Chapter 4: Elevator Boy

Katarina's PoV

I need to escape here and now! But how?

I glanced at the side of the bed where Topaz pressed a button. How can I press it if I'm handcuffed? Argh!

"You have a perfect body, Katarina." He commented while caressing my boobs. Fuck!

“You retard! Fuck off!” I tried to escape but the handcuffs were really strong. I want to cry because of the thought of not being able to leave here.

An idea popped into mind. There is only one way and if I still fail, then I don’t know anymore what’s going to happen to me. I took a deep breath. The weakness of all men. I kneed his manhood as I watched him cry out in pain. He fell on the floor and hit his head on the side of the bed where the button was pressed. The handcuffs loosened and I’m now free. Not wasting time, I got up instantly and took my car key. I ran to the door as if my life depends on my escape. I don't care about leaving my belongings behind. What matters now is my successful escape.

Fortunately, no one was in the elevator. I went in and pressed 'close' repeatedly because Topaz was running towards my direction. My heart was beating so fast and I started to panic. Fucking close already!

"I’m going to kill you bitc-" Before he could finish cursing at me, the elevator closed but someone caught my attention.

A man was looking at me not far from Topaz. The elevator boy.

He frowned as our eyes met, confused. I looked at him trembling before the elevator door finally closed.

I clutched my chest. My heart was beating fast of anxiety and fear. Even though my knees were shaking I ran like there was no tomorrow as soon as the elevator’s doors opened. People staring at me as recognition slowly flashed on their faces.

"Don't just stand there! Get that damn girl!" I heard Topaz shout of anger.

The staff panicked but got back to their senses when I went by them. There are still few of them ahead of me. Good thing I took karate lessons. Before they could even touch me, I'd already punched them one by one. Using my full energy, I kicked and punched their vital points leaving them lying on the ground unconscious. Before the others could even rush to me, I ran faster than before.

"She's just a girl and y’all can't even lay a fucking finger on her?! Y’all are useless pieces of shits!" Topaz’s growl echoed but I did not stop running for my life.

I almost stumbled on my way as I saw my car. My foot hurts but I don't have time to rest. I was about to reach my car when a woman suddenly appeared not far from me. I stopped and backed away with wide eyes.

"My dear daughter." I swallowed hard seeing her and her fake tears. How the hell did she find me?!

Mom tried to approach me but I stopped her. Her tears are flowing but she can’t fool me.

"I missed you, I did everything just to find you." I shook my head repeatedly. This is not happening right? What’s with the sudden turn of events? That means Topas did really intend to call Mom all along. I clenched my fist.

"And I'll just find you here flirting?!" Her expression drastically changed, now raising her voice at me. I knew it.

"If it weren’t for Topaz, I wouldn't be able to find you here because whose mother would think that her daughter is hiding from her, flirting and making out?!” That fucking maniac.

“You got it all wrong!” I shouted back. Her words sting making it hard to breathe.

“It is very clear dear. Topaz told me all the details. You have to come with me this instant.”

I tried to run away from her but then I saw Topaz with his security guards blocking my way.

"Where are you going Katarina? Wait, what happened to you?" He asked mockingly and eyed me from head to toe.

"You bastard!" Is the only thing that came out of my mouth. There is so much in my mind right now that I want to say but I can’t turn it into words. I feel so lost between them.

"What a dirty mouth." He commented.

"Mr. Gazella, Thank you for finding my daughter!" Mom said and I couldn’t do anything when she got closer to me. She hugged me tightly but I don't find it comforting at all.

"No problem." Topaz said and nodded as if he didn’t do anything to me a while ago.

"Here, take this money as a token of my gratitude." Mom said and handed a suitcase to him but he only shook his head.

"I don't need that."

"Then what do you want in return? I can't just leave with my daughter without giving you any token." Topaz glazed at me and there’s only one thing that came into mind. He will take advantage of this situation. He planned all of this. I swallowed hard feeling nervous because I have a really bad feeling for this.

"Of course. I want your daughter." For a moment, I froze. No...

Mom's ears seemed to clap in delight. She quickly turned to me and held my hands.

"Katarina. This is the chance. You'll have a better life with him-"

"No!" I shouted at her, unbelievably. I pulled my hands away from her grip but she grabbed it back tighter than before.

"Katarina, get yourself together and think through it. This is for your own good." She tried to convince me as if restraining herself from raising her voice in front of Topaz. Lies. I know it's just for the money. Of the many men she arranged me with, I already knew the truth behind her actions. I looked down trying my best to hold the tears.

"Mom, listen to me please. I don't want to-"

"Stop it. Like it or not, you will marry him." My shoulders slumped in distress. She pulled me closer to Topaz which made me horrified. No! He tried to rape me! My body is now shaking. This can’t be happening! I don’t want this!

I couldn't stop myself anymore from crying over what Mom was forcing me to do. A scene of a mother pulling her child towards her worst nightmare.

Since I was a child, I have never experienced the love of a real parent. I used to think that maybe one day, she would consider me as a child she genuinely adores but as years passed and until now, I never felt it and it only got worse.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion as she pulled me closer to Topaz. I tried to struggle and escape but it wasn’t enough because my body was too tired of all the happenings.

No, I don't want this to happen. Just by thinking of being alone with Topaz in a room already makes me shiver in fear. With all my might, I pulled my hand from Mom's grip. She almost fell in shock. She turned to me aggressively attempting to pull me again.

"Katarina!" She yelled with rage and wide eyes. I shook and ran to the opposite direction.

"You're not my Mom." I said as I felt my tears flowing down my cheeks. I ran as fast as I could. Several footsteps and curses echoed behind rushing to my direction.

"What the- chase her! Shit! Don’t let her escape this time or y’all are fired!" Topaz growled like a hungry lion. I raised my middle finger without looking back.

I stopped when a sudden motorbike pulled in my direction. I thought it was my end but it stopped in front of me.

"Get in!" A man on his motorbike stopped in front of me. With the desperation to get away from them, I hopped on without any doubts. He instantly started it with a speed so fast I unconsciously hugged him from behind. I heard their faint shouts and curses from the background but I did not bother to look back.

I sighed in relief. If it weren’t for this guy, I would’ve been trapped by Topaz.

"Are you okay?" The man asked. Our eyes met in the side mirror. I just nodded. I still can’t recover from what just happened. This is messed up.

“You’re shaking.” There was a hint of worry in his voice. I avoided his gaze and decided to rest my head on his back. I’m too tired to talk. I tightened my hug on him and closed my eyes to calm myself.

Minutes had past and the comfortable silence remained between us. I swear there is a sense of familiarity between us. His voice, smell and his eyes are too familiar to me. I can't see his face properly because he is wearing a helmet.

"Who are you?" I asked, breaking the silence. He gave me a side glance before facing

"You forgot me already?" He pretended to be hurt. I looked in the side mirror and there I saw his eyes again. Those deep brown eyes. My heart started to beat faster again.

"I-It's you." I whispered. He slightly nodded. He caught me staring at him and I think my heart skipped a beat. My face is burning hot again remembering the nights I spent with him. I buried my face on his back and he just chuckled at my reaction. Oh god, it’s him! The man who visited me when night time comes.

"T-Thank you."

. . .

We are in front of a house. It is not that big but it is not that small either. It is just the right size for one family. I looked at him and wondered why he hadn't removed his helmet yet.

"You can take off your helmet now." I told him. He leaned on his motorbike.

"I'm not wearing my mask right now." He reasoned. I stared at him intently.

"What are you doing?" He asked, avoiding my eyes.

"You don't have to use a mask anymore because you are no longer in the hotel." I reminded him. He sighed and looked at me.

"You sure you won't get surprised?" He asked. I nodded quickly because I’m dying to know the man who saved me many times. He slowly removed his helmet. I gasped as I recognized him.

"Elevator boy?!" I asked in disbelief. Is he serious?

"Elevator boy? Is that what you really named me?" He frowned.

"Because I always happen to stumble on you in the elevator." I bit my lip so hard. All this time, he was the man behind that mask? The one I’ve been sharing the elevator with for many times is the man who took my virginity?! Ugh! I have no idea!

"Hey, hey you look frustrated." He said and hung his helmet.

"Who wouldn't be? You were stuck in my mind for ike, always. I was trying to figure out the only man who made me feel so good-shit!" I covered my mouth. My eyes widened at what I said. You are embarrassing Katarina! Watch your mouth!

I slowly looked at him and saw him holding back a laugh. I could feel my cheeks burning again because of the extreme embarrassment. He faked a cough before looking at me again.

"Yes, it was me." He said with a wink. My eyes almost rolled at him. I returned my gaze to the house. We traveled a long way so I'm sure I'm safe here.

"This is my grandparents' house. My family and I use this every vacation. Stay here for the meantime." He wore his helmet again and was about to leave when I stopped him. Is he crazy?!

"Only me?" '

"Don't worry. I’ll be back. I don't want Topaz to be suspicious of me." He explained. He gave me the house key.

"There are clothes and food there. Rest okay? And oh, keep the doors locked." He was about to leave again but I stopped him.

"W-What's your name?" I finally asked him.

"Renzo. Renzo Cosa." He answered before leaving. I was left staring at the trace of smoke coming from his motorbike until it disappeared from my sight. I just sighed before entering the house.

The house is clean. There isn't much furniture inside so it’s a bit spacious. Perfect for introverts. I locked the door as Renzo said. I roamed my eyes around. There paintings hanging against the walls and I can't help but stare at them. Amazing. These are paintings of a sunset, sky, basically, of nature. It has a signature under Renzo's name. That man paints so well too. I can sell it for a large amount but kidding aside.

I went around the house and saw some picture frames placed on top of the small cabinet. In the large picture frame was Renzo with his family. He has two siblings. One is a girl and the other one is a boy. Based on the photo, Renzo is the eldest and the youngest is the girl.

They all look so happy. I can tell just by looking at the pic that they are close to each other. 'I can't help but to feel jealous. The house is composed of two floors. Downstairs is the living room, kitchen and the bathroom while on the second floor are two bedrooms and at the end of the hallway is a large window with a balcony.

I decided to take a bath. I let the cool water flow on my body from the shower. My foot still hurts because of all the running I did earlier. All the happenings flashed in my mind again and I found myself crying. I was so scared.

No one could hear me so I let all the pain out. I know Mom doesn't consider me as her daughter but I never thought she could really force me to marry a guy we barely knew just for the sake of money.

I don't know what to do anymore. I really don't want to see them again.