Chapter 9 It Happened To June

• JUNIPER
• He killed June.
• My head keeps playing the scene, again and again and again. The fear in June's eyes when the Carwyn guy pushed her away from him, the light leaving her eyes as the bullet went off, he just killed her like an animal, she did nothing to him!
• My owner and his driver are still outside talking with the murderer, is this how I'll be killed? The weather is cold and I feel goosebumps line my body, I have no clothes on, just the thin blanket Mr. Dakari's men put on me before we left the auction room. I still remember the words Mr. Dakari whispered into my ear as his men took me away.
• "Your new owner is a ruthless man, make him happy."
• It sent shivers down my spine that time.
• As soon as I enter the car, I refuse to look outside the window, scared the Carwyn man might shoot me too, I'm worried about Aviva, I saw some of the other girls standing next to their owners when I left the stage but I didn't see Aviva, what if she was killed like June? No!
• The car door opens and Mr. Omari enters, that's the name I heard Mr. Dakari call him.
• He's looking at me, am I supposed to do something?
• "Are you okay? I'm pretty sure you've seen something like that in Dakar Ladies, I hear he likes to ruffle you guys up before the auction" he says but I don't look at him, I am not okay but he doesn't really care about me so why ask?
• "So you're not going to say anything?" He asks "Well good, I don't like a talker. I bought you for one reason anyway" he says and then tells his driver to start the car.
• I want to know about June, is she really dead? What did he do to the crazy Carwyn guy? Is he going to do the same to me? He bought me for only one reason, if I don't meet up to his expectations would he shoot me in the head? The questions are swirling in my head but I can't ask him, he said he doesn't like a talker.
• I decide to look outside the window as we drive through Venice, I used to have a life, maybe a family, but now I can't remember anything or anyone and I'm just an empty shell, the tears are falling from my eyes again. I've been crying nonstop since I came here, Aviva told me to be strong, I have to be.
• Venice is beautiful at night, the lights from different buildings light up the sky, the noise of people going about their lives, unaware of what their neighbours are up to, no knowing the harm their girls could face if they're taken away from home. We leave the city and driving on an empty road, it's filled with large beautiful trees. Is this where he lives? I turn to take a sneak peak at him, his eyes are closed and his head is resting on the car seat, is he asleep? I turn fully to look at him, his chin and jawline is sharp, his hair a wavy black, his body is so full I think he's going to burst every time he moves, but I can see his muscles rippling, he looks like a strong man, he's beautiful. Why is a beautiful man like him involved in the mafia? The driver pulls up to a large gate and honks thrice, there's a clicking sound before the gates open and then he's driving in, I see the gate shut close behind us and I wonder if I would ever get to see Venice again.
• Mr. Omari opens his eyes and I go back to facing the window. The driver comes to a stop in front of the house and then turns off the car engine.
• "This is where we get down" Mr. Omari says to me before leaving the car, I take a second to wrap the blanket more tightly around myself before opening the car door. He starts walking to the house and I silently follow behind him, the house is large and looks like it has three floors, I'm sure there are up to a hundred rooms, the place is too dark, does he leave alone? Why is there no lights on? He pushes the door open and then waits for me to walk in before locking it in, the lights are on, I guess the curtains are really thick.
• "So this is where you'll be staying from now on, My name is Kanaan Omari but I prefer if you called me Mr. Omari, if I ever need you I'll give you a call, there's a bell in every room, so I'll ring you up. My room is on the third floor, the first room to your left, I'll let Kamiko show you around and help you get settled into your room" He says pointing to an older lady who walks in.
• "Good evening Master Kanaan" she greets "You brought a lady home"
• He runs a hand through his hair and releases a nervous laughter "It's all Valente's fault, skin him when he comes over tomorrow." He says before walking upstairs.
• She turns to look at me and smiles widely "So, what's you name beautiful? We have to get you in some clothes, you look just about ready to faint"
• She looks kind and I have to talk once before he thinks I'm mute and sends me back to Mr. Dakari to kill or he kills me himself.
• "Juniper" I answered.
• "Oh beautiful name, I'm Kamiko, I'd love if you call me Miko and so I can call you Juni, is that alright dear?" She asks as she directs me, we're both climbing the stairs, I guess to get to my room.
• "Yes Miko" she sounds really nice, what if it's all a distraction so I don't feel scared when Mr. Omari calls for me?