Sometimes, life doesn’t happen the way we want. There are critical situations we find ourselves in and most times we strive, struggle, and fight our way out of them. But not every situation feels the same, there are some in which fighting could be futile, and at such times, we just have to accept whatever comes in our path, embrace it, and live with it. My name is Cassandra and this is my story.
As a child, I lived in the beautiful city of Santiago with my parents. We were a happy wealthy family. Being the only child, I had a life full of fun and liberty. My parents gave me everything I wanted, and I was treated like a princess in a big castle.
My mother was a nurse and my dad, when all I could say was he is a simple contractor, so I thought until the night of my 20th birthday when I found out who he truly was, not only that, I got the biggest birthday surprise of my life.
***
It was evening, and my 20th birthday was at hand. Usually, I prefer to spend my time out with my friends Tyler and Camila, having fun throughout the night, but this time I decided to spend it with my family. My mom and dad have always been the ones there for me, they’ve given me everything I had wanted and I am yet to spend the night of my birthday with them since I turned fifteen, the year I got into high school.
Of course, I did that in my childhood days but since I turned thirteen, I was given the privilege to live my life the way I wanted. At seventeen, I moved out to my apartment, so I barely stayed with my parents and that was the reason why I decided to make an exception for tonight, the night in which I would clock 20 and begin my adulthood.
Just as I lay down on my bed. I heard a knock on my room door. “Honey, are you awake?”
“Yes mom, I just need a few more minutes and I will be right down with you,” I replied.
“Okay, honey.” I could hear her footsteps as she walked away. My phone notification popped up, I took it and turned it on. It was a message from Tyler.
Tyler is my boyfriend. We met when I was sixteen in high school, I had a great crush on him and that crush grew into something I never thought it would. He is a cute sweet little guy, a bit romantic. He was everything I wanted for a guy, including his physique and structure.
“Happy 20th birthday to the one girl who turned my world around. Thanks for making my life special, I have gotten a special birthday present for you which will be given to you when we meet at your place later tonight.” My face was all red as I smiled while I read his text.
“I wonder what birthday present he would have prepared for me,” I muttered.
Well, that doesn’t matter as I have also presented my surprise for him and that was to give him the one thing I have been keeping to myself for quite some time, my virginity. Tyler and I have been in a relationship for three years but we haven’t touched each other sexually, nor have we engaged in foreplay or sex. The only things we’ve done were kisses and cuddles.
With a smiley red face, I made it out of bed as I was set to join my parents for a birthday dinner. I left my room and though it was my special day, it felt like a normal day. I thought my parents would decorate the house like they used to but this time they didn’t.
I made my way to the dining hall, and at the table was a cake with just a candle at the top. The light was out and the candle was the only thing left lighting.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday happy birthday, happy birthday to you🎶🎶”
“Wow, dad…mom.”
“Happy birthday darling.”
“Thank you so much dad, thank you so much, mom,” I said and embraced them in the darkness. “I love you both so much.”
“My darling, we love you too honey.”
“Want to blow out your candle?” my mom asked. I broke off the embrace and turned around to the cake in the middle of the table.
Walked close to it, I blow out the candle and my dad quickly switched back on the lights. From the sight of it, I could tell it was a strawberry banana-flavored cake, my favorite.
“Sorry, we didn’t make preparations. We had no idea of what you might like and it’s been ages since we’ve gathered as a family to celebrate your big day so we thought it would be best not to upset you, that’s why we decided to make it a plain family dinner.” My mom said.
“Its okay mom, I love it.”
“Well then, we should celebrate. For tonight, my big girl is coming off age. Soon she will be thinking of settling down with somebody’s son.”
“Dad.” I chuckled. “We should probably eat first, I’m famished.”
“Alright, dinner coming right up.”
It is indeed a blissful night, seeing both of my parents happy, gave me a certain type of joy. One that I could not explain.
My mom brought out dinner, she not only prepared my favorite cake she also prepared my favorite dish of pernil and cazuela
Dinner was served. I was delighted and could no longer wait to dig in, we shared grace and just as we were about to commence with dinner, we heard a sudden knock on the doors.
I looked backward at the entrance which was quite visible from the dining hall. Who could possibly be the one at the door by this time? It can’t be Tyler for we agreed to meet at my place tonight.
“Are we expecting anyone? Or is this a surprise package?” I asked in curiosity and inherent joy.
“I don’t think so honey.” My mom replied. “I didn’t order anything. Did you honey?” we heard the knock again and this time it was aggressive and louder than the first.
“I will be right back, let me check who’s at the door.” He left my mom and me alone in the dining room. On his arrival, he switched on the CCTV at the entrance of the door to see who it was.
There he stood still. I noticed his hands were shaken but my mom had no idea, he caught on cold feet, and with fear, and trembling, he stretched his hands out for the door knob. As soon as he opened it, he began to step back. Ten men in black walked in with a man in a white suit. Just from the looks, I saw how frightened my father appeared to be. I took a closer look at the man in white, and at that moment I could tell who he was, the notorious criminal that the entire city of Santiago has ever known, Mariano Alexander.
My mom and I both stood up, as we had no idea of what was going on. Curiosity rose in my heart as I could not understand what the world’s most wanted man is doing at our home at a time like this.
My mom walked to meet my father and I followed suit.
“Mr. Anderson, you are indeed a hard man to find aren’t you?” he spoke. His eyes made contact with mine. “Who would have thought you were a family man? I smell something delicious, I must have interrupted a family’s dinner.”
“Please Mariano, I beg of you to spare me.” My father pleaded on his knees in fear, shaken.
“Honey, what is going on? What’s this all about? Why are they here at our home?” my mom was asking a lot of questions. She didn’t seem to be a bit surprise when the men walked in.
“So Anderson, is my money ready?”
Money, what could he be talking about? Now I was lost in the midst of it all. What money? Why would he walk into our home demanding for his money?
“I promise to pay it back. I will by….”
“By when? When you die right?” he said with anger in his voice. “You said the same thing after I found out about my missing goods. Or did you think you would come work for me, thereafter steal from me and go scot-free? Not a chance.” He said
Work for him? Why would my father work…..at that point, it became clear to me. I thought my father was a simple contractor, but I guess it was all a lie.
TBC…
I froze to my feet. My father had been lying to me this whole time, about who he truly was and what he does for a living. Could it be that the luxurious life I have been living is a product of his job?“Dad, what’s going on?” I asked still in doubt and hoped my instincts were wrong.“Dad!” he repeated and looked at me, his lurking eyes ran from my head to my feet and then he smirk. “Well Mr. Anderson, you do know how to surprise someone. Not only did you have the guts to steal from me, you ran away to the one place I wouldn’t even thinking of looking for you. Bought yourself a comfortable life, a nice house. I bet you have a lot of cars in your garage, a sweet wife and now a daughter!” he exclaimed in surprise. “I must say I am indeed impress, but you shouldn’t have done any of it.” He said as he stretched out his left hand to one of his men who handed him a glock.“Please Mariano, I beg of you. Spare me just this once, I promise to pay back double.” He pleaded.“You should know bette
I opened my eyes. It was morning again.I had a long night of sleep, my whole body felt numb and all I did was stretched out on the bed.I tried to reach out to my cellphone on the bed but was unable to find it. I needed to communicate to Tyler where and when I will be free today, I missed the previous night, he must be mad at me.Still stretching out on the bed, I still could not reach out to my phone. I turned my head to the side and saw a huge painting by the wall. It was a man who I recognized, Mariano the most notorious ruthless mafia leader. Some say he is a tyrant, others say he is a psychopath and a maniac.“What is that painting doing inside my room.” I turned my head to the other side and saw a huge painting again. It was still the same man but with a little girl in it. “What is this? Why am I seeing strange things?” I pondered greatly. “I guess I must have had too much of champagne last night that’s the reason why I am hallucinating and daydreaming. But if I were to daydrea
I finished breakfast after eating the little I could. I walked back into my room and laid down on the bed. It was lonely and I was bored to death.I was taking away against my will. Now my life and freedom has been cut short. Just as I laid down on the bed, I heard his voice as he spoke. It was clear and bold, like he was close by. I quickly walked to the window and noticed he was about to leave. It was a good thing, at least he won’t be around for a moment.He turns around and look up towards me. In haste, I veil the windows with the help of the curtain for I didn’t want him to know that I was watching. I went back to the bed and laid on it.After a short while, I could hear the screening of tyres as they drove off. “He must have gone out.” I spoke to myself in the quiet room. I laid down on my head for a nap as that was the only thing left for me, to sleep and wallow myself in loneliness and desolation.***I woke up again, my body felt numb and sore, than it was before. I stood up
We made it to my room. I sat down on the bed while she squatted before me to examine the bruises on my legs. Soon she left and came back with a first aid box.She began giving medications to my feet and applied some ointment to the bruises on my legs. “Ouch!” I reacted as I felt the pain. “Sorry, I am not very skilled at this.” She said.“It’s fine, no need to apologize.” I replied.She kept on with her duty. I looked at her, she was still so young and if I am not mistake, she should be about thirteen years old eventually. “How long have you been here?” I asked as curiosity corded my mind.“Five years.” She replied“What happened? How did you end up here?” the questions kept coming out of me.“I don’t want to talk about it.” she answered. I saw how weary and depressed she looked. The expression on her face made me a bit uncomfortable. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked such questions. I’m sorry.” I said. Silence followed as she kept on applying the ointment “Miss.” She called out to
After a long time, he came back out with my dad. His face was dark and gloomy, “Let’s go.” He saidAlthough I never wanted to leave, I had no choice but to go with him back. And right now he doesn’t seem to be his usual self. I have seen what he can do, I better not resist at the moment for I had no idea what he is thinking. “Mom, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, you too dad.”“We will be fine honey. You don’t need to worry about us, and we promise to make everything right again.” She said.“Take care honey. Just be a good girl like you always have been and we will be together sooner than you expect.” Those comforting words from my father lighten my heart.I said not a word but just smiled. How was I able to tell my parents this was the last time we would get to meet with each other, I just can’t afford to see them heartbroken.I took my leave with Mariano as we made it to the entrance where the vehicles were parked. He got in and so did I, we sat separately from each other. H
I sat down still on my bed for the rest of the night, terrified and afraid that he might come back again to finish what he started.The rays of the sun lighted my room, it was morning again and I felt relieved but fear still occupied my heart, this is still his territory and be it morning or night, that won’t stop him from doing whatever he wants. Besides he said it before, he has the right to do whatever pleases him.Just as I sat down, I heard the squeaking of the door knob. Fear embraced me once again, I couldn’t feel my body. My heart jumped into my stomach as I broke out in cold sweat“Cassandra are you awake?” I heard the voice loud and clear, it was Celia. “I just wanted to check up on you.” She said. I gave out a sigh of relief and made my way to open the door for her.She walked in hurriedly like she was been pursued, I locked the door back and made it to my bed again and squeezed myself underneath the duvet, I was terribly shaking“Cassandra, are you alright?”“Yes, I’m fine
Here I am again, all by myself to the big table. It really gets boring being by myself all the time, I just don’t know what to do but sleep all through.But something felt strange. The atmosphere around him is different, like he is a different man. I haven’t seen him this way before, even on TV or journalist’s reviews. Well it’s my first time being closed to him this much, but I never expected that the world most dangerous man in Santiago had a cheerful part. What could be his story?I stood up again from the dining table and made it to the living room. I sat down on the cushion and switched on the TV as I tried to get myself busy and not be bored.“Cassandra. You are here? By yourself?” I turned around and it was Celia.“Hey Celia. Is there anything wrong with me being here?” I asked as I noticed the sudden change of mood.“He doesn’t like anyone sitting by the TV, or on his chairs. He gets angry.” “Ohh I see. But he isn’t around, and he probably won’t notice by the time he gets bac
Knock-knockThe door opened and he walked in, I sat down on the bed with my knees folded up to my chest and my hands wrapped around them.“How are you feeling?” I gave not a reply neither said a word for I was speechless and knew not what to say to him.“I’m fine.” I managed a reply.“What’s wrong? You don’t look so happy? Did the maid offend you?” I looked not at him but stared right into the empty space in the room. “Cassandra, I am talking to you.” I kept on with the silent treatment.He walked closer and stood beside me. “Cassandra, look at me in the eyes. Did the maid offend you?” he asked again and my behavior remained the same. “You know, you should answer me now that I am trying to be nice. Do not anger me.”I turned to look at him. The man who stood before me, he was getting furious but all I could see is a child who was abandoned by his parents. The feeling of self pity was all around me the more I looked at him, it must have been rough living all by yourself. Having no one