Flashback: a crazy idea

LADA'S POV:

I can't believe that I've let him sleep with me last night. Was I under hypnosis?— I don't know... but he doesn't seem know how to execute one.

When I looked into his eyes last night, I think I saw a different person. He was scary yet his eyes say the opposite. It seemed like mine, seeking for life.

Though mafian world is dangerous, I don't think that his is worse. In my situation, I still find myself lucky since I'm still kickin' alive. It could have been worse if he didn't buy me, I guess. He's different and I can sense that.

However, I am still furious at why was I dragged into this kind of life when I was finally freed from another kind. I thought I could already breathe the smell of freedom, but no.

Also when I was asleep, I dreamt of that day I left my family but... it was a bit different because in that dream, I was caught by my brother when I was about to leave...

Ugh! Never mind because I was still being kidnapped in the end.

Agitated, I stood up and tried to clean the messy room, however, I was affected about my dream. What ifs suddenly came into my mind. What if I didn't leave, were my life still be like being imprisoned? I sat on the bed and tried to recall the event happened that day....

FLASHBACK

Our family has its dark side because I've been there with my brother when he does what he does, but, when it comes to our family especially me, they including I—we are not who we were. It's hard to explain. It is almost pretending to be someone were are not. Like that.

Supposedly, my brother and I were to be in one of the prestigious universities in USA when we were younger, but, our father brought us back including mom to his freaking life and after he died, we can no longer leave hell.

The fact that we rule an underground society, my sweet brother still gave me a little bit of freedom to enjoy mine while he was tied to do dirty things. He was always my savior, a hero, infact.

So that day...

It was late morning and snowing hard.

After I was scolded by my brother because of talking back to an old man I've just met, I ran up to my room and resented him. How dare he force me into a marriage!

My mom, who I thought would understand me had pushed me to follow my brother.

I remember my mom said, "Just listen to your brother. Please, Lada. It is hard but this is for you." How can that be for me if I don't want it?

I've never thought it would come a day that the family I have ever cared and loved would do this to me.

I'm still dumbfounded about that thing I've heard. I cried and cried.

I'm still 19 and have lots of dreams—he knows that. Being tied up with isn't one of those dreams. I don't picture myself with someone else or walking in the isle. I've always wanted to enjoy my life without disturbances. Men are disturbing so I say no to them.

A crazy idea suddenly build up in my mind after hours of crying, I have decided to escape. I don't want to marry some random man I haven't met, period!

I packed five of my dresses, two coats, four light clothes, three jeans, my favorite pair of red sandal, a bonnet and a pair of boots. I also prepared my backpack with my fake visa, passport, identification cards given to me by my one and only brother, and money which I think would last for a month.

I plan to look for a job when I reach my destination. Come to think of it, I have not decided yet where I will go. Whatever! I just want to leave.

After packing, I went straight to take a bath and when I was done, I put on my comfy red shirt, a skinny jean and my white walk shoes.

I waited for the right time to escape which I thought would be impossible since my mom is mostly in the house, however, her friend called for an emergency so my mom went out to look after whoever God given friend of hers was that. I was left with the nannies and my personal guard. My brother, on the other hand, went out to deal with the family businesses. A great opportunity.

I went to the kitchen and made an orange juice for everyone. I also prepared my favorite sandwich. After I've put those on the long table, I called them all to eat with me. Of course they questioned as to why did I prepare food for them but I simply lied and made an alibi. They took it, shrugged then ate with me.

After a minute, they all gone dizzy until darkness consumed their consciousness. Although I've done something bad, I still smiled for I succeeded.

I immediately ran up to my room and took everything I have prepared. I took my car, drove off the house and went to the airport. I booked an immediate flight to Italy for a student visa. Italy... I wondered if I'll be able to withstand the challenge that will be thrown to me in Italy.

I was scared, excited, happy, a mixed up emotion when I board in the plane. Seating in an economy class, I found myself emotionally and physically tired. I put my earphone and listened to a premium music my best friend saved in my phone.

Speaking of my best friend, Erika, I haven't been able to tell her about my sudden departure. I believe that my brother will bother her and will definitely get some update about me so I planned ahead— I bought another sim card on my way to airport to entirely cut my ties from everyone. It's for the best.

When I woke up, we were already near Italy. I looked around, uncomfortably tapped my shoes in each second and smiled uncontrollably at the thought of freedom. Just a little bit more and I will soon live at my own will.

As the plane landed, I couldn't control my heart from beating fast. Nervously, I gulped an amount of saliva. 'I can do this', I thought and burried in my mind as I walked my way out the plane.

I took my luggage and hurriedly walked around to find a taxi. Ignorance hit me hard when I finally left the airport. I did not know where to go, I felt so lost. I whimpered as I continued walking passed every street. Shivering from the thought that I might be lost, a missing individual and will live miserably instead of living freely and happily.

Regret—that's what I felt when I finally gave up from looking for a lift. I haven't eaten yet, and with that, I've been reminded when my stomach growled. 'This is where my pride brought me to.', I scolded myself as I sat, leaned back to a railing that divides the street from an enormous fountain.

I wanted to go back but I can't. I remained sitting, silently praying for someone to help me until suddenly, a taxi pulled in front and lend me a lift.

I immediately grabbed my belongings and ran inside. I smiled to the driver who looked kind. He was maybe in his mid-forties, i guess, since he seemed like my father when he took us to Russia.

He started the engine and asked with an accent, "Miss, will you mind if I'll just stop by the end of that alleyway?" he pointed at the direction of an empty road where lights sparked on and off. It looked creepy like those horror movies I have watched where there's this ghost who will suddenly appear to its prey and kill it.

I hesitatingly let him, besides, he just helped me. He seemed not a bad person.

"Okay, here we are. Wait for a minute, miss. I'll just get something from a friend." he said as he opened the door of his car and closed it. The taxi was parked at the corner where there was these garbage cans that smelled awful.

Minutes passed and the driver hasn't came yet. A panic rushed through me as I heard voices of men coming to my direction. I tried to breathe to calm my nerves and planned to escape.

The voices of laughing men came nearer and louder so I grabbed the knob for easier access to escape if ever danger will approach me.

When I saw the driver knocked on the closed window of his car, chill immediately spread through my entire body as three other men were laughing behind him. Instantly, I opened the door which I have planned to escape through and ran as fast as I could.

"Shit!" I heard one of them and one after the other shouted what I thought were vulgar words. I ran into a bit brighter road where I saw buildings that were still lighted and few people were still outside.

What cracked my hope was when each of those people instantly went inside those buildings, closed the doors and even windows and then turned their lights off.

"No! Please, help me!" I shouted for help but no one dared to help me. My limbs were already hurt and my feet was starting to ache but when I thought of my death, adrenaline rushed through me and I ran and ran until I ended up in a dead end.