Throes of Love.
Chanel smiled as she held her father’s hand. He was cold today she felt. He had been going in and out of sleep for the past few days. She wanted him to be okay. She wanted him to be fine. She had been praying for him since but she didn’t see any change. She cleaned tears that had left her eye.
She was happy that she had not heard from Alfonso since and he had returned the money to her.
“Babygirl,” Her father breathed out after some time. Her head shot up immediately, she had fallen asleep.
“Daddy. How are you ?” She asked, making her grip on his hand firm.
“No how are you? You look like you haven’t slept in days, ” Her father said smiling at her. She didn’t know how he managed to smile through the pain he was going through.
“I’m fine, daddy. Everything’s good,” Chanel said trying to convince her father. She didn’t want him worrying about her at all.
“Chanel the doctor has said,” Her father said before he coughed. He let out a long wheezing cough before he continued. She made to stand up and get him water, but he held her hand softly.
“Don’t go anywhere. ” He said, tiredly. She hated to see him struggling. “I feel it. I don’t have time. I’m tired. Baby, your mother and I have always loved you. ” He said, causing tears to build in her eyes.
Chanel could not hold back the tears she had been keeping for so long.
“Daddy stop. Don’t talk like that. You’ll be fine,” She said and she didn’t know if she was trying to reassure herself or him.
“Shh,” Her father said before he held her hand again. “I love you too much. Live your life, ” That was what he said before he fell asleep again.
Chanel cried there on the bed. She didn’t know how to feel. Her father was dying right before her eyes. She noticed he looked paler than before. The doctor told her the facts but she didn’t want to believe it. He told her father was dying. It could be any day for now. His body could no more fight.
Chanel woke up to the persistent beeping of the machine in her room. She was confused at first before she realized what was happening.
She heard her father’s cough. That was when she felt him holding her hand.
“I love you, baby. ” Her father said, his grip on her hand slowly loosened.
Chanel hurriedly got up from her seat. She ran to the nurse at the desk.
“There’s something wrong with my father!” She shouted. The nurse stood up and hurriedly made her way to the room.
“Clara page Dr. Lisa. ” The nurse made her way to the room with Chanel there standing at the doorway.
Everything felt like a dream before her. She was watching everything in slow motion. How the doctor came in. She was checking her father. The nurse stood beside the bed, looking hopeless.
The minute the doctor walked up to her and gave her the bad news. She felt herself enter into a pit of darkness. That was it for her.
Alfonso had walked into the hospital. He had been directed to the room. He was meant to see her father. Just before his eyes, he watched how she almost fell to the ground, if he didn’t catch her.
“What happened to her?” Alfonso asked the doctor. He feared the worst. He hoped her father was not dead.
“Who are you, if I may ask?” The doctor said, looking at Alfonso.
A few nurses came and helped her into a stretcher before she was led away.
Alfonso held out an outstretched hand. He smiled at the doctor and he had turned on his charm. He noticed the way the doctor blushed.
“My name is Alfonso De Rosa. I’m her husband. ” Alfonso said, lying through his teeth.
“Well, that’s good to know. She needs someone. Her father, your father in law has passed. He has been severely ill which you know. ” The smile on his face faltered. This was not how it was supposed to go.
“There’s also something I’ll like you to know. If you could follow me to my office. ” The doctor said leading him away from the room.
****
Chanel coughed as she woke up. She tried to remember what happened to her. She knew she had been in the hospital with her father. Her father. Oh, God! She remembered the machine, the doctor. She didn’t believe the doctor.
Just then, Alfonso walked into the room. What was he doing here? How did he get here?
“How are you feeling?” Alfonso asked, walking to her side.
Why was she in a bed? What had happened?
“I’m okay. What are you doing here? Where is my father?” She asked the question that had been racing since.
“I came to see you. ” He said. She didn’t even bother asking how he knew she was here.
“Where is my father?” Chanel asked, more firmly this time. She sat up on the bed.
“The doctor said you have not been eating right. Your body is lacking some nutrients. Have you been skipping your meals?” Alfonso asked, changing the subject.
What? He was confusing her. Why was she here?
“Where the fuck is my father?” She shouted, taking the needle out of her body.
“Chanel I’m so sorry. ” Alfonso started.
“No..no! ” Chanel shouted. She was not going to believe it. Her father couldn’t die yet.
“Chanel, calm down. ” Alfonso said holding her down. He held her down.
Chanel was sobbing in his arms. Her tears didn’t stop coming. He held onto her as she cried. He couldn’t help but feel bad for her. His heart broke as he watched her. He never knew the feeling of losing a parent. He hoped he would never know the feeling too.
“What?” Chanel shouted as the doctor handed her a cheque. She couldn’t believe it.
“Miss Brown. I’m sorry, but that was your father’s wish. He didn’t want to spend any money on the drugs. He didn’t want you to waste your last pennies on him when he was going to die at the end. ” The doctor said, making Chanel sit down slowly.
Chanel let the tear slip from her eyes for the umpteenth time that day. Her father had not been taking the drugs. No wonder he never looked different. He wanted her to keep the money. She didn’t know whether to be pissed or annoyed.
She stared at the cheque. It was worth over fifteen thousand. All the money she had been depositing for weeks and weeks worth of drug supply. They had not been used. All the time she had to endure with all those arrogant ass men. She had felt so violated when they would touch her or look at her like she was an object.
What would she do with this money?
Chanel cleaned her eyes after a while. She was told she would be good to go home. Not that there was anything wrong with her, but she wasn’t going to spend time in the hospital. The doctor told her to start eating well and she would, that is if she had any appetite.
“Chanel, let me drop you home. ” Alfonso said, holding her arm.
Chanel was only confused because everyone seemed to continue addressing him as her husband. They were looking at them dreamily this particular time around.
“It’s fine. I can manage. ” She said, checking the time on her phone. She would take the bus back home. It wasn’t too late.
“I wasn’t asking. ” was all he said before he held her hand and they walked out together.
“Stop! Leave me alone. ” Chanel said once the elevator doors closed.
“Chanel! Just let me take you home. I don’t want you alone. ” Alfonso said, looking torn. There was a way about him. The way he looked at her.
“And I said it’s fine. I don’t want to go anymore with you. I don’t want to owe anyone anything. ” Chanel said, crossing her arms on her chest.
“I will return your money. ” Chanel said when he didn’t say anything after a while.
Alfonso only looked at her before he looked away.
“Yeah...I’ll let you return it if you let me drop you off. ” Alfonso said bargaining.
Chanel nodded. She decided she would let him take her home.
Chanel stared at her father’s grave. She placed the bouquet she held on the grave. She used a tissue to clean her nose. It had been three months but it still felt like yesterday.
She let her father know he would forever be in her heart as well as her mother. She stayed a few minutes, asking why he didn’t accept any treatment. She asked the same question each time she came.
Chanel made her way home. She had to find a new job. She would maybe work as a sales attendant.
Chanel was not surprised when the money she sent Alfonso was sent back to her account. She expected it from him. He was pitying her. It was a Friday night. Mr. Manuel. A man she met while she worked at the club, invited her dancing. She really didn't feel like going, but she had been cooped up at home all these months mourning her father.
Mr. Manuel had been the first man she met while she was struggling for money for her father’s treatment. He had given her 5000 dollars. She couldn’t believe the amount of money, men decided to spend just to get into a woman’s pants. They probably all had more money than sense. Or maybe he was trying to impress her.
Chanel quickly got ready. She opted in wearing a completely backless dress that reached mid-thigh. It was red and it complimented her skin tone. She wore heels and her dropping earrings. Before she made her way out, she put on her coat.
It was a new club called La Rosa. She didn't know why that name had a ring to it that she couldn't place. It had been recently opened by young men. It was Mr. Manuel that told her this. She liked the vibe the place gave off.
“Mr. Manuel. ” Chanel said, getting to her feet once she saw him.
He kissed her cheek and held her waist.
“I told you to stop addressing me as Mister,” He said smiling at her.
Chanel only smiled before they ordered their drinks and began talking. She had told him about her father and his sickness. He felt bad for her, asking if she needed any help to start.
Alfonso knew he was drunk alright but he couldn’t believe the red-haired beauty. She had just lost her father three months ago and here she was. She was with a man who looked very moneyed. Was she into that business again? Just how much did she need?
Her back was completely naked. Everyone could admire it. Her back. The back that belonged to him. She was his and she was acting like a fucking puta.
“What the fuck?” Jose asked him, laughing. He noticed from afar the way Adela and Anissa were dancing on the dance floor.
Draven had not taken his eyes off his wife for a second. It was like he was waiting for something to happen. They had all come here to celebrate the opening of the club. It was the latest club in town. It belonged to Jose. He named it after his daughter.
They were patiently waiting for his parents to arrive. He wasn't sure if his brother was going to show up. Angelo always liked to keep to himself.
Alfonso watched how she laughed. It was like he was asking her to dance, but she declined. He didn’t make his way to the dance floor alone though. He grabbed another girl. That was when a guy made his way to her.
He watched the look of horror that clouded her face as the guy touched her naked back, it was like he was telling her to move. Alfonso didn’t miss the gun in his hands.
How the fuck was he allowed in with his weapon? He could see how scared she was but she stood up, following.
Chanel knew she was going to die. She had only come here to forget the pain she was going through for one night. Just one night. This man had pulled a weapon on her and he was leading her to God knows where. She knew she was going to be raped or killed.
She realized the area he led her to now was dark. She could hardly see or recognize anything.
“If you so much as speak. ” The man whispered and she felt the cold metal on her head. She whimpered as his body pressed her into the wall.
Chanel almost cried out when his hand, squeezed her ass. He groaned into her neck and she could not help, but notice the strong smell of alcohol. Was this how it was going to end for her?
Chanel wanted to push him off her, but she was afraid of him killing her. When his lips moved towards hers she turned away. She felt him being pulled away from her so she screamed, squeezing her eyes shut.
The sound of a gunshot never reached her ears and she opened her eye. Only to see the man lying on the floor with another man punching him. The second man stood up and kicked her captor.
She knew that cologne from somewhere. Was it? It could not be! Alfonso!
“This is how you mourn your father. ” Alfonso said, grabbing her arm tightly making her cry out.
What? She was confused. What was he talking about?
He pulled her away from that place and led her outside.
“You dress like a fucking prostitute. ” He said taking off his jacket and putting it over her shoulders.
Chanel frowned. Who was he to talk to her like that? She didn’t care if he had saved her, but he had no right to speak to her like she was nothing.
“My dressing is none of your concern. ” Chanel said, handing him his jacket.
The look he shot her made her rethink her taking off the jacket. It was chilly outside. She noticed he had this fire in his eyes.
She could tell he wanted to make a phone call. He did. She listened while he was speaking. Maybe a brother. Or a friend.
Alfonso more like shoved her into the car when his car arrived.
“The way you dress is my concern. If I had not come through, that man would have had his way with you. ” Alfonso said, scaring her with the truth.
“Don’t. Stop. Stop the car!” Chanel shouted. She didn’t want to remember what happened to her. If Alfonso didn’t show up, a stranger would have raped her.
“Don’t be raising your fucking voice at me. ” Alfonso gritted out as he drove.
“I will do whatever the hell I want now stop the fucking car!” Chanel swore. She would open the door. She didn’t care if anyone got injured. She was blinded by rage.
Alfonso stopped the car alright but she didn’t expect it when his fist connected with her neck. He held her in place, squeezing.
“Are you fucking calm?” He asked and that didn’t make the fire in her eyes die.
“Okay, I’m ready when you are. ” Chanel didn’t stop digging her nails into his hand, but she eventually slipped into a dark dark place. She knew there was no way she was coming out any time soon.
Throes of Love.Chanel gulped in a lot of air as she woke up. She was coughing. She realized she was not in her house. She was not home. This place was familiar to her like she had been here before.The door opened slowly. That was when she saw Alfonso holding a glass of water. That was it! She remembered everything that had happened. How she was almost raped, how he forced her into his sports car, th
Throes of Love.Chanel moved in the bed. Why on earth was it so hot? She tried moving her legs, but she couldn’t move it freely. Like she was trapped. Her eyes momentarily opened.“Stop fucking moving. ” She heard Alfonso’s grouchy voice and her eyes widened. She could feel his ever-present erection on her behind. What the fuck?
Throes of Love.Chanel looked at herself in the mirror. She didn’t know how long she had been staring. When did she turn into this? She had never been one to let people force her into something she didn’t want to do. She didn’t always feel sorry for herself, but that was the case now. She knew she was stuck. There was nothing she could until he got over his stupid need to have her.Her body ached all over. She felt like sleeping and she wanted to wake up and all this would be a nightmare. She should have seen the signs when she was dating him at that time. He had been so sweet to her.Chanel had feelings for him and it was hard when she had to let go but he was clouding her heart. She had almost confessed all her problems to him. Now she felt nothing but regret and hate. She should have walked away from him the minute she saw him.That stupid Mr. Manuel! She would have never guessed he was married. She didn’t know why Alfonso thought she was involved with him. What hurt her most was he
Throes of Love.Alfonso groaned as he rolled over on the bed. He stretched his arm as if searching for something: Chanel. That was when he heard all the racket going on in the house. Who the fuck was making so much noise in the morning?He sat up immediately when he remembered Amanda and her spoiled ass. Then Chanel being around. Very bad combination. He made his way to the kitchen where the noise was coming from.“You better watch your mouth, or I will smash this dish on your too-big head. ” He heard Chanel say as she ate her breakfast. She hadn’t even realized he was there.What caught his eye was a smirking Maria. She has this happy and satisfied look in her eyes. He didn’t even know if she understood the things bit women were saying as they spoke in English.Amanda stood there with a horrified look on her face. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had on a sports bra and shorts a little too short. Not his business. She looked like she just finished a workout session.“Oh thank goodne
Throes of Love.Alfonso looked at her form on the bed. He had not meant to be so angry. His anger was destructive. He didn’t regret his actions but she had pushed him. She needed to be thought a lesson. It was long overdue. She thought to play him. He was the king. Now she would know that.He has cleaned her back and rubbing soothing lotion on it before he laid her on her stomach. He had seen red.How could Amanda come at him like that? Did she think he was going to betray his brother? He couldn’t get it out of his head and then he had come into the room to see Chanel standing there in the same fucking dress.He ran his hand through his hair. His brother would be back tomorrow. He didn’t know if he could tell him about it. He had come to understand that his brother has feelings for this girl. Too much.He looked at the girl on his bed. He felt things for her that he had never felt for any other woman and he didn’t like that one it. He wanted to hate her. She was not his type in any way
Throes of Love “You think you can get away from me so easily. You whored yourself out so someone could bail you, ” Alfonso said, still pressing the gun firmly on Ian’s head. He couldn’t believe the words that came out from Draven’s mouth when he said she had already been bailed out.“No! No! I didn’t do anything, ” She said getting to her feet, fearing for Ian’s life. He was basically the one thing she had left. Alfonso could not do that to her. She didn't know if she would be able to survive it. “You know what? Get the fuck up, ” Alfonso said, slipping the gun into his back. He was done doing this. He would deal with her when they got home.“Okay,” Chanel said, knowing very well she had no choice. How could the police release Ian’s address to him? She guessed money talked. She was doomed.“What? Chanel, you’re leaving with him, ” Ian asked, he seemed calm and collected to have a gun aimed at him. She had been the only one scared.“Yes. I have to, ” Her eyes moved to Alfonso who was
Throes of LoveChanel just got off the phone with Ian. He didn’t sound pissed or angry about the fight with Alfonso. He asked if she was okay. Most of all, he said he was never going to run away. He was going to be there for her. She liked that a lot, but she didn’t want him to die. She would be broken if he died.Chanel knew what she had to do. Maybe if she married Alfonso, things would get a little better. There was no way she was going to let Ian die. He didn’t deserve it at all. She remembered what the officers said. There was no way she would come out of this on top. They were just too dirty and into the game. How sad. Chanel was sitting on the bed when Maria informed her that breakfast was ready and she had a visitor. What? Who could be here to see her?Chanel stared at her face in the mirror. She didn’t have any bruises on her face except the one that was already fading. She would hate to look like what Alfonso had called her. She needed to get herself a job. That would be some
Throes of Love“I’m sorry, ” She murmured afraid for herself now.“Ha! Don’t be sorry now. I will fuck you up. You think Draven will save you from me. I will fuck both of you up, ” Alfonso said, scaring the fuck out of her.Chanel sat rigidly in the car. She compressed herself into one corner. She needed to think fast. She knew had bit off more than she could chew.“Alfonso. I’m sorry,” she said when he turned to her. She needed him to listen to her now. She needed him to be like he was this morning or else, he would seriously hurt her.It was now she understood what his jealousy could do. It was worse than his anger. She didn’t want to be alone in a room with him.“Alfonso, ” Chanel said, snaking her hand around his arm. His body was still radiating all that energy.Alfonso shook her off him before he turned to look at her. She was now crying openly. She already had a banging headache and she was not ready for another beating. She had not even meant half of the things she said. She wa