The Night (1)

I'm shaking now. My heart pounding so hard I can barely breathe.

The pain of him not trusting me… it hurts more than anything his family has ever done.

I can’t stop it. The tears begin to fall as I clutch myself tightly, standing there, staring at the man I gave everything to…watching him look at me with pure disdain.

Without thinking, I untie my robe and let it drop to the floor. I stand there, naked, exposed…vulnerable in every possible way. Xavier’s eyes widen in shock.

I don’t care if Macy is still there or not. I step closer and straddle him, placing his hands on my waist. I meet his eyes directly, tears flowing in thick streams.

"I don’t mind losing myself to prove a point to you,” I whisper through trembling lips. “But the thought of you not trusting me... that hurts the most.”

He stares at me, confused, trying to make sense of where I’m going.

"You can check… if I’m still a virgin. I kept myself for you. You were the one who always said we should wait until our wedding night... but I don’t care anymore. If it’ll make you believe me, then so be it."

"I have nothing to do with the pool boy," I say, voice cracking as I bite my lips, trying to hold myself together.

His expression shifts. His anger melts into something else—guilt, maybe. He gently pulls my robe back over my shoulders, his hands suddenly tender. That sorry look fills his face as he wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest.

"I'm sorry," I hear him mutter, almost like he’s ashamed to say it.

I sob into his chest. I love him so deeply. I can’t lose him. I won’t let anyone come between us…not even his family.

**********************************

It’s been two days since the incident.

Two days of rare peace and quiet….happiness, even. Xavier has been attentive, always around me. Maybe he’s trying to make up for everything. He only left for work this afternoon, and now it's past 8 p.m. I sit in the living room, waiting patiently for him to return so we can have dinner together.

I glance at the clock again and then to the door, silently hoping it’ll swing open and reveal him.

It does.

But my smile fades instantly when I see who enters.

Ma Hilda.

I sigh in disappointment. She’s on the phone, her voice cutting sharply through the quiet house.

“Okay, bye,” she says curtly, ending the call and turning her attention to me.

“Isabella, I need you to go fetch something for me. I just ordered some jewelry from my friend Paloma. Go to her store and collect them,” she says, barely looking up from her phone.

I hesitate, checking the time. “Ma… it’s already late. Can I pick them up tomorrow morning?”

She shoots me a cold look, and fear floods my chest. That look… it always means danger.

“You’ll go now. And you’ll walk. I sent the driver on an errand.”

I gape at her. Walk? At this time?

Paloma’s store is a long distance from here. My heart sinks, but I know better than to argue again.

As I step outside, I hear her mutter, “She’s on her way,” into her phone.

****************************

My legs are weak.

Sweat drips down my chest as I walk endlessly, my breath shallow, my body aching. I’ve been walking for nearly an hour now. I couldn’t even take a cab…Ma didn’t give me any money.

The streets are quiet, darker than usual. A strange, uneasy feeling begins to cling to me like a second skin.

Goosebumps ripple across my body. I stop and glance behind me.

Nothing.

Still, something feels off.

I clench my fists, trying to calm myself, but my palms are already damp. My heart thunders violently as I quicken my pace, nearly jogging, adjusting my glasses nervously.

Then I sense it again.

This time, I turn and see him..a rough-looking man trailing behind me, the smell of cigarettes drifting in the air between us.

Panic surges through me. I fumble for my phone and quickly dial Xavier. It rings… and rings… but no answer.

I try again, more desperate now.

Still nothing.

The call goes to voicemail.

Terror creeps into my throat. I want to scream, but my voice fails me.

Suddenly, someone jumps out from a side alley and blocks my path…a faceless man, grinning.

I whirl around, trying to run, but two more figures appear behind me. One has a long scar across his cheek. I can’t see them clearly….my vision’s too blurred with fear.

I tremble, struggling to stay upright. My breathing becomes erratic.

“Wha... what do you want?” I ask, voice shaking, barely audible.

The man with the scar grins. “She’s pretty. I’ll enjoy this one.”

My insides twist in revulsion. Tears start to pool again.

“Please…take my phone. Just let me go,” I plead, my voice cracking as tears streak my face.

The leader steps closer, brushing a hand against my cheek. His brown-stained teeth gleam in the faint streetlight.

“We don’t want your phone, pretty girl,” he sneers. “I’m gonna fuck you till you can’t walk.”

I gag from the stench of him. My stomach heaves and I can barely breathe.

I spit on his face, fury overtaking fear.

He laughs..loud, wild, and cruel…wiping the spit with the back of his hand. “Bring her,” he commands.

The others swarm me. Their hands are rough, holding me down. I scream and thrash, my voice echoing in the night.

“Let me go!” I scream, sobbing uncontrollably.

Then..one of them presses a cloth over my face.

I try to fight, but the scent burns through my nose. My limbs begin to numb. My mind slips.

Everything fades to black.