Dark Chemistry

Chapter-18

Natalia's POV :

Cold.

Soggy sphere.

Smells of dirt.

I felt like I would throw up at any moment when I opened my eyes as I was laying behind a big trash can full of dirt somewhere inside an alley.

Luckily my full body was inside a big sack so the dirt couldn't ruin my dress. The two bulky men were nowhere to be seen, no one was there except a few street dogs and cats. I slowly stood up from the dirt and looked around then made my way outside of the alley, on the busy street.

I looked around and according to some posters and signboards I understood I was still in Italy. I started walking aimlessly hoping that Nicolas would find it. The passers-by were throwing weird looks at me as if I was a beggar or something.

Nicolas..

I wondered if he got the news yet that I was missing. I tried for about half an hour to ask someone where the Hotel Angelina was because I didn't know the address of Nicolas's house and the last thing I remembered was the name of his hotel.

But everyone was ignoring me and throwing a disgusting look. I let out a long trembling sigh and sat on a bench under an orange tree, mentally cursing at my pathetic life.

"Dio mio! Stai bene, cara? " Someone gasped. (Italian - oh my god! Are you lost, dear?)

I immediately looked up and saw a woman in her late thirties or early forties, wearing a concerned look on her face and looking down at me sympathetically.

"I don't speak Italian. Can you please tell me where the Hotel Angelina is?" I sobbed.

"Are you lost, dear? It's too cold outside and not safe." She frowned and sat beside me.

"Yes. Please tell me where the hotel is." I nodded and asked again.

"Umm.. actually there is no hotel named Angelina." She sighed as my eyes went wide at her reply.

What?!

How could a ridiculously big, luxurious, expensive hotel suddenly vanish from the city?!

"Ah, m-maybe you're mistaken. There is a big e-expensive and luxurious hotel named 'Hotel Angelina' and the whole hotel is s-surrounded by dozens of robots like guards. A-And the owner of the hotel is very scary." I stuttered and waited for her answer.

"Honey, I've been living here for a long time and I know this town very well although it's not that big." She sighed again.

Wait.

Town?

"Town? I was in Rome city, the capital."

"Now that makes sense. You're in Capaccio town now, hours away from Rome. But how did you even come here?" She gasped.

"What? Oh my God!" I cried out and clutched my hair tightly with my both hands.

"Relax, dear. Do you remember any family member's phone number so that I can call them." She squeezed my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile.

"No. I-I don't." I sobbed, lowering my head.

"It's ok. Don't worry. I've a place where you can stay until we find a way." She smiled softly and helped me to stand up.

This whole thing made my brain puncture and I couldn't think further as I was stunned by the twist after twist of my own freaking life.

At first, I was kidnapped and tortured by Nicolas then he forcefully brought me Italy, after kidnapping my parents and shooting uncle Jacob. Now here I am, again kidnapped by two unknown perverts because Nicolas's two best useless guards failed to keep an eye on me and then those two unknown assholes threw me off on a pile of dirt somewhere in a town, far away from the city.

Nice. Actually so freaking nice.

'God! Is it some sick twisted kidnapping game or something?!' I thought.

"So you don't seem like Italian. Are you here to visit Rome?" The lady asked me while shutting the cabs door beside her.

Crap.

What'll you say now Natalia? That you were kidnapped by a psychopath then again kidnapped by some assholes?

"Actually..uh.. I was here to visit my cousins?" I looked at my lap where I placed my palms.

I couldn't tell her that I was kidnapped by a criminal who forced me to come to Italy because she might get afraid and change her mind then I would end up staying on the cold street.

"Oh, but how did you end up here?"

"Uh, I was trying to find the hotel then I don't remember anything." I again started crying.

I knew I kept lying to this kind woman and my sanity was slapping me for that but I had no way to tell her the truth. I never thought my life would be this mess one day.

I missed my family so much and I wanted to see them badly. Right now I needed a hug from my mom, so badly. I was all alone in this big foreign state, surrounded by strangers in this cold night. I felt so lonely, desperate and broken.

Broken... That one person who made my life like this, was probably having fun with his friends or busy with businesses. I never did anything wrong but I was getting this punishment. My heart was aching so badly, tears rolling down rapidly and my inside was breaking down painfully.

Why? Why he had to choose me? I was spending my beautiful life with my family and friends. I had an ambition, a future. I wanted to finish college, get a job, marry someone whom I would fall in love and have kids. I wanted to live happily till my last breath with my lovely family.

"Oh, dear. Don't cry. Right now you have me and we'll definitely find a way. You're safe, okay?" She smiled and gripped my hands to give them a reassuring squeeze.

"I don't know how to thank you. I'm really so grateful to you for helping me. Nobody seemed to care when I was asking for help. You're so kind hearted. Thank you so much." I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

"Oh, honey. No need to thank me. You're such an amazing kid." She patted my back and smiled sweetly.

"By the way, I'm Ashley."

"I'm Natalia. You've such a beautiful name." I smiled softly.

"Thank you, honey. You've a pretty name too." She grinned.

Ashley was a very kind hearted and wonderful woman like Rosetta. I missed Rosetta, the only person I found very kind and caring in the house.

Finally, the cab stopped in front of a narrow street. We walked out of the cab and I followed Ashley inside the street. She stopped in front of the first old, dilapidated looking building with a blue painted "Rosaline's Coffee House" above the row of the windows.

Although the small windows were a bit grimy but what I could see from outside, the place looked cozy and aesthetic. Ashley unlock the door and went inside as I followed her.

The inside of the house was comfortably calm and warm, small tables and chairs were decorating neatly and the smell of coffee beans lingering everywhere. I looked at the old wall clock that showed it was past ten.

"You said your name is Ashley?" I said while sitting on a stool beside the kitchen.

"Oh, my mother's name was Rosaline. She opened this coffee house when she was only 19 years old. Even she met my dad in this place. So it's holding a lot of memories." She chuckled while placing the grocery bags on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, this place is very old."

"Yeah, it is. Now come with me. You need to freshen up, then we'll take dinner together." She ushered me toward a door beside the kitchen.

As she opened the door, the first thing I saw was a living room then a small kitchen and a staircase. Despite the house was old, everything was decorated perfectly.

"You live here alone?" I asked while following her through the staircase.

"Yes. I have a son who lives in Rome. It's his freshman year in college. My husband left us and married another women when my son was only seven years old so, yeah, I'm now living here alone." She said casually.

"Oh."

I didn't know what to say about her husband but it was awful. I also came to know that she was working hard for her son who wanted to be an architect. She also said that her coffee and pastries were a bit famous among the town people as her recipe was old and unique.

We made our way upstairs and there were three small bedrooms. Ashley opened one of the bedrooms door and lead me inside. The room was small but cozy and clean with a small wooden bed, a wooden wardrobe, a vanity mirror and a small bathroom. The bedroom was not expensive but something that anyone wouldn't mind to be here. A small smile tugged on my lips as I looked at Ashley.

"This place is so nice. Thank you so much, Ashley."

"It's alright, dear. Now get a warm shower and come downstairs. I'm preparing dinner, okay?" She smiled brightly.

"Okay, wait. C-can I hug you? For once, I just ne―" Before I could finish, she wrapped her arm around me and hugged me.

I paused for a few seconds and then hugged her back. The hug was so warm and peaceful which I needed that so badly.

"Now go freshen up, little girl." She smiled widely and patted my shoulder.

"Yes. Thank you." I smiled back.

"It's alright. You can hug me anytime you want." She smiled and cupped my cheeks as I nodded.

Then she left the room, shutting the door softly behind her. She was really an amazing woman.

After taking a warm shower, I stepped into the bedroom and found a pair of sweatpants and sweatshirts on the bed which Ashley left for me when I was in the shower. Putting the clothes on, I made my way downstairs.

Ashley was making dinner for us in the kitchen so I moved to the kitchen.

"Umm. Let me help you." I spoke while Ashley cooking pasta.

"Oh no, honey. I'm almost done. But you can prepare the dining table." She smiled.

"Okay." I happily ran to the dining table and a few minutes later Ashley came with pasta and vegetable salad.

"I'm really sorry for being a burden. But I need your help so that I can go to the city and find the restaurant." I murmured.

"You're not being a burden, Natalia. If I ever thought that, I wouldn't take you home with me. Don't be sorry, honey. It's not your fault that you're lost. Moreover, I felt lonely but now I got a company." She winked and grinned.

"Ah-um. Thank you so much. But if you need me for anything, I would happily help you." I mumbled.

"I think you can help me at the coffee house as a waitress!" She suddenly uttered and her eyes lit up.

"R-Really? The idea is awesome! I would love to!" I smiled widely and sighed in relief.

"Yes. Then your job starts tomorrow morning." She clapped her hand and grinned like a child.

After finishing dinner and washing the dishes, we moved upstairs and entered each other's room.

I was kinda excited and glad that I could help her to return the favor. I just wouldn't sit there all the time, being a burden on her shoulder.

So tomorrow morning I was going to start a job as a waitress to pay Ashley for my living and foods. I was so excited because it was my first job in my life.

For some time, I forgot all of my pain and problems, looking forward to start a new day.