Chapter 4

Angel

The man drove me out of his office and told me to go back to the room where I had come from and organize the things his men had brought.

After I got in, I was surprised to find the paper bags on the floor filled with women's clothes and various cosmetics I didn't use. A small wave of happiness passed through my heart, but it quickly disappeared when I remembered what he had made me do earlier.

I opened the closet after I found it in another room to the right of the bedroom. I was 

overwhelmed by its size, almost as big as our living room, yet it was just a place to store clothes in that man's mansion.

I approached one of the closet doors, and my eyes widened when I saw men's clothes inside. That's when I remembered what the man who entered the office earlier said, ‘The rest are in your room.’ Does that mean we're both going to use this room? Does it mean I won't be able to escape him, especially since, as he said, I will be his "plaything"?

I closed the door of his closet and looked for an empty space. I'm not sure, but it seems this was prepared because there were several rows without any clothes, so I arranged all the newly bought clothes there. I couldn't help but gape when I saw the nightwear; they were see through and so revealing. I don't wear such kinds of night clothes. Pajamas are enough for me, but since I’m supposed to be his plaything, it's not far-fetched that he would make me wear those.

After I finished, I left that large wardrobe and searched for the bathroom. I was sure there was one here, and I was right because, to my right, there was a glass door. When I opened it, I found out it was also a large bathroom.

It was impressive, almost as big as Aunt Anacleta's room. In other words, my whole room was as big as our entire house in San Juan. I arranged the toiletries there, and when I finished, I returned to the bedroom and sat on the king-size bed.

I looked around the room and then took a deep breath. It was beautiful and spacious. The furniture was expensive, and I knew anyone would not refuse if asked whether they wanted to live in this place. It felt good knowing that from now on, I would sleep here, but can I stomach living with those murderers? And they even involved my younger brother.

Because of Angelo, I can't do anything to ensure that man doesn't hurt my brother, even becoming his plaything. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would end up living this kind of life?

My dreams were simple: for Angelo and I to finish our studies and have a happy family. I told him that if we ever had our own families, we would stay close to each other. But because of my greedy aunts and uncles, who were obsessed with money, gambling, and vices, here I am now, in the hands of a cruel man I don't know but who I feel is very evil.

I've only been here a day, but so much has happened. This morning, I was still at Aunt Anacleta's house. My uncle left, and I was doing my chores when my aunt ordered Angelo to follow her lazy husband.

Around nine o'clock, my aunt told me about their plan to pay off their debt using me, and our fight began. Before noon, Mauro arrived, and we traveled to who knows where. Around two in the afternoon, I lost consciousness.

I woke up late and had dinner with two men I didn't know. And now I’m in that man’s room as his plaything. I took a deep breath because of that, but I will do it if that’s what I must do to protect my brother.

My gaze fell on the bag I had brought. I remembered I still had some clothes there. I took it and emptied the contents, but aside from my cell phone, I threw the rest into the trash, assuming that's what the man would have me do anyway.

I sat back on the bed and checked if anyone had called or texted me, and I saw my friend’s name. I quickly called her, and she answered right away.

“You witch, where did those men take you?” she blurted out as soon as she answered my call. Concern was evident in her voice, making me smile.

“I don’t know either, but I’m okay bestie.” I didn’t want her to worry too much about my situation.

Nadia has been my best friend ever since my aunt took us in. We were neighbors and became very close because of her kind parents. Like us, they were also poor, but her father worked hard to send her to school.

While she’s now in her first year of college, I never even made it to school when we moved in with Aunt Anacleta because they said they couldn’t afford to send me. Despite the many public schools, I couldn’t convince them to let me study. Fortunately, they couldn’t refuse Angelo. I was already grown up and knew our rights as children.

“That’s good to hear. Your brother was really worried about you. He came here crying because you weren’t home. Your uncle told him they sold you, so he just kept crying.”

Wait, what is she saying? Didn’t that man tell me he had my brother? Why is Nadia saying something different? “Are you sure Angelo was crying? What did you tell him?”

“What else? To make him stop crying, I told him your uncles and aunts wouldn’t sell you because they’d have no one to do their work.”

“Where is he now?”

“He went home. He said he’d wait for you there.” I was furious because that man made me believe they had my brother, so I agreed to his demands. “Bestie, are you okay? Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’ll call you back later. I just need to check something. Thanks for comforting Angelo, and please take care of him while I’m not there.”

“Sure, take care and call me often, okay?” she said, and I nodded even though I knew she couldn’t see me.

“Okay, bye.” And I ended the call. I quickly stood up from the bed and walked out of the room. I needed to go back to that man’s office and confront him. He was despicable for using my brother to scare me.

I didn’t knock and just opened the door in my anger, but I was shocked to find that man with a woman bent over his desk while he was thrusting behind her. They both looked at me, and I didn’t miss hearing the man’s angry words, “Damn!”