Chapter 2 The Transaction

Esmeralda's POV

I woke up to a loud bang on the door-It was Gustavo. He was accompanied by two maids as they made their way into my room. I jerked from my slumber as I rubbed my tired eyes.

“Rise and shine pretty face. We’ve got some important guests to visit today. The maids will get you ready,” he declared, before sauntering away from my room.

"Jerk," I cursed under my breath. He always had a way of bending me to his will.

After the birth of my triplet sons, he took them away from me, holding them as ransom, in case I tried to escape from the hell which he created for me.

I sighed as I made my way to the bathroom. The maids adorned me in all kinds of makeup, with a red gown that clasped my petite stature. Looking at the mirror, I was stunned by my sudden transformation. But deep inside, I was a wrecking mess.

“You look beautiful Carinó,” Gustavo said, complimenting my outfit when he walked into the room. I ignored his compliment, as I sat on the exquisitely designed dining table.

“Didn’t you hear me praise you or are you plain deaf?” he growled at me as he smashed his fist against the wall.

“Your compliment means nothing to me, Gustavo. I'm no different from one of your slave girls,” I said, with irritation echoing through my words. He sprang at me, his muscular arm grabbing my neck firmly as I gulped.

I tried releasing myself from his grip but failed. I was almost running short of air and I could see the rage flickering in his eyes as he smiled wickedly at me.

“You are supposed to kiss every ground I walk in. If not for my kindness, you would have been rotting in the streets,” he growled into my ears, while I scratched my nails against the wall.

“I'm sorry,” I replied with a feeble voice, almost a whisper.

“Good girl,” he said, releasing his strong grip around my neck while I fell to my knees gasping for air. A wicked smile creased his lips as he continued. “Now let's get back to the business of the day,” he added, sticking a cigar in his mouth as he gave me details of the day's events and everything that was expected of me.

He was tall and devilishly handsome no doubt. His dark-colored hair cascaded down his shoulders, forming a perfect frame of his face. He had a strong jawline, with piercing blue eyes. He was truly every woman’s desire. But beneath all that handsome-ness, was a beast, a monster.

“Master, the chauffeur is here,” a tall, bald man walked in on us.

“Time to go, love.” He smirked, yanking me by the arm.

As we drove to the venue, the atmosphere was quiet. He buried his gaze into his phone and caressed my lap roughly with his free hands without looking at me. I was his wife on paper and in the presence of his business partners. But at home. I was no different from his slave girls. He would rape me whenever he felt like, more like I was only in the mansion to satisfy his every erotic desire and make babies for him.

“Don’t do anything to make me look stupid” He said, without sparing me a glance.

"Freak," I cursed under my breath as we walked into the hall. We were led into a dimly lit room by some armed men. The looks on their face portrayed, they meant business.

It was a gathering of the major mafia cartel leaders with Gustavo Castilago as the leader of them all. Everyone in the room stood up to pay respect to my husband as we both walked in. He surveyed the assembled faces of his gang, with a cold, unyielding gaze. As he motioned them to sit. Gustavo’s reputation as a ruthless mafia boss was etched into his steely countenance.

“Gentlemen,” he began, his voice a low menacing growl that filled the room. “ We stand on the precipice of greatness. Our hold on this city tightens as our rivals cower at the whisper of our name,” His eyes scanned the room, each member of the gang held captive under the weight of his authority.

“It's time we expand our dominance into the neighboring countries and beyond.” The room was cloaked in silence as he maintained a stoic expression. “Tonight, I'll finalize the deal that will solidify our dominance in this city. We will ship the largest consignment into the country from Venezuela. With this, no rival gang will be able to stop us,"

As Gustavo laid down the details of the upcoming event, he reveled in the fear and submission that his words inspired. The room buzzed with a tense energy, a potent mixture of respect and terror.

It was time for me to meet up with his business partner as agreed. To deliver the regular to him. Gustavo had men planted in every corner of Medellin. Street kids had cell phones, enabling them to communicate information across the city.

“Greetings. Nice to meet you Ms. Castilago, my name is Macron Alexius,” A dark, tall man greeted me as I walked into the VIP section of the dinner party.

The room reeked of tobacco and expensive wine. He was a French man, and I could tell from his accent. He had a scar on his left cheek with amber-colored eyes and sleek blond hair.

“I believe you have the product,” he asked and I nodded in affirmative.

“Do you have the money with you?” I asked, with my brows furrowed.

“Ah, already straight to business. I like you,” he grinned at me. My expression remained stoic, as Gustavo chided me to never engage in lengthy conversations with clients.

“So tell me, how is it that a woman like you is involved in a business like this?” he asked. “ I find it hard to comprehend,”

“ I'm not here to discuss my life’s business with you. Pay up so I can leave,”

He pointed to a bag beside him. A smirk creased upon his face. I gestured to one of the guards to count the money while Pablo, my husband’s most loyal man, was watching everything from the stairs above. Ready to eliminate Macron if things go south.

After a successful transaction, I walked back to meet up with Pablo.

Everything alright madam? What did he say to you?” Pablo asked in a steady voice.

“Nothing of importance” I replied, giving out a heavy sigh before entering the SUV car parked in front of the hotel.

This work might be the end of me!