CHAP 6: {Shattered Reflections}

"Why are you crying?" Chiara's voice broke through the heaviness in the room, her concern palpable as she gently patted my back. I sniffled, using a blue handkerchief to wipe away the tears streaming down my face and the traces of sorrow on my nose.

"He did it with me, he forced me," I uttered between sobs. My voice cracked with the weight of my confession, my anguish pouring out like a torrential storm. The room fell silent, each word hanging in the air, raw and vulnerable.

"Hey, lower your pathetic voice," Isabella's harsh interruption sliced through the stillness, her lack of empathy clear in her tone. It felt like a slap across my face, adding further pain to my already wounded soul. I looked at her, a mix of disappointment and disbelief etched on my tear-stained face.

"We are trying to get some sleep," Bianca yelled, her frustration evident as she forcefully buried her face in a pillow. Her words felt like a dagger to my heart, the sense of isolation intensifying with each passing moment.

"You chose this, you deserve this," Elena's bitter words hung in the air, laced with judgment and condemnation. They pierced through my vulnerability, amplifying the pain and shame that already consumed me. I felt a surge of anger rises within me, but before I could respond, Chiara stepped forward to defend me.

"Why are you so rude?" Chiara's voice rang out,

"I kept my dignity for all these years, only for it to be broken by a ruthless beast," I lamented, my voice filled with anguish and frustration. The weight of the betrayal felt suffocating, threatening to crush me under its immense pressure

"It's okay, cheer up, Abebi," Chiara consoled me, offering a gentle smile as she took the blue handkerchief to clean my tear-streaked face. Her comforting presence provided a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded us.

As we tried to gather ourselves, Angelica, dressed in her usual black attire, entered the room. Her disapproving gaze fell upon me, causing a knot of anxiety to tighten in my stomach. I braced myself for whatever harsh words she had in store.

"You better get used to this," Angelica sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. The cruel words struck at the core of my being, further eroding my self-worth. I glanced at Chiara, finding solace in her unwavering support,

Angelica then shifted her attention to the other girls in the room, praising them for their performance the previous day. Her words were tainted with the greed and power-driven mentality that governed this world we were trapped in. It sickened me to see how easily they reveled in the approval of the Mafia bosses, their laughter echoing in the room.

"You guys should stop being childish," Elena reprimanded them, her voice laced with frustration. I appreciated her attempt to restore some sense of maturity amidst the chaotic atmosphere.

I climbed down from my bed and made my way out of the room, leaving behind the echoes of laughter and the toxic environment. I needed answers, closure, and a path forward.

As I walked towards Lady Angelica's office, my heart pounded with a mixture of fear.

*******

I knocked on Angelica's office door, and she immediately recognized my presence.

"I know it's you, Abebi. Come in," Angelica called out, inviting me inside. As I entered her office, my heart pounded with anticipation. I couldn't help but wonder, "Was she going to ask me about my affair with Don Mac Allister?"

Her room was medium size, adorned with black flowers. The office was furnished with chairs, a ceiling fan, a rug, a table with cigarettes, and a small cathode-ray TV. Nervously,

I met Angelica's gaze, her dark eyes piercing through me. Gathering my composure, I respectfully addressed her,

"Here I am, Lady Angelica." She motioned for me to take a seat, and I obliged, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Look at me, who do you think I am?" Lady Angelica questioned Abebi, her tone filled with authority. I couldn't help but wonder about the intention behind such a question.

"How long do you think I have been in this dirty job?" Lady Angelica continued, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and experience.

I silently pondered the question, unsure of how to respond. I couldn't comprehend why Lady Angelica was asking me such things.

"What kind of question is this? I thought to myself, feeling a sense of unease settle within her.

"So you can't talk now, right?" Lady Angelica remarked, her pacing around the room adding to my discomfort. The tears welled up in my eyes, and I struggled to find my words amidst the emotional turmoil.

"I... I did nothing," Abebi managed to sob out, her voice trembling. The weight of Lady Angelica's scrutiny and the implications behind her questions were becoming overwhelming for Abebi to bear.

Lady Angelica's words only intensified Abebi's distress. "I have worked for Allisters. I was far more beautiful than Madame Beatrice," Lady Angelica asserted. "He never spent more than 30 minutes with me," she added, her voice filled with a mix of bitterness and disappointment.

"Don't you ever think you will ever be the apple of his eye," Angelica sneered.

"You are just a cheap girl who will soon be used and dumped," she added, her words cutting through me like a knife. The harsh reality of Lady Angelica's words struck deep within my heart, leaving her feeling shattered and unworthy.

Tears welled up in my eyes as i tried to hold back my emotions. I couldn't believe the cruelty in Lady Angelica's words. The weight of her judgment and belittlement crushed Abebi's spirit, making her question her worth and the choices she had made.

"Now get out of here!" Angelica yelled, her voice echoing in the room. My body tensed up, and I swiftly stood up, feeling a mix of anger, hurt, and humiliation. Without saying a word, I turned and walked out of the office, trying to hold myself together as best as i could.

I closed the door behind her, I felt a wave of emotions engulf me. The tears that I had been holding back now flowed freely down my cheeks. The weight of Lady Angelica's words lingered, gnawing at her self-esteem and leaving me feeling broken.

******

I quickly wiped my tears as I saw Chiara approaching. She settled down next to me on the floor, her eyes filled with concern.

"You weren't in the lunchroom. What's going on?" she asked, her voice gentle yet insistent.

"I just wasn't hungry," I replied, trying to brush off her inquiry. But Chiara saw through my facade, smiling knowingly.

"I know when something's bothering you," she said, her smile warm and comforting. I felt a flicker of hope, a safe space to confide in her.

Reluctantly, I began to open up. "Okay, fine. Lady Angelica... she said awful things to me. She belittled me, called me names," I confessed, my voice trembling with vulnerability. The memory of her words sent shivers down my spine.

Chiara's expression turned serious, her grip on my hand tightening. "I'm so sorry, Abebi. No one deserves to be treated that way," she said, her voice filled with empathy. Her words wrapped around me like a soothing embrace.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, but this time they were met with understanding and compassion. Chiara's unwavering support reminded me that I wasn't alone in this struggle.

As I shared my pain, Chiara's presence became a beacon of strength. She handed me a bowl of soup and bread, a simple act of kindness that spoke volumes.

"Remember tomorrow is the day we shall travel to meet Don Tommy at palamo"

With a heavy sigh, Chiara reminded me of the upcoming meeting between Allister and Tommy. The thought of returning to their world filled me with trepidation, but I knew I had to face it head-on.

"Prepare yourself, both mentally and physically, and get some rest," she cautioned. Her words carried a weight of caution and determination, a reminder to stay strong amidst the impending challenges.

As Chiara got up to leave, I mustered a weak smile, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Chiara," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude.