3

Diana’s POV

It’s 7 a.m. I’ve bathed Ayla, and bathed myself too.

She has eaten and ready for school.

“Let’s go, dear.”

I drop her at Leo’s place. He takes her to school himself and picks her up when school is over.

Her school is 9:30 to 1 p.m., and I can’t wait till that time to drop her.

Every time I try waiting, I end up late.

And anytime I show up late at the club, I get warned.

If I’m fired, I’m done. The money from the club pays my rent, and the restaurant money covers food and Ayla’s education.

I reach the club and start cleaning because by 8:30 people will start coming in.

As I’m cleaning—

“Good morning.”

A voice cut in and I turned quickly.

My eyes widened. Huge men in matching black coats. They look like Alessandro’s men.

“Good morning,” I said, bowing a little.

“Let’s go.”

One of them gestured toward the hallway.

“To where?” I asked confused.

“Master wants to see you.”

My heart beat faster. Whether I followed or not, they’d drag me anyway.

They took me to the VIP room in the club.

And there he sat—Alessandro Moretti, a cigarette between his fingers.

“Good morning, Master. How may I be of help?” I lowered my head.

“On my bed,” he said, voice low and husky.

My whole body trembled.

What did he mean, his bed?

He didn’t explain. He simply stood and started removing his shirt.

He stepped closer.

I backed away until my back hit the wall.

He was so close, his breath brushed my forehead.

I only reached his chest.

His hand lifted to my face, his finger tracing down to my lips.

“I haven’t been eating properly since the day I saw you. I’m hungry for you. I want to eat you. I want to tear you down there until you’re sore and can’t walk.”

His hand slipped under my shirt, about to shift my bra, when I held his hand.

I sighed, shaking.

“Please… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?" He smirked "I chose you. Be smart.”

I couldn’t hold it. I had to say it as he was about to yank my bra.

“Stop. I’m 31. You’re 21. If I gave birth early, I’d be your mother.”

His hand froze.

Someone behind him burst into laughter.

“Alex, stop laughing. This is not funny!” Alessandro snapped, furious.

Then his hand clamped around my neck lifting me up.

“How dare you say that to me?”

“At first I thought I’d use you for one night. But now? Put it in your head—you’ll be my sex toy every morning, afternoon, and night.”

“And I promise you I will never be.”

I snapped back. I’m older. He should show some respect. Money doesn’t make him my senior.

“Oh? Not just my sex toy anymore. My slave.”

His voice dropped darker.

“It’s better to submit to me earlier, or I will make your life miserable. You’ll still end up mine—the hard way and the bad way.”

I pushed him off and rushed out.

Luckily, no one stopped me.

The club was already full.

I ran to the dressing room and dressed quickly.

Just as I finished, the CEO walked in.

“Good morning, Sir. I’m sorry, I’ll be done in a—”

“No need, Diana. You’re fired.”

“What? Please, Sir, what did I do?” I grabbed his hand.

“Take your hands off me. I need my life.”

He pulled away.

“One minute. Leave.”

He walked out, and I sat on the floor, confused.

Minutes later, security came and forced me out.

I headed straight to the restaurant.

I didn’t want to go home—Ayla wasn’t there yet, and I’d break down.

But the security stopped me. “Madam said not to let you in.”

I waited for the owner.

“Good morning, Madam. I—”

“I’m sorry, Diana. You’re fired.”

She didn’t hear me. Didn’t let me speak.

Just walked away.

What did I do?

Why are they all firing me today?

I don’t even know when I started crying.

I went home—not to Leo’s place. I didn’t want him to see my vulnerability.

But as I turned the corner to my house, I ran faster.

My door was broken.

My belongings thrown out.

My landlady stood there.

“Why are you throwing my things out? I paid last week!”

“I’m sorry, but the house has been bought. The new tenant is moving in this morning.”

“No, please. I have nowhere to go. I have a little girl. Please…”

She pushed me away and locked the door with a new padlock.

I cried harder.

They didn’t even pity me.

They broke all my kitchen utensils.

My box of clothes—Ayla’s clothes—was drenched in palm oil.

I sat on the ground. People walked past, staring. Some even recorded me.

I remembered Amara is off today. She’ll be home.

I grabbed my box—the only thing left—and left.

I checked my purse. One dollar. Not enough for a cab or bike.

So I ran.

One hour of running until my legs felt numb.

I reached Amara’s house and knocked with shaking hands.

She opened the door, but when I tried to enter, she stepped out and closed it behind her.

For now, I didn’t have time to ask her why.

“I got fired everywhere today. My landlady threw me out. Amara, please, can I stay with you and Ayla until I find a job?”

“Impossible, Diana. I’m sorry. I value my life.”

She avoided my eyes.

Why are they all claiming they value their life? Am I a killer?

“Am I bad luck? Do I bring danger that will make you lose your life?”

“You are not. But Master came here an hour ago, with his thugs. He warned me to stay away from you. When I told him you are my sister and I can't ignore you, he heated a knife on fire and placed it on my back.”

She turned and showed me the fresh burn.

“He said if I welcome you here, he’ll kill me, my brother, my boyfriend, my family.”

She stepped inside and locked the door without me saying anything further.

Why is he so wicked?

I had no choice but to go to Leo.

I prayed he accepted me. I didn’t want to sleep on the streets.

Leo saw me with the bag and ran to me.

“What happened? Why are you crying? Whose bag is that?”

I explained everything. His face fell.

“I’m sorry, but Alessandro Moretti is wicked. He always gets what he wants. Yours is worse because he didn’t get you the first attempt. Why didn’t you give him what he wanted? He’d leave you and you’d be safe.”

“I didn’t expect you to say this, Leo. You know my past. My trauma isn’t even healed. It still torments me.”

He wiped my tears.

“It’s the truth, Diana. He’ll torment you. I'm surprised he didn't kill you or collect what he wants at the moment—but just know that you are in serious trouble.”

“You can stay in my room. I’ll stay in the gateman’s room. He’s my friend.”

“Thank you,” I said, hugging him tightly.

I went up to the third floor, praying no one stopped me from staying there.