5. Catalina

                  "I can't wait to have these wrapped around my cock"

I shudder and cover my ears with my hands. That is not happening. None of this is real. I would rather die than put his thing in my mouth. Does he think I'm a prostitute? Or that I would roll over and let him do whatever he wants? But he's the boss around here and they have guns. All it would take is a bullet in the head and I'll be old news.

"Just take it that you're getting married, Catalina..."

Getting married to a man old enough to be my grandfather? No. I'll never accept that. Right after he received the call about his nephew leaving the country, he dragged my chair close to his and slipped a hand under my dress. I was disgusted and scared every time his hand inched higher. Now I understand what Alma meant when she said I couldn't find any underwear in this house. I'm sick to my stomach and I truly believe that if he tries anything again, I might slap him. Lucky for me, he got another call and he's currently in the living room. The second he stops talking, I tense up only to release a sigh of relief when his voice carries over again. How many more minutes do I have until he comes back? Will he continue touching me?

My eyes go to the large window. It's large enough for a person to fit through. But how far will I make it? And what will he do to me after he catches me? But I also can't sit here and wait for him to treat me like I'm some prostitute he bought. Anything he does to me will be against my will. I don't want this. Does Santi know what happened? Will he help me? Not many people are strong enough to go against the cartel. Even the police have to bow down to them. What can Santiago do? The longer I sit here, the more I realize how alone I am. Aside from Santi, I don't have friends I can turn to. Because I was the poor girl who was always in old clothes, no one wanted to be my friend.

"Serve dinner!" He barks entering the dining room and I almost jump out of the chair. My heart is back to beating a wild rhythm. He sits next to me and I avoid his eyes hoping they'll serve the food quickly. If there are people around, he won't touch... "Look at me" he commands. I lift my eyes, afraid that if I disobey him, he might kill me right this second "I like obedient girls, Catalina. Do you know what happens to people who don't listen to me?"

They die. I know that but instead of speaking, I shake my head no. Pretending to be stupid. A small part of me hopes that he'll say something else. Something along the lines of punishment or even torture. Anything but death.

"Why don't you try and find out?"

Will he beat me?

Two maids walk in carrying trays. They place them in front of us and like me, I notice they try their best not to make eye contact with the boss. It occurs to me that no one in this house will come to my aid because they're afraid for their lives. We don't know each other so why would they risk their necks to help me? Besides, I'm probably not the first woman to have been kidnapped by their boss. This is not new to them and like Alma and Ines said, if I'm lucky, I'll be sent to the club. Whatever that means

"Eat"

I pick up the fork and start eating. Not paying attention to what the food is or how it tastes. I'm too scared to think straight. What happens after this? Will he force me to... Just the thought of it makes my hands shake. I won't do it. Even if he kills me, I won't do it.

"Finish eating and wait for me upstairs," he says a moment later getting up. I'm relieved that he's leaving me alone, even if it's just for a moment until he adds "Naked" All the food I just ate threatens to come right out. I grip the fork in my hand so hard that if it wasn't real silver, it would already be bent out of shape. What does he mean naked? Is he serious? I'd rather he take my organs. At this point, I think death is better. I go to speak but the maid clearing the table accidentally drops the plate. The sound of it breaking into several pieces fills the room, startling me.

"I'm sorry, Mi Rey. It slipped out of my hands" The boss leaves without even acknowledging her. Once we're alone, she says "Keep your opinion to yourself. He doesn't care"

"Excuse me?"

"You were about to disagree with him which is very foolish. Believe me, letting him fuck you a few times or until he's had his fill is not the worst thing that could happen to you"

It takes me a few tries but when I finally manage to stop myself from throwing up, I ask "Are you serious?"

"Would you rather let one man fuck you or several men do it at the same time? You're better off with El Rey. Believe me, you don't want to make him angry" She clears the table and the other maid from earlier comes back with a broom. I'm too shocked to move so I sit there for a few more minutes. Call me crazy but what could be worse than a man forcing himself on you? Why should I roll over and let him do whatever he wants? Why did I make Santi wait? He wanted to do it and even asked me several times to let him but I told him to wait.

"I want my first time to be special" I'd foolishly told him, believing it would be the best day of my life. My mother told me to wait until I was an adult so I did. But where did that get me? I'm angry and afraid. This isn't how my life was supposed to go. I refuse to accept it. Pushing the chair back, I go to stand but my eyes land on a piece of broken glass. From the plate. They must forgotten to clear it. It's then it occurs to me that I could use it as a weapon. The sharp edges could easily pierce through the skin and cause some damage. I whip my eyes around to make sure I'm alone then bend and pick it up. If he tries anything, I will kill him. I don't mind dying along with him.

My body is shaking as I walk out of the dining room. My movements are sloppy and I trip on my feet twice because I'm trying to rush upstairs before anyone sees the weapon in my hands. I'm almost at the landing when I freeze and look around. This place is quiet. The only thing I can hear is the sound of my breathing. Where did everyone go? I rush back down and run to the window overlooking the front yard. Empty. I can't see anyone. All the men I saw when we came in are gone. Only one thought fills my mind.

Without thinking, I rip the front door open and run.

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