Hooked

Chapter 2

Zena ran out of the mansion; no one saw her leave because it was already midnight. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She couldn't go back to Noah; he was going to kill her. She didn't know if Mr. Zack was dead or not. Her heart was beating fast, she was tired, and she was gasping for air. She was running by the roadside in the middle of the night. She broke down in tears. She wished her life was different. She wished she didn't have to do all types of dirty things to survive.

Noah was going to kill her or pimp her to another person if she went back to him, so going back home was not an option. She took the few dollar bills on Mr. Zack’s table before running out of the house because she didn't have any cash with her.

Noah doesn't allow her to hold cash; he collects every dollar she has and she will have to ask him for permission before she touches any money. She stood still and decided to count the money; it was over two thousand dollars. Her eyes widened as she counted the money; she had never held that kind of amount before. Her and Noah made more than that amount but she was never allowed to spend more than a hundred dollars of the money.

With that amount she can go so another state and rent an apartment or even stay in an hotel pending on when she can get a job, she ordered a ride and when the ride arrived, she broke her sim card and he dropped her at a motel, she passed the night at the motel and the next morning she bought some clothes and took a train to a different city miles away, she started Job hunting, she got a really small apartment in the ghetto and when she couldn't get a white collar job she decided to settle for the dishwashing job at a local restaurant, she was working there peacefully and she was happy she was making a decent living for herself, weeks passed, months passed and that was when she knew she was finally free form her toxic relationship. She was promoted to a waitress and her salary was increased. Everyone loved her because she was kind and hardworking.

“Zena, you overwork yourself; please take a break and go have lunch before you pass out.

“Sir, I'm only doing my job; the turnover today is massive. If I take a break, who will attend to them?

"I'll cover up for one hour for you; please go have something to eat. You’ve not had anything to eat today and it's almost 3 p.m.; I do not want you to fall sick. You are the most hard-working staff here. Zena handed over her apron to her boss. She made her way out to go have her lunch. She met her other colleagues smoking in the backyard, and they all hailed her when she sat close to them.

"Hey, sexy mama, the only female staff with the body of a goddess. If your kingdom is under water, please take me away with you, baby.

“Silly you.

DY is a musician and he always loved to complement Zena. They all loved her and DY would use her name to compose a song. every time they closed from work and made their way home.

“I wonder why you are still single, DY. With all of your sweetness, why are you single?

“Cus Mama told me to forget about the hoes and chase the bag; she told me to chase my dreams and make the paper. DY replied to Zena with his song Lyris, and everyone laughed; they loved to tease him.

“Your mom died when you were 7 DY, so when did she tell you to leave them hoes and chase the bag? DY’s friend made fun of him and everyone laughed, including DY.

“She told me when I was 6, bro.

“Lier, DY is crushing on a girl in our neighborhood, but he doesn't have the balls to talk to her yet.

“You should talk to her DY; tomorrow is not promised; someone else might marry her before you are ready. Zara tried to encourage DY but he wasn't ready for a relationship.

"Thanks, Zena, but I'll ask her out when I win a Grammy award. After my speech, I'll ask her to be my woman. DY’s friend burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Stop daydreaming, DY, you want to win a Grammy with your “my mama told me to leave the hoes and chase the bag lyrics’? Bro, I've been hearing those same lines since 2005. Zena burst into a very loud laughter. She wondered why DY’s friend was dissing him like that but she understood that they were always like that around each other.

“You guys, when I finally win the Grammy, my speech will be short and brief. “I thank God almighty for the inspiration and for my friends OC and Zena, who did not believe in me at the early stage of my career. I did it, guys.

“I’m going back inside, guys; my break is over.

“Same here. They all went inside and resumed their various duties. Zena’s shift was over; it was 9 p.m. She waited for over 20 minutes for DJ and OC so they would head home together because they stayed close. After they were done with their shift, they walked home. They were making jokes and laughing as they walked down the dark road. Zena found happiness in her workplace; she was at peace and there was no Noah hitting her or pimping her to different men.

But her happiness and laughter slowly faded away when a white minibus double-crossed them and three men with guns came down. They pointed their guns at DJ and OC and threatened to shoot if they moved. They sedated Zena and took her with them in their minibus.