Chapter 2 - Still in his Den

How I got to the bed, I don't know. My head still rang from the blow. At least I didn't die the first time I saw him.

Rumor has it that whoever meets with Lorenzo Valenti for the first time meets death.

I had quite a taste of it last night.

Running my fingers softly across the bedding, every bone in my body ached with pain.

Why am I on a bed and not some basement floor?

I managed to get off the bed. A bathrobe lay on the vanity for me. I slipped it on and limped to the huge door on the right, opening it slowly. I dragged my feet across the floor because of the pain in my right butt cheek.

Muffled voices came from down the hallway. I slowed my pace, leaned against the wall, and listened.

"I think she might be the one, sir."

Who is she?

"She is dead, and I don't believe in coincidences or whatever rubbish they call it these days."

"Sir, we did a background check, and it shows she is not related to the woman. The woman never had a child after her two sons."

"And where are these hospital reports?"

"If you need me to, I will get them."

"Tell me something better. Have the Calantes paid their debts?"

"No record of that, boss."

"We should pay him a visit, don't you think?"

My breath became uneven. My fingers scratched at the wall. Were they just discussing my mother and brothers?

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I heard footsteps toward the door.

I should leave now.

"What are you doing by my study at 4 in the morning?"

My eyes went wide.

"I… I… I am… I was…"

He tilted his head to the side, hands on his hips, as if studying me.

"I am looking… f-f-for the… way back to the room."

"Fair enough. Let me show you back." He clamped my arms in his hands so hard that pain shot through my body, then dragged me down the hallway. We took a right turn to a huge white door. The marble floor echoed with our footsteps.

"I'm sorry."

"You should know your place," his voice became low and raspy, "as my slave."

I nodded.

He tossed my arms back and stormed off. My arms had a tingling sensation. His grip had made my wounds ache.

I walked into the room, shut the door silently, and lay on my side on the bed. What does he want with my mother's medical records? And why was he mentioning my brothers too?

I groaned into the pillow as I turned face down and fell asleep.

Smoke.

Gunshots.

Screams.

A car accident.

Surgical gowns.

"Miss Ava! Miss Ava! Miss Ava!" a voice called out to me, and I woke up with light from a tiny opening making me squint.

"Miss Ava, it's time for breakfast," the bald man in a crisp black tuxedo announced by the door.

"Breakfast?"

What time is it even? I held my ringing head and aching stomach with my hands.

"Sire instructed that you be served breakfast at 7:00 a.m."

I was taken aback.

I'm meant to be a slave, not be served.

"Oh, I will get dressed and join you soon."

"Whenever you are ready." The bald butler stood by the door.

"I won't be long…" I started to lift myself off the bed when I heard Lorenzo by the door. "Give it to her in bed."

I sat down in my robe as the butler brought in my breakfast - scrambled eggs, toast, hash browns, and a glass of juice.

"I would like to make a call."

The butler gestured to a landline beside the bed. I had thought it was an intercom for the house.

I grabbed it and called my mom.

"Hello?"

"Mom? It's Ava. Are you okay? Is everything fine with you?"

"Yes, Ava, everything is fine. Where are you?" she sobbed gently.

"I don't know, Mother, but I am safe, and I will come to you, alright?"

"Who are you speaking to?" A voice like Marco's echoed in the background.

"It's Ava," she spoke between sobs.

"She is dead, Ma."

"Hello, Mom?"

The call dropped. My breath became even more uneven. I bent over.

So they wanted me dead. And what would happen to my mother now after hearing such news?

"I need to speak to Lorenzo. Please take me to him," I told the bald butler.

"You need to be in bed today. You don't want to leave this room, I assure you," he said with a tone of finality.

"Please - "

"He's out and won't be back until tomorrow morning."

I sat still and ate my breakfast. My mouth hurt with each chew.

"I'm done eating."

"You've barely had anything -"

"Please."

"As you please. Here are your medications."

I looked at the little cup filled with blue, yellow, and red pills.

"Thank you. I am fine." I lay back and tossed the duvet over my head.

I heard him walk out of the room with the tray.

I slept for hours and woke up with a sharp pain down my back. My head felt hot, and my body was covered in sweat.

I heard the voices of people in my room.

"Why didn't you give her the medications?"

"I did. She refused."

"Do you want to get the both of us killed?" the female voice questioned.

I couldn't open my mouth. My eyes spun, and it was hard to keep them open. I wished they could just be silent for once. The sound of the door shutting rang like a church bell.

The pain shot through my wrist and ankle like I was reliving the trip to the basement again.

What is going on with me again?

My breath felt warm, and I felt like throwing up.

Suddenly, the voices were back again, but this time with another voice closer to me than the others. His hands touched my head and felt my pulse. A damp towel was placed on my forehead, and something sharp was inserted in my wrist.

I took a shaky breath as the three voices left the room.

"She would be fine."