ERICA Time seemed to tick too fast tonight. My eyes remained glued to the wall clock that hung in my cramped living room. It was already close to midnight, and yet my father still wasn’t home. It wasn’t unusual for him to come home late, but not this late. He was usually back by eleven, or ten on good days. Where is that man, for goodness' sake!? Could he still be at the bar drinking? Had he passed out somewhere? Was he safe? Had he gotten himself into another street fight? An annoyed huff left my lips as I sharply got up from the couch, pacing around the living room to clear my thoughts. The approaching footsteps of my younger sister snapped me out of my disturbing thoughts, and I quickly turned to face her. "Erica, are you still awake?" my younger sister, Lilibeth, asked, concern in her eyes as she approached me. I nodded as she embraced me, hugging me tightly. “Yeah, can’t sleep. He’s not back yet.” "Do you think he will come back tonight?" Lilibeth asked as she pull
ERICAAs I rushed down the street, my heart pounded—not from exhaustion, but from fear. A sleek black car had been trailing me for the past few blocks. At first, I thought I was just being paranoid—maybe it was just another car heading in the same direction. But after three turns, each more random than the last, it was still there. I glanced back again, trying to act casual, but my palms were already clammy.Who would be following me? My mind raced through possibilities—was it someone from work? A random creep?The car slowed down slightly as I crossed the street, its headlights washing over me like a spotlight. The feeling of being watched crawled under my skin. “Okay, Erica, breathe,” I muttered under my breath. “If it’s still there tonight, I’ll call the cops.”I picked up my pace, eager to get to work, hoping that once I stepped inside the restaurant, the world would feel a little safer. But the lingering sense of dread coiled tight in my stomach.I rushed through the crowded stre
ERICAThe room was suffocatingly silent, save for the steady thrum of my racing heart in my ears. My breath hitched as the cool metal of the gun pressed firmly against my temple, sending shivers down my spine. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t move.He stood there, the man who held the gun to my head, towering over me. His presence filled the room, sucking out the air like a storm brewing right in front of me. His suit, dark, was tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders.His face was sharp, every angle chiseled to perfection, but it was his eyes that truly paralyzed me—dark, bottomless pools of rage and control, yet disturbingly calm, as if he had done this a thousand times before.Everything about him screamed power, control, violence."Oh, I must say, Thomas. I never knew you had such pretty daughters. First, I meet Lilibeth, and now I’m meeting Erica. Two beautiful girls." His voice was accented, smooth yet menacing.Who is this man? How does he know me
ERICAThe air was thick, suffocating, as I stood frozen in the middle of the room, my heart still pounding from the horrific encounter. I couldn’t seem to move. My legs felt like they had turned to lead, my arms numb by my sides.Twenty-four hours. That’s all I had to prepare myself. Twenty-four hours before I was no longer just Erica, the girl struggling to make ends meet, but Erica, the stripper, the servant. The thought made me nauseous. How had my life come to this?A shiver ran down my spine as I imagined him looming over me again, his cold fingers tracing my skin like I was some object to be toyed with.Suddenly, I heard a soft sob behind me. Lilibeth. I spun around to see her huddled against the wall, her knees pulled up to her chest, tears streaming down her face.“I don’t want to die, Erica,” she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper, her wide, terrified eyes locking with mine. “What are we going to do?”My heart broke seeing her like this. My little sister, so scared and so
ERICA The train station was louder than I expected. People bustled about, bags slung over shoulders. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder for what felt like the hundredth time. Every stranger with a cold expression made my stomach churn. My palms were slick with sweat, gripping Lilibeth’s hand tighter than I probably should. Lilibeth, beside me, trembled, her small fingers twisting in the hem of her sweater. Her eyes darted around, wide with fear. I knew she was scared—I could feel it radiating off her like heat. “We’ll be okay,” I whispered, pulling her close as we moved through the crowd. My voice was calm, even though every nerve in my body was screaming. “Once we get to Aunt Rosa’s, everything will be fine. We’ll be safe there. We can start over.” Lilibeth looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. “But what about Dad? He’s all alone now. What if Raffael—” her voice wavered. I clenched my jaw, forcing down the bitterness. “Dad can take care of himself
ERICA I sat in tense silence, gripping the fabric of my dress, now stained with dirt and sand. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest, it felt as if the whole world could hear its frantic beat. I tried to ignore the incessant thumping of my heart and focus on the world outside the car, the bustling streets that overflowed with life, a blend of movement, color, and sound at every corner. But it was of no use as long as that monster sat next to me. I took side glances of him, trying so hard not to make it obvious.Raffael sat a few seats away, his cold presence suffocating the space between us. He looked utterly formidable—maniacal and ruthless, exuding a terrifying sense of control.How could my father do this to me? To Lilibeth? Now I’ve been sold off to this man against my will to clear up a debt I never knew off. It all felt like a terrible nightmare to me, one I badly wanted to wake up from. My fingernails sank into my skin, leaving behind marks and cuts as we drove further
ERICA The kitchen was filled with the sizzling aroma of bacon, eggs, and toast. I had only intended to prepare a simple breakfast, but the smell of everything cooking made it feel like much more. Every few moments, I glanced at the digital clock on the wall, racing against time to get breakfast ready as early as possible. Sometimes, it felt surreal—like a bad dream I could not wake up from. This was what my life had come to: a maid and a stripper. And Lilibeth, locked away in some villa, treated like a prisoner. Honestly, it felt like things couldn’t get any worse. Yesterday, Romano gave me a tour of the mansion, and I had to admit—it was even more luxurious than I had ever imagined. In the backyard, a large pool sparkled in the sunlight, surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs and palm trees. The backyard stretched far, with a fountain in the center and a perfectly manicured lawn that seemed to go on forever. Since I had only arrived last evening and had not fully settled in yet
ERICA With shaky hands and an anxious heart, I set the tray of toast and the coffee pot on the dining table, my heart beating rapidly with every second that ticked by. Raffael, who already had a scowl drawn on his face, watched me closely. I could feel his piercing gaze on me, but I dared not connect my eyes to his. I could tell he was angry; he didn’t even need to say it. His jaws were clenched so tightly that they could slice through the air itself. Opposite him, Clarissa sat, obviously enjoying the tension simmering in the air, an impudent smile coating her face. I turned to leave when Raffael’s hoarse voice called me back, “Erica.” Timidly, I spun around. “Yes, sir,” I replied. “What time is it?” he calmly asked, his face suddenly void of any emotion. I took a side glance at the wall clock and swallowed the lump in my throat. It was already 8:30. “8:30, sir,” I muttered under my breath. “And when did I say breakfast must be ready? Huh?” The words rolled out of
ERICA The tension in the air felt suffocating as I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. It had been over thirty minutes since Raffael had ordered me upstairs, and I had obeyed like a scolded child. Now, thirst clawed at my throat, the dryness an excuse to leave this room that felt more like a prison with every passing second. But I hesitated. What if Raffael was still downstairs? He’d told me to go to my room, and I wasn’t sure how he’d react if he saw me wandering around. I hated the thought of facing him—his dark eyes filled with whatever storm brewed behind them. Still, I reasoned with myself, I couldn’t stay in here forever. It was just water. If he asked, I’d explain. Simple. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of conversation coming from downstairs. As I walked cautiously, the murmur of voices grew louder. Passing by the door to Raffael’s study, I paused. The door
ERICA Days blurred into each other, heavy with an oppressive silence that seemed to cling to the walls of Raffael’s house. I spent most of my time holed up in the kitchen or my room, avoiding him whenever possible. It had been days since that night at the club, and I hadn’t seen much of him since. I should’ve been relieved. Grateful, even. But the memory of his touch lingered like an unwelcome ghost, refusing to fade. I hated myself for how easily I’d given in, for how my body had betrayed me in that moment. What’s wrong with you, Erica? I thought bitterly as I stirred a pot of marinara sauce on the stove. You’re supposed to be smarter than this. Stronger than this. I told myself I was lucky. Raffael had kept his distance, only appearing sporadically in the house, leaving me to my own devices. I prayed it would stay that way. The less I saw him, the better. I was just plating the pasta when I heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind me. My heart jumped, and I froze, gripping th
ERICA The dressing room smelled of cheap perfume and stale cigarettes. It wasn't a smell you ever got used to, no matter how long you worked here. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, a hollow version of myself I barely recognized anymore. A week had passed since I was discharged from the hospital, and here I was, back to this. Back to dancing for men who saw me as nothing more than a fleeting fantasy. It was another long, soul-draining night. I adjusted the straps of my skimpy outfit, the sequins scratching against my skin. The music from the club thudded faintly through the walls, a relentless reminder of the world I had to step into. "Erica!" Ray, the club manager, poked his head into the dressing room. His face was pinched, his voice sharp as always. "Raffael sent for you.“ My stomach clenched. Raffael. Just hearing his name made my pulse race and my skin crawl with a confusing mix of fear and... something else I didn't want to name. Why would he send for me now
ERICAThe sterile scent of antiseptic stung my nose before my eyes even opened. Blinding white light flooded my vision as I blinked, the steady hum of a heart monitor filling the room. My throat felt dry, like sandpaper, and I swallowed, trying to remember what had happened.I had been kidnapped. Bound. Starved. But I was saved.Raffael saved me. He carried me like I was the most fragile creature in the world.The last thing I remembered was collapsing in his arms, exhaustion overtaking me. Now, I was here in this stark hospital room. How long had I been unconscious? A day? Two? Where was Raffael? More importantly, why had I been kidnapped? I had no enemies—at least none I could think of.Unless… it had something to do with Raffael.Of course it did. He was a crime boss. Someone must have taken me to get to him. Either I was bait, or they planned to kill me to send him a message.My thoughts shattered when the door to the ward burst open, slamming against the wall. I jumped, gasping a
ERICA A DAY LATER The air was suffocating, thick with the stench of mold and decay. I was cold, shaking uncontrollably, my wrists raw from the ropes biting into my skin. The faint light from the crack above barely touched the darkness around me. I had been here for a day already, fed with nothing but dried bread and water. My heart was pounding, and I couldn’t stop the tears sliding down my face. Will I make it out alive? What if Raffael never finds me? God please, just save me. I heard footsteps approaching, slow and deliberate. The door creaked open again, and this time, it was not just the driver. Another one followed him in, taller and broader, with a sneer plastered across his face. My stomach twisted and dread washed over me. "Well, well, look at her," the driver said, his voice filled with cruel amusement. He moved closer, and I tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go. The taller man grinned, his eyes raking over me. "You didn't tell me she was t
ERICA I woke up with a sharp pain in my head. It felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. My body was cold, and the floor underneath me was hard and damp. I tried to move, but something was stopping me. I tugged at my arms and legs and realized they were tied up. My hands were bound tightly behind my back, and my legs were tied too, keeping me in one spot. I blinked, trying to see, but the room was so dark. I couldn't make out anything. All I could smell was the horrible stench of mold and something rotten. My stomach turned, and I gagged, but there was nothing in my stomach to throw up. The air was thick with the smell, and the more I breathed it in, the sicker I felt. Where am I? How did I get here? Then it hit me. I left the club, trying to avoid the drizzle and hailed down the first cab I could see. I just wanted to get home and rest, atleast have a bit of peace before Raffael and Clarissa stirred trouble for me. But then the driver took a different route and when I
RAFFAEL I ambled towards the house, a migraine throbbing at the side of my head. I felt so exhausted and drained. I had spent the entire night in my office, going over countless files and documents that seemed not to end. The port authorities were a serious pain in the ass not to mention the fuckers that hijacked my goods days ago. I still could not believe my capos had not tracked them yet. I give them one job to do and they are being so lazy about it! If not that I had other pressing issues at hand, I'd have killed the bastards that dared to steal from me. Currently right now, I was working on finding who had the audacity to send me a death threat via text message. I wasn't surprised though. This is the mafia and my life is a ticking time bomb. I had numerous enemies but my ability to crush them all was what kept me at the top. And may hell receive the soul of the cunt that sent that message to my phone. I'd make sure he meets his creator. My insiders , though t
ERICA The sound of muffled music from the club’s main floor still throbbed in my ears as I sat on the bench in the dressing room, my fingers fumbling to untie the straps of my heels. My entire body felt like it had been wrung out and left to dry, sore and weak. The hours I’d spent on the stage felt heavier tonight, and the exhaustion dug deeper into my bones. I threw the heels into my bag, the clatter breaking the quiet of the room. For a moment, I sat there, letting my head fall into my hands. The dizziness hadn’t left since Raffael had locked me in that room, leaving me with nothing but my anger and hunger. No food. No water. Just silence and the four walls pressing in on me. He hadn’t said a word when he let me out hours later, his face a mask of cold indifference. The only thing he cared about was making sure I got to my shift on time. I bit my lip, trying to push the memory away, but it clung to me, suffocating and unrelenting. The note he’d sent at the grocery store fl
ERICA The soft hum of the supermarket's air conditioning was a small comfort as I strolled through the aisles, picking up the essentials. We were low on some groceries and dairy products so I decided to venture to the super market this morning but not before informing Raffael by the way. Atleast I could get that done and off my list before I prepare for the night work at that fucking club again. Right now, what I had in my cart was a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, some fresh vegetables. It was mundane, but it felt like a slice of normalcy in the chaotic storm that my life had become. For a few minutes, I could pretend that I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder. For some reason I felt being watched. But would Raffael be crazy enough to track my every movement down to the super market? I doubt not. I can’t run away from him that’s for sure, he had left me no choice to do that. I turned into the cereal aisle, scanning the shelves for something cheap but filling.