Chapter 1
Valentina -
FROM CHILDHOOD, I HAVE HAD A THING FOR SEASHORES. The cool breeze, a huge mirror of water, vibrant pastel colors, warm fragrance, and soothing sounds of the waves. My bedroom is full of memories of the seashore in every corner. I have pretty little frames of different memories of me and seashores, like me and mom building a sand castle near the seashore, my mom and dad with a month-old me in their arms near the seashore, me playing in the water with my siblings, and many more…
As the refreshing breeze of this summer day wafts through my air, blowing the long hair back, I keep my eyes forward as I think to myself, I’ve never felt this free. I’m tired of feeling everyone’s eyes on me and tracking my every move like a Barbie doll living in her Barbie house. But taking such a big step gives me a huge guilt as my family has always been very supportive, and it was I who wanted this life, so I can’t even complain. So let the world fuck itself I’m gonna enjoy this few days of my freedom, I say before running toward the water. After playing like a crazy little kid, I lean over and cup some water into my hands, dribbling it over the bare skin of my legs, and watch the water flowing down, leaving a warmth on my bare skin. For a moment, I admire my pretty pink toenails and the way they make my tan seem darker. My toes, this refreshing water, this cove, the sun on my skin, and the sand in my hair, all made me happy.
Happy to be alive.
As I was admiring the little happiness around me, suddenly someone grabbed my mouth shut from behind. I tried very hard to move the hand away, but the man seemed very strong and my struggle was in vain and my cries for help lasted until the darkness overwhelmed me.
When I opened my eyes back, my surrounding is covered with the allure of darkness. My head is spinning, my mouth is paining maybe because of someone grabbed it with force for a long time and my body, well I am not able to move. Overall, the conclusion of the scenarios and the things that happened to me leads to the only possible answer - I am being kidnapped.
I start to shout the shit out of me, even though my mouth was in immense pain. I shout in the hope of someone listening to my cries. I shout until the darkness overwhelms me once again.
The next time, I try to open my eyes they feel very heavy. I try very hard to open them up fully but the light around me is too sharp I struggle hard to open my eyes until there is a splash of cold water on my face. I inhale the air very heavily and finally manage to open my eyes. Gritting my teeth, I throw my head back and glare at the sun flashing against the bright sky. Then I look down at my bare toes which are tied to either side of the chair which I am sitting or else we can also say which I am tied to.
Then I look in front of me, where someone is sitting. The sun is so bright that I’m not able to see his face properly as my eyes are half closed. “Where the fuck am I?” I ask annoyed.
“Aren’t you too bold to talk in this way to your master?” The man in front of me speaks in a very deep, husky, and gentle voice.
When I glance back up at him through my eyelashes wide open, I meet his intense stare. He just stares at me with his jaw clenched. His green eyes threatened me to utter any other offensive word, his jaw clenching made me notice his sharp-lined jaws. He is too handsome to be true and hot to be felt at this point, where I realize his my kidnapper.
“What do you mean by master? Who are you? Where am I?” I question burning in fury.
“Well your original owners sold you to us as they were not able to pay their debt” another firm and deep voice from my behind explained.
“My original owners, may I know who the fuck is that?” I curse while feeling the pain in my mouth.
“The owners of Milton Hotels” the voice replied.
“What? Since when did they start to own me?” I asked while shifting in my place and trying my best to loosen the ropes around my hands.
“Well, I don’t care about your deal with them. I only care about my money. So, be a good little girl and help yourself to pay your debts to me by working here. Or else, I have my ways to make you work,” the man threatened with his deep, gentle voice.
I felt a surge of anger and helplessness. I had been betrayed and sold like a piece of property. But I wasn’t going to give up without a fight. Gathering my resolve, I stared back at the man defiantly.
“I will never work for you! You can’t keep me here against my will,” I declared, my voice trembling with anger.
The man’s expression hardened, and he leaned in closer, his fiercely green eyes piercing into mine. “You don’t have a choice. You’re mine now, and you’ll do as I say if you ever want to see the light of day again.”
My heart raced as I realized the gravity of the situation. I was fuckin trapped, at the mercy of this man and at this foreign place. But I refuse to give up hope. I would find a way to escape, no matter what it takes.
As he stood up and walked away, leaving me alone, I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I needed a plan, a way to outsmart him, and his people and regain my freedom.
I fumed with anger as they threw me into a room, I was just a mere slave to him until I paid my debts which I don’t even owe him. His words playing in my head only fueled my determination to escape, to break free from his clutches.
As I was surveying the room, I heard a voice from behind, and as soon as I turned my eyes landed on a girl emerging from the bathroom. She didn’t seem shocked to find me in her room, as if this had happened with her many times. She ignored my existence and went off to sleep on the bed. I ignored her as well, my mind was already racing with escape plans.
When the lights suddenly went out, I knew it was my chance. I moved quickly and quietly, slipping out of the room and into the dimly lit hallway. I moved cautiously down the hallway, my every senses on high alert, searching for any signs of escape. Every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of light, I noticed it all. My heart raced with adrenaline as I crept along, my eyes darting around for any opportunity to break free.
Suddenly, a voice behind me broke the silence, shouting, “Who’s there?” My breath caught in my throat, and I froze. I could feel the guards’ eyes on me, their presence sending a shiver down my spine. Panic surged through me, but I didn’t dare to look back. I had to keep moving, keep searching for a way out. Every step felt like an eternity as I pressed on, my mind racing with fear and determination.
After few minutes every guards were on my tail, but they were no match for my quick thinking and nimble feet. I danced around them with ease, teasing and taunting as I went. They were big, burly men, but I was small and agile, slipping through their fingers like sand. One guard lunged for me, but I sidestepped him with a laugh, blowing him a mocking kiss as I skipped away. Another tried to grab me, but I ducked under his outstretched arm, giggling at his clumsy attempt.
Spotting a door marked “EXIT,” my heart leaped. I sprinted towards it, my hand outstretched to grasp the handle. But before I could twist the knob, a bullet whizzed past me, barely missing. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned to see the man who told me his my master standing in the doorway, his gun pointed straight at me.
“Don’t even think about it,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “One wrong move, and you’re dead.”
I stared at him, my mind racing. If I twisted the knob, would he really shoot? Was I willing to take that risk? As I hesitated, a voice in the back of my mind urged me to do something. “Think, Valentina,” it said. “You’ve come this far. Don’t let fear cloud your freedom.” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I couldn’t let fear dictate my actions. I had to be smart, to outwit him and find a way to escape. With a steely resolve, I reached for the door once more, my hand steady this time. I twisted the knob, praying that this would be my ticket to freedom.
