullah. He will have no compunction to do with them what he wills. I sincerely doubt he will wait to deflower them before the legal age. He will debase them and throw them away.
Anson: You do not know any such thing. Abdullah gave me a generous bride price for them and he would not surely waste it by tossing the girls away.
Elisia: I do know. He is evil personified, and only the most foolish person in the universe would think that giving his daughters to such a monster is an honorable thing. I for one will not stand by and let that monster terrorize our girls.
Anson seeing that Elisia's temper was coming to the fore decided to take a different tack.
Anson: I will forgive your impudence my love as I know being a woman it is hard to give up your young daughters, and you are upset and not thinking straight. I want you to know though that I will not continue to be so understanding. Now come dear, what we shared upstairs was beautiful, and you would not ruin all these years of happiness together worrying about two lowly girls whose future is bright would you? They will be fine, and you will see in a few years how content they will be. They will bring Abdullah many fine sons and he will honor them for that. Now be reasonable and let us forget about this.
Elisia opened her mouth to speak.
Anson: I will forgive your impudence my love as I know being a woman it is hard to give up your young daughters, and you are upset and not thinking straight. I want you to know though that I will not continue to be so understanding. Now come dear, what we shared upstairs was beautiful, and you would not ruin all these years of happiness together worrying about two lowly girls whose future is bright would you? They will be fine, and you will see in a few years how content they will be. They will bring Abdullah many fine sons and he will honor them for that. Now be reasonable and let us forget about this.
Elisia opened her mouth to speak.
Anson, seeing the look on Elisia's face, decided that the surprise he had for her best be given now. He had wanted to give the flowers to her at a better time, but if he was hoping to have any chance of winning her good graces back, he better do it now.
Anson: Before you say anything else Elisia, I have a surprise for you. Anson whipped out the flowers. Here my love. I got red roses to show how much I love and honor the wife you have been to me these many years.
Elisia drew back in revulsion. Did he really think that her daughters were worth no more than a bunch of flowers? Did he really believe this would make all he had done right with her? She finally realized that he never had really known her. He didn't know who she was, what her wishes and desires were. She was someone to warm his bed and be his slave. She had wanted to believe it was different for them and had lived with that lie so long, that it came as a hard truth like a sledgehammer. That treasured belief was dying a hard painful death. Even in her anger, she somehow believed that he would at the last minute show her he cared for their daughters, and would find a way to get them back. She hadn't really believed it she supposed, but she just hadn't wanted to accept that. Now her blood running cold, her heart turned to stone.
Anson: Before you say anything else Elisia, I have a surprise for you. Anson whipped out the flowers. Here my love. I got red roses to show how much I love and honor the wife you have been to me these many years.
Elisia drew back in revulsion. Did he really think that her daughters were worth no more than a bunch of flowers? Did he really believe this would make all he had done right with her? She finally realized that he never had really known her. He didn't know who she was, what her wishes and desires were. She was someone to warm his bed and be his slave. She had wanted to believe it was different for them and had lived with that lie so long, that it came as a hard truth like a sledgehammer. That treasured belief was dying a hard painful death. Even in her anger, she somehow believed that he would at the last minute show her he cared for their daughters, and would find a way to get them back. She hadn't really believed it she supposed, but she just hadn't wanted to accept that. Now her blood running cold, her heart turned to stone.
Elisia coldly: After all these years this is what it comes too? I have been a good and faithful wife, and to you I have been nothing more than a bug that at your will you would crush. I cannot hold back anymore. What we had upstairs was nothing more than the topping to my planned revenge. I wanted the knife to go deeper after telling you what I am about to say.
Anson shocked didn't know how to react. He had never seen Elisia so beautiful, so magnificent, so angry!
Anson shocked didn't know how to react. He had never seen Elisia so beautiful, so magnificent, so angry!
Elisia growling in her anger: You think flowers can make up for all these years of subservience, and bonds of slavery? You think flowers could make me forget our two beautiful daughters which we were blessed by the Gods with? You think your throwing our daughters away to a man who thinks of those girls as nothing but beautiful objects to adorn his house can be made right with your cheap gifts? I am sorry Anson, but I will do no more for you.
Anson spluttering starting to get over his shock: I-I- woman!
Elisia hissing back: Enough! I want you to know that what happened upstairs was only so my words will cut and destroy you. Yes, that meant nothing to me, you mean nothing to me anymore. Maybe you never did mean anything to me. I know now I meant nothing to you! I am not going to let my daughters stay one more day in that man's house.
Anson sneering coldly at her words angry beyond pain: What do you think you a lowly woman can do that I as a man couldn't?
Elisia smiling in triumph: You always said yourself I am a rare, exceptionally beautiful woman. Well I will tell you, while I have breath in my body, I am going to use every thing I have in my arsenal to get my Zoe and Charmaine's freedom.
Anson the light starting to dawn, but not really able to comprehend fully, got a look of fury on his face.
Elisia seeing the fury, laughed hysterically: Yes, I see you are starting to understand. I am going today and offer myself to their captor in exchange for their freedom. I will be his concubine, his sex slave, whatever it takes to get them away from that monster. He will use my body, and I will think of your shameful treatment of me and our daughters to give me the courage to be a tigress in his bed. I will please him gladly, knowing that every time he takes me, it will be a dagger to your heart. This I am going to do, and I wanted to be sure you know that my being his slave will make me happier than you ever made me. I could have left and let you find out, but I wanted to let you know.
Anson spluttering starting to get over his shock: I-I- woman!
Elisia hissing back: Enough! I want you to know that what happened upstairs was only so my words will cut and destroy you. Yes, that meant nothing to me, you mean nothing to me anymore. Maybe you never did mean anything to me. I know now I meant nothing to you! I am not going to let my daughters stay one more day in that man's house.
Anson sneering coldly at her words angry beyond pain: What do you think you a lowly woman can do that I as a man couldn't?
Elisia smiling in triumph: You always said yourself I am a rare, exceptionally beautiful woman. Well I will tell you, while I have breath in my body, I am going to use every thing I have in my arsenal to get my Zoe and Charmaine's freedom.
Anson the light starting to dawn, but not really able to comprehend fully, got a look of fury on his face.
Elisia seeing the fury, laughed hysterically: Yes, I see you are starting to understand. I am going today and offer myself to their captor in exchange for their freedom. I will be his concubine, his sex slave, whatever it takes to get them away from that monster. He will use my body, and I will think of your shameful treatment of me and our daughters to give me the courage to be a tigress in his bed. I will please him gladly, knowing that every time he takes me, it will be a dagger to your heart. This I am going to do, and I wanted to be sure you know that my being his slave will make me happier than you ever made me. I could have left and let you find out, but I wanted to let you know.
Anson: You would do this thing? You would disgrace yourself and me as my wife in such a debasing manner? I always knew you were a whore at heart, and now I see you have confirmed it. I never should have married you. You are an ungrateful $itch and I would be well to be rid of you if it wouldn't bring me dishonor, I would take you there myself, strip you of your clothes and let him bid for you like a prize sow! Yet this I won't do, as I won't bring that shame on me. You will stay here and I will lock you up if necessary to stop you from going. You will not shame me further. Your rebellion is truly unattractive and I don't blame you, but your father, for failing to make you a proper mussim wife. You will not be my wife. You will be as you say my slave, and if you wish to be my wife again, you will have to earn that privilege. Now you sicken me go upstairs and await my pleasure slave!
Elisia: Your days of ordering me around are over Master! She deliberately sneered the word to get across her contempt and the utmost loathing possible. I am leaving and you will not stop me. With that she started to move toward the door.
Anson had never seen this side of her and was at a loss. He couldn't move and she lashed out again.
Elisia: Oh does my anger and plans mess up your perfect little world and universe? Well too bad. What about my world? What about being treated like so much cattle or as you said a prize sow! Now move aside you pathetic worm. I have no more to say.
Elisia: Oh does my anger and plans mess up your perfect little world and universe? Well too bad. What about my world? What about being treated like so much cattle or as you said a prize sow! Now move aside you pathetic worm. I have no more to say.
Anson: Well I am not finished. You are not being a proper wife. You never have been. I can see unlike your father I should have beaten you till you didn't have the strength to rebel or the will. I will not divorce you, as that would be too good for you. You will live here with me and do my every bidding or be beaten until you do.
Anson to incense her further said the first thing he could to infuriate her more. He was beyond angry.
Anson: Go make dinner woman! I am famished. Obey or you are in for a beating. Go now!
Elisia snarled at those words: I am going to rescue my darling Zoe and Charmaine. Just try to stop me.
Anson: Go make dinner woman! I am famished. Obey or you are in for a beating. Go now!
Elisia snarled at those words: I am going to rescue my darling Zoe and Charmaine. Just try to stop me.
With that Anson grabbed her around the neck and started to choke her.
Anson panting: You will see what happens to insolent wives. You will learn respect and obedience or die!
Elisia panicked, flailed trying to break his death grip. She was gasping for air. He was furious. She had never expected this!
She tried to bite him, but his hand around her neck was holding her head up so she couldn't do it. She was fearful he was going to do it. She wasn't strong enough to stop him. She felt his grip tighten further.
Anson: I will kill you woman unless you throw yourself on my mercy. Say you are sorry and that you are going to be my abject slave!
Elisia too afraid to continue to fight gasped out the words: Do not kill me my benevolent lord. I have seen the error of my ways. Please spare this poor wretch of a woman's life.
Anson panting: You will see what happens to insolent wives. You will learn respect and obedience or die!
Elisia panicked, flailed trying to break his death grip. She was gasping for air. He was furious. She had never expected this!
She tried to bite him, but his hand around her neck was holding her head up so she couldn't do it. She was fearful he was going to do it. She wasn't strong enough to stop him. She felt his grip tighten further.
Anson: I will kill you woman unless you throw yourself on my mercy. Say you are sorry and that you are going to be my abject slave!
Elisia too afraid to continue to fight gasped out the words: Do not kill me my benevolent lord. I have seen the error of my ways. Please spare this poor wretch of a woman's life.
Anson held on to her throat and tightened a little bit more for good measure before letting her go. He felt she had learned her lesson.
Elisia stood up and gasped for breath. How she hated him.
Anson: Now will you go cook my dinner?
Elisia nodded.
Anson feeling still angry, but being slightly mollified at her compliance: Now see, it did not have to come to that. You brought it on yourself. If you will just obey there will be no further need for lessons. Things can go back to the way they were if you mend the error of your ways.
Elisia just stood there resentful and silent.
Anson grabbed her shoulders and kissed her on the neck. I do love you, and that pained me more than you, having to do that. Now go and we will sit down and talk about how things will be from here on out.
Elisia walked toward the kitchen. She would make her escape. When she got to the front door she sprung it open and ran out.
Elisia stood up and gasped for breath. How she hated him.
Anson: Now will you go cook my dinner?
Elisia nodded.
Anson feeling still angry, but being slightly mollified at her compliance: Now see, it did not have to come to that. You brought it on yourself. If you will just obey there will be no further need for lessons. Things can go back to the way they were if you mend the error of your ways.
Elisia just stood there resentful and silent.
Anson grabbed her shoulders and kissed her on the neck. I do love you, and that pained me more than you, having to do that. Now go and we will sit down and talk about how things will be from here on out.
Elisia walked toward the kitchen. She would make her escape. When she got to the front door she sprung it open and ran out.
Elisia ran out of the door. She was free! Well not free, she was just exchanging one form of slavery for another. This one she was running toward was more preferable. This one would try her soul greatly, but she could live any kind of life in peace, if she knew her daughters would be safe from Abdullah and have a chance to live the lives they were meant to live. She would bargain with Abdullah not only for their freedom, but to send them to her mother in another country where they will be free to live their lives as little girls, and have the hopes of choosing their own husbands, or whatever they want out of life. They could even choose to be something other than wives or mothers. She would be proud of them no matter what they did. What was important was that they have the choice that she never had. Her mother would raise them to be independent women. Her father was gone, and no longer could harm her or her granddaughters. The thought of her daughters lives beginning anew, increased her pace. She would run toward her captivity with joy in her heart for her daughter's sakes.