Chapter 39

Ophelia's POV.

November 9th, 2016.

I clung to his pillow like my life depended on it, crying and inhaling his scent that would drift away as days went by. Why did life have to be so cruel to me? What did I ever do to deserve this emotional pain?

I wanted to go with him, I wanted to go home to my father, to my family even if it was the Mafia. I didn't want to stay in this house where perverted sights and orgies ruled the day, where moans and groans were the accepted lullaby of the night.

Someone opened my door.

And I couldn't even get time alone!

"Go away!" I screamed, I knew who it was but deep down I hoped I was wrong and that it was Luke who had come back to stay.

"Ophelia, its me."

"Leave me alone! Can't I cry in peace anymore?" My voice broke as more tears poured.

She climbed the bed, ignoring my bluntness. "I'm here to help."

"Help do what exactly?" I asked with venom spewing out. If she didn't leave, I would take out my anger and frustration on her. "Leave me alone!"

"Sometimes when we're really hurt we tend to push people away, we hide our scars and emotional pain by closing ourselves up...when in the actual sense all we want to do is to be held. Come here." She said, patting her lap.

I took a few seconds to consider. She's right, I wanted to be held, I wanted to tell someone everything to get the weight off my chest but I knew I couldn't, instead I rolled over and placed my head on her lap, burying my face in Luke's pillow.

"There there sweetie, I've got you." She hushed me, gently stroking my hair until the fit subsided.

"Is it because he's gone?" She asked, referring to why I was crying.

I nodded.

"Awww sweetie.....He's going to come back."

Not for a very long time. I was sure he said he was coming over for Christmas to stop me from crying. With everything that has been going on he wouldn’t be able to leave on short notice.

"I miss him already." I said hugging his pillow.

"The way you hold his pillow is a dead giveaway that you want him back in your arms."

I sighed deeply, knowing where this conversation was heading. "Arabella...I'm not in the mood."

"Then we'll get you in the mood. You've been stalling this topic for a long time, you owe me some juicy details." She clapped her hands together.

I groaned and used Luke's pillow to cover my ears. "I've got nothing to tell you."

"Do I look like a two year old to you?" She yanked the pillow away. "Your little scenes of PDA and the sounds coming from your room at night prove otherwise, you have plenty to tell."

"Have you been eavesdropping, Arabella?" I asked, shocked.

She ignored my question. "Spill. I'm waiting."

"I don't know what you want me to say. Things are not what they seem between Luke and I." It was the truth, it was risky to tell the truth but at this point I didn't care anymore.

"Ophelia, you guys were all lovey dovey in the lounge a few minutes ago. Half of the house was downstairs but no one existed for both of you, the world stood still as you looked into each other's eyes...."

I rolled my eyes.

".....He didn't look like he wanted to leave. Ophelia for the first time in my life I've seen Valentino express emotion. He looked vulnerable, torn apart and helpless all at once. You were crying your eyes out; correction, still crying your eyes out and hugging his pillow, what does that say?"

I didn't reply.

"He smiles when he's around you, he hugs you, kisses you and is generally playful.

Ever since I've known him it's: ‘I fuck you, if I'm satisfied I come back, if not get lost.’ Then he throws you into the bin and goes unto the next one but with you things are different..."

"Arabella, the relationship between us is complicated."

"Complicated in what way because he's not using you and you're not using him..."

"Arabella...." I whined.

"He lets you sit on his lap and eat out of his bowl while you let him nuzzle your neck and screw you senseless..."

"Arabella!"

"Shut up for a minute. You even got him to have a pillow fight with you. The ruthless underboss of the Empire cartel engaged in a pillow fight with his woman; Its unbelievable!"

"Ha! So you were eavesdropping."

"What's a girl to do? You don't tell me anything so I had to find out for myself and quell my curiosity. What did you make him do when he said he was at your will?" She whispered the last part.

"You should know since you've been snooping around and finding things. What else did you find?" I asked mockingly.

"I'm stating them out." She said proudly. "Ophelia, he wanted to kiss you senseless in the lounge, I think he reconsidered because of the people present..."

"No he did not!" I cut her off. "Trust me Arabella, you're just imagining things."

"Ophelia you're not blind and I know you're certainly not stupid but you're about to prove me wrong if you tell me you don't know Valentino loves you."

Like a sister! I wanted to interject but I held my tongue, maybe if I kept quiet she would leave when she was tired of talking.

"I hope he marries you...." She thought wistfully.

A fit of coughing erupted from me at the word "marries".

"Hello! Earth to Arabella? You're thinking too far, let's not get ahead of ourselves here."

Marry? I wanted to laugh. Luke had an entourage of women after him, I was just his friend, a sister at most. Besides, he told me he had his eyes on someone when we were at the cottage, he talked about her like she was special and her underwear was even at his house, that said enough. I wouldn't tell Arabella though, she might plan an assassination for the poor girl just so Luke and I could be together.

I sighed deeply.

I didn't have any romantic feelings towards him and I was a hundred percent sure he had no romantic feelings towards me either.

"You don't want to marry him? Ophelia you could be free of this life, no more...."

"Arabella please. Drop it, I'm begging you."

She lived in a world of fantasy and daydreams.

She bit her lip and was quiet for two minutes before speaking again. "You know... you two remind me of my first love."

I wanted to groan but stopped halfway. I didn't know much about Arabella, this would be a great start.

"Tell me." I turned so I could look up at her from my position on her lap.

"His name was Keith Williams." She blushed deeply.

This is going to be one interesting story.

"Mmhhmmmm?" I urged her to go on.

"The story won't make sense unless I tell it from the beginning." She played with my hair and sighed deeply. "I'm the fifth child in a family of thirteen children."

Thirteen? Seriously?

"My real father died after the 7th's birth. My mother remarried six months later because she needed financial help to take care of her kids. The large family caused everyone to care and fend for themselves.

I felt neglected because my mom had to take care of the house and the younger ones, my step dad was a workaholic, mainly because he had hungry mouths to feed and my older siblings concentrated on school and minor jobs to be concerned about me. I was on my own and at a young age I learnt to fend for myself, I closed myself off and pushed people away to hide my inner feelings of how much I wanted their love and attention.

I set my ambition to be a superstar, to have a horde of fans who would love me, cherish me and scream my name on the streets.

By the time I'd become a teenager, I had become cocky and arrogant, a big time bitch. I insulted my parents, disrespected my older siblings and treated my younger ones badly on a regular basis. I fed off emotional pain, their torment and I started to do drugs.

That's when I met Keith. We were age mates, fourteen at that time and he was this creepy dude that lived next door.

We went to the same school and we were in the same class. He approached me several times just to talk but I put him off and embarrassed him in public by either spitting my gum on him or pouring my drink over his head. He was never discouraged, he always came back the next day to speak to me.

One day things got so bad for me, my mom found my little baggies, a bottle of contraceptives and some jimmy hats in my bags.

I wasn't that corrupt yet but I had these things to fit in with my peers, to make everyone believe I had more experience and insight, that I had tasted life and gone on wild adventures.

It worked. Girls reverenced me, imitated me while guys feared and respected me.

But my mom didn't understand, she didn't even ask for an explanation, she labeled me a slut, told me I was a bad omen since the day I was conceived....." Arabella sighed deeply. "I understand she was still grieving and obviously frustrated that she couldn't control me. Looking back, I think she was also scared that she would lose me. That's why she lashed out. I'm sure she didn't mean them. I ran out of the house with my school bag. All I wanted was love, I wanted someone to love me for who I was.

Apparently, Keith had heard everything since there was only a meter between our houses, our rooms. He stood outside waiting for me and walked beside me without saying a word.

Things weren't better at school. I got called to the principal's office and was told to bring my parents to school the next day. My grades were dropping drastically and if nothing was done about it, they would kick me out. When I couldn't handle all the negativity of the day, I ditched school during lunch and hid in a dark alley, crying my heart out but I couldn't cry in peace for long because Keith followed me there.

I told the little shithead to fuck off, I called him a lot a nasty names and said a lot of mean things that would have broken anyone's ego. I had a foul mouth but Keith didn't go, instead he sat down beside me in the cramped space between two dumpsters. He told me that sometimes we hid our emotional pains by shutting ourselves off and pushing everyone away. He told me I needed a hug..." She chuckled. "I told him he was batshit crazy to think I would hug someone like him but he pulled me into a hug eventually.

I bit, pulled, hit and scratched him but it didn't deter him. He endured everything until I calmed down and relaxed into the hug. He didn't say anything comforting, he just let me cry until I had no more tears to shed.

He told me he wanted to take me somewhere. I was hesitant at first, I mean the only thing I knew about this guy was his name because he'd said it a hundred times when he tried to talk to me, and the fact that he lived next-door. In the end I let him lead me away. We took dark alleys, climbed over fences and avoided detection until we got to the dockyard.

Dockyards in San Francisco aren't anything to be proud of but he had a special abandoned container, hidden from sight, far away from the hustle and bustle of the area. It was homely, just a place to hide away from the world, complete with a cute little mat in a corner. I fell asleep while he watched over me...."

"Wasn't that a little bit risky?" I asked, knowing fully well that the world was filled with evil and you could never trust anyone.

She placed her hand on her chin thinking. "You know I never really thought about it. I was vulnerable at that time. He was kind and I trusted him."

I was silent, a sign that I wanted her to continue.

"A couple of hours later, I felt relaxed and sane but my walls were back up, complete with my cocky attitude. Nothing would irk me, especially my mom. We walked back home when it was dusk but before we parted I warned him strictly to keep my little crying episode between us or I would destroy his social life.

He laughed off my threat but promised it would remain a secret, sealing the deal by making a zipping motion to his mouth and a cordial handshake. I think my story will win as the most boring story of the year. I'm totally boring you out right?"

"No you're not. Go ahead." There were a lot of things I would love to know.

"Okay. A few days went by and we became friends, mainly because I didn't want my secret to get out. We walked to school, walked back home, Keith even boosted my grades by tutoring me. He wasn't an A-class student himself but he was well on his way there if he tried hard enough. He did my assignments and helped with tests too.

By the age of 15, friendship slowly turned into something else for Keith. I found out he had a major crush on me. He was ready to do anything to please me and boy did I use it to my advantage." She smiled, wickedly. "I had him wrapped around my little finger just like you have Valentino wrapped around yours." She smirked.

"Arabella... I thought we dropped that subject." I whined.

She waved a finger at me, telling me she didn't.

"At 17, things changed though and the roles were reversed. As soon as he began to change: growing taller and muscular, his voice deepening... I was head over heels for him. I noticed his dark hair and blue eyes, although his eyes are not as bright as Valentino's."

I ignored the statement aimed at me and replied with sass. "Talk about karma." Raising my brows up and down at her.

She blushed again, making me realise that I'd never seen her blush before today.

"He didn't use me though, he respected me and we started dating."

"Aww...." I cheered happily. "Now that's what I want to hear!"

"He was also my first, you want to hear how that happened?" She smirked.

"No."

"Like I said earlier, our houses were only a meter apart. For us that barrier didn't exist, our rooms were on the same floor so it was like we lived in the same room, we could see each other changing..."

"That's disgusting!"

"Romantic." She corrected and sighed dreamily, no doubt reliving the experiences. "Some nights I crossed over to his room using a plank."

"I thought you said you were 13? Didn't your siblings share a room with you? Didn't they see what was going on? What about his parents, didn't they notice something fishy going on?"

She huffed. "My older siblings had left the house and none of the others wanted to share a room with me, I was a monster. As for Keith, he lived with his brother who worked from dawn to dusk, sometimes he was never home. So no one knew."

"Okay."

She bit her lip. "Then one day....my whole life crashed before my eyes." Her voice shook.

When she finally released the lip it quivered and tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked, then turned away. I've never seen her in tears before, she was always happy and witty.

"Arabella?"

Was the breakup that bad?

"For once I should have listened to my mum." Her voice was back to normal but it was somewhat shaky.

"It was a Friday and we wanted to go clubbing to celebrate his birthday. He was reluctant at first because we were underaged but I persuaded him and told him I had fake ID's. I wanted to make the day special for him. My mom was very sick and pleaded with me to stay, at least to take care of the younger ones for a while. I told her to piss off."

I frowned but didn't judge. The closest thing I had to a mom was Luke's mother. I didn't know whether to be grateful I didn't have a mother or not because Arabella's story proved that some mother-daughter relationships weren't rosy.

Would I have a rosy relationship with my mother?

"Keith begged me to stay home with her but I refused. My mom and I weren't on good terms since I picked up the streak of stubbornness. We left and got to the club where I revealed his 18th birthday present, a private pole dance session.

Apparently, I found out I loved dancing and no other profession would give me more fans than choreography, I'm not talking about ballet. I knew a couple of girls at the strip club who taught me some basic moves and lent me a pole at the far end where no one ever went. I danced for a while, enjoying the attention I was getting from Keith, the way he smiled and the way his eyes appreciated my body.

Turns out my dancing also attracted the wrong crowd because after a while some older men came around and offered some money for a private dance session.

Being the cocky bitch that I was, I told them where to stick it. I should have noticed Keith's change of demeanor, he was always the perceptive one, I guess he sensed the negative energy. He politely told the men I wasn't a stripper. The men insisted, one in particular, increasing the amount offered before, that's when Keith told me we were leaving.

With a single click of his finger, the man I assumed was the leader had us surrounded. Like I said earlier, we were at the far end so no one noticed what was going on. The only thing we knew at that point was that we were in dangerous territory. Keith pulled me behind him, protecting me. The man gave us another chance, offering a higher sum.

With upcoming trouble, Keith could have let them have me, he could have taken the money and left without looking back but he didn't, instead he pulled me towards the barricade of men determined to get us out of the sticky situation we found ourselves in.

We didn't get very far as someone stepped forward and another grabbed me from behind. Keith reacted very fast, throwing a nasty left hook at the man's face. A fist fight was what emerged next with Keith receiving a few and giving them back with the same fervour.

The bar crowd was suddenly attracted to the scuffle, some brave guys coming to separate the brawl seeing that Keith was greatly outnumbered. A raised gun and some expended bullets dispersed the crowd quickly as they gathered, everyone ran out, looking for cover.

Keith got distracted checking to see if I was injured. The men took the opportunity and pounced on him, beating him senseless. When they were satisfied, they held him down in front of the man who offered the money, the one we assumed was the leader. It wasn't until after introductions we found out who he really was.

Michael Francesco Lanza, aka Big Mike.

He was one of the big boys that ran the underworld in San Francisco...."

She didn't need to tell me who he was. I knew everything about him, at least the tiny tidbits Luke graced me with whenever he conducted business with him.

"....The fear in Keith's eyes mirrored my own because from word on the streets, he didn't take kindly to rejection. He promised to make us suffer for our insubordination." Arabella shook, violently.

"Arabella.... are you okay?" I got up from her lap.

She was crying.

"Arabella?" I didn't know what to do. Hell, at this point I didn't know what was upsetting her.

"They started with me first.... they held me down, bent over the stage, ripped my clothes off and raped me!"

My blood ran cold. Arabella was a rape victim?

She was sobbing hysterically, no doubt reliving the experience. I pulled her into my arms, offering as much comfort as I could.

The comforter seeking solace and vice versa.

"Those animals raped me mercilessly, taking turns but the torture wasn't only for me because they made Keith watch as well. He begged them to stop, to let me go, he fought against his restraints as my tortured cries broke his heart but he couldn't do anything. He tried to look away but they forced his head into a locked position.

That's when he broke down, he told me he was sorry over and over again.

When they were done with me they moved over to him. I was helpless, I could barely move to cover myself much less fight off 8 big men. The only thing I could do was watch. Watch as they knelt him down in front of Francesco, watch as Francesco pulled out a knife and carved up his face while naming his sins of disrespect, watch as he pulled his head back and slit his throat!"

I gasped. Arabella gripped my shirt and cried some more.

"All I could do was lay there and watch as he choked on his own blood! Watch as his eyes widened in fear before they rolled to the back of his head! Watch as his limp body fell forward, blood spurting out like an erratic water fountain, it flowed, covering the tiles before mixing with my own blood...." Her voice broke. "I couldn't even tell him I was sorry, I couldn't even beg them to spare his life. And it haunts me to this day because his blood will forever be on my hands! I'm responsible for his death on his birthday. If I had listened to my mum or him or just gone to the club without climbing that pole and drawing attention to myself maybe things would have been different, he would have been alive and I would be home with my family, not living here in this labyrinth....Its all my fault...." She became a blubbering mess.

A good friend would have consoled her, told her it wasn't her fault. Technically it was and wasn't, she should have stayed at home at Keith's insistence and found another way to celebrate his birthday. It wasn't, because she didn't know she would run into a dangerous head in the underground while entertaining her boyfriend.

So, I stroked her hair as she cried.

She'd been through hell and back. I could only phantom the emotional pain she felt in that moment when the blade slid across Keith's throat

However, I knew how I would feel if I had to watch someone torture and kill Luke in front of me. I would go mad. Arabella had locked these memories away, seeming normal and cheerful when in the actual sense she was messed up and broken.

Some minutes passed and she calmed down a bit, tears still flowing but she could speak coherently now.

"I didn't get a chance to say goodbye because they hurled me into a truck, leaving Keith's body on show for the world to see.

I didn't know where they took me to, I didn't know what was going on outside my small cell but what I did know was to expect a visitor. Whether it was Francesco or others, the outcome was always the same. They used me in the most degrading ways and left when they had gotten their sadistic pleasure.

I was malnourished, dehydrated and cold because I had no clothes on, I wasn't even gifted with my old torn clothes. I hadn't showered in days, months? I had no idea because there was no real way of keeping track of time, my cell didn't even have a window.

After a while they brought me out of the cell and kept me with some other girls where dogs were treated better than us. Francesco had a peculiar interest in me, maybe it was because I could dance or something else, I had no idea but I became his personal slave, wearing collars and shackles, spending my free time shackled to a wall. If I performed well or pleased him greatly, I received a treat: which was nothing more than scrap pieces of meat or fruit.

I was treated like some kind of circus animal that provided entertainment for him, his whores and his men. They broke me Ophelia, it got to a point I looked for a way to end my life." She wiped her tears away. "It was along that line I met Valentino."

My ears perked. Arabella knew a lot about Luke but I thought she met him here and Luke behaved as if she didn't exist. Maybe this would clear everything up.

She sniffed. "It was one of those rare days when Francesco brought me out of my cage and showcased me as his pet to his visitors. He told me we were meeting up with someone very important, the underboss of a big cartel in Italy. He led me by my chain, nude, into his living room.

Imagine my surprise when I locked eyes with a cute blonde in the company of two men. I was expecting someone older and thought a mistake had been made until I spotted the look in his eyes. It was something I came in contact with on a daily basis, the look of pure evil.

No pleasantries were exchanged and they got down to business, arguing heatedly in Italian. Well Francesco was, Valentino; I knew his name when Francesco spoke to him; replied in calm tones.

Whatever was going on Francesco wasn't happy with it. He conceded defeat by snapping his fingers and a few minutes later, men brought in the girls that Francesco had in his custody and lined them in front of Valentino who eyed them like he was evaluating the worth of goods.

A deal was struck and it took a few minutes for my dumb brain to realise that Valentino was buying Francesco's girls off him. I had no idea what was in store for them but I didn't want to stay with Francesco either. I looked in his direction, praying he would notice me. We made eye contact one more time but he looked away, obviously disgusted.

I mean I was smelly, dirty and leaking foul fluids. If I were him, I would have looked away too. I'd lost all hope for freedom until he stated in perfect English that he wanted me to join the train of girls.

Francesco declined vehemently, pulling tightly on my chain. Valentino must have seen the pleading look in my eyes because he insisted and stood up like Francesco had no say in the matter. He signalled for me to join the girls.

I stood up on feeble feet, malnourishment causing my legs to buckle, unable to carry my weight. I took a few steps towards them before I collapsed. But my body didn't hit the ground, Valentino caught me in his arms, when I looked up, I anger swirling in his eyes. I was sure he would drop me for my weakness, I couldn't even beg before I slipped into unconsciousness."

She had calmed down now but did not let go of my shirt.

"When I woke up, I was in a hospital ward or assumed it was a hospital ward, the only things making it odd were the suit-wearing, gun-carrying men that lurked in the corners.

I looked around and found some of Francesco's girls and assumed that Valentino had compassion on me and carried me along.

Days went by and I was attended to by nurses, curt nurses but there was a kind doctor who came around and enlightened me about my condition.

I'd suffered from extreme dehydration and needed to recuperate, I also had a horde of veneral diseases and a severe bacterial infection which he assumed had been caused by neglect of my ripped vulva an effect of the daily torture I went through in Francesco's hands.

I started my recuperation process but noticed that the number of girls in the ward had reduced. I didn't understand it at first but more time in solace made me realise that there was no escape from the web I had entangled myself in. One day my turn to leave this safe haven would come and I would be sold to another monster.

It took a couple of months but I was finally whole and healthy again. The doctor had fixed my vulva and I had gained some weight. At this time my recovery was complete and I was told by the doctor that I had to leave and see a senior official. He gave me a sympathetic look before he left and I knew my fate was sealed.

I was led down a hallway, ushered into an office and told to sit by a nerdy, arrogant looking man...Randolph? Raphael? Rosco? I'm not sure of his name anymore but I know it starts with an R...."

Could it be Raymond?

"....but I recognized him as one of the men that accompanied Valentino at Francesco's house. He got down to business straight away, flipping through files and placed pieces of paper in front of me. One was a missing person's report with my picture on the page, it turns out I'd been missing for a year.

He told me that the cartel followed certain procedures when it came to the women they bought off people and one of those stated that if the woman had a husband, kids or a family that wanted her back, she would be released and allowed to go back to them under the oath of silence.

That was my silver lining, a ray of hope. My family had filed a missing person's report which meant they wanted me back, so I could go home to my family.

He burst my bubble by telling me it didn't apply to my case. He explained further at my confused look. He told me that once I got back I would be charged as an accessory to the murder of Keith Williams. He emphasised the point by tapping a piece of paper containing a police report in front of me. I glanced through it and found out I was stated as a suspect.

He told me I would have to plead my innocence, stating I was a victim of circumstance like Keith, which would require crucial pieces of evidence, ultimately leading to me mentioning Francesco's name and providing a doctor's report; bringing up both cartels. It was a risk no one was willing to take, meaning I had no other option but to stay behind.

He told me I officially belonged to the Empire cartel, that I was owned by them the day Francesco surrendered to them and the only duty I had was to obey and serve. He gave me a new identity, he was the one that called me Arabella..."

I reeled back in shock. So Arabella wasn't her real name?

"Tell me your name, your real name." I asked softly.

Tears welled up in her eyes again. "Does it matter? There's no use, I dropped that life years ago, I don't need anything connecting me to it."

I let it rest, not wanting to stress her.

"He told me I was lucky, hinting at the fact that Valentino had enough interest in me to pummel Francesco to pulp when I fainted in his arms and that he wanted me flown to Italy immediately I had recovered. The man told me to get ready, that I was leaving in an hour.

I didn't have to pack, the clothes on my back were the only items I had and they weren't even mine.

Long story short, I was put on a private plane and chauffeured to a large building. The sights in Italy were beautiful but I didn't have time to admire them as nerves racked my body apart. I kept thinking of the horrible things I would be forced to do again.

I walked into Valentino's office, he glanced at me, then returned to what he was doing after asking me to sit down. Nothing was said so I took the time to check him out...."

Arabella. I rolled my eyes.

She gave me a sly smile at my gesture. "He's cute in formal wear but hotter than the sun in casual wear. Dear Lord, that boy is blessed with looks." She made a sign of the cross.

"He told me he was aware of my situation and apologized for not being able to do anything. He said that family was top priority before anything else. Then he asked me about Francesco.

I told him everything from the beginning. I could tell he was listening when he stopped writing and gripped his pen with so much force I thought it would snap in two when I got to the molestation part. Apart from that, he didn't look up from the piles of paper in front of him.

I guess after family, work came second and he's good at multitasking, juggling distractions and work together. His brain works like a super computer too because he immediately picked out the fact that Francesco was interested in me because I could dance. I mean it was what attracted attention to me in the first place and my dumb brain couldn't figure it out. Even though Francesco made me suffer, he treated me differently from the others.

Valentino asked me to dance for him and I sputtered like a fool." She face palmed herself. "I mean one can only tolerate some level of stupidity. He must have thought I was the dumbest person on planet earth."

"I don't think so." I corrected. "Luke sees the best in everyone."

"You really think so?" She asked, brightening up, in a way that set gears turning in my head.

I nodded affirmatively.

"It's not like I had any choice in the matter. He led me to a room with poles, another thing he figured out from my story, I pole danced for Francesco.

I didn't know much, just the basics but I did my best to please, Francesco had taught me that good performances always brought a treat. Boy-o-boy was I disappointed, Valentino looked at me like I was a boring science project. He just watched, his eyes didn't linger or roam hungrily like I thought it would. I swear to God, you're the only one he looks at differently."

This time I didn't say anything.

"After everything, it was decided that I would be entertaining his boys. And by his boys he meant high ranking members of the Empire cartel. Compared to other possible things, it was like striking gold. That's the long story short of how I ended up here. I met Desmonda and very few girls, it turns out we were the pioneers of the house.

I didn't start working until after a few months, I guess Valentino wanted me to adjust and settle down after my experience with Francesco. When my first client came knocking on my door, there was no way to sugarcoat it, I felt used. He wasn't forceful or anything, rather he was kind and considerate of my feelings. I wasn't treated like an object or a one night stand. It proved to me that Empire men respected women, no matter what.

He stayed with me for a long time before I felt comfortable enough to let different men in when I'd adjusted and accepted the fact that I would be living like this for a very long time.

I used what got me tangled into this mess to my advantage. Dancing to please is what has kept me here this long and to some extent it gives me power over men. When I have them where I want them, I can make them beg, plead and do whatever I want.

I tried to show my appreciation to Valentino...you know....by dancing...." Her cheeks coloured infinitesimally, cementing the conclusion on the theory I had formulated.

".....well, I found out the hard way that he had a type, a certain class of women he associated with, that's when he and Carlotta had something going on. I didn't fall into his category." She ended and we shared a brief silence before I decided to break it.

"Arabella, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Promise me you'll be truthful."

"I'll try."

"Are you in love with Luke?"

She looked away. "Promise me you won't get mad."

I scoffed. If I wanted to get mad I would because she just affirmed the fact unknowingly. "I won't." I smiled reassuringly.

"Well... I kinda have this tini itsy bitsy crush on him. He's cute, not to mention the fact that he saved me from the hands of a monster and gave me a better life. You're not mad, are you?"

"No." I stroked her hair.

We stayed in silence, an awkward silence. There was nothing more to say.

Arabella's phone rang, breaking the silence.

"Sorry, I have to take this." She excused herself.

"No problem." But she was out the door before I finished talking.

------------------------------------

A few days passed with me in my own company. Arabella was scarce, which was very strange. It made me believe she was avoiding me.

Technically, she had cut herself open and bled in front of me, she told me things that no one knew about and sealed the deal by saying she had feelings for someone who was pretending to be my boyfriend. If I wanted to destroy her, I had more than enough ammo. I would make myself scarce if I were in her shoes.

But the loneliness had become unbearable. I decided to take a stroll or else I would become crazy. I took a walk to Anabelle's house and rang the doorbell.

I heard shuffling in the background then the door flew open. "Ophelia!" Aubrey wrapped her arms around me.

"Baby!" I picked her up.

"Where have you been? I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too Aubrey." I said breathing in deeply, filling my lungs with her baby scent.

We shared an embrace for a few seconds before she raised her head, looking over my shoulder. "Where is he, Ophelia?"

"Who?" I asked confused, placing her down.

"Luke. Anna said he was at the ice cream shop with you and you promised me you'd bring him over, remember?"

"I do. But he's not here anymore, he's gone back to work."

Aubrey's lip quivered and she went inside.

I noticed Anabelle leaning on the doorframe, watching the scene between Aubrey and I. "Hey, Anabelle."

"Hi. Long time no see." She gestured for me to come in.

I did. I spotted Jessie on the couch reading, she beamed at me. "Ophelia!"

I cupped her cheek, sitting between her and Aubrey. "Hey sweetie, how are you?"

"Great." She replied, she looked at her sulking sister confused.

I lifted Aubrey from the couch and placed her on my lap turning her to face me. "Hey..." I lifted her chin. "....cheer up, I know I didn't keep my promise but don't be mad at me Aubrey, next time I'll tie him up and drag him here the moment he comes to visit, okay?" She gave me a small nod.

"Good girl, now smile..." She shook her head.

I decided to try Luke's technique, tickling her lightly. "Smile..."

"No.." She said, shimmying, a smile crawling up her face. It didn't take long for it to turn into full blown laughter as she kicked and screamed. When we were tired of laughing and screaming, we returned back to our position on the couch.

"You wanna see some pictures Luke and I took?"

She nodded excitedly.

I opened the phone lock and went straight to my gallery, passing the phone to Aubrey so she could navigate by herself.

She looked through, pausing at some photos. She stopped at the ice cream incident picture. "He looks silly." She giggled.

"Yeah, he does."

She zoomed in and traced his face without touching the screen, it made me realise that Aubrey was enamored with Luke.

After she was done, she passed the phone to me and placed her head on my chest and spoke, sleepily. "I wanted to come over to your house Ophelia but Anna wouldn't let me."

I thought of what to tell her, something a girl her age would understand.

"Don't be mad at your sister Aubrey, I live with some other girls who don't like kids. I'll ask them if I can bring you over then you can come with me, okay?" I said, trying to be hopeful.

"Okay." she replied with enthusiasm, it made me feel bad knowing I had lied to her.

She fell asleep on me.

Jessie was long gone and Anabelle was tidying up the kitchen. She brought me dinner and sat by my side, picking up Aubrey.

"She's taken to you, you know? Since our mum died you're the only person she's attached to. I guess you remind her of mum." She said when she had taken Aubrey to the room. "She doesn't even play with me the way she does with you." She chuckled.

I laughed too. "You're mean."

She gasped in fake shock. "Take that back."

We were engaged in useless banter until I realised it was late and I had to leave.

We said our goodbyes and I made my way back to the piacere house.

I got in cautiously. The house was dark since it was lights out period, I was surprised to see the kitchen light on and Arabella sitting dejectedly on the dining table. I rushed to meet her but was stopped by a second voice.

"...its been months and you're telling me you've got nothing on her?"

I tried to make sense of Desmonda's words.

"You seem to forget that Ophelia is Valentino's woman, she's picked up a lot of things from him, not to mention the fact that she's extremely smart herself...."

"Enough with the excuses Arabella! That little bitch has bewitched Valentino and something needs to be done about it. We need to take care of her pronto. I want her out on the street."

"Just give me a little time and I'll get the dirt you need to throw her out."

I reeled back in shock. Arabella wanted to betray me?

"You better. The job will go to someone else if you don't and that means I'll kick you out too. So choose wisely because I can tell you're attached to her."

"I'm not!" Arabella defended herself, "I'm only putting up an act to dig up dirt on her..."

"Save it. You'll prove yourself when you've completed your mission. I have a meeting I must attend now."

I heard the sound of heels and ducked, in case Desmonda turned the lounge lights on. The door opened and I heard the sound of a car door slam before she started her engine.

I composed myself and barged into the kitchen, ready to confront Arabella.

"What's her problem?" I startled Arabella.

She jumped, placing her heart on her chest. "Ophelia! You scared the daylights out of me!" She said, visibly shaking, skillfully avoiding my question.

"What's gotten Desmonda riled up?"

"I-I don't know." She averted her eyes.

"I just came in and she was shouting at someone." I stated calmly, too calmly. That should have set her alarms off.

But it didn't, Arabella swallowed. "You didn't hear anything, did you?"

"Was I supposed to?"

"No."

"Very well. Goodnight Arabella." I walked to my room and slammed the door.

She'd better stay away from me, cause if she didn't, I'd kill her. She had the nerve to think she could play me.