Chapter Five: He sold me?

CAMILLA'S POV

“Milla, I brought you your favourite sweets from Miss Leila's store”. My mother said as she came back home from work.

I rushed to hug her and she gave me a bag filled with chocolates. My eyes sparked.

“You've been such a good girl. Your teacher called to tell me that you're doing so well in your studies. Consider this your reward.”

“Thank you mom”

“You're welcome, my baby. Now go wash up, I'm taking you to the amusement park this evening. Let's have some fun”

I was ecstatic. I quickly ran to my room to take a bath and put on some clean clothes. Outings with my mom were always so fun and enjoyable, especially the amusement park.

“Mom I'm ready”. I said as I entered her room “Mom, are you okay?”. I asked worriedly as I saw her coughing.

“Y-yes I'm fine. Just a little cold”. She replied

“Well we could just stay home if you're not feeling well”. I said as I walked closer to her.

“And miss out on the amusement park? Never!”. She said as she got up and held my hand.

I smiled. I brushed it off as a minor thing. But little did my 11 year old self know that it was the beginning of a nightmare.

The amusement park was my favourite place to be, and my mom was my favourite person to be with. She was quite literally my world. My dad was always busy, so I'd hardly ever have time to bond with him. I didn't mind though, my mom was everything and more.

We went on so many rides and I even won a teddy bear.

“Here you go mom. I won it for you!”. I said with a wide smile as I gave it to her.

“Awww, thank you my little munchkin”. She smiled and hugged me. “Let's get you some cotton candy. I know they're your favourite”.

“Yayyyy”. She made me so happy.

After getting the cotton candy and some other snacks we started heading home.

We were laughing and giggling as we entered the house and realised that my father had already come back home.

“Hi honey, you're back”. My mom said as she tried to give him a hug.

He stared at her coldly and then turned to me. “Camilla, go to your room.”.

“What, why?”. I said, I was confused.

“Don't question me. Go to your room now!”. His voice resounded in the living room and I ran to my room in fear.

I heard they're voices from my room, it sounded like they were arguing.

“You didn't have to shout at her like that, you know. She's just a child”. My mom said, trying to suppress her anger.

“Oh please, she'll be a teenager in less than two years. When I was her age I was already fending for myself.”. My father replied.

She let out a deep sigh. “What happened? Why are you in such a bad mood?”

“When am I ever not in a bad mood in this house? I came home from work, tired and hungry and there was no food to eat. You didn't prepare lunch today”

“I was busy.”

“Busy doing what? Having fun at God knows where? You're spoiling Camilla.”. He snarled

“If I don't spoil her, who will, you?”

“Don't talk back at me you bitch”

“Don’t call me that. Besides, why were you hungry after work? Your secretary didn't feed you today?”

There was this deafening silence that came after she made that statement.

“Cat got your tongue-”. She was caught off by a slap and fell to the ground.

“Don't you ever talk about her.”. He walked away angrily.

I heard everything from my room and I shuddered in fear.

What was happening?

I thought to myself. An hour later my mother came up to my room, she had a bruise on her face and her cheek was swelling. I was young but I knew exactly what was happening.

“Mom, are you okay?”.I said as I rushed to hug her.

She gave me a faint smile, I could tell it was forced as well. “I'm fine Milla. Just tired”

“W-what did dad do?”. I asked again

She sighed. “He's just in a bad mood. He'll cool off soon".

I stared at her eyes, all I could see was pain. She would never tell me that my father hit her. She didn't want me to see him in a bad light. I rubbed her cheek and hugged her tightly.

“I love you my little munchkin”

“I love you too mom”.

I woke up with tears in my eyes. I looked around and saw that I was in my room in Baron's mansion.

“So it was a dream, or rather a memory.”. I said to myself. It felt so real. Like I was reliving it again.

I glanced at the clock and realised that it was already 4pm. I slept through the whole day?

Panic immediately set it. I didn't do any of my duties today and Baron was probably already back from work. I rushed out of the bed and heard a knock from the door.

I trembled as I opened it and saw that it was a security guard.

“The master wants to see you, now”. He said and I gulped.

“Oh- okay”

“Follow me.” He said as he led me to Baron's room.

With every step I took my heart pounded. What would he do to me? Would he take me to the dungeon or worse? I didn't know what to expect.

We got to the room and I opened the door and walked in. The place smelled of cigarettes and it was completely dark. I couldn't see anything.

“What am I going to do with you Camilla?”. I heard his voice behind me. I could feel his hot breath on my neck. It sent shivers down my spine.

“You have one job. Just one and you fail to do it”

“I'm so sorry master. I wasn't feeling well so I overslept”. I said, apologising frantically.

“Is that so?”. He said as he came to my side and whispered in my ear. “Tsk”. He walked around the room and finally stood in front of me.

I couldn't see anything but I could feel his eyes on me. I felt vulnerable.

“You know when your father brought you here, I hesitated to take you.”

Brought me here? What was he talking about?

“I felt like it would come with problems but yet I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Along with some money which I regret.”

“W-what?” I asked in confusion.

“Oh.. you're not aware? Your father borrowed a huge sum of money from me a few weeks back. He came again to beg for another sum and also for me to pay for your mother's hospital bills. Of course I was tired of his shenanigans so I asked for collateral and he said he'd offer me something better, you.”

My eyes widened at the realisation.

“He brought you here that day and went home with some money. And now I'm currently paying for your mother's bills. And honestly I'm regretting it. First you try to escape and now this?”

I was dumbstruck.

My father…. Sold me? But that's impossible.

My mind flashed to earlier that day. He told me we were going to visit my mother then gave me something to eat. He drugged that food. Made me sleep off and brought me here.

“P-please. Just let me go. I had no knowledge of this. Please”. I said as tears streamed down my face.

“Your tears won't save you. Besides, if I let you go, who's gonna pay me my money? And who'll pay for your mother's treatment? Think about it. You really don't have a choice here.”

I was silent. He was right, if he stopped paying for the bills my father wouldn't pay, and my mother wouldn't get the treatment she needed.

“I told you before, there's no escape. If I let you go your mother would die. So what's it gonna be sweetheart?”

He said as I stared at the floor, my mind racing with different thoughts.

What was I gonna do?