Chapter 6

Samantha POV...

Standing in front of my full-length mirror trying to decide the best dress to hide my scars that littered along my back.

I had always been shy about my body, never allowing anyone, not even Chloe, to see me naked.

Thankfully they were more on my ribs and easily hidden under my dress.

My mind drifted back to the events of the past weeks.

…..Flashback…..

It was a rainy cold evening. I just finished having dinner. I don't eat much and I'm very selective. Well, that's because I have an eating disorder.

I lay on my bed, putting on faded black denim shorts and a white tank top with Barbie written in front. I know the top looks childish but I love it.

I'm scrolling through my phone checking for notifications for job vacancies on all the websites I applied for, since getting a job now seems like the most difficult thing in life. 

"Another day another disappointment" I sigh. I couldn't find any notifications as usual, I tossed my phone on the bed and felt like screaming off the roof if that was going to relieve me of how unfortunate I was.

It's been a year after school and I'm still jobless, all my mates are in one good job or another.

Still in thought of what to do next when my phone rang bringing me back to reality, my heart skipped a bit as butterflies danced in my tummy seeing the caller ID: LoveBug.

I picked up, "Hello sweets, how are you" A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips hearing his voice.

 "I'm so so mad at you" replied playfully 

"What's my offense sweet? You haven't returned my calls or messages since morning" I said, pouting my lips like he couldn't see it.

"Forgive me sweet, I had some errands to run and I had to do a double shift at work because William called in sick" replied calmly.

"What a sweet soul he was," I mumbled

"Can't hear you sweet," he cut in

"It's nothing love, I was just-"

"Samantha!! His distance shouting interrupted our conversation.

"That's my dad, talk to you later" Immediately I hung up abruptly, my heart pounding with fear.

"He's back, he's drunk again and mom's not back home yet". I knew I was in for another night of terror.

"You good for nothing daughter, get down here now"! He yelled 

The sound of his heavy footsteps grew louder with each passing second. I quickly rushed to lock the door before he could get to my room, with my hand almost at the doorknob. 

The door flew open with a violent crash, sending me stumbling backward.

Standing in the doorway, was the man I have feared all my life, looking me in the eyes as my heart pounded in my chest.

"How dare you ignore me you silly brat"? barked with his deep and husky voice.

 "I-i.. wasn't ig-noring" Before I could finish talking, a resounding slap hit my cheeks, sending me crashing to the ground with my eyes glossy.

"Please, Dad, stop…" said tearfully.

"Oh you haven't seen the last of me young woman, you are so unfortunate and useless" he fired with his anger boiling over.

I tried running into my bathroom, but he held my arm roughly and pulled me back, giving another resounding slap and I fell hard landing on my back, with my cheek burning with pain and my vision swimming in tears.

He staggered towards me, before his hand could reach out to me, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me out of the house.

Wasn't sure where I was going. I kept running, I wish I could say his hatred towards my mom and I started when the doctor said ''it's a girl'.

He wanted a son to continue his kickboxing career, but unfortunately, a daughter came, and after me, she was unable to get pregnant.

I think my mom secretly took preventive measures in order not to get pregnant, all the test results show my mom's fine, but I don't know what that woman is up to.

So this is what my mom and I get whenever he loses any fights.

I stopped running and realized I had instinctively gotten very close to Rayden's apartment, the only place I felt safe.

The door was slightly opened, I got inside and the sitting room was in disarray, clothes thrown on the couch and floor.

I knew Rayden was organized, I concluded that his busy schedule was responsible for it, as I bent down to pick up the scattered clothes.

My ears caught an unmistakable sound of moaning coming out of his bedroom. I walked slowly to the bedroom and pushed open the door, and my fears were confirmed instantly.

Without a word I turned and fled from the apartment, feeling the weight of my tears mingling with the downpour as I grappled with the betrayal of my father and boyfriend.

Forgive my manners I'm Samantha Alfonso, Sam for short.

And I'm 27 years old, single, fatherless, and jobless, don't worry you'll understand why I said fatherless although he is not dead.

And now, here I am, sitting beside my mother, who has just tied the knot with a man she had met at the hotel where she worked.

"I can't believe we're finally leaving Amsterdam," I muttered, my voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and resignation.

"But with this traffic, it looks like we'll be spending the whole day here."

My mom turned to me with concern etched across her face. "What are you thinking about, baby?" she asked, slipping her right hand into mine and giving it a light squeeze, while her left hand remained on the steering wheel.

I forced a smile, trying to push aside the weight of my worries. "Just thinking about everything that's happened lately," I replied softly. 

"It's been a tough week, that's for sure.

"My mom nodded sympathetically, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I know, sweetheart," she said gently. "But we'll get through this

together, okay? We're starting a new chapter in our lives, and I couldn't be more excited