Chapter 7

• Alessia Romero
• ---------
• "Hey, last born, follow me, we have a meeting." Clara walked into the dorm. I had finished dressing up after a long cold shower, the weather was hot as it was summer.
• "Last born?" I rose an amused brow.
• "Yes, you are the only teenager here? I heard you are nineteen." She was busy throwing some nuts in her mouth. How was she so okay while in hell?
• "Hmm, a good reason for me to be out of here," I uttered bitterly. "Anyway, what's the sudden meeting?"
• "There was an adjustment with the working schedule. I guess you'll be introduced to other workers to avoid problems. That also includes the Lazza family members. They will be there."
• "I don't want to see their faces!" I gritted as we bolted to the exit.
• We walked to the west wing, it appeared that the west wing was where all the activities took place. The east wing was the Mafia boss' private wing and Sofia and Romeo occupied the south and North wing.
• Some soldiers were in the room, the same as the other four ladies we shared the room with and a few guards who were always assigned to guard the mansion.
• They were all standing in a line, looking all obedient while facing the front area where Sofia and Romeo sat.
• Immediately Clara and I walked in, Romeo's cold gaze never left me, I wondered what he wanted, another stab in his eyes?
• The boss was not there yet, or he wasn't gonna be there. I cared less.
• Clara and I joined the line. And silence dwelled.
• I was clad in a knee-length, marigold dress and a pair of baby-pink flip-flops. My hair was in a loose bun, slightly wet from the shower.
• "Before we start. Alessia, step forward." Sofia spoke, I first scanned everyone then made a step forward. "You have an apology to deliver. There is a simple way to do it, kneel and apologise to Romeo."
• She declared as I silently listened. I must have expected the worst but that was beyond. I furrowed my brows in confusion.
• "I'm sorry?" I spoke. "Kneel and apologise?" I quizzed. I could feel the tension with other slaves. They would probably have collapsed on their knees so quickly but no, not me.
• "Don't make me repeat mys-"
• "Sure! I heard you and I am not doing it. Sorry!" I stepped behind back to the line.
• I hadn't stood for a second when I felt a heavy kick on my back knees and a grip on my bun hair. That found my knees weakening and I swiftly collapsed on my knees.
• The grip on my hair was so tight. I moaned as I clamped the muscled hands to free myself but he was so firm.
• "When you are told to kneel, you obey!" A heavy voice growled above my head. "You respect your bosses!"
• "Let go o-" he suddenly slammed his hand on my mouth, deterring me from uttering a word.
• "You will stay on your knees until this meeting is over!" He declared then pushed my head brutally. He walked beside me and sank into a seat beside Sofia, right in front of me.
• "Fucking idiots!" I silently uttered while getting ready to stand. Kneel in front of them? No fucking way!
• I was about to get up when Clara pushed me on my shoulder forcing me to stay still. I groaned then looked up at her and our eyes met. She shook her head warningly then looked away.
• She was kidding, right? I was to stay kneeling?
• The meeting commenced, and for whatever sake, I was still on my knees.
• "Clara, is there something we should know?"
• Sofia asked, I snapped to Clara and she shook her head. I just learned that she was the head of the girls and Sofia was asking how the situation was, in the dormitory.
• "Good. Now, from tomorrow, we will have a batch of workers in the vineyards, no one is allowed there except maybe a boss asked you to do something. Is that clear?!" Sofia was the speechmaker.
• I was not paying much attention, what I heard was I was now working for the boss, I was the only one allowed on his wing and blah blah blah.
• I was busy passing the time while drawing some circles on the floor. I could hear Carina's voice in my head. I remembered when we once sneaked into the principal's office back in high school. Carina had left a paper with a steamy scene from her novel drafted in the assignment book and we had to get it.
• The principal walked in and we hid under his table. Luckily, his huge table managed to hide us for almost thirty minutes, while on our knees.
• I remembered how we couldn't walk after that, we even had red circles on our knees.
• I chuckled while whispering some inaudible things just by remembering those days, I missed Carina a lot.
• "Is there something you need to tell us so we can laugh as well, Alessia?!" Sofia's stern voice yanked me from my imagination. I had forgotten I was in hell.
• "Hm? You want to laugh?" I raised an amused brow. Some people murmured inaudibly while others sent me death glares, like The Lazza.
• All eyes were on me.
• I smiled. "Well, I remembered a certain dream I had last night. It was chaotic but I enjoyed it." I lied.
• Oh, and they were listening.
• "Well, since you are all listening, I had this wonderful dream. I dreamt of Rodion and I caused trouble here. I had instructed him on what to do. I released him from the east wing and he went to all wings, he made sure he ate Romeo and the boss. He devoured their flesh and mashed their bones. He was walking to you when I stopped him." I pointed at Sofia, and I loved their faces. "I love Rodion!" I laughed and then gazed at the Lazza. I knew very well what I was doing.
• His cold face was consuming me, I could feel his wrath in my flesh.
• "What the fuck is Rodion?" Sofia barked.
• "Relax, it was a dream!" I waved my hands and then clapped. I probably looked like an idiot but I wished that lie could be true.
• "Just how old is this hoe?!" Finally, Romeo spoke and it made my smile disappear
• "Why? Do you-" I was cut off by the Lazza who shouted at everyone.
• "Get out everyone!" I tried to get up but he roared. "You stay!"
• Everyone left, that included Sofia and Romeo. I gazed up at the Lazza with my brows flashing upwards.
• "Can I get up?" I quizzed.
• He exhaled heavily. "If I hear that name coming out of that silly mouth again, I will be forced to slit your throat!" He leaned his elbows on his knees. "Be warned, Alyssa!"
• "What name?" I furrowed my brows. "Oh oh! Rodion?" I mused and he twisted his fist. "Oh please, the only thing that is good to me, now I can't call him?" I pouted and he abruptly got up.
• He was holding a gun as he assessed it. He fished a phone in his pocket and made a call.
• "Outside the gate!" He declared on the phone then shoved it in his pocket. He then got to where I was and squatted in front of me.
• He examined me quietly, his scary eyes making mine twitch. He then clicked his tongue and gripped my chin.
• "Keep the name out your mouth." He lowly but coldly uttered. "I suggest you do as I say this time, Alyssa."
• "It's Alessia! Stop messing with my name!" I whispered.
• "I don't care! Just keep that name out of your filthy mouth!" He gripped my chin hard that I felt it burn up.
• I wiggled my head to yank his hand but he didn't budge. "Why? I love him, he has a heart, not like Lazza, they feel like they own the world! Especially that dickhead called Romeo. Sofia is better. Then you!" I scoffed mockingly. "You two disgust me. I loathe you! I even wonder, what do they call you, hmm? Whoever gave your brother that name, made a big mistake. What's yours?"
• He added more pressure on my chin, I could feel my inner cheek hurting.
• "What pleasure do you get from hurting me? What pleasure do you get from keeping innocent people here? I want to go! I want my life back! I have classes, the summer break is almost over! It's unfair because everyone here has finished school! Just let me go!"
• I could feel my eyes wet and I didn't miss the evil grin on his lips.
• "You are my fucking slave!" He spat brutally then pushed me off and got up.
• He exited the room, leaving me on the floor as I massage my chin which was burning.
• The asshole!
• _____
• "Boss...please listen I-" the voice paused. I could hear his breathing, he wasn't even getting enough air. "-there were three clients who had promised to-"
• "Money!" The lazza's deep voice was obvious. No one could miss the brutality in it. "The money!"
• So, my sneaky ass got me trapped in a mafia dark business. I spotted the mafia boss walking out towards the gate with two soldiers after he left the room he left me, and I followed.
• The rush with him was clear that something was up and that was proved. I was peeking at them while hiding behind a wall. The gate was open, I could clearly sight every activity that was happening.
• "One more night. Please one mor-"
• "That was not the deal!" The Lazza moved close while lifting his gun. It wasn't new. He loved killing people.
• The poor gent collapsed on his knees while begging him.
• "I promise I will pay tomorrow, if I don't, you can take all my buildings." The dude was holding his hands together. I could see the sweat on his forehead, a good sign that he was fighting to be given a chance to live.
• The Lazza cocked his gun and pointed it down at him.
• My heart broke. The guy was clearly begging yet the evil Lazza couldn't find it in his heart to forgive him.
• "Deal is a deal. I already own the buildings, What I hate is..." he moved close while aiming the gun at his head. "...lies!"
• An echoing sound of gunfire followed right after. The man wailed painfully and then collapsed on the ground lifeless with a bullet forced on his forehead.
• I slammed my hand on my mouth deterring the scream as a shiver ran through my spine. What did I expect, for him to forgive the man?
• I felt my knees going weak and I slowly slid down the wall, the reality was clear that I was wrapped in a Mafia dirty game and I was gonna be seeing a lot of deaths.
• I couldn't believe a man of my dad's age just died. His children were probably waiting for him if he had one. I felt heaviness suddenly burden my heart. What if that was my father?
• Everyone deserves a second chance.
• I was brought to reality by the heavy footsteps walking back inside. I quickly hid behind a huge redbud tree which I had not noticed until then.
• The three ambled majestically inside, they didn't even gaze where I was coiled. I heaved a sigh then got up once they were out of my sight.
• After a few inhales, I decided to go back inside and get ready for my job which was to revolve around the Satan himself.
• I had made a step when a squeaking sound caught me. It was the gate which was gently closing. It was then I realized that it was an automatic gate and it was closing in a slow-mo.
• The space was still enough for me to fit in. The stupid thought immediately sabotaged me. I forever wished to leave the place. It was a chance offered freely.
• I quickly dashed to the gate and jumped out before it closed. I was surprised how I managed to be outside the horrible place, it was something that I didn't even imagine would be easy.
• It was time to run.