Starving
Annika took off the Versace sunglasses that were covering her eyes, placed them on her head, and yawned weakly. The sun is setting, kissing the horizon. She leans back in her recliner seat and looks up at the orange glow of the sky that has been her daily routine in Isla Lobos for the past eight years. She would come down to the beach every afternoon to watch the sunset and reminisce on her life nine years ago.
Sunset brightens her mood, and as the sun sets, it takes her sorrow away. Anikka can't even imagine it, but she feels better every time she sees the sun sets.
She turns her head to look at the people on the beach. Couples are kissing. Naked girls walk around with wine or hard liquor in their hands, flaunting their stunning bodies. Flawless and tanned in the sun's reflection.
Anikka gently caresses the unwanted scar on her abdomen. This scar is her only reminder that she did something wrong in the past, but it makes her happy without a trace of guilt. This is her life after eight years of being the wife of a terror husband. Still imprisoned on an island where torture was the norm.
Anikka sighed exasperatedly before finally rising from the recliner. She decides to return to the penthouse where she is staying. It'll be seven o'clock in the evening soon. She is confident that her husband will return tonight. Last night, he called her to inform her that he would return home after three months of spying in the Philippines.
She sighs, saddened. Aleesha misses the place where she grew up a lot, but her husband never let her go home to the Philippines. If they leave Lobos del Tierra, they will only travel to North America and Europe. She has not visited any Asian country in the eight years she has been his wife. She blinked to keep her tears from falling. She is now strong. He did not want to cry any longer. If she could still endure, she would endure it to see the person most important to her, whom her father had hidden from her as collateral for her to stay on the island of Lobos with his husband.
Anikka sat up in her recliner and stretched. The breeze is moderately strong. It's causing her hair to blow back and cover her face. She combed her tangled hair with her fingers, unaware that the sarong was blown away by the wind. It was too late for her to see as it flew a few meters from where she was standing.
Anikka let out another soft sigh and shook her head. She must return home before her husband arrives. Her husband despises seeing her outside in a two-piece bikini, even though this island is for men who crave flesh.
Anikka walks with the card key to get the sarong. Her movement halted when she attempted to bend down and pick up the sarong. A black leather shoe was in her way. She frowned and looked up to see who owned those Italian black shoes and why he was wearing them like this on the beach, blocking her path.
Deep blue eyes with furrowed brows stare at Anikka as she holds her sarong. That dark gaze locked on her, unsure if she was really in front of her.
"Aleesha?" asked the owner of those blue eyes, but his voice was full of mixed emotions as he stared at her intently.
Anikka's heart summersaults and pounds quickly. Her head spins like a tornado when her eyes lock on that blue eye. She cant form any coherent words, rendering her capability to talk. She was stunned and remained rooted to the ground. This man appeared to be even more manly. His strong jawline draws attention to his growing stubble. She felt like kissing his pointed nose, as she always did. Why has he become even more attractive in her eyes?
Seeing him after nine long years fills her heart with joy. She was missing him. She wished she could throw her arms around him and hug him tightly.
The man caressed her face with his free hand to ensure she was real. What brings him here?
Anikka closes her eyes when she feels the electrifying heat from the man's touch. Oh! She yearned for his touch. Her eyes were closed for a few seconds before hearing him speak again.
"Aleesha..." his thumb caresses her lower lips, giving shivers to her nerves and suddenly heightening her body.
Aleesha tightly closes her eyes to prevent her body from reacting to his touch. This is not possible. No! She can't show this level of emotion because it will complicate things.
"Aleesha... Talk to me. I know it's you. What are you doing here? Talk to me, please..." When Aleesha opened her eyes, his eyes were begging for answers.
Aleesha... How many years has she not heard her called by that name? Ever since she came to the island, a year after she left his place, her name has become Anikka.
She let out a soft sigh before forcing herself to adjust and calm her rapid heartbeat. Aleesha hardened her face and stared at him coldly. He doesn't need to know why she's here!
" Mr. Harrison, what I'm doing here is none of your business. And I have nothing to say to you. So, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my apartment before my husband arrives." When she replied, her voice was emotionless, and she looked him in the eyes to see his reaction.
Aleesha noticed the surprise on his face as a result of what she had said, but she ignored it. She should not give in to her emotions. It's been nine years since she left him, so she shouldn't feel this way about Dylan. Yes! It was Dylan. The one in front of her is no other than her ex-boyfriend Dylan.
Aleesha took a step to the side to avoid him, and she was able to pass, but he quickly stopped her arm before she could even get away.
"Husband?" shock, line with pain is visible on his face while staring at her intensely. "You're married? Why?" Asked Dylan bitterly.
Aleesha scoffed.
"What exactly do you mean by why?" Aleesha shakes her arms to shake Dylan away before raising her brow to inquire. "What made me marry? Simply because I want to! And it has nothing to do with you! "She scowled and walked away.
Aleesha can't let her husband see her talking to a man if she doesn't want to endanger Dylan's life. So, if she had to choose, she would simply refuse to allow her husband to be interested in Dylan.
Dylan called her name again when she walked just a few steps away.
"Aleesha, wait!" He was already by her side, grabbing her arm and preventing Aleesha from walking.
Aleesha gives Dylan an irritated look. Yes, she wants to see him as well. She's been missing him for the past nine years, but not at this moment. Her husband was on his way home, and she didn't want him to hurt Dylan. Even if Aleesha wanted to talk to Dylan for hours, she couldn't. Her husband has a large number of people looking after her. If she does something wrong, they will immediately report it to her husband, and she will be punished again.
"What do you want, Mr. Harrison? I have nothing to talk to you about, okay? Just f*ck off!" Aleesha irritably shakes Dylan's hand, but his grip on her arm tightens even more.
She exclaimed as she noticed two of her husband's henchmen approaching them.
"Dylan, please let me go! Now!" When she looked at the two henchmen approaching them, her voice was tinged with anxiety.
"No!" Dylan was persistent. He did not only not listen to her but also forced Aleesha to face him without regard for the two henchmen.
"No! You must release me!" Aleesha struggled, and her eyes begged Dylan to let her go before the henchmen approached.
He locked his gaze on her before speaking. "Aleesha, I've been looking for you for nine years. I need your explanation for leaving me alone and empty! Why do you never keep your promises? Why?" As his face approached her, Aleesha inhaled his sweet-smelling breath, making her heart race even faster.
"How come, Aleesha? Why did you abandon me with no reasons or explanations?" He scoffed, "Why did you promise only to break it? And now you're saying you're married?" Dylan's voice was full of painful expressions as he stared at her, scrutinizing every detail.
Aleesha immediately avoided his gaze because she couldn't bear the loneliness and pain written in his eyes. She is hurting if Dylan is in pain, but she couldn't help but push him away for Dylan's safety.
"Everything is in the past, don't dwell about it anymore. Mr. Harrison, move on and forget about me. I now have a life. I'm happy." When she finished her sentence, she shrugged. Her vocabulary does not include the word "happy." Not eight years ago, when she first arrived on this island.
He stifled a laughed and looked at her indifferently. His face was dark, and he could barely speak because his jaw was clenched.
"Have you forgotten about me? Move on? Heh! "He scoffed bitterly. Anger slowly rose to the surface of his face. He straightens up, but his gaze remains fixed on her. "That's what I did the day you left me. My feelings for you have vanished. But, damn! Seeing you again..." He raked his eyes over her body, feasting from head to toe.
He had a look of longing in his eyes. Still, it vanished almost instantly, and his expression softened. "Oh, God! I missed you so much!"
He laughed and looked at her indifferently. His face was dark, and he could barely speak because his jaw was clenched.
Dylan was about to give Aleesha a hug when the two henchmen approached. "Hay algún problema, Señorita Annika?" Is there a problem, Señorita Annika? One of them asked. It was someone that her husband trusted.
Aleesha shakes his head quickly before glancing at Dylan, who still has his hand on her arm.
"Nada. Todo está bien," He laughed and looked at her indifferently. His face was dark, and he could barely speak because his jaw was clenched.
She responded formally, simply pulling her arm away from Dylan. He let go of her without saying anything. "Puedes volver ahora. Estoy bien aqui." You can go back now. I'm okay here.
"Necesitas irte a casa. Tu esposo estará aquí pronto." You need to go home. Your husband will be here soon.
He laughed and looked at her indifferently. His face was dark, and he could barely speak because his jaw was clenched.
Aleesha became nervous after hearing what the henchman said. She cannot allow her husband to see her outside, especially when conversing with a man. And she didn't want to cause harm to Dylan. Aleesha doesn't care why he's here on the island anymore. Most importantly, she gets away from Dylan before her husband catches him. She hardened her face and turned to face Dylan, who gave her a thoughtful look.
"Mr., that's the way to Casa La Virginia. I'm on my way there, but I'm not alone. I'm sorry I can't accompany you there. My husband is dominating and possessive."
Dylan's brow furrowed as she spoke in English rather than Spanish.
Aleesha communicates with him in English because her husband's henchman does not understand her. They are Aymarian and Quencha speakers who are unable to understand English. However, they can understand the Filipino dialect because her husband allowed them to study the language for fear that she would meet another Filipino like her.
Dylan slightly nodded.
"Gracias, Señorita."
After hearing Dylan's thank, Aleesha turned to face her husband's henchmen.
"Regresaré a Casa La Virginia y me quedaré en el piso 18. Por favor dile eso a mi esposo." I'm returning to Casa La Virginia and will be staying on the 18th floor. Please inform my husband of this.
Aleesha immediately turned away when they nodded. Before that, she noticed Dylan's suppressed grin before she finally left him.
Dylan, I'm sorry. I'm doing this for your safety. Even though I desperately want to hug and talk to you, I can't. I don't want my husband to hurt you when he finds out you are talking to me.
Every step she took was quick because she could still feel Dylan's gaze following her. Her nakedness was concealed by the sarong wrapped around her body and tied around her neck. She is not embarrassed because all of the women here are nearly naked. But she was thinking about what her husband would say if he found out she had left the penthouse in a two-piece.
Aleesha knew CCTV was scattered all over the island, but her husband had no interest in watching it. He prefers to watch a live show. A Making out show to be exact. Her memories of her husband made her close her eyes to that thought. No! She's not going there!
It was nearly seven o'clock in the evening, and it was getting dark everywhere. However, Aleesha still saw some couples making out in the recliner seat or on the sand. Someone is also f*cking on a bench along the pathway to the penthouse where Aleesha is staying.
Young or old couples. Threesome or same-sex? There's even a foursome. But no one is concerned about the environment because this is a natural occurrence on the island. This island was built for it.
Members of the organization who desired satisfying sex went there to fulfill their s*xual fantasies. Girls here were repeatedly operated on to be tight and feel like virgins. They were taught to be the best sex partners possible, with wild and heightened s*xual desires that drove men insane. They were drugged to last for long periods of s*x, especially those greedy men who only do sex.
All the girls here were kidnapped and forced to work as s*x slaves. They were conducting experiments in a laboratory she had never visited before, and Aleesha had no idea why. When a woman exceeds the time limit, she is released from the island and sent to a member of the organization to be made a sex slave and enslaved by whoever auctioned her.
Aleesha closes her eyes to suppress her rage. Even though she sees it every day, her heart is still not used to it. She couldn't do anything if she wanted to help other young women because even she couldn't get herself out of this hell. If a miracle came to save her, it was a punch to the moon.
She kept walking while clenching her fist. She ignored the persistent call of a man who was busy thrusting into his partner's hole to join them in a threesome and went straight to her penthouse.