Contract Wife of the Cold Mafia

Auction ***************Merlí * * * * * * * * * * "Well, today I definitely feel dead, exhausted, like a rag, in fact!" Cassandra exclaims. "Look at me! You ask me - do I look 26? I feel like I'm 50 after so much work," she jokes, and I laugh. "God! I don't understand how you've endured so much. You look very delicate." "I'm used to the work," I tell her as we continue walking together to the neighborhood where we lived. "Come on! But Enrique will have to listen to me tomorrow. He only pays us to work until five. Look what time it is!" she articulates indignantly. "Eight o'clock, Merlí! EIGHT O'CLOCK!" she points out, showing me the screen of her cell phone. "Do you see?! Huh?! But that guy is going to hear me! Either he raises our pay, or we leave that filthy bar. I can't stand so many guys seeing what they shouldn't," she points out, and I smile. "Okay, Cassandra, relax." "B... bu... but how do you expect me to relax, Merlí?! That guy is abusing! He's abusing!" she exclaims even more indignantly. "Of course, he takes advantage because we have our needs. I have a son to support, and you have your grandmother and your drunk father," she specifies, and I smile somewhat sadly. "Oh, Merlí! Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. I shouldn't have mentioned your father..." "No, no. It's okay," I tell her, turning to look at her and smiling. "It's okay. It's not like it's the first time someone has said it to me, and besides..." I sigh wearily. "Besides, it's true," I accept, somewhat disappointed. "I can't understand how you keep taking care of your father. I understand you doing it for your grandmother but not for your father." "You said it, Cassandra. He’s my father. I wouldn't leave him," I express totally sincerely. "I... love him a lot." "Come on! You're truly a saint, huh? After all he's done to you! And nothing is secret in the neighborhood! Everyone knows! All that's left is for you to light a candle and call yourself 'Saint Merlí,'" she remarks, and I smile, amused. "Holy moly... I admire you, Merlí! I really do! I admire you a lot!" she exclaims in her exaggerated tone, and all I can do is laugh, amused while deciding to stop kicking the small stones I've been hitting, all along the way, as if it were a ball, to focus on the best of friends. When I do, I notice that Cassandra has stopped walking and is with her mouth slightly open, with a face that reflects surprise, a lot of curiosity, as well as... fear. "Cassandra?" I question, puzzled as I observe her with my eyebrows furrowed. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" "But come on, what are those two black cars parked in front of your house, Merlí?" "What are you talking about?" I articulate, puzzled, as I glance towards my house (which was already a bit close). When my gaze falls upon it, I confirm what Cassandra has said. "Visit from a family member?" "What? No..." I whisper, very confused and puzzled, when suddenly, a gunshot is heard, which precisely came from my house. Then, the sound of glass breaking is heard, which startles and worries me. So, without thinking twice, I start walking hurriedly and then, running towards my house. Upon reaching it, and as I'm about to enter, some guys come out of it and push me onto the grass of my small garden. "Damn," I complain, and immediately proceed to get up and enter my home. I didn't understand what was happening, but now I didn't care to know who those men dressed in suits were (as if they were bodyguards), but the only thing that interested me was... "Grandma, Dad," I mutter as I reach the door, and once again, a man blocks my path and, surprisingly, takes my arm. "What's wrong with you? Let me go!" I shout, scared, and the man stares at me for a few seconds. "Mmmmm... what a father..." is all the man articulates before smiling amusedly and shaking his head. Finally, he lets go of me sternly and continues on his way; however, not without uttering some words that leave me confused. "We expect our payment soon, Fernand! You have 24 hours!" he concludes and finally leaves. When he's gone, I hurry to see my family. "Dad!" I exclaim, scared, seeing him lying in the living room with a gunshot wound to his thigh. "Dad, Dad, I'll call emergency," I whisper nervously, but he stops me. "No, don't." "You're injured, Dad!" "Don't do it, Merlí!" "Dad..." "You're a bastard!" suddenly, I hear my grandmother's voice, and I turn to her. "Grandma, are you okay?" "Bastard... I don't understand how I could raise my only son so badly," she says tearfully, holding her left arm and wincing. "Grandma? Are you okay?" "Merlí, go away..." "Don't say a word, Mom!" Dad shouts. "Shut up! Shut up! Ah... aaa..." she groans in pain. "Grandma?" I articulated that I was very worried as I approached her. "Merlí, dear, go away..." "What?" "Merlí, my love..." "Grandma?" I call her very concerned when she has become unstable. "Merlí..." is all she says before completely fainting. * * * * * * AT THE HOSPITAL * * * * * * "Doctor, doctor, can I see my grandmother or my father?" I asked the man who was attending to them as soon as he came out. "Your father and your grandmother are fine, but they both need to rest; however, she insists on seeing you." "And can I do that?" "Yes, of course. Follow me, please, but I remind you that you can only be with her for 5 minutes." "Yes, doctor. Whatever you say," I respond, and after that, he leads me to my grandmother's room. I enter the room quickly, approach her bedside, and take her hand. "Grandma..." I whisper, and she opens her eyes. "Mer... lí," she pronounces my name with difficulty and then cries. "Grandma, calm down, you'll be okay..." "Merlí, go..." "Grandma, I don't understand what you're talking about." "He sold you..." "What?" "He sold you," she articulates and then starts crying. "Run, Merlí, hide." "I don't understand what you're talking about, Grandma," I express, puzzled. "Your... your father, my son..." she starts crying. "He sold you," she completes, and when she says that, I am completely absorbed and bewildered. "Go, Merlí, go..." she pleads, and suddenly, a loud beep sounds from the machine next to her bed. At that moment, doctors and nurses arrive, and they take me out of there. All they told me was to wait outside, but I couldn't do that; there was only one thing I needed to do: confront my father. I knew they wouldn't let me see him, so I sneaked into his room somehow. "Get out of here, or I'll have you removed..." "My grandmother just told me something..." "Get out of here! I said I didn't want visitors..." "Did you sell me?" I suddenly ask; he remains silent. "Answer, damn it! Did you sell me?!" I exclaim agitatedly, but he doesn't respond, not even paying the slightest attention to me. Upon that, I decided to approach his bed and grab him by the feet, causing him to groan in pain due to his freshly operated leg. "Did you sell me?! Answer me! I demand it!" "Yes, yes! I sold you!" he admits shamelessly or remorselessly. "And don't even think about escaping!" he threatens me. "They were clear. If you're not in their brothel within 24 hours, they'll come for me... and for your grandmother," he points out without guilt, and that makes me feel very sad, as it seemed he cared little about how I felt with such news. I knew my father was capable of many things, but never something so despicable. Suddenly, I feel tears rolling down my cheeks; however, I quickly wipe them away, as I didn't have time for that. "Where is this brothel? Who do I have to negotiate with?" "You can't negotiate with them because I already did..." "Oh really?! And what was your deal?! Selling me?!" I accuse furiously. "Give me the address of that damn place and the name of the person I should negotiate with!" "Black Subway... and the guy's name is Rashad." "Where is he?" I demand. "Old entrance, 2nd street, blue door..." he finishes saying, and quickly, I turn around to leave the place. "Don't ruin my negotiation, Merlí!" "Shut up, you old drunk!" I insult him, and after that, I head towards that place. * * * * * *AT THE BROTHEL * * * * * * I enter the strange and secluded place, and a man in black receives me. "Name," he demands. "I've come to see Rashad," I say very seriously, and he laughs in my face. "Rashad is for one night. Don't think he's fallen in love with you." "I need to speak with Rashad! Where is Rashad?" "Hey... get out of here; don't bother, girl," he pushes me, and that makes me lose my balance to the point of feeling like I'm falling backward; however, someone doesn't allow it. "Are you okay?" asks a serious, tall, attractive, imposing, and sexy man in a very elegant and custom-tailored suit (who, strangely, was wearing dark glasses). "I'm looking for Rashad," is all I say, and he nods before going towards the man who pushed me and slapped him. "Do you remember the rule? Huh?" he slaps him again. "DO YOU REMEMBER THE RULE?" "Yes, sir, sorry." "No apologies. I won't accept another mistake," he seems to threaten him. "One more, and you're out," he points out very authoritatively. "And you know what that means," he says, and the man pales. "Take her to Rashad," he orders, and after that, he enters the interior of the place and disappears. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bayá * * * * * * * * * * "I want results," is the first thing I say as I enter the main office of the brothel. "We have new merchandise in less than 24 hours." "Who?" "A 25-year-old girl." "She decided to pay like this?" I question amusedly. "Sir..." "Don't say anything. I already know the answer. All women are the same. What's the debt amount?" "The girl will more than compensate for it." "Why the security?" "She's very pretty. Besides, I've already had her investigated, and she's only had one boyfriend; she's likely a virgin. She knows that new merchandise is worth a lot of money." "Virgin at 25? I don't believe it," I mention confidently. "I just hope the debt amount is covered." "Completely, I'm sure she'll be a favorite. Look at her photo," one of the men working for me asks, putting some papers on the table and... a curious photo (which I take to look at). "I've seen it; she's not very pretty..." I specify, tossing the image onto the desk with some disdain. "What do you mean she's not? She's our best income," he points out, and suddenly, the phone rings. "Answer the call," I order, and he does. Meanwhile, I remain pensive, recalling the stupid clause my father had set as the only requirement for me to inherit the organization entirely. "Come on, Mr. Bayá. I'll show you that this woman is worth a lot of money." "Now?" I ask boredly. "The merchandise arrived earlier than expected. Just in time for the main event of the night." "Well, she better be as you say, or you know the consequences," I warn. Then, I simply left the office and headed to the sales hall without waiting for any response. I didn't need it. Once in the hall, I can see our best clients there. "Sir, please take a seat," one of my servants asks, and I do. After that, the event of the night begins. Minutes pass, and many women parade down the runway. Women who decided to enter the business of their own free will, women who only sought easy money to afford the luxuries they desired, ALONE, without any intimidation. "That's how they all are," is all I repeat to myself in silence. "And now, our new addition," the host announces, and suddenly, that woman who decided to sell herself to pay off a debt and, most likely, to earn more money comes out. "LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" she demands as two men forcefully bring her to stand in the center of the runway. "LET ME GO! I TOLD YOU TO LET ME GO!" she orders with a lot of character but also fear. "WHY IS SHE SCREAMING?" I ask, annoyed and bewildered. "Sir..." "SWINE! THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE!" she accuses. "DIRTY SWINE! LET ME GO! GET ME OUT OF HERE! I CAME TO NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF MY FATHER! NOT TO BE PUT ON DISPLAY LIKE A PIECE OF MEAT IN FRONT OF OLD MEN LIKE YOU!" she articulates amidst tears. "WHAT DID SHE SAY?" I ask angrily as I rise from my seat and confront the manager of the place. "Sir," he looks at me, scared. "How can it be on behalf of her father?! Isn't the debt hers?!" "Sir..." "ANSWER!" "Her father offered her to us. What's the difference— OU..." he writhes in pain. "Here, every woman offers her services willingly, not forced, you i***t! Get out of my sight and stop the sale!" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Merlí * * * * * * * * * * I couldn't take it anymore and I broke down. Then, I only heard how the men offered amounts of money for me. I came to this place to negotiate, but they just mocked me and then, all of a sudden, they just dressed me up and brought me to this runway. "Sold," I hear, and I raise my head to find the image of a disgusting man coming towards me. "Hello, gorgeous," he smiles at me and tries to touch my face, but I don't allow it. Instead, according to the contract, I move away and dare to spit on his face. "Rebellious, just how I like them," he points out, "but I'm afraid I'll have to teach you to respect your master darling," he informs me, and after that, he raises his hand very high, and I see his intention to strike it against my face; however, when he was about to do it, someone stops him, hits him, and finally pushes him into a corner of the room. "But what is this?! I just bought her! Her first time is mine!" the pig points out. "Are you contradicting me?" asks the man who didn't allow them to hit me, who turns out to be the same one I saw at the entrance of this place. "Oh... no... no, sir, I'm sorry, forgive me," the other one responds. "You, follow me," the tall and attractive man with grayish eyes asks me. "How do I know you won't hurt me?" I ask. "You decide. You come with me or you stay here, waiting for anyone to buy you. Those are your options," he states very seriously. "How do I know you don't want the same?" "Because you seem unattractive to me, I wouldn't touch you for that reason, and because I don't force women to be with me; I don't need to," he mentions self-sufficiently. "Well, if you want, you follow me," he says, and after that, he leaves the place through the same hallway I entered. "s**t, I have no other choice," I point out, looking around, so without much thought, I stand up and start following the man who, somehow, had saved me. Although I had to be honest with myself. I didn't trust him, and I couldn't trust him, even in the slightest, so I knew I had to take care of myself... a lot.