Chapter 1

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My eyes blinked continously as I try to get a glimpse of my environment. The room is so dark and I could barely tell what the hell this place is. But thanks to the sun rays which sneaked in from the small window just below the ceiling.

The strange smell of dried blood from the room ached my stromach, causing me to feel like vomiting. My brain couldn’t interpret what and where I am. I don’t remember walking in here, what the fuck is this place?

I looked at the only wooden chair in the room. There were leather belts at both hands and legs of the chair. I remember when my father once told me about such chairs, he said they were used to torture offenders of the law.

But why is it in the same room as I am? I didn’t commit a crime, did I? I have never steal or murdered, what’s going on here?

All these thoughts in my head and not even a single answer could be found. I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, thankfully, I might get my answers.

Then a jingling sound of keys as they unlock the door from the outside. The door open, and two young men walked in, dressed on a casual black attire. I glared at them from head to toe, and I observed similar features in them and a little resemblance on their faces.

They were so handsome to behold coupled with the way they styled their hair in the best stylish way I have ever seen, but the mean look on their faces made them appear like the most scary males on earth, giving me answers to my questions.

Indeed, I am a law breaker.

“ Excuse me, why am I here?” I asked, but all I could get in response was silence.

They were blinking and I’m pretty sure they are breathing too. But their quietness almost looked like they are under control or somehow they are just practicing the silent mood on me.

“ Did I do something wrong?” I asked again and yes, they didn’t want to give me a damn answer.

An elderly man in his mid-fifties, dressed on a black suit and a red tie walked in with a golden cane in one hand and a cigar at the other hand. He puffed out a large amount of smoke which almost covered his face.

I was wondering why a man at such age would be smoking. “Hello, Ms. Anastasia Romanoff.” He said, interrupting my thoughts.

I glared fixedly at him. Did he just call my name? Have we met before? Where?

“You know my name?” I asked, surprised.

“I know everyone’s name, Ms. Romanoff.” he said with a smile.

“Who are you?” I asked. “Why am I here?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember a shit about why you are here.” He said.

“What shit are you talking about?” I snapped.

He walks close to me, squatting before me. He puffs out another smoke on my face. I coughed, waving it off with my hand.

“ Your father made a bargain with me some months ago and promised to pay it up this month. Rather than paying his debts, he went ahead sending some local boys after me. You know, I would have let him be for this month but attempting to kill me over his debt wasn’t something I could overlook.”

“ So what do I have to do with it?”

“ Well, according to our rules, there are consequences of every evil act we do. He did something evil, so I offered him what he deserved.”

“ W–what are you talking about? What did you do to my father?” I yelled.

“ I did what I had to do.” he simply said without emotions.

“You killed him?!” I yelled, holding him tight by the collar. “ You fucking killed my father, huh?!”

The young men came to stop me but he rose his hand, signalling them to stay back. “ And even after killing him, you still had the mind to take me in?”

“ He made the decision and not me. Even if I had to take you, it’s still not enough to complete the deal. Killing him would.”

“ You are a murderer! A killer!” I yelled in clenched teeth. “What about my mother? What did you do to her?!”

“ Oh, that gentle soul. Poor thing she accepted to die alongside with your father. I had no choice but to grant it to her.” I let go of his shirt, letting the hot tears roll out of my eyes.

He drops the cigar in his mouth, holding it in between his teeth. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Romanoff, but a deal is a deal.” With this few words, he left the room.

One of the men followed after, while the other stood still. I can feel his gaze on me, not those which told how pitiful he felt for me, but that which held hatred. Soon, he left.

*

*

“Are we just going to let her cry in there?” Micheal, the eldest son asked as they trailed through the hallway.

Vito paused, turning to look at him. “Don’t tell me you’ve grown so soft all of a sudden for her tears?” he frowned.

“ I haven’t. I was only wondering why you had to let her be without a taste of pain.” He said. " You thought us not to walk out on our enemies without giving them what they deserve."

“ Well, I didn’t let her go as you think. I was only giving her the respect of mourning her parents.” He replied. "And besides, she isn't our enemy, she's just the daughter to our debtor."

“ So, what now?” He asked.

“ I’ll think about that. For now, you two should get some rest.”

They got to his room. Vito held the door knob, about to open the door when Micheal spoke. “Just in case father comes up with a plan, I wish to handle it myself.” He requested.

Vito looked at his son, smiling. “ I have always seen your determination, son. You are free to handle the girl as you wish, only do me the favour of not killing her.”

“ I won’t.”

Micheal was the strongest of the gang group. He took after his father in keeping to the Mafia appointments and was readily available for any assignment when needed.

He was the only one who did things the way that pleases his father, and does his job completely and if possible requesting for more to do. His younger brother, Fred was also good at killing, but no one does the job than Micheal.

“ I need to get some sleep. You two should get some rest too.” He opens the door, walking into his room.

Micheal smiled in excitement. He was going to torture the girl as much as he wants. He was gonna watch her bleed and beg for mercy. He was gonna make her succumb to his rules and most of it all. . . he will make her his slave, and he will be her master.

He retreats back to the torture room. Anastasia was still crying non-stop. She didn’t spare him a glance as he walked in, trailing closer to her. He held her chin, raising her face that she could look at him. She takes her gaze off immediately.

“ Look at me.” He said and she looked at him with her wet eyes. “This isn't the end of it all, Ms. Romanoff. I will make your life miserable that your parents will beg for mercy even in their grave, then you will learn that no one messes with the Escobars.” He threatened.

Anastasia felt her heart beating faster than normal, her eyes licked in tears not for her parents' loss, but for the fact that she was going to suffer for something she doesn’t know about. It was then she realized who and what this people were.

They are the Escobars, the very mafians her father did tell her about. The infamous gangsters in the state.

He smirked evilly. “ Get ready, I’ll be coming back tonight for you, sweetheart.” He drops her jaw, walking out of the room.

Anastasia crawled to the wall, cuddling her legs to her chest. She sobbed quietly, then loudly as she thought of how miserable her life would be in the hands of the Escobars, especially in the hands of the very one who had just spoken to her.

But why? Why would he be so desperate after her life? Why would he want her dead for nothing? What’s the meaning of all these? What will be her fate?

Anastasia wished night would never fall even though she knew it was impossible. She doesn't want to imagine what will happen. She doesn't want to think of how her night would be.

" Get ready, I'll be coming back tonight for you, sweetheart." the words keeps repeating in her head and it felt more like hours was becoming minutes.

Night finally came, and she is left to wonder what the young gentleman is up to doing to her. She could feel her body vibrating in fear as footsteps kept approaching closer.

"No. No. No, this shouldn't be happening. I'm not supposed to end up like this." She mumbled, squeezing herself tight to the wall.

The door opened, and he walked in, staring at her with a devilish glare. "Hello, Ms. Romanoff, we meet again." He smirked. "Well, it's time for business now."

" No. No, please. Please don't hurt me." She begged. " I will do anything for you just please, don't hurt me."

He squats before her, rubbing her cheek gently. " I love the sound of that, Ms. Romanoff, but poor thing I'm only following orders.""

Two men walked into room and he ordered them to take off her clothes. Anastasia struggled to pull away, but all to no avail, they were way stronger than her.

"What are you waiting for? Strip her." He ordered.

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