Crumpled Dreams

Astor’s Group of Companies

Sitting at his office chair at the 66th floor of his company enjoying the view that his large window provides, Roldan couldn’t resist thinking about Sophie. Curious about her, he waited for Adam, his right hand who conducted a private background investigation about Sophie and her family.

She was the only one who have guts to slap him and resist his touches. Most of the women at the bar whom his group visited most often are thirsty for his touch but his bodyguards wouldn’t let them. And he doesn’t like them too.

But Sophie was different. Her long hair curled halfway down, her face so soft and innocent that he always wanted to kiss it. Her body shape resembling that of a goddess’ figure. For the first time, he felt like this for a woman. Never have he cared for women because his thoughts have always been guns, killing and his group. He is a devil and she, an angel.

“The meeting was moved to Thursday dawn. That will be the final warning of Argani’s group”, Allan barged in interrupting Roldan’s thoughts. “Why didn’t you arrive last night?”

“I was busy making love with my wife”, Roldan told him.

Adam chuckled, knowing Roldan well and his atrocities to women.

“Your wife huh, since when have you cared about women”, Adam said.

“She is different. Sophie is way different and unique. She opened my belief that there are still women who doesn’t care about money or wealth. The moment I saw her, I had this feeling of wanting to touch and kiss her”, Roldan opened up.

“She really captured you. Be careful with that, my friend. Speaking of which, these are the information I gathered about your girl”, Adam said as he unwrapped the envelope in his hand and handed it to Roldan.

“Your girl was homeschooled. She was never allowed to go outside by her father. Her father recently met an accident at his work that forced him to let Sophie find a job. She asked for assistance from Sally, a clerk working here for her to enter your company and support her family’s needs. Mr. Page interviewed her and required her to report on Monday”, Adam recited as Roldan flipped the pages about Sophie’s background.

Roldan realized Sophie was telling the truth. Regardless, he wanted to keep her for himself. He knew he kidnapped her and her family will be looking for her posting her images on the street.

“How do we deal with her family?”, Roldan asked.

“Her father is persistent in finding her. Unless we will presume her dead”, Adam advised.

“No, I still have plans to formally marry her. She will bore my child and through that, I could inherit my grandfather’s company”, Roldan told him.

“If that’s the case, you should let her go. Find yourself in the process of courting her the old fashioned way. Ask her hand for marriage and ask permission from her family. But..”, Adam paused.

“But?”, Roldan responded.

“But you wouldn’t be sure if she will accept you considering what you did to her”, Adam said.

“Of course, you gave me an advice that’s worth enough”, Roldan sarcastically replied. He knew Sophie will be planning her escape. And when she did that, she will go home directly and her father will be the one calling the police.

“Try contacting Officer Gulf, give him 1-billion dollars as settlement to stop the search for Sophie. Tell him to destroy evidences leading to Sophie’s search and anything connected with that”, Roldan commanded.

“Copy that sir”, Adam answered knowing his friend has already fallen madly in love.

*** Roldan’s Room

Sophie desperately tried to free herself from the bed post. She searched for small pins or needles that can help her pick the cuff circling her foot. The door creaked open and a woman, same age as her mother entered. She wore a white pleated hat and a dress. She reminds her very much of her mother.

“You cannot escape young master Roldan ma’am”, she said, bringing with her a folded white dress. “Now if you may, I will help you clean up.”

“I don’t want to. I want to go home. I miss my family so much. I miss my Dad. I miss my Mom. I miss my sister, Sirila”, Sophie sobbed hugging her feet.

“I don’t know how to help you ma’am. But all I could give you is an advice. Try to get along with young master, in that way, he will not hurt you”, the woman said in a motherly tone.

“You mean, give in to his perverted acts. I hate him so much”, Sophie cried as she remembered how Roldan assaulted her last night.

“He never loved before , you know. You are his first love. He doesn’t know how to express his feelings for you. You are the first woman he brought to this house”, the woman answered hoping to pacify Sophie’s sorrow.

“And you think I’d take that as a compliment?”, Sophie asked in a defiant manner. “He assaulted me. I tried to make him stop but he still continued despite my protests. I’ve never been touched by a man before but I knew what he was doing was against my rights.”

The woman looked at her in pity. She told Sophie that if she will not bathe and get dressed today, Amalia, the woman who served toast that morning, will be beaten as such was the order of their master.

Sophie submitted herself. As she was drenching through the hot shower, she hoped the water could also clean the touches of Roldan from last night.

Deep in her thoughts while the woman helped her dress, Sophie started planning how she will escape this hell and the devil. She missed her home so much. She is worried about her father.

“What is your name? If I may ask”, Sophie asked the woman.

“Call me Louisa”, the woman said.

“You remind me of my mother”, Sophie said, the nostalgic feeling of home embracing her thoughts made her cry.