Chapter 35

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Half an hour later, I had a small crowd cheering around the dining table, people trickled into the kitchen from the lounge to see what the commotion was about.

"Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!" They screamed, as I twerked my arse off.

Arabella pushed her way through the crowd. "Ophelia! What are you doing up there? Its not time for our performance, get down from there this instant!" She whisper-yelled.

Like hell I would. As long as I was on that table, Dave couldn't touch me and I didn't care if I danced until all my bones fell off, as long as I survived this night unscarred.

So, I played dumb and yelled back. "What was that Arabella? You want to come up here too?"

Then I pulled her up.

Shock was evident on her face and I knew she would kill me later on but she caught the drift and danced along.

More people trickled into the kitchen, distancing me from Dave.

A couple of minutes later, the hypnotic tune came up. I guess Liam thought we were ready.

Arabella shot me a very dark look, if she didn't kill me now, she would definitely kill me later for ruining her planned performance.

I shrugged then continued dancing.

Arabella's dance routine had the crowd going wild. I turned to look at Dave who was at the far end of the room.

Have you ever wanted something so bad? You really, really wanted it and it was within your reach, yet, you couldn't quite touch it?

That was the look on Dave's face.

I felt so confident on my safe haven, the table, that I decided to blow him a kiss, I turned to wiggle my butt in a you can't catch me motion but I stopped, there was no need to provoke him further; especially when I knew the party wasn't over.

After the performance, the crowd cheered, everyone was excited and some guys came to help us down from the table.

Wait! What? My little bubble burst open.

They weren't part of Dave's gang, I could tell by their costumes. I swallowed, I hope I was correct.

They thought we were tired. I climbed down myself but stuck close to Arabella as guys showered her with attention.

Music blared on, the party had moved to the kitchen and the girls made use of the new stage, the dining table.

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The party went on far into the night and I couldn't find Dave anywhere. I assumed he got tired and left because people were leaving, people who could drive themselves home, the overly intoxicated ones lodge with their women for an extra fee of course.

It was in this moment of peace that I could breathe properly and my heart could beat at a normal pace, I allowed myself one glass of fruit punch. Halfway down, I was giggling at jokes Liam was making even though they didn't make any sense to me.

Alcohol.

Arabella and Liam excused themselves after a while, leaving me all to myself. I knew where they were going and what they were going to do, I had seen the signs all night. I wanted to say something sly but all I could do was just giggle, I was fucked.

I moved my body to the beat of the current song; Liam had let his system play songs on shuffle.

Someone slid down on the couch besides me and put an arm around my shoulder.

I giggled, thinking it was one of the guys. I would politely tell him I was too tired to dance.

"Gotcha." The guy whispered into my ear.

The words I was about to say died in my throat, I froze and it was a wonder that the glass of punch didn't fall out of my hand. Fear washed over me as I recognized Dave's voice.

When I finally got over my shock, I realized he had been talking. "...I'm tired of the games you've been playing. Now how about you and I have some real fun."

I searched around for Arabella, Liam, the girls, anyone I knew... But the place was deserted.

"Looking for someone?" He turned my face towards him. "Don't worry, they're all gone, it's just you and me."

I swallowed.

At that moment heaven decided to forgive my numerous sins and save me from this maniac.

"Davie!" Someone plopped down on Dave's lap, someone I soon recognised as the drunk version of Emilia. "Thought you could leave without saying hi?" Her words were slurred and unclear like she was just learning how to speak.

"Emilia, I'm kind of busy right now." He tried to lift her off his lap but she wouldn't budge.

"Since when are you too busy for me?" She pouted as she put her arms around his neck.

He wanted to say something but she cut him off. "Come on Davie, let's go upstairs, I'm tired." She yawned.

She skilfully wrapped her legs around him like a python and placed her head on his shoulder, completing the death grip. She whispered something in his ear, something even I, am too embarrassed to repeat.

It was willpower that kept me from laughing out. I would thank Arabella later for what ever she put in the punch and every other liquor that was distributed around and I would get Emilia a gift later. She saved me, even though she didn't know what she was doing.

I stood up from the couch. "It looks like you've got your hands full Dave, adios!" I saluted and walked off.

"This isn't over, Ophelia."

I stopped walking and looked over my shoulder. "I guess it is Dave, this will be the last time you and I will ever cross paths." I walked off.

And I would make sure of it, I was leaving this hellhole for good.

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A week had past but the party was the only thing the girls spoke of.

Pictures and videos were circulated around, I got videos of myself dancing on the table from different angles, dancing on the table with Arabella and when I was just moving my body to the beat.

The pictures were embarrassing, I couldn't believe Arabella had convinced me to do those things.

The party was such a success that talks were going on about Arabella hosting the Christmas party.

I hadn't seen the kids in a while, I missed them dearly.

Several thoughts went through my head as I prepared lunch for myself. The girls had gone out for their monthly shopping spree, I refused to go because I was extremely low on cash.

Arabella even offered to pay for my purchases but I declined, this was the only time I could enjoy peace and quiet as only a few girls remained in the house.

I sat down on the island to eat and it was at that same moment someone walked into the kitchen.

I recognised him instantly, he was Carlotta's client and if I were to guess his age, I'd say he was the same age as my father.

He walked past me to go up the stairs, then he stopped and retraced his steps like he'd just noticed someone else in the room.

"Hello!" He called out to me.

"Hi." I replied courteously, I wondered why I couldn't tell them to fuck off when I didn't want to talk to them.

"You looked oddly familiar when I passed by earlier, it wasn't until I got closer, I recognized you. You're that dirty little Angel that danced on the table last week, aren't you?" He had an English accent.

He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger.

I pulled my hair back, tucked it behind my ear and continued eating, hoping he would get the message.

He leaned down on the table and made himself comfortable.

I was starting to learn the hard way that some guys didn't understand social cues.

"I have a little proposition for you." He said.

There goes my peace and quiet.

"You see, since the first day I saw you I liked you and after Saturday's performance I felt oddly attracted to you. To cut the long story short, I want you to be my little mistress, you've got a really nice package and I like what this package has to offer. I’ll take care of you."

I would have ignored him if he didn't slap my backside to emphasise his point.

I stood up from the table, feeling irritated.

The fact that this man was old enough to be my father made everything more disgusting.

I wanted to slap him but then I remembered Dave, no need to add another bag of trouble to my overflowing baggage, so I opted for the next best thing, to tell him how much he disgusted me but the words died on my lips when I saw Carlotta standing by the stairs, she was giving me a look.

It was obvious she had witnessed the whole episode and thought that I was seducing this…Pig.

She walked up to him, linked an arm in his and placed a kiss on his lips.

I took a step back before they infected me.

"Is something wrong, Greg?" She shot me a nasty look that said back off!

Please, you can keep him.

"Nothing my dear, I was just talking to your lovely friend here."

Friend indeed.

She gave him a nod. "How about we go to the longue, Greg?" She led him away into the lounge and chose a seat that faced the kitchen to watch me.

If she really had something in that thick skull of hers, she would have taken another seat to distract "Greg" and not let him watch me too.

I finished eating, cleaned my plates and utensils I used for cooking, then walked up the stairs to my room. I unlocked the door and stepped in but stopped when I caught movement at the corner of my eye.

I turned around to see Greg walking towards my direction, the idiot had followed me!

"So, this your room? This means you're just a couple of doors down from where I'll be staying."

I looked at my opened door with one foot inside my room, how obvious. If I had noticed him earlier, I would have walked into one of the spare rooms.

"I don't think you understood my proposal, my dear little Angel and as a businessman I like to convince my clients with various reasons why they should buy my products and accept my proposals. So, you and I are going to play a little convincing game called carpenter, first I'll hammer you then we'll get some wood and then I'll nail you real good....." He continued blabbing.

The nerve of some guys! I could make him eat his words now, break his bones and every other thing in his body; there were so many ways I could do it. I balled my hands into fists and breathed deeply to control my temper.

Another figure in the hallway drew both our attention, Carlotta.

He lowered his voice as he uttered the next words. "There are a lot of benefits that come with the job I assure you. So be expecting me tonight my little Angel. I've got my eyes on you and nothing can stop me from getting what I want."

Carlotta walked up to us that exact moment, he put his arm around her waist and together they walked to her room.

I got into my room and banged the door, boiling in anger.

Sometimes you needed a scapegoat to pass a message across.

I stomped over to my bedside table, pulled out my gun and assembled it.

Let's see how that short, bald man with a rotten mouth would get past a locked door and a gun to me.

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My eyes shot open, it was still night time but something had interrupted my sleep, I was sure of it.

I turned on all my sense organs to identify the source of my disturbance.

It was the extra weight I felt on my bed.

I shouldn't have been worried for all I knew it could just be Arabella but as I concentrated harder, I felt fingers running along my body and that was what set off my alarm systems.

Before the party, I found out that my air-conditioning had developed a fault. I talked to the caretaker about it and she said it would be fixed. Seeing that I didn't entertain clients like the other girls, my problem was of less importance.

I had to adapt because the heat was unbearable in my small room.

So, I opened the windows and slept with minimal clothes as possible.

And right now, I was sleeping in my underwear.

I tried to calm myself down and think without letting the other person know I was awake.

The intruder obviously wasn't female because all the girls in the Piacere house had artificial nails on, this person didn't; besides I could perceive his masculine cologne.

Then I remembered what had happened this afternoon. So, the idiot kept his word and came after all! I was going to teach him a lesson he would never forget.

I concentrated on the movement he made on my body, his fingers went up and down my arm, they didn't go lower, they didn’t probe but that didn't mean he wouldn't.

As luck would have it, my arm was already under my pillow, I moved it quietly, stealthily in the dark until I felt the cold metal of my gun.

I wrapped my hand around it and counted down from 10, any mistake meant the element of surprise would be destroyed.

5...4...3...2…1

I rolled over, sitting up in the process and straddled the guy. I clamped my hand around his throat and clicked the safety off. It was loud in the quiet din of the room.

"You have exactly two seconds before I blow your brains out and I'm doing it so you won't have enough time to repent and go to heaven because you have some nerve breaking into my room!"

I applied pressure to the trigger.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, princess."

It couldn't be.

"Luke?"

He took the gun from my trembling hand, clicked the safety off and placed it on my bedside table.

"Now, you can hug me."

"Oh my God! It really is you!"

I wrapped my arms around him, not minding my indecent state, Luke had seen more than he could bargain for.

He did the same, I pulled him close and ran my hands over his back to prove to myself that I wasn't dreaming. "You have no idea how much I've missed you, Luke."

"I've missed you too princess. My God, Is this room hot or what?" He said, after we pulled apart.

"Sorry, the air-conditioner is broken."

He pulled off his jacket and then his shirt. "Have you told Desmonda about it?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Nothing has been done yet." I shrugged.

"Hmm..." He nodded. Meaning someone somewhere was going to pay dearly.

I remembered everything that had happened from the time of his last visit until now and decided to tell him.

I told him about Dave and Greg without mentioning their names, about the party and how Carlotta has been mean to me, I told him about the kids, about being low on cash, I talked so fast that I knew he wasn't keeping up because he just shook his head and kept saying, "yeah", "uh huh." As I bounced excitedly on his lap, spewing details in his face.

"...I'm so glad you're here Luke, now you can finally take me away. I mean, I don't mind if we leave now..."

"Wait what did you say?" He started.

At least he grasped something.

"You have to take me away Luke, this place isn't safe for me anymore, men are bugging me..."

"Princess?" He called out.

"People are mean to me..."

He held me by my shoulders and shook me, to stop me from blabbing on.

"Ophelia, I can't."

"What do you mean by you can't, Luke? You can do anything you want to..." Then I remembered where I had heard that phrase.

I laughed.

"I get it now, its payback for our argument back at your place. Okay, we're even now, no more jokes." I continued laughing.

"I'm not joking Ophelia. I'm serious, I can't get you out of this place."

I could tell he was serious by the tone of his voice.

"I get the point! I'm sorry, Luke. I've learnt my lesson now! Why do you want to keep on punishing me? Don't you care about me anymore? Don't you care if I'm comfortable, safe, protected...."

"Do you always think of yourself, Ophelia?"

He cut me off in an angry tone.

"Are you that selfish? Everything is about you, you, you! What about me?! You're not the only one unprotected here, everyday I do my best to survive, to not cave under the pressure, I stick my neck for both of us, I'm treated as a traitor and you don't care if I'm safe? If I'm protected? I took a big risk leaving the mansion to come see you and..... "

He swore and ran his hand through his hair.

He turned to look at me with livid eyes, I lowered my head as I fought the tears from falling.

One minute we were hugging, the next minute we were arguing. This problem was straining our relationship.

I rubbed my eyes furiously to drive the tears back.

He cupped my face with both his hands. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for shouting, I should have..." He whispered but I didn't let him finish.

"No. I'm the one that needs to apologize, Luke. I'm sorry I've been so selfish, looking out for only myself when I know we're in this together."

He placed his forehead on mine and closed his eyes.

"Tell me how you got here." I cupped his cheek.

"I put someone's life in danger."

Now he had my attention.

"A decoy, you wouldn't understand and I don't want to talk about it." He said, without opening his eyes.

"And why can't you get me out of here?" I lowered my voice.

He opened his eyes and stared into mine. "Ophelia, James Baddo has a picture of you circulating amongst cartels all over Italy with a reward for whoever brings you in. These people have been further divided to watch hotels, motels, even street corners. I'm glad you pushed me to bring you here because you were right, a brothel would be the last place on their minds."

I disentangled myself from him even before he finished talking. Panic setting in. "How did he get my picture?"

"I don't know but your dad says..." He shook his head. "Never mind."

He was hiding something. "What did dad say?"

"Nothing."

"Luke?" I warned but he remained silent.

"How long has this been going on?"

"A couple of weeks."

"And you didn't think it was important to tell me! What if I'd escaped without telling you?!"

"I didn't want to worry you and I couldn't get hold of you, besides I know you, you can't do anything without telling me."

I wrung my hands together, thinking of all the things that would happen if I didn't get out of this house. This was not how I imagined my life to turn out.

Tears flowed as my whole world shattered.

Luke pulled me close, hushing me as I voiced out my fears.

When I finally calmed down, he hummed a song that would put me to sleep.

"Luke?"

"Yes, princess?"

"Please stay, don't leave me."

"I don't intend to."

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