THE MAFIA HEIR'S HIDDEN WIFE

Chapter 3

AGATHA

“Crista, if I go with them, will they get me treated?” I asked Crista suddenly, feeling anxious.

“What do you need treatment for?” Mr. James immediately asked, grabbing my attention with his question.

“F-for Covid. I have the virus, sir. That’s why I’m confined here in Crista’s house, so I don’t infect anyone,” I answered tearfully and stuttering, secretly praying that the disease I mentioned wouldn’t come true, since it was the only the response I could think of to prevent them from taking me.

I saw on the news that everyone is afraid when it comes to this illness, so I thought maybe I could use it to save myself from the danger in front of me.

“Dammit! Why didn’t you say it earlier?” Mr. James shouted angrily, making me cry even more.

In my entire life, this is the first time I have experienced this. My parents never hurt me, but these people we are with are willing to harm me.

Though lying is bad, something I rarely do because I’m afraid of karma, I was forced to do it because I didn’t want them to take me and make me a target of an old man who, they said, is after my sister.

“Get out of my sight, you woman! You might die from a bullet from my gun and not from that damn virus!” Mr. James yelled loudly, so I quickly ran away from them.

I hurriedly went into the room where I stay and gasped for breath as I squeezed myself against the side of the bed, afraid that they might change their minds and take me.

Before long, I heard loud bangs on the door. It seemed like they left because it was already silent and I couldn’t hear Crista’s cries anymore, nor the sounds of the men using her.

I don’t know what kind of life my sister has here in San Francisco, but one thing is for sure, it’s chaotic and dangerous, especially when I saw many men being intimate with her.

Could my sister be a prostitute? My God, I hope not. Just the thought of her having that kind of job is already devastating.

Tears welled up as the door opened and Crista came in. She was wearing a robe with a small belt around her waist. It was the same one she was wearing earlier that the men of Mr. James forcibly took off her.

“Whatever you saw, it’s just normal in my everyday life, Agatha,” my sister said as if nothing happened, standing in front of me looking relaxed, unlike me who is still trembling in fear.

“I’m alone here in San Francisco. I don’t want to live a life of poverty forever, so I use my body and mind to maintain the luxurious house and car that I have, as well as my exciting lifestyle.”

I didn’t respond. I remained stuck to the side of the bed, listening to her. My mind is still in chaos and I can’t think straight, so I couldn’t bring myself to talk to her.

“Do you want me to teach you?” Crista asked, so I quickly shook my head.

“Crista, I’m scared,” I immediately replied.

My sister laughed loudly as she scrutinized me. “James is right, you’re beautiful. I can benefit a lot from you, especially since you’re intelligent. You did great earlier. You fooled him,” she said, making me bow my head.

“I’ll bring you to my friend’s restaurant. You’ll earn a lot if you do what I want, Agatha. Many wealthy men go there and if you use your mind and body, you’ll surely become rich like me,” my sister said with a smile, as if she had no fear of God, telling me how to use my body to scam rich men.

“You need it to earn money, Agatha. Money makes the world go round. With it, you can do anything,” Crista said, leaving me stunned.

James didn’t get me, but here I am, my sister wants me to work as a waitress in an upscale restaurant and use my body to earn a huge amount of money. Just the thought of stepping into that place gives me chills. What more when I start working there and doing what she wants in order to earn a large sum?

“Crista, I also want to earn money. Can I just be a waitress for now?” I asked timidly and nervously.

“Do as you please,” my sister casually replied. “Take a shower again and dress in decent clothes. I’ll take you to my friend’s place and you’ll stay there for now. It’s safer for you to stay in the restaurant. Unlike here in this condo where I’ve already lured in my victims,” my sister said, analyzing me once again.

Everything happened so quickly. Crista made me wear a short, tight-fitting red dress and paired it with high heels. She also styled my hair and did my makeup, so I hardly recognized myself when I faced the mirror and observed my appearance.

“You need to be sophisticated in your actions and speech, Agatha. Don’t be so slow in your movements and yet act modest. The Maria Clara way of hurting people is not in fashion here in San Francisco. It’s not the same as in Ferndale where it’s okay to be old-fashioned and worn-out,” Crista said in succession.

This is one thing that has always been pointed out to me. They say I am too shy and reserved in my actions and speech, something that my parents are proud of. Even though I am already a young woman, I have never been courted or accepted suitors.

Finishing my studies is my main goal in life. My mom often tells me that there will come a day when she wants to see me successful and holding a diploma. Not like the young ladies in the countryside who get pregnant at an early age and prioritize having children, so they don’t even finish high school.

“Get off, Agatha!” Crista commanded loudly, realizing she had been talking to me and the car had been stopped in front of a beautiful and sparkling establishment.

I was just staring blankly since I got into her car and my eyes were fixed on the road. Now, I felt excessive fear and unease after seeing the wide street and towering buildings. It’s as if when I get out of Crista’s car, I might get lost because I really can’t remember the route we took.

We ended up in a nice office of Crista’s friend. He immediately assessed me after sitting in front of him. “You’re strong-willed, Crista, and your sister is beautiful, so she’s accepted,” said the old man, whom I didn’t expect to become my sister’s friend.

Crista smiled and said that her conversation with him was about me. She turned to me and said that I should stay in the hostel provided by the restaurant for the staff.

“There is one thing I don’t like, laziness and slowness,” the stern person in front of me said, causing me to be nervous, as it seemed like he already knew I was reserved and slow.

“I will do my best to excel in my work here, sir,” I respectfully replied.

“I told you, George, that Agatha can be relied upon,” my sister interjected, earning a nod from the person she was talking to.

“Oh, well, you’ll take care of my sister now, George,” Crista said affectionately to the person.

My sister turned to me with a smile, seeming happy, which made me very nervous. “Be good here and do everything that George wants and orders. Clear, Agatha?” she asked with a smile on her lips, and I nodded immediately.

“Good.” That’s all I heard before Crista clapped her hands twice and extended her right palm to the person in front of her.

“Here’s your cheque, Crista,” said Sir George, after flipping the piece of paper that he signed.

“Make sure you follow the agreement,” my strict employer said, something that I couldn’t understand.

I didn’t know what was written on the piece of paper, but I didn’t ask any further. I just saw Crista’s relaxed smile and shining eyes turn to me. She tucked the folded paper into her luxurious and expensive handbag, then stood up and walked towards the door.

Sir George called someone and said to come here because there’s a new staff member in the restaurant to be trained.

I couldn’t do anything but shift my gaze to the closed door where my sister left.

I hope that this time, I didn’t make a mistake by following Crista’s wishes. She said earlier that it’s for my safety, that’s why she brought me here. She said that Mr. James will definitely return to the condo and look for her. She doesn’t want me to get into trouble, so I agreed and trusted my sister.