s*x And Gambit

13: My world

The moment I opened my eyes, I remembered what had happened yesterday. How I had been a cry baby and slept on the floor.

Was I really a cry baby/ I had no idea. I just knew I still had the pain, the hopelessness, the helplessness and it was like nature was trying to taunt me for my mistake.

I got ready, bath and went to see if I had anything to do in the kitchen today. Getting there, everyone seem jovial, like they were waiting for me to join the or …was I late? Yep, I was.

“My apologies, I am late. i…”

They burst into laughter. I looked at myself, to see if I looked different. Was it my hair, did I have something on my face? Or…did Alita tell them what had happened?

I smiled weirdly but they all kept laughing.

“She look so cute sleepy” the one I remembered as Catarina smiled. Her Italian accent was so fine, it was almost like she was singing.

I looked at the corner to see Mama Carlotta sipping form a steaming cup. She didn’t look bothered, I trusted she was nice. Maybe I should just learn my place and learn how to handle trust.

“They were all talking about how American you sound and would want to hear you say more words” she smiled sweetly at me.

I sighed and walked to an empty sink, I didn’t have anything to do but I really wanted to be busy.

“She is shy too, I love that for you girl” Fred said.

I looked at mama Carlotta who just noded and looked at the rest.

“I am not a American, I just speak like that’ I said.

Silence. They looked at each othjer, then back at me.

“you applied for a cooking job but you have eating disorder?” Angie said.

She appeared to be fast thinking and walked to lean at a corner. They were chair around, I wanted to ask why she didn’t take it but she continued.

“Disorder seem more, like an America thing, and Alita said you are from the west” she instead as she pointed at the chair for me. She left it for me.

I smiled and nodded. Was alit trying to cover up her cousin’s evil or was she just going to lie about it?

“I get shy over somethings that include people watching me eat but I love cooking” I lied.

I wasn’t going to tell her that I barely cook, didn’t know how to cook and love food. I wasn’t going to tell her that I initially cook when I am alone, aside that, I never know how to cook with people around. Soon, we were laughing and talking about so many thing. I wasn’t talking but seeing them so lively made me relived, I almost forgot I was kidnapped and brought here against my will.

I didn’t need to worry about Alita that wasn’t in sight, not even Alex… I was just so free.

“Zora?”

The silence in the kitchen was empty as one of Alex’s men called my name. I didn’t want to answer at first but everyone was look at me.

“He wants to see you” he said and stood still.

His gaze was on me till I got up, walked to him and stood in front of me. His height towered mine, the person behind him would definitely not see me. He seem like he would eat me whole.

As we walked to where Alex supposedly would be, my palms sweat. I saddened got cold and my heart beat like it would jump out my ribcage. The last time I was in his office wasn’t good. He didn’t even act like he was the same man that slept with me naked in his arms, or the man that told me he was sorry, or the man that had watched me finger myself.

I cautiously stepped into the dimly lit office, my heart pounding in my chest. After I had received that mysterious invitation to meet with the notorious Alex, I knew something would go wrong. My mind was filled with a mixture of curiosity and fear. As I entered the room, the heavy door closed behind me, causing an echo to reverberate through the space.

‘I am done! I am done!!’ that was all I kept saying in my mind.

The room was adorned with opulence, a stark contrast to the gritty reality outside. A large mahogany desk dominated the center of the room, behind which sat a figure cloaked in shadows. It was Alex, the man whose name struck fear into the hearts of many. It was definitely like the last time I saw it but I need to find new things so I would distract myself from the devastating fear.

"Welcome," his voice rang out, deep and commanding. "Please, have a seat, amore."

I hesitated for a moment before gingerly lowering myself into the plush chair opposite him. Alex leaned forward, his face partially illuminated by the soft glow of a desk lamp. His eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto mine, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You must be wondering why I asked you here," he began, his voice low and intense. "You see, my dear, you possess something that could be of great value to me."

Confusion mixed with my fear as I struggled to comprehend his words. "I-I don't understand. What could I possibly have that a man like you would want?"

I meant it, he had all.

A chilling smile crept across Alex's face as he leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of him. "Information, my dear. Information that could bring down everything I've built. And that, my dear, is something I cannot allow."

Panic seized me as I realized the gravity of the situation. I was just an innocent girl, caught in the web of a dangerous underworld. "I-I don't know anything. I swear!"

Alex's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. "That may be true, but in my line of work, silence is a valuable currency. And you, my dear, must keep your mouth sealed."

Alita! I should know that girl was just all mouths. I should know there was nothing good about that girl.

She is his Cousin for pit sake! Distant, third, I don’t care.

His words hung in the air, suffocating me with their weight. My voice trembled as I spoke, desperate to reason with this fearsome man before me. "Please, I'm just a girl. I don't want any part in your world. Let me go."

Alex's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through me. "You're right, my dear. You're just a girl. And that is precisely why I need you to understand the consequences of speaking out. Innocent or not, your life would be in grave danger."

Tears welled up in my eyes as the harsh reality settled in. I was at the mercy of a man capable of unspeakable violence. Swallowing my fear, I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. "I... I understand."

Alex leaned back in his chair, a sense of satisfaction emanating from him. "Good. Remember, my dear, discretion is a virtue. Those who talk too much tend to find themselves in precarious situations."

With those ominous words, I rose from my seat, my legs trembling beneath me. As I made my way to the door, Alex's gaze followed me, a silent reminder of the power he held over my fate. The heavy door swung open, and I stepped out into the passage, my heart heavy with the burden of secrecy.

‘Yeah! I still need to learn trust!’