Rebellion

The smoke billowing from a cup was moved by her hand to go towards her nose. She inhaled greedily and published a sweet smile. Separating the fused chopsticks and immediately sandwiching the noodles between them.

Elara nodded her head with a full mouth. Pops of fireworks surrounded her. The savory and spicy taste that she loved so much plunged through her throat.

"There is no food that can beat the deliciousness of spicy instant noodles!" Elara thought before taking another mouthful. Her hand moved to bring the cup to her lips and downed the hot and spicy noodle soup.

"Hah, very delicious."

The noodles in front of her were gone in no time. Turned to the strawberry milk on the side of the noodle cup. Dipped in a small straw and immediately brought the sweet and refreshing drink into her mouth.

"Alright, let's move on to this beautiful dessert."

Elara hummed happily as she unwrapped the chocolate cake. A small fork stabbed into the cake and ran into Elara's mouth. Again she just nodded her head. Her pair of legs under the table were busy dancing around.

"Maybe because I'm in Elara's body, my food portion has doubled. Before I could only finish one medium-sized cup of noodles and half of the dessert, but now I feel like I can finish another large-sized cup of noodles," Elara murmured with lips spoiled by sweetness.

"That's okay, I still have plenty of time. Elara also has quite a lot of savings because of the monthly allowance her husband gives her. At least I don't have to bother thinking about work for the next two months."

Elara's happiness faded as she felt a stinging gaze on her back. She got goosebumps and spontaneously stiffened. She turned her head when she heard the sound of the car door closing. Grabbing her bag, Elara tried to run away quietly. 

This time Elena thought that God was not on her side. She was pulled back with a strong jerk and her arms were flanked by the burly arms of two bodyguards. 

"No, let me go!" struggled Elena.

"Madam, you'll only make your arms hurt. Follow us as usual," said the bodyguard flanking Elara's right arm. 

Although his expression was flat, she could feel his grip loosening slightly as she rebelled. The man didn't want to hurt Elara.

"Madam, rebellion will not solve your problem. Boss is waiting for you at the mansion," said a three-headed man who was the leader of her husband Asher's bodyguards. Elara knew that from Elara's original memories.

Elara reluctantly followed the footsteps of the two bodyguards who flanked her arms. She tried to be calm even though her body was trembling with fear, it seemed to be a feeling left behind by the real Elara.

She tried to get into the car carefully, but a push on her back sent her flying and she was about to slap the car seat. Fortunately, a bodyguard who was already in the passenger seat caught Elara with a polite hand position.

Before the door beside her closed completely, Elara saw a faint smirk on the lips of the leader of the bodyguards. Her palms were clenched tightly, her anger displacing the fear in Elara's heart.

The people around them focused their attention on Elara and the bodyguards. Their stares did not even disappear when the two luxurious shiny black cars drove away. Leaving behind a small market in a fairly secluded area.

***

The knock on the door that increased every second seemed to pump Elara's heart to beat faster. She looked down deeply with her fingers playing with the hem of her jacket. She felt like the door before her looked like a towering gate.

"Boss, we have brought the mistress," the leader of the bodyguards said in a polite tone.

"Come in."

The door had been opened by the head of the bodyguards, but Elara had yet to take a step. Her downcast gaze moved to the side, where she saw a warning in the bodyguard leader's eyes.

"Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid," Elara repeated.

With hesitant steps, Elara entered the room. Anxiety engulfed her. She was even startled by the small sound of the door closing.

"Come here, don't make me angry."

The heavy, intimidating voice drew Elara's attention. Unlike in Elara's original memories, her husband's good looks were more charming in person. 

A firm chin that emphasized confidence, sharp eyes that exuded courage, thick eyebrows that appealed and promised warmth underneath the firmness, combined with his well-groomed dark black hair. Good looks that could make women run just to get their hands on him.

"But unfortunately he is an asshole. What's the point of a handsome face if his character is so bad?" Elara thought while stopping her footsteps. Staring at a man who was sitting on a single sofa with a flat expression.

"Sit."

Her hands moved to correct the position of her clothes before finally taking a place on a long couch. Taking a position far enough away from the dangerous man.

His facial expression changed. He suddenly smiled faintly with eyes that looked at the wall of sky. Elara knew at that moment, that her subconscious kept warning her of danger. And Elara should immediately try to escape again.

Asher Winterbourne, Elara's husband, rose to his feet and walked over. He stopped right in front of Elara which made her feel suffocated. Suddenly a large hand pressed against her cheek and forced her to look up at him.

Elara bit the inside of her lip to prevent her nervousness from getting out. She wanted to be bold and confident so that the man in front of her would not feel complacent. Hence, she kept an even expression with a burning glint in her eyes.

"Since when did this boldness appear in your eyes?" Asher moved Elara's face right and left before finally letting go with a jerk.

"You haven't forgotten that your parents sold you to me, have you? You are the thing I bought. You cannot go against my orders. Be a beautiful, obedient doll."

Elara felt oppressed by Asher's intimidating aura. It was a powerful look that made everyone submit and dare not resist. But Elara had to fight back for her freedom. Even if her body trembled on its own.

She was not the real Elara. This fear was not hers.

"I want to be free. I will work hard to pay back the money you gave my parents. Even if it takes the rest of my life." Elara took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

She had succeeded. She managed to release the suffocating chains that bound her heart.

Asher landed his ass right next to Elara. He just stared intently for a few minutes, until finally, his right hand moved quickly to strangle Elara's neck.

"Yeah, this is my fault. I shouldn't have forgotten it. There must come a time when an obedient pet will bark rebelliously."

Both of Elara's hands settled on Asher's arms. Her face was flushed and she was starting to get out of breath. She couldn't fight Asher's one firm hand with both of hers.

Asher loosened his grip. Elara coughed and held her neck.

"It's an owner's job to re-tame. Isn't it, Elly?" Without being given time to breathe properly, Asher brought his face closer and planted a bite on Elara's ear. The woman gasped.

"Even your embarrassed face is so cute." Asher's fingers explored Elara's chubby cheeks. In a fit of rage, Elara swatted away Asher's hand roughly.

"Don't touch me!" she growled.

Asher retracted his hand. Resting his chin on the arm resting on the head of the couch. Staring intently as if only with his gaze he could strip Elara of her clothes.

"You need more guidance, Elly."

Asher clapped his hands once. Soon two bodyguards entered and forced Elara to her feet. They clasped Elara's hands tightly again.

"Let go of me! I said let go of me! How dare you touch me!" rebelled Elara in a high tone. She couldn't think rationally because of the anger and fear mixed inside her.

"Lock her up in the confinement room. Don't give her any food or drink."

After Asher's order was well received by the two bodyguards, they immediately dragged Elara away even though she continued to rebel and scream. A faint smile appeared on Asher's lips when he saw Elara's back slipping away.

"Let go of me!"

Elara was pushed so roughly that her knees slapped the floor. A low moan escaped her lips. They were so rough!

"N-no, don't close it!" 

The door in front of her, the only entrance for light, was closed slowly. Tightly locking the narrow, elongated room that was only filled with darkness.