Escape attempt

Ariel writhed in pain, curling up in a ball, the softness of the bed not enough to quench the fire that burned her skin. She was escorted to another room by Farouk who was in charge of all the women in the large clan. The room was smaller than the master's chamber, and it was almost empty.

A groan escaped Ariel's lips and her eyes twitched in pain as she attempted to roll over to the other side. The space between her legs felt like someone had forcibly penetrated her with a burning stick, she could barely move, and tears trailed down both sides of her face.

The door suddenly opened, but instead of the mean, huge men that she was getting used to seeing, a lady walked in, her strawberry scent instantly invading Ariel's nostrils and forcing her to look up. 

The lady's soft and feminine aura could be felt, her dark hair effortlessly cascading down her back. Her bright, honey brown eyes shone like lamps, bringing warmth to anyone who stared into them. She radiates beauty, one that Ariel couldn't get enough of. 

“Hi.” Her voice came, soft like feathers, soothing like hot chocolate on a snowy morning. Her long, fitted, floral dress followed her as she walked over to Ariel's side. “I'm Sally, the head maid.”

“You must be Ariel. Farouk sent me here to take care of you.” She announced, dropping a box that she had brought along with her on the bed.

“Leave me to die, it would be better than cleaning me up only to be abused by that monster again.” Ariel's cracked voice carried the weight of her excruciating pain and hatred. Sally could feel it, and it made her heart weep.

This wasn't the first time that master Miguel had brought home a mistress or a little sex slave, but everytime, she felt pity for them. The way Miguel treated them was worse than the way animals were treated in a butcher's shop. She would have been a victim too had she not been the previous head maid's daughter. Her childhood was confined to those very walls, causing Miguel to see her as family.

“Doing this doesn't bring me joy either, I wish I could help you. Unfortunately, master would kill us both.” Sally answered with a straight face, hiding her pain.

“Whatever.” Ariel rolled her eyes, shutting her eyes. 

Sally let out a sigh before clicking the box open and pulling out some ointments and pills. She applied the ointments on Ariel's wounds, cleaning her up and then forcing her to gulp down the pills. 

“They will help with the pain.” She said, getting to her feet. “I'll return to give you a bath, after the wounds must have covered up a little. One of the maids will bring you food.” 

Ariel said nothing in response, she was lost in thought, engrossed in her pain. 

“Ariel, just hang in there, this will end sooner or later.” Sally bit her lip, blinking her tears away before rushing out. She knew very well that Ariel wouldn't make it out alive, just like the other mistresses, and it made her grieve.

——

“Find that bastard! Find him at all costs! If he escapes, I'll make sure every single one of you is decapitated!” Miguel yelled in rage, his forehead twisted as he glared at his men. 

“I want him dead! Fuck!” He dug his fingers into his hair and pulled in violently, letting out throaty groans that made Xander roll his eyes. 

“Can you calm the fuck down? Several men are looking for Ajay at the moment and I'm certain that they'll find him.” Xander told him, appearing calm and unfazed by the situation at hand. He was Miguel's right hand man and only friend, the only one who actually understood him.

“My warehouse was attacked, Xander. How can I be calm?” Miguel questioned, knowing what was at risk if he ever lost that warehouse. 

“Why don't you retire for the night and I'll take things from here? I'll bring you Ajay's head if you insist.” Xander smirked, but Miguel frowned even harder. His murderous glare wasn't even enough to faze Xander who was already used to him.

“Do a clean job.” He simply uttered and walked away, leaving the study after shooting daggers at his men with his eyes. He left for his chamber and poured himself a glass of brandy as soon as he got there.

Ajay used to be an ally, but he got greedy and tried to expose the mafia. His attempts failed and he turned into one of Miguel's biggest enemies who would do anything to destroy him. But Miguel would never let that happen. 

“Farouk? Bring my mistress here in the next thirty minutes. I want to shower.” He instructed before throwing the phone on the bed and walking briskly into the bathroom. 

Farouk informed Ariel that she would be going to Miguel's chamber in thirty minutes and fear gripped her. She became restless in her room, tears streaming down her cheeks as the thoughts of what happened the first time haunted her. She wasn't even completely healed yet and he wanted to see her? He was truly heartless! 

“I can't do this..” She sobbed, her heart racing and slamming against her ribcage. Her eyes remained on the wall clock as she tearfully watched the seconds tick by. “I have to leave.” She declared, getting to her feet.

Her eyes scanned the room, there was just a small window which would barely fit her. Miguel was smart, he made sure that there was no way his prey could escape. But Ariel was determined, she ran to the window and stared down, it was rather high, but she didn't care. Before she climbed down, she tucked a small knife into the strap of her dress. The knife was brought along with some fruit by a maid. 

Taking huge breaths and enduring the pain that was all over her body, she forced her dainty self out of the window and landed smoothly on the roof. Using her gymnast abilities, she navigated down the roof and landed on the tiled floor with minimal pain.

Looking around, she found the huge, decorated halls empty and free of any security. She looked around, unable to tell which way to go. The hallway was not only long and wide, it further divided into six different, smaller pathways, leaving her confused. The tall pillars did not help matters, they were intimidating and misleading.

Ariel gasped when she heard footsteps and was forced to make a quick decision at that moment. She raced towards one of the smaller pathways, deciding to simply trust her gut. 

Sweat trickled down her face as she ran, her eyes widened in fear and the pain suddenly disappeared as she craved freedom. 

As she ran, she constantly looked back to check if she was being followed, causing her to lose focus and run right into a pair of muscular arms, his coffee scent embracing her. She let out a shriek and pulled out the knife, immediately digging it into the chest of the man she had bumped into, driven by fear. 

With shaky hands, she moved back, her breaths fast and uncontrolled. She finally saw the face of the man she had stabbed, and tears clouded her vision as she saw him struggle, blood dripping down from his stab wound. 

At that moment, a bunch of men ran in, shock visible on all of their faces. 

“She killed the second master!” They yelled and Ariel froze, her breath seizing.