AZARIAH SERENE:

2 weeks later:

I bit my lip tasting the metallic taste of my blood which came out once I dug my teeth in between my lips. My eyes closed tightly when I felt the burn from the iodine slowly piercing through my skin.

Dipping the cotton swab in the iodine, I gently pressef it into my new cuts and wounds.

I removed the swab and applied the bandage gauze. 

Sometimes I feel like it was my faith to learn nursing as if the past me knew that the future me would have to treat my own wounds, caused by my own father.

If only I had known back then.

I looked at myself in the mirror of the bathroom and saw red and black bags under my eyes due to my insomnia.

I looked like shit.

Looking away was my only option cause if I stared any longer, I'd punch the mirror causing another bruise on my arm which is already filled with tons of them.

I opened the bathroom door and sat down on my bed looking at the ceiling.

I jolt awake and rushed downstairs when I heard the doorbell ring. I know he hates it when I don't answer the door and the bell keeps on ringing.

I opened the door only for my eyes to bulge out of their sockets as soon as I saw those two homosapiens who scared the shit out of me two weeks ago.

Those two dangerous homosapiens.

"Hi Azzy." Levi waved at me while my jaw was hung open as I looked at him and Zemen.

My eyes darted to him when he cleared his throat. I looked at him to see him looking at me with his usual cold dull, silver eyes.

Those eyes. Those are probably the only beautiful thing I have seen again since two weeks.

"Uh.... Azzy?" Levi poked me causing me to shook my head and look back at them.

I opened my mouth to say something but Zemen rolled his eyes and pushed me away by nudging my shoulder and allowing himself into my house.

I just stood there stunned as Levi sheepishly smiled at me and walked behind Zemen who was walking towards the living room, where my dad was.

Shit! My dad! He's here!

I tried running past them to the living room first but as the path was very narrow in the lobby, I couldn't and simply had to walk behind them.

My dad's eyes snapped to us once he heard the sound of heavy boots against our floor.

He stood up as soon as he saw Levi and Zemen circling the couch making their way to stand in front of him.

"Rodriguez" I heard Zemen say my father's name which rolled off his tongue in his deep Spanish accent.

Dad looked at me and then back at Zemen who was standing there in his black suit and had hands inside his pant's pockets.

"Do I know you?" My dad spoke in a heavy yet shaky tone.

Who wouldn't be afraid of Zemen? This guy is a walking threat.

"Zemen Acétta. Not nice to meet you."

Dad's eyes widened and in the blink of an eye, dad kneeled down in front of Zemen.

My gaze snapped towards Zemen who looked back at him with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk which was tugging at his lips.

"Sir, how may I help you? Anything." Father replied and stayed in his position.

I don't know but it felt good seeing him almost shitting his pants. It looked good seeing him get so scared in front of Zemen and Levi.

I felt proud. It was good to know that this monster was afraid of something.

"Stand up. Boss don't want anyone near." Levi spoke and my eye brows furrowed when I heard him talking in a reserved manner.

My dad got up and looked back at the men in the room with the color drained off his face.

"We have a proposition to make." Zemen spoke.

His voice filled the walls of our house. It was completely silent and his voice made the air around us thick and tense.

"Of course Mr. Acétta, anything for you. You name it."

What proposition? What matter does he have with my father?

Zemen leaned back with his hands stuffed inside his pockets.

"You're acting as if you have a choice. You will do this. One way or another."

Dad gulped and I looked at Levi for any clue or answers to find out as to why they are here, but no, Levi was too busy standing behind Zemen with his arms crossed, glaring at dad.

"We want to buy your daughter."

Drop.

My heart dropped to my stomach and my limbs felt heavy as soon as the words left his mouth.

Buy me?!

What does he mean buy me?!

"What?" Dad retorted back sharply at Zemen making my heart race more than it already was.

"25 million dollars. For Azariah." My name rolled off his tongue. In other circumstances I would have melted to hear my name roll off in his deep, thick accent but right now the same feeling was roaming around my body.

The feeling of panic.

My ears started ringing and my eyes started showing me a shade of purple and blue.

I grabbed onto the wall's corner when I felt my limbs dropping.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

I blinked my eyes when I saw my dad standing there with a look of shock and delight on his face.

Zemen clenched his jaw and glared at him making him cough and clear his throat.

"My apolog-" Zemen put his hand up in the air as a gesture to make dad shut up.

A guy I hadn't notice, stepped forward and handed Zemen a big black briefcase.

I didn't see him enter. Where did he come from?

"Take it." He threw the briefcase on the couch making it burst open and notes and notes of money slipped from it.

My eyes were fixated on the money bills which were laying on the couch, still dropping.

"Count them while she packs. Hmm?"

"O-ofcourse Mr.Acétta, I-I can't believe this. I-"

Zemen, without looking at me said, "You, go pack your bags."

I knew he was talking to me. He didn't need to address that fact by taking my name.

I couldn't understand what was happening around in here. He came inside my house, un-announced. And offers my dad money in exchange of me? What kind of sick game is he playing at?

"I-I am not gonna go. You can't just barge into my house like that and expect me to obey you."

His head snapped in my direction and he looked straight into my eyes with his cold emotionless ones.

He walked up to me taking slow strides.

I stood rooted at my place, frozen to move.

He walked up to me and stood just an inch away from me.

"Pardon?"

He looked right into my eyes making eye contact. But me, I couldn't do that as his eyes were piercing daggers into my soul.

"I-I can't go with you. You guys are the mafia. You said I won't have to meet you again. I didn't even do anything this time. I didn't fuck up. Then why are you here?"

I looked behind him to see Levi standing there with his arms crossed and him looking around with a sneer.

Zemen leaned back and rocked on his boots once.

"I believe that shouldn't concern you. So now. Go upstairs and pack your shit."

"No. You said you weren't into trafficking. Are you- Are you gonna sell me?"

My voice broke in the end and I felt an unknown burn throughout my body as I thought of him doing that to me.

I won't be able to survive it this time.

As if all his patience was yeeted out of the window he spoke, "It's the last time I am telling you to go and pack your shit. Don't question me. Ever. It's none of your business. Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong."

He spoke calmly, yet his aura and demeanor made me sumbit to him and rush upstairs.

I packed my shit while I had tears pooling up in my eyes. But I didn't let them fall. I am not going to serve him the satisfaction of me crying to my misery which is caused by his actions.

I went downstairs with my duffle bag which only had two pair of outfits, my sneakers and omma's photoframe and album.

"Is that all?" Levi said emphasizing on the word 'that'.

I didn't say anything and just placed the bag on my shoulder and started heading towards the door.

"Riah! Wait!" A shiver ran down my spine when I heard him call me.

"Go meet him, Azzy"

I shook my head but Levi didn't listen. "We'll be outside. Be quick. Boss doesn't like to wait."

I took a deep breath through my nostrils and turned around to look at him.

He shoved me in the wall and grabbed my wounded arm harshly, making me shut my eyes tightly and bite my lip not wanting to scream.

"Be a nice whore to him. Don't disappoint me. He paid me a good sum for you. You better be worth it."

He kissed my neck and there it went. My tears. They dropped.

Only he's the one that can make me cry even when I am trying my hardest not to. He always manages to break me and brings out the weak in me.

"Don't forget me." He kissed my neck making me squirm in his hold.

I pushed him away and ran out of there as fast as I could.

Something about being away from him calmed me down. Calmed my panic attack down.

I slowed and looked down, blinking my tears and composing myself.

"In" the man whom I don't know the name of, spoke. The one who handed the briefcase to Zemen and appeared out of the blue.

I sat in the car he pointed to.

I looked up front and saw a driver sitting there whistling.

I pushed myself into the seat and hid my face in my hands once everything started flashing in front of my eyes.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, digging my nails into my palm wanting to draw out blood.

But that didn't happen because as I was about to, Levi and the unknown man entered the car from left and right making me sit in the middle with them.

"Move aside!" The man spoke making me flinch and scoot towards Levi.

There was plenty of space in the car but he had to shout on me.

"Santino. Go easy. She's scared." Levi spoke pushing me back into my place.

Santino or Mr. Grumpy rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath and scooted away from me.

"Floor this baby up!" Levi cheered and tapped the driver's shoulder making him start the car.

There was the passenger seat beside the driver which was hogged by a small puppy.

I looked at it and smiled. What fate does this dog have to be stuck here with these horrible men?

It was a white Pomeranian sitting there, staring at me with it's big, doe, black eyes.

"I can't believe you gave my place to that good for nothing white, boss doppelganger." Santino spoke and rolled his eyes while glancing at Levi.

Boss doppelganger?

"She barks. Boss barks.... Same you know." Levi whispered to me making my eyes widen.

Are they allowed to insult there boss like that?

"She's a stray dog, I am taking her to the vet and then putting her in animal shelter. And her name is Evie."

"HeR nAmE iS eViE." Santino mocked Levi and they both just sat there casually fighting while I sat in between them, confused.

Are they really some mafia men? They sound like five year olds who carry water guns thinking they are in an action blockbuster movie.

"Uh-.... He... Didn't come?" I asked referring to Zemen.

He's not with us. Is he back at my house. With dad!?

"He rides separately." Levi shrugged and went back to fighting with Santino about his 'Evie'.

Nothing makes sense. My mind is a hazard right now and all I want is to collapse in on my bed and cry for as long as someone let's me.

I spent the whole thirty minute ride calming my breath and hugging myself as I felt uncomfortable around men, even if they acted like five year olds.

Suddenly, the car stopped and my eyes flew open when Levi grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the car.

I hissed as he grabbed the injured arm, but he didn't notice as he was too busy looking at Zemen who was shouting at Santino.

I looked behind Zemen and- fuck, I am doomed.

There was a white private jet standing there with the infamous name written in gold over it.

Acétta.