Promised to the Dealer

Antonella Today I turn 18. It was supposed to be a happy day; I should be celebrating my freedom, but no, today marks the end of my life. My father was once again involved in crime, he was a lookout in a slum that will soon be my new home. At 20, he met my mother at a dance, they got together, and soon she was pregnant with me. Fearing he would die without knowing his daughter, he asked the gang leader to let him leave the crime world, saying it was because of the woman who was pregnant. At that time, the leader was Lion. He allowed my father to leave, telling him to take very good care of me, not let me associate with anyone, make me a pure and intelligent girl, and that my mother should teach me everything necessary to run a household. Because when I turned 18, he would come to get me so I could be the faithful companion of his son who was also on the way. My father, fearing that Lion would do something to my mother if he didn't agree, accepted the deal. And so I was born, studied in the best schools, took courses in cooking, languages, learned a bit about accounting and administration too. I was never allowed to go out unsupervised, let alone have a boyfriend. My friends always came to me, but I could never go to them. I was always aware of what would happen to me, but I also hoped he would change his mind and let me live my life in peace. A mistake on my part. I'm sitting on the sofa with my bags packed. My parents have spent the week crying in the corners. Despite the fear, I am resigned. It wasn't my choice, but if I don't go, Lion will come to us to kill my parents. I know they made this deal so I could grow up well and happy, and my life was great. If I need to sacrifice myself for them now, it's okay, I accept my destiny. I follow the social media of my future "partner." Besides the luxurious life he leads, I also see how much of a womanizer he is, a different one every day. I also see the news on a gossip i********: account from the hill, always talking about how cruel he is, kills without mercy, ruthless, heartless. Whenever I read these things, I feel a shiver run through my body. I think about what he might do to me. Despite knowing I'm destined for him, I won't submit and accept what he tells me to do; it goes against everything I believe in. I hear knocks on the door, it's Lion, I know it's time. My father gets up and goes to open the door, my mother walks over to me crying and hugs me. Gabriela- "I'm sorry, my daughter, I wish I could change all this," she says crying while hugging me. Antonella- "It's okay, mom, I'll come visit you often, and you can message me when you miss me too," she smiles. Gabriela- "I love you, daughter." Antonella- "I love you too, mom." Victor- "Daughter, this is Lion," a tall, muscular man full of tattoos stops in front of me, he looks like a wall, he's so tall. Antonella- "Nice to meet you," I say, extending my hand to him, who looks at me seriously. Lion- "Let's go, I can't stay out in the open for long," he says, ignoring me, turns his back and walks away. Victor- "Daughter, everything will be okay, he'll take care of you, and if you need anything, call me," he says, hugging me. Antonella- "It's okay, I need to go, I don't want to make him angry," I grab my suitcase and walk to the car, get in and watch my parents from the door looking at me and crying, it breaks my heart to see them like this, the driver starts the engine and we head towards my new life.