It's two in the morning when I'm awakened by the vibration of my phone. Semi-consciously, I reach out and take the cell phone in my hand. With hazy eyes I look at the unknown number that is displayed on the screen.
- I'll kill you if it's you again," I whisper.
- I'd like to see your mouth when you utter these threats. You must look deadly sexy," he replies in an amused voice.
As I remain silent for a moment, I hear the noise of rumbling music. I have no doubt that he is located in a club.
- Do you have a split ego?
He starts laughing.
- How can I have a split ego when I remember that I pressed you against the wall today and tried to warn you about yourself?
- There is something wrong with you.
- There is also something wrong with your friend. With such a chick by his side, he is just picking up some calf.
His words finally rouse me. I float to a sitting position, looking at one point with terrified eyes.
- What do you mean?
- I'm just watching your buddy entertaining other girls. He's pretty good, but he lacks my charisma, since you lost your head for me in a few hours, and he's been trying to win your favor for a dozen years.
- Why are you watching Henry? - My voice is trembling and he senses it, so he specifically starts teasing me.
- Because first I have to shoot a deer to match the deer.
His words sound like a threat. I have no doubt that he wants to use Henry in his sick game.
- Stay away from him.
- I'd love to meet your friend. He seems to have an interesting personality.
I energetically get down from the bed, turn on the light and jump to the closet, pulling out the clothes that lie on the very edge of the shelf.
- Only now am I beginning to realize what a big mistake I made when I decided to meet you. Great guys always turn out to be sick bastards. I don't know where my eyes were. - I'm getting more and more scared every second. - You were not real, that's why that day on the island I lost my head for you.... You were an illusion, just like my infatuation.
I hang up and energetically put on my clothes. I am sure Henry is at the "Home Party". It's his favorite place that he visits every Saturday.
I would call him, but I'm sure he won't answer. When he turns the ladies, everything else ceases to matter to him.
Even me.
*
I enter the club and carefully look around the interior. I try to find my friend, but with so many people it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. On top of that, the twilight and flashing lights, do not give me the opportunity to catch him with my eyes. I have to squeeze my way through drunken clubbers having a great time, who don't look at what's going on around them and thus hit me several times with an elbow.
I frequent this place, so fortunately I have had time to get used to the bruised body.
The lights dim even more when the DJ changes the vibe and plays an electronic chillout. People fall into a trance, seductively moving their bodies and focusing their attention on their other half as they dance.
I seem to be the only one circling the dance floor alone, not feeling the vibe at all. Maybe because I have no one to experience it with?
I glance curiously at the couple who are too boldly hugging each other, but no one but me, pays them any attention. Perhaps they catch my eye because the boy who is kissing her so passionately, holding his hands on her buttocks, is my best friend?
I push my hair back, being agitated by his behavior. I feel like saying a few words to him about his inappropriate behavior towards this girl, but I am not even given the chance to start the argument, as someone grabs my hand and pulls me back.
This is the next time I am pressed against the wall by the island boy. He leans over me, with his hands preventing me from escaping.
- I knew you would come as soon as I mentioned your friend. - His arrogant smile causes an influx of aggression in me. - Now I won't let you out of here.
- Are you flirting with me? Do you want a repeat of the island?
I can see that he likes my cutting tongue.
- It seems to me that you want it more. Your eyes light up when you look at me. You had the same gleam after our first kiss.
A shriek escapes my lips as he puts his arm around my waist and lifts me up. I would never have said in my life that he has so much strength in him! Maybe he is on some kind of boosters?
He brutally puts me down by the exit door and grabs my chin, running his fingers down my cheeks. His gaze is so frantic that I am seriously beginning to be alarmed by his behavior.
- What's wrong with you! Let go, it hurts!
People are not paying attention to us. Everyone is busy with their partner, having a great time in his arms.
- That night you will be polite and listen to every word I say, because I swear that I will take care of your friend without scruples.
My heart goes up to my throat. What is happening to him? On the island he was a completely different man! Now he does not resemble him at all, he is a monster. Is it related to his disappearance that day?
It seems to me that something must have happened, and the phone call he made to me exactly a year later, asking for help in a crying voice, confirms that there is a secret behind it.
- Don't you dare touch my friend.
- Since you want to protect your loved ones, you will grant my every wish from now on.
I open my eyes wide as he takes his hand away from my face.
- What do you have in mind?
- You will be my slave until the end of this night.
*
What happened to my brave attitude? Why do I just let him lead me like a dog on a leash? His grip around my hand is painful, but I hold it in and just grit my teeth to keep him from getting even angrier.
He jerks me around before letting me go, resulting in me falling onto the hood of the car. I lower my head and massage my sore arm, worrying that I will never go home again after this night.
- Your daddy owes a debt to us, so you will pay it.
I lift my face and look at him with terrified eyes.
- What are you talking about?
- I think your dear father won't worry if you stay with us anymore.
- Are you not serious? It's obvious that he won't just leave it at that!
- And how well do you know your daddy? - He leans over me, and his face is adorned with an arrogant smile. - How much do you know about his past?
I don't know what's going on, but this is some kind of paranoia. I hope that in a while I will wake up from this nightmare.
- What do you mean?
- Eighteen years ago you were sold. Why? Because your daddy had no choice. If he hadn't given us something valuable, he and your mother would be dead. He's a coward because that day he decided that you would be his bargaining chip for a peaceful life.
I'm getting weak. The blood drains from my face and I feel like I'm going to faint in a moment.
- This is a lie. Father would never allow it. I am the apple of his eye.
- Do you think our first meeting on the island was a coincidence? - The boy bursts into loud laughter. - Girls are so gullible, but it's cute.
- When you say I was sold, what do you mean? I'm going to be a slave?
I can see that my stupidity amuses him perfectly.
- A rather pleasant life awaits you.... Your father knew what he was signing up for, now get on. - He grabs my hand and forcibly pushes me into the passenger seat. - You'll soon understand what I'm talking about when you have to put on a white dress.
He grabs the steering wheel and takes off with a squeal of tires, cruising the empty streets of the city in a sports car, and I sit next to him, trying to put my thoughts together.
So what? I was sold by my father to become this boy's wife? That doesn't make any sense!
- You would like to. - He shakes his head with amusement, as if reading my mind. - I'm not the one who waited eighteen years to marry you.
- It never crossed my mind, the bastard. - I feel my voice trembling. - I don't even believe what you are saying. My father would never hurt me like this.
He sighs deeply.
- Baby, you were nine months in your tummy when they made this alliance. Maybe daddy didn't love you that much yet then, apparently he loved himself more that day.
It's a nightmare, and I'll wake up in my bed in a while. For sure.
- So, why didn't he sell me after I was born!
- My boss is not a sick fuck to vow with a newborn. He wanted to wait until you became a woman.
I'm about to throw up. I swear.
- What do you mean he's not a sick fuck? And who is? He waited eighteen years to marry me!!!? He signed a contract with my father!!!? Is he so beleaguered that he couldn't find a wife for nineteen years?
The boy puts his hand in his hair and shrugs his shoulders.
- He is old, but quite a handsome guy.
- If all this is true.... then I'd rather kill myself. - I inadvertently open the car door, he grabs my hand, afraid that I will jump out. He brakes in the middle of the road, looking at me with furious eyes.
- Are you crazy! He doesn't just need your vagina, but you in your entirety!
Being as pale as a corpse, I look at him with wide-open eyes, only blinking my eyelids.
- After my death, he can take only the vagina, if he needs it. - I unbuckle my seat belt and run out of the car, wanting to get away from this dangerous madman and his perverted old boss, who intends to marry me.
All of this, it's a lie. Dad wouldn't do something like that to me, I repeat in a whisper, heading toward the sidewalk.
A scream erupts from my mouth as the boy stands in front of me, grabs me at thigh height and throws me over his shoulder.
- Doesn't every one of you dream of being kidnapped by a handsome guy? - I punch his back with my fists to make him let me go but he is like a stone. He doesn't react at all. - You are naughty, so I'll see you there.
My whole body hurts as he brutally throws me into the trunk.
- What are you doing?
- He safely transports the boss's future wife. - He closes the hatch, and I'm gripped by a shrill fear that I'll suffocate here.
I still believe that this is not really happening.