It has been a month since Steph and I went to the club and I was finally done with the semester's exams. I still have one more week due to my assigned project and I'm done with school. I can finally graduate and then start my internship as a doctor.
We were already at the beginning of summer, making the weather so hot and working as a per-time worker as a waitress in one of the most popular restaurants, V°I°P, didn't make it easy at all. I could feel the sweat gathering under my white shirt; my forehead needed constant wiping; and I was pretty sure my makeup was a mess at this point.
" Normani, table six and nine please"
" Coming right up, Mrs. Smith," I said as I smiled at her, which she gracefully returned. She is the manager and a very good and kind one, which makes both the workers and the customers love her.
I walked into the kitchen to meet her as she gestured to four plates that were lined up on a stainless steel surface. I managed to balance all four plates on my hands, and I walked over to the kitchen doors and walked backward.
I set the plates down on the second table and wiped my clumsy palms on the front of my apron. I turned to see Selena, the restaurant receptionist, welcoming and directing a couple in. I smiled when I saw they were regulars. They were given a seat. I grabbed my notepad from my apron pocket and walked up to them with a smile on my face. I flipped the notepad to get their orders.
" Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Welcome to VIP. What can I get you today?" I asked, still with a smile on my face.
" Hi Mani, you look good today," Mrs. Williams said, smiling back at me.
" I doubt that, but you, on the other hand, look breath-taking. Any special occasion?" I asked
. "It's our twentieth wedding anniversary," Mr. Williams answered, taking his wife's hand in his and placing a soft kiss on the back of her hands as they both smiled at each other lovingly.
" That's wonderful. Congratulations," I said, admiring their love and wishing for a love like theirs.
" Thank you, I will like the steak and chips with your best red wine," Mr. Williams ordered.
I jotted it down and turned to look at Mrs. Williams for her own order.
" I will have the same as John," she said.
" Okay, coming right up." I went back to the kitchen to place their orders and took a little bit of a break before sending one of the male waiters to deliver their wine.
As exhausting as the job might be, I loved working here. I have been working here for four years and it has helped me through my tuition and feeding.
" Done."... Ashley, one of the kitchen staff, says.
I placed the plates on my hands and carefully walked out.
" Here you go," I say, as I lay the plates down on both sides of the table.
" Thank you," the couple replied simultaneously.
" Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. Have a wonderful night."
I left the couple to their dinner and walked to the empty table with plates on it as I tidied it up. I usually tidy up the tables before I go home.
While doing my chores, I looked around the people in the restaurant. Some of them were couples, businessmen, and families. A family consisting of a father, mother, and daughter appeared in my sight at the far end of the restaurant, close to the windows. They were laughing happily, ignoring the hotness of the weather.
It was a happy moment, but at the same time, painful for me. My mind drifted back to my family.
I miss them so much.
After I finished with my chores, I went to the locker room to get my things and change out of my uniform into my own comfortable clothes, which consist of a sweatshirt and jeans. I know it's hot, but I feel more comfortable in a sweatshirt and jeans. I took out my phone to check if there were any messages or missed calls and saw five missed calls and one message all from Steph. I unlocked my phone and checked the message. Due to the exams, we haven't hung out properly.
Besties: Heyy Mani, I'm, planning on going to Club Violenta with a couple of friends. Are you interested.
Me: Not really. I'm tired and would like to get some sleep. Maybe next time
Besties: Okay, I will probably be gone before you get back.
Me: Okay, have fun, but not too much fun.
Besties: can't make any promise?.
I locked my phone before placing it in my bag, not wanting to forget it.
I said goodbye to my co-workers and Mrs. Smith before walking out of the restaurant.
It was not unusual for me to go home at this hour and I wasn't scared. I didn't bring my car because it wasn't far from my apartment and I liked the night walk. It was not that dark as I walked towards the direction of my apartment, praying not to encounter any perverts.
I was almost close to my apartment when I felt these feelings again. It felt like someone was watching me and it had been going on for a month. I told myself that I was just being paranoid but I just couldn't help it. I looked behind me, but there was no one there. Someone was following me, but I just couldn't see the person. He didn't hurt me, he just watched without doing anything. But still, I always make sure to quicken my steps .
Safety first, right? Just because he isn't doing anything doesn't mean he isn't dangerous.
I continued walking again, faster than before, and still couldn't shake out the feeling. I sighed when I saw my apartment across the street.
Before I could cross over, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and found myself crashing into a brick.
No... no. Not a brick, but a man.
" Hello Bella, I think I have waited long enough," he says, looking down on me. I don't get a chance to reply before I feel the prick of a needle against my skin and just like that, I was out like a light.
His eyes were the last thing I saw.
I woke up with a ray of sunshine seeping through the window curtains. I stared at the light. Lying on my stomach, I recall the horror of last night. Thankfully, I felt nauseated but not enough for me to vomit.I looked around my surroundings and everything felt quite and calm. After managing to get up from bed, I turned my eyes to the door without wasting anymore time, running towards it fearing it might be locked. But let out a quick sigh when I noticed it was open. I gently opened the door, trying not to make any sound, and looked at the empty hallway before getting out of the room and cautiously descending the stairs.The view of the house is magnificent and very luxurious, which made me wonder who the owner is.My eyes went straight to the main door, and I gave a quick thank you to the man up there. Then I walked towards the entrance, but before I could get to the door, I heard a voice behind me."I wouldn't do that if I were you."I slowly turned back around like a deer caught in
SIN POV."PL...please, have mercy."What an asshole.If he thought his pitiful plea was going to make me spare his pitiful life, he was so fucking wrong. He had already messed up when he tried stealing money from me and passing information to my enemies. I am the fucking boss of the Italian Mafia. Even when people hear my name, it sends a shiver down their spine. They would piss their fucking pants just by the sound of my name.Nikolai Violenta But I prefer being called Sin.People were scared of me, and they were right to feel that way. Only an idiot would dare to challenge and mess with me."Please, ha...have mercy," the man in front of me begged again, as if that was going to change my mind."Then you should never have betrayed the boss in the first place." Jason, One of my men shouted out at him before kicking him hard in the stomach. He groaned in pain, coughing out blood.Such a fucktude.As one of us, he should have known that there was no way for him to escape these. My men a
Mani’s pov."Miss! " A distressed voice echoed through the room. " Please wake up, Miss."I felt a hand on my shoulder shaking me, dragging me out of my slumber. My heavy lashes peeled open and the first thing I saw was a worried expression of a woman in her twenties like me. She was wearing what I assumed was a maid's outfit. She was leaning over me on the same bed where I passed out yesterday. " Thank God," she sighed when I finally opened my eyes. " I came yesterday to wake you up, but Sin said I should let you rest. Are you alright?" " I'm fine," I croaked. My vocal cords dried like sandpaper due to all the crying. I could see the pity and remorse on her face, so I decided to try my luck and see if she could help me escape. "Please help me, I have been kidnapped," I begged. "You need to be careful and mind what you say. I can't help you," the maid replied back anxiously. " Were you kidnapped as well?" I asked. That was the only logical explanation I could come up with since
Sin was already waiting when I entered. He was like a king at the end of the table. His unyielding gaze stopped me in my tracks. His tattooed arms were exposed, set in full display as his black shirt sleeves were rolled up. Heat spread through me when he sized me up. " I hoped you enjoyed your rest, since you slept through yesterday and today."I didn't bother answering him and took a seat further away from him. Sin looked greatly dissatisfied by this, but didn't say a word. "You look lovely," he said once more, his voice hoarse and his face cold. I couldn't read his face, but that didn't mean I didn't notice the heat dancing around his black orb, making them darker than ever, if it was even possible. His stare never wavered. I could feel it burning into my skin even when I refused to meet his gaze. I kept my eyes downcast, staring at the beautiful texture of the table just to avoid looking at him. " I know you have questions, so I will give you permission to ask. " The nerve of t
I didn't bother leaving the room the next day. I stayed coiled up in bed, trying hard to avoid Sin after what happened yesterday. I was thankful to Zoey for bringing me breakfast and some books to read. I finally got tired of lying in bed. Zoey brought some clothes for me this morning. So what better way to unwind than with a hot shower? I pulled off my pyjamas and walked into the bathroom. After feeling refreshed and relaxed, I wrapped a towel around my body. I stepped out and walked towards the bed, where I put on my new pair of pyjamas. Just when I was about to unwrap the towel, a very familiar, cold, deep voice made me shriek, and I abruptly turned around to face the intruder. My blue eyes were met with piercing dark eyes. I quickly wrapped my hands around my body as I started to tremble under his gaze. "Impressed," he said in a rough, husky tone as his eyes travelled down and settled on my legs. He was leaning against the wall beside the door. His eyes remained fixed on my leg
The sunlight streamed in through the gaps in my curtains. I had been up for hours just thinking. There was a brief, fleeting moment when everything that had happened within the week vanished from my mind. The moment only lasted a moment before it all came crumbling down. My shoulders shag on their own accord, obviously from being depressed. My mood briefly peaked when the smell of pancakes hit my nostrils. I heaved my body from the bed to the floor, beneath my freezing feet. I sulked my way through the bathroom. I sighed sadly, turning off the tap of the shower before discarding my clothes on the floor. I stepped into the shower. Tomorrow was supposed to be a happy occasion, but I just couldn't feel it. On another note, tomorrow is my graduation and I can't help but feel nervous and scared. I will be taken again by Sin. I felt like I was going to throw up at any moment. I walked back to my bedroom, wearing a white sweatshirt and shorts. I shoved some socks into my feet before saunte
To celebrate my graduation, we decided to have lunch at a very fancy and expensive restaurant.When we stepped in, the hostess was already leading us to a table in the left corner, giving us a perfect view. We got seated and ordered our drinks first, then food. I ordered a chicken salad, Stephanie ordered a shrimp salad, Aunt Sera got soup, and Aunt Amelia and Uncle Carson ordered steaks, saying they were hungry."So Mani, Steph told us, you plan on going for a short vacation. Do you have a place in mind?" Aunt Amelia asked."I still don't know where I'm going; I haven't decided yet. Now that I've graduated, I figured I'd pack up and go on a short trip. You know, enjoy the things I couldn't, even if it's for a short while”. I replied."I understand, dear, and you need it. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call.” Uncle Carson said, and I nodded in response."Same here, Mani. Keep in touch and visit." My aunt Sera said"I will, aunt Sera. I'm grateful to have you all there fo
My body was utterly and completely drained of energy when I woke up. My head is throbbing, and my eyes are itchy.Although I feel the comfort of the bed on my back, making me want to stretch out my arms so I can get more comfortable, the thing is, I can't move them. I look up, and they are handcuffed to the headboard. I sat up, feeling a soft fabric beneath me, and tried to put the pieces together, but the colour drained from my face. I was caught. I was dumbfounded. I thought I had planned it all well, but I guess not.I'm so stupid, I mentally yell at myself. Of course, he would be two steps ahead of me.I tried to shake the chains back and forth, but that only made my wrists hurt. Thankfully, my legs were not tied.I keep wriggling my hand, the clinks of the headboard against the metal cuffs intensifying."I suggest you stop that, unless you want to hurt yourself by slicing your skin open." A deep voice erupted from the room, urging me to snap my head around and look for the source