"Take her to the basement," his words reverberated through the room, sending a shockwave of disbelief coursing through my veins. The basement? That dark, foreboding place? It felt like a descent into hell itself.
Raven, obedient to his boss's command, emerged from the shadows and ascended the stairs. His presence only added to the unease that gripped me, amplifying the gravity of the situation.
Glancing at the lady, I couldn't help but notice a mischievous grin curling on her lips, as if she possessed a reckless disregard for both herself and the impending danger.
Did she have any inkling of what awaited her in that wretched basement? It was a death sentence, a place where survival was an impossible feat. Despite my current disdain for her, I couldn't bear the thought of her suffering and ultimately meeting her demise.
Raven drew closer, seizing her hand with an iron grip, preparing to lead her into the abyss. But before they could proceed, a sudden burst of courage surged within me, catching everyone off guard, including the perplexed gaze of Raven himself.
"Wait..." I blurted out, my voice trembling, but determined. The diva fixed me with a defiant stare, her eyes filled with arrogance and entitlement.
What could she possibly be thinking? Did she believe that the basement was a stage for singing, dancing, and revelry? Little did she know that the depths of that place were far worse than any nightmare. I was certain that a renowned and beautiful diva like her would detest the horrors that awaited her there, and worst of all, she wouldn't survive the torment they intended to inflict.
"You want to slap me? I'd rather meet my end than let a skunk like you touch me," she retorted with confidence, rolling her eyes dismissively.
Such a supercilious freak, I thought, my patience wearing thin. Adrian's anger became palpable as he warned her, "One more word, and I will personally end you."
"I'd rather have you kill me than let her touch me. Take me to the place you're so eager to drag me into," she taunted.
His lips twitched, a silent agreement passing between them as he gave Raven a nod, signaling his approval.
"No! Wait," I interjected, stepping closer to her and delivering a resounding slap across her face.
"How dare you touch me?" she seethed, ready to pounce on me like a wildcat.
"Do it again," Adrian commanded, his tone laced with authority.
"And if you don't do it right... I don't even have to explain. You already know," he concluded, his eyes piercing into my soul.
"I'm sorry," I whispered to her, mustering the strength to deliver a second slap, causing her face to burn with heat and her once-perfect hair to become a disheveled mess.
"I think she needs more," Adrian declared, a hint of anger in his voice. I understood his motives, but I despised this cruel game. My heart ached for her, even in the midst of my own conflicted emotions.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my posture, facing her. Surprisingly, her demeanor seemed to soften slightly, perhaps realizing the futility of her resistance.
I turned away from her, standing before Adrian, his solemn gaze fixed upon me.
"I... I apologize for her behavior. Can you release her? I don't believe she deserves this," I pleaded, hoping for a glimmer of compassion in his eyes.
"Anna..." he uttered, his voice carrying a unique blend of comfort and authority that sent gentle shivers down my spine. His mere pronunciation of my name evoked a sense of warmth and power, intertwining in a captivating harmony.
"Yes?" I responded, lowering my gaze. The way he called my name both soothed and excited me, a mixture of emotions that I couldn't ignore.
"Who do you think is entitled to this, you?" he questioned, his voice laced with underlying intensity.
"I don't believe anyone deserves it, but it's okay. Just let her go," I replied, hoping against hope for a favorable response.
"Alright."
"Throw her out," he ordered, causing the diva's eyes to widen in disbelief. As Raven escorted her out of the mansion, she shot me a predatory smile, whispering in my ear, "I'm not done with him yet."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, I turned to Adrian.
"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible.
"For what?" he inquired, his gaze softening slightly.
"For helping me find the strength to stand up for myself," I admitted, gratitude swelling within me.
"I didn't help you. It's something you should have known how to do. You're even too scared to face a fellow woman like yourself," he responded, his words tinged with a mixture of honesty and reproach.
"Well,don't be afraid. I won't allow anyone or anything to harm you," he reassured, reaching out to delicately tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear.
His gaze lingered on me, ensuring that I was alright, before he descended the stairs with purpose, leaving me to reflect on the tumultuous events.
This was the first time in my life I had ever stood up for myself.
I never once do that, even when the street bullies always pick on me.
These bullies, who seemed to revel in tormenting us, seized our belongings and food with impunity. They would lazily lounge in our hideout all day, avoiding any form of honest work. When we returned from our various hustles, they would rise from their comfortable perch, brandishing threats of violence and even death against those who refused to surrender what they had toiled for throughout the day. Sometimes, they would strip us of everything, even the meager coins bestowed upon us by kind-hearted souls. They would feast on the food before our eyes, while our stomachs growled with hunger and our mouths watered with insatiable desire.
A few brave souls, driven by hunger and desperation, would refuse to part with their meager sustenance. But their defiance only resulted in brutal beatings, pushing them perilously close to the edge of death. Faced with such merciless cruelty, the only choice was to relinquish everything to escape the brink of destruction.
Life grew even harsher when I discovered Mia, my beloved sister, was battling cancer. Determined to save her, I made the painful decision to leave behind the street hustle and search for a meager job at the local mall in the city.
However, my appearance, marred by dirt and grime, proved an impenetrable barrier to securing employment. The manager, repulsed by my unkempt state, swiftly drove me away, casting me aside into the depths of despair. Yet, I refused to surrender.
Existence became an unrelenting nightmare, a relentless torment that clung to my being. Oh, how I longed to erase those memories, to rid myself of their haunting grip. But they were etched deep within, a constant reminder of the hardships I had endured.
I had suffered unimaginably, surpassing the torments of hell itself. And yet, amidst the unyielding darkness, a flicker of hope ignited within me, propelling me forward on this treacherous journey to save the one person who mattered most—my sister.