Chapter 21

Z A R A

"Al, stop! You'll break her jaw!" Amelia warns.

"You fucking bitch," he's just inches away from actually cracking my jaw open.

"Alejandro!" Amelia yells.

"Amelia, get out," he says loudly.

"But—"

He whips his head in her direction, "Did you not fucking hear me clearly? I said get the fuck out!" His voice became ferocious enough to wipe out whatever confidence I had just built up minutes ago. She grabs her skirt that was lying on the floor and quickly walks out of the room. He grabs my head and slams it on his desk, face-first while using his other hand to hold my arm behind my back. He hits both my ankles with his feet, hard enough for me to not be able to feel them anymore.

I bite my lip hard to stop myself from screaming out from the pain.

"First Elijah and now Marcus, I didn't know you've become such a whore," he says.

"Speak for yourself," I grit my teeth, holding in my tears. "You didn't walk in on me multiple times giving men a blowjob."

His grip on my head tightens, as he forces my face even harder against the wooden surface.

"I'll fuck you so hard while you're bent over like the whore you are. I'll fuck you until your pussy's numb and the only man that crosses your mind is me," His hand grips my waist, seconds away from ripping off my pants.

"Go ahead! Rape me, Alejandro!" I scream at him. "There's no coming back from this but it's not like you'd care because you always get your way with things. I'm just that—a thing, an object you can use however the hell you want. So, go ahead, rape the woman you supposedly love!"

There was silence for just a couple of seconds but it felt like hours for me. Did I finally do it? Did I make him snap out of it or did I make it worst?

After, what felt like an eternity, Alejandro shoves me to the ground. "Get out," he orders. It hurts all over my body, every single inch of my body is in scorching pain as I try to crawl toward the door.

"I said get the fuck out!" The sheer volume of his voice made me get on all fours to try to get out faster.

I'm trying, you son of a—

He throws a vase right at the wall beside the door, missing me by an inch but managing to slash the skin on my arm.

"Amelia, bring Marcus and yourself back to my office," he speaks into the phone. There's no doubt that he's going to take his anger out on them as if he didn't let enough steam out on me. "Don't ask me useless fucking questions. Both of you are getting fucked out of your minds on this lovely evening."

I manage to grab the doorknob, pulling it open. Just as I drag myself out, my legs get scratched at multiple angles from the shards of glass on the floor. I rest against the wall, right beside Alejandro's door. My body gives out and the tears that I was holding inlet out like a stream. My cries are a mixture of choking and gasping for air because of the immense discomfort I'm in. It feels like I broke more than enough bones in my body, along with a crushed soul.

I hear footsteps approaching but I didn't have any energy to act normal. In fact, I probably looked far from normal, there's no hiding any of this.

Luckily, it's only Amelia and Marcus but when they notice me on the floor, even the stoic Marcus's expression cracks slightly.

"Oh my God!" Amelia gasps. "What did he do to you?"I couldn't move my mouth because of my aching jaw, I can't say anything, even if I wanted to.

"What did she do?" Marcus asks Amelia, his expression back to the usual stoicism.

Did he just ask what I did?

"Poor thing," Amelia shakes her head as she pulls out her phone.

"What are you doing?" Marcus asks Amelia in a disapproving tone.

"Calling Frank," she states. "She'll die here if we leave her unattended. Alejandro won't do anything, you know how stubborn he is."

"You're wasting your time," Marcus rolls his eyes. "She probably brought it on herself."

Asshole, I think to myself.

"I know you were raised in the Triad and all but she doesn't have anything to do with us. Showing her some kindness won't hurt you," Amelia sighs.

"Yeah, but it won't benefit us either," He stares me down with disgust.

What did I ever do to him?

"Hurry inside. Alejandro will get upset if we're late," he pushes Amelia in after opening the door. Maybe if I die here, it'll be fine. But if death can come a little faster, that'd be very appreciated because breathing hurts like a bitch right now.

My eyes start feeling heavier and heavier, maybe this is it... maybe this is the end of the story for me... My eyes close, the world going dark all around me and I lose all consciousness.

• • •

"Can you hear us?" A familiar voice calls out.

My eyelids are heavy, I'm having the hardest time trying to open them. My voice is lost and so is my strength. Every inch of my body feels like it's been beaten down, I feel horrible.

"Frank?" My voice is low and hoarse.

"Lady! You're awake!" I've never heard Frank this full of emotion.

"Ma'am! My God, we thought you... oh my God, I'm so happy you're awake!" Charlotte sighs with relief. I'm finally able to open my eyes slowly, trying to prop myself up on my elbows but every movement causes me wincing pain. I'm in the living room of Alejandro's apartment.

"You shouldn't try to move too much," That voice... Elijah? "If Frank hadn't reached you on time, who knows what your condition would've been."

"Elijah, what are you doing here?" There's instant fear the second I remember what happened. "What time is it? Has Alejandro come by?"1

Elijah scoffs, "He's the one that put you in such a horrible condition, and you're asking about him?"

"I'm asking if he's come by so I can shove my foot up his ass," I grit my teeth.

Frank and Elijah both clear their throats, trying to hold back a chuckle.

"Oh! Ma'am! You mustn't say such things about Boss," Charlotte says as she glances over at the security camera.

"Let him hear this! What's there left for him to do? Kill me? Tell the coward to do it! Kill me! What is he waiting for? I don't care if it's slow and painful or quick and easy, tell him to end me!"

"Now, now, don't get too excited," Elijah says.

"Excited?!" I shot up but the aching in my body pushes me right back on the couch.

"Dying is the most exciting part of our family. Death is the easiest way out of this mess, thus, it's exciting," Elijah explains as if it's something casual. "The doctor has you all patched up and he left some medicine for you to take. The medicine bottle and instructions are on your nightstand in your room. Don't be stubborn and please take them on time."

He starts walking past me to leave but I grab the ends of his sleeve. I didn't do it on purpose, it was an instinct. He probably incited this kind of gesture from me because of the kindness he's showed me; something I crave from Alejandro but doesn't receive.

He sighs but doesn't turn around to look at me, "I know you didn't sign up to have a life like this, it's truly unfair." He walks slightly further from me and continues, "If it were me—if I were Alejandro, I would've taken you far away from this violently deranged life, I wouldn't have let a shadow of this lifestyle touch you but... but unfortunately for you, you've fallen under a shade that creates the shadow itself. Alejandro is the Cosa nostra's most important piece in this unhinged game; he's the piece that creates chaos to bring so-called peace and order in the underworld."

"What are you trying to say, Elijah?" My question is like a whisper.

"Alejandro's a machine created by our organization. He's the result of inhumane training of the mind and body to understand nothing but destruction, wealth, and possessions. So, you're right. Death is the only escape from all of this," he finishes. "I'll see you around, Ms. Zara."

Before I can say anything else, Elijah leaves.

Frank and Charlotte are deadly quiet at first until Charlotte gains the courage to ask if I'd like to be helped into my room. I nod and she helps me onto a wheelchair to take me to my room. Frank takes his leave after I settle into my room.

Before Charlotte leaves, she holds my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze, "I know Mr. Elijah said death is the only way out but I disagree. A strong mindset can get you very far in life, even if it's in a corrupt environment. But, of course, it's easier said than done." I thank her as she leaves for the night. As I stare out the window, my hand starts tracing my face and I realize there are a couple of bandaids on my cheek. My wrists are wrapped as well as my ankles, probably because of some injury.

He's the result of inhumane training of the mind and body to understand nothing but destruction, wealth, and possessions.

"Elijah's not wrong but neither is Charlotte... maybe I can get someone to give me some combat training," I think out loud. "I wonder if Alejandro's going off at poor Marcus because of what I said..." I'm not fond of Marcus, but Alejandro never goes easy on anyone. Marcus doesn't even have anything to do with it.

I also realize I haven't cried because of any of this, any sane person would've bawled their eyes out by now. "I guess I am slowly losing my sanity," I sigh.

Poor Charlotte. She really wanted to go to the party but she probably can't attend anymore because of me. In fact, I'm pretty sure Alejandro will find someone else to take instead of me. But it makes no difference to me. I don't care anymore, either way. The last thought I have before bed is what kind of breakfast I'll be given in the morning and when this stupid pain will subside.

- - -

• Alejandro will always keep crossing the line. His line has already reached the depths of Hell. (눈‸눈)