Chapter 17

  Chapter seventeen: Lyric 's POV 

  << Ma'am, I am not verbal but I can sing. >>

I signed this so uncle Freddy could not think that I was trying to get out of it.

    Sandra's expression changed from annoyance to surprise as she watched me sign.

    "What is this, Freddy?" she asked Uncle Freddy, hurling both arms in the air in anger. "You brought a disabled girl to my club. Does this look like an NGO to you? Or did I suddenly become Mother Teresa?"

    Sandra glared at Uncle Freddy, her voice dripping with disdain. "Not what I think?" she huffed, in mock surprise. "You brought your deaf and dumb mute to my club like it was some charity. You owe me money, Freddy, and you promised a girl in exchange."

    Uncle Freddy shifted uncomfortably. "And I brought you a girl."

    Sandra's expression turned incredulous. "Really? Do you think the men who walk in here would be interested in your...?" She glared at me in disgust. "I don't want her here. Take her and have your pity party somewhere else while you think of other ways to pay me back. Maybe I should tell Alessio."

    Uncle Freddy's eyes widened in fear. "No, please, Sandra. She can sing. Like a bird, she is just shy."

    Sandra raised an eyebrow. "A mute girl can sing? What fairy tale are you living in? This is why I hate offering help to bastards like you at my club."

    Uncle Freddy's face turned red with desperation. "Sandra, help me out here. She's a pretty girl and has C-cup boobs. Men would like that."

    I felt a surge of humiliation and anger at Uncle Freddy's words.

    Sandra seemed to let that sink in. "Bobby, do you like what you see?" she yelled at some man at the counter counting dollar bills.

    Bobby's eyes met mine, and I froze. "Yeah, I could bang her anytime."

    Sandra's voice was cold. "Would you pay money for it, though?"

    Bobby stared at me for a little longer. He wet his lips, making a strange gesture with his hands. "Her face isn't anything bewildering, but that body underneath...any man would drive him crazy. She's good."

    Listening to him speak made me feel dizzy. I felt weak in the legs. I was only eighteen years old, and these older men in their forties making comments about my body made me sick.

    Sandra's phone began ringing, and she looked over her shoulder, looking straight into a camera at an angle. I had not noticed the cameras until now. They were at every corner, so out of sight, you might miss them.

    Whatever he said on the phone seemed to convince Sandra. She pushed a strand of hair from my neck and trailed her finger down my collar.

    Sandra turned to Uncle Freddy. "Can you understand her?" she asked.

    "Yes, I can," he replied, his voice cautious.

    Sandra nodded, seeming to consider something. "Okay, Lizzie. Can you sing for me?" she asked, her voice a little softer.

    I shook my head, feeling a surge of fear. I didn't want to sing for Sandra. Nor for my uncle or anyone. I only wanted to go home and sleep. To rest. I was exhausting for a day's work. I needed my rest.

    Uncle Freddy's eyes narrowed. "Lizzie, sing," he growled.

    But I refused. I crossed my arms, feeling a sense of defiance.

    Sandra's expression turned cold. "Get out," she spat. "I don't need some mute girl who can't even sing. You're worthless to me."

    Uncle Freddy's face turned red with anger. "You don't understand," he began.

    But Sandra cut him off. "No, I don't pay for defective goods. Get out, and don't come back."

    Uncle Freddy's eyes flashed with anger, but he knew better than to cross Sandra. He grabbed my arm, pulling me out of the club.

    As we stumbled out into the cool night air, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had escaped Sandra's clutches, at least for now. But I knew Uncle Freddy would find another way to exploit me. I just hoped I could survive until then.

    I stood away from Uncle Freddy for as long as I could, watching him kick the tire of his brand-new car.

    "My car smells like vomit, and now you...," he muttered, shutting the door of the car in rage while i stood afar shivering and staring at my bare legs. His jacket ended mid thigh and it was windy outside. I rubbed my nose fighting the urge to cry.

    My life sucked.

    "You know what you are? Selfish brat. I feed you, take care of you, but you can't help me with a little thing?" Uncle Freddy ran a shaky hair into his hair. I could tell whatever he wanted me to do to pay was huge and it meant we were all in trouble.

    He jabbed me in the chest with his index finger, his voice hard and icy "You ungrateful brat. You should have died with your mother that day!"

    My entire being crashed at what he said. I started to hyperventilate. My hands were feeling colder in contrast to the warm tears rolling down my face.

    "Why are you crying like you're the victim here? Ehh," Uncle Freddy sneered, his eyes darkening in rage. This was bad.

    He raised his hand to hit me, and I closed my eyes instinctively, waiting for the slap.

    Suddenly, the doors of the club opened again. It was Bobby at the door,he was holding a strange vintage blue jacket which was not there before.

    "Don't hit her; we are living," Uncle Freddy mumbled underneath his breath. He was such a hypocrite like he was not going to hit me a few seconds back. I hated him.

    Bobby's voice was firm. "No, wait. My boss wants to see her."

My heart fell into my stomach. No, this was not happening. I won right? 

    Uncle Freddy's expression changed from anger to surprise. He tossed me a glare, "You mean my niece?"

    "Yes. Except you transitioned into a girl in the five minutes you were outside?" Bobby asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Uncle Freddy shook his head, laughing nervously. "No, no. What are you talking about?"

    Bobby's expression was serious. "My boss wants to see her. Now."

    Uncle Freddy's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he seemed to decide that it was better to cooperate. "Okay, fine. Let's go."

    Turning towards me, Uncle Freddy rubbed my shoulders, a smile spreading on his lips " You better sing now! Do anything you have to do the second they asked. Because if you don't this people are gangsters the would come after my family the minute they finished me off. If you want to save your precious nieces and aunt, you better behave! "

    My heart sank to my stomach, tears filling my eyes nonstop.I nodded frantically, sniffing.

    He dragged me by the arm, and I could only hold the jacket tightly around me as if my life depended on it.

    Who was the boss, and why did he want to see me? I had no idea, but I knew I wasn't going to like it.