Chapter 4

“Sit,” the boss ordered, his voice flogged Elena’s ear as he settled himself on the edge of the bed. Elena hesitated, a surge of discomfort coursing through her as she contemplated his request for her to sit on his leg.

“I said, sit!” The boss’s tone sharpened, almost snapping, his gaze fixed intently on her and eyes flashed with wrath.

With a sense of reluctance, Elena complied, gingerly seating herself on his leg and cringing as she did. She hugged herself tightly, trying to erect a barrier between them. Her heart raced like a sprinter, a knot of tension forming in her chest while her throat turned parched. The boss’s hand began to glide toward her thigh, and though she was revolted by the touch, she felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness in the situation. Gritting her teeth, she braced herself, hoping to endure the discomfort.

“Please, I beg you. Let me go. I’m so sorry for turning down the dance. Please, just forgive me this once,” Elena begged tremendously, her voice shaking, tears seething in her eyes. She desperately hoped that stalling the boss might give the police enough time to arrive.

“I might let you off this once,” the boss smirked, repeating his words, a smugness lacing his tone. “And what makes you think I haven’t forgiven you?” He added casually, his fingers absently playing with his beard.

Elena tightened her eyes, her body halfway turning to face the boss. “If you’ve truly forgiven me, then please, just let me go,” she retorted sharply. At twenty-one, being a virgin, the discomfort of sitting on the boss’s leg was beyond irritating; it was an invasion of her personal boundaries that she found utterly intolerable but had to cope with.

The boss shook his head, almost appearing unhinged, then abruptly halted. Elena felt a surge of fear, worried that her words had triggered something within him. “Why do humans struggle to understand that forgiveness doesn’t always mean forgetting?! It means choosing not to let the past consume you!” he roared, his teeth clenched in frustration and face reddened.

Suddenly, he withdrew his hand from Elena’s leg, gripping her face aggressively, forcing her to meet his gaze. She gazed back, terror flooding her as she gazed into the menacing face of the boss. His eyes alone were enough to send shivers down her spine. “If I hadn’t forgiven you, you wouldn’t be sitting here. I could have mutilated your body and fed it to my wolves,” his voice hollow and chilling, causing goosebumps to ripple across Elena’s skin. At that moment, she couldn’t even find the strength to cry; she was utterly immobilized by the boss’s words, locked in a staring contest with him.

“Stand up and undress,” the boss broke the haunting silence with his demand. Elena’s eyes enlarged in shock. Each of his words seemed to grow more threatening and terrifying than the last.

“I… I should undress?” Elena repeated, her voice shiverin and her face going cold like ice.

The boss pulled Elena’s top and tore it on one yank, exposing the top of her breast which jiggled at the shake that came with the pull. Elena was shocked at the action and she quickly stood up from The boss's leg, wrapping her hand around her breast to cover it, pressing her back to the wall. She clung to the wall while the boss stood up from the bed majestically, his eyes dainted at Elena who was already in tears.

The boss tapped on his phone, and suddenly, hip hop music began to fill the room. Elena’s eyes widened in surprise as she tried to comprehend what was happening. “Dance, Puppy, Dance,” the boss smirked, a command laced with authority.

“Dance?” Elena whispered, her hands still instinctively clasped around herself, taken aback by the unexpected demand.

“Yes. You embarrassed me by refusing to dance with me at the club. Now, you’ll dance until your legs can't carry you anymore,” the boss declared, stepping closer to Elena. She recoiled against the wall, as if attempting to merge with it, intimidated by his presence.

His fingers trailed gently along her arm, sending shivers down her spine. She flapped, torn between wanting to push his hand away and fearing his reaction if she did so she remained in the dilemma and just watched.

“I said, dance!” the boss thundered suddenly, seizing her roughly and pulling her away from the wall, forcing her into the center of the room.

“Please,” she cried, shaking her head in desperation.

Before the boss could react, there was a sudden bang at the door, bringing everything to a sudden stop. The boss paused, a hint of surprise in his voice, “Who is it?” he demanded to know.

“Marcus,” a hoarse voice echoed from outside. Marcus was one of the boss’s men.

“Speak,” the boss commanded.

“The police superintendent is here to see you,” Marcus informed.

“Is he alone?” The boss’s interest peaked, causing Elena a glimmer of hope, but she concealed any sign of relief.

“No, he arrived with about seven policemen,” Marcus disclosed, a visible concern etched on the boss’s face.

“Let them in, and allow only the superintendent into this room,” the boss instructed, exhaling heavily.

Elena was surprised by the boss’s apparent indifference to the police superintendent’s arrival at his house. She was taken aback by his decision to only permit the superintendent’s presence.

“Get dressed now and hide in the bathroom!” The boss snarled as he pulled out a pack of cigars from the side of his suit.

Just as Elena was about to walk to the bathroom, he grabbed her by her left arm firmly. She wrinkled her face out of pain. “Do not make a sound while there or try to be silly or I swear, you will not even have a tongue to tell the tale” HE growled looking deeply into her eyes.

Elena walked into the bathroom with her hands holding her torn top.

Elena leaned against the bathroom door, pressing her ear against it to catch any conversation outside. Her nerves were taut, sweat trickling down her face, her heart racing in anticipation. Suddenly, the background music ceased, replaced by a knock on the door and silence. Elena’s heart skipped a beat, and she pressed even closer, straining to hear voices. She disregarded the boss’s instruction to stay in the bathroom, determined to seize any opportunity that arose. She wouldn’t miss this chance.

“Police Chief Romeo,” the boss greeted with a smile as the police chief entered the room.

The police chief wore a frown and glanced around, as if surveying the surroundings. He raised his hand to disperse the smoke lingering in the room from the boss’s cigarette.

“Oh, pardon the smoke,” the boss chuckled, but he continued smoking.

The superintendent remained silent for a moment, appearing to search for something specific.

“Good day, Chief Romeo,” the superintendent finally spoke.

Elena’s face brightened upon hearing the superintendent’s voice, and she pressed her ear even closer to the door to catch the conversation.

“Good day, Chief Romeo,” the boss greeted, extending his hand, though the chief seemed hesitant. Despite his stern demeanor, he eventually shook hands with the boss.

“So, what brings you to my house?” the boss inquired.

“I am here to arrest you,” the chief stated abruptly and directly.

The boss, with a cigarette in his mouth, lifted his gaze to meet the chief’s stern and bold stare. They engaged in an intense silent exchange before the boss spoke again. Elena’s anticipation heightened, her enthusiasm growing in the bathroom as she strained to listen.

“What did you say? I might not have heard you correctly,” the boss replied, his demeanor now more composed.

“I said you are under arrest for drug and human trafficking and the kidnap of one Miss Elena Smith and many more. You have the right to remain silent or anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law!” the chief declared with sternness, his voice echoing through the room.

As soon as the chief finished speaking, Elena burst out of the bathroom, her presence drawing everyone’s attention. “I’m here, sir! I’m Elena!” she exclaimed, rushing towards the chief.

“You’re safe now, don’t worry,” the chief reassured, wrapping a protective arm around her. Standing beside him, Elena trembled, her gaze fixed on the boss, whose eyes bore into her with an unsettling intensity.

The boss took a step closer to the chief and Elena, prompting her to instinctively retreat, almost seeking shelter beside the chief. “Please, arrest him,” she pleaded, her voice quivering with fear.

A tense silence lingered until both the boss and the chief burst into laughter, a perplexing reaction that left Elena puzzled. Pulling away from the chief, she looked at them with a mix of confusion and apprehension.

“Why are you laughing, sir? Please, arrest him,” Elena pleaded once more, her fear mounting.

The chief, holding her right hand, suddenly and abruptly pushed her to the floor without showing any remorse, causing her to collide harshly, blood immediately staining her knees and face upon impact.