NATASHA IN EXCHANGE FOR ANNA

CHAPTER 3: NATASHA IN EXCHANGE FOR ANNA

ANNA MASON’S POINT OF VIEW

The cell, where I was kept alive was cold and damp. The walls are thick, and it was dark. The only thing that was keeping me sane was the sound of water, a few drops coming from the cracks on the ceiling and a few guards, who would check on me, but never utter a single word. They would watch, but other than that, they would stay for a few moment outside of my cell and then they would left.

My throat is parched. My lips are dry and the smell of rotten food I ignored for days made my stomach to churn. Disgust filled me, in spite of my hardened countenance.

I don’t know how long had I been here. I lost count, when Romanov’s men dragged me down here after my family was freed. The only thing that was clear on hindsight is anger, resentment that fueled my hate asking why those Mason’s did not rot here together with me.

They deserve to die here and not celebrate their released!

A familiar sound knocked me back to reality. The clicking of heels against the cemented floor echoed. I know who it is. It is just another one of his men urging me to surrender and accept my defeat.

“You still did not touch your food.” His name is Aiden, he told me. On his hand, he was carrying a tray with a freshly made soup, beside it was a loaf of bread and tea.

The smell made my stomach to growl.

I gritted my teeth and looked away. I won’t gave them the satisfaction to laugh out loud at me.

“I—I’m fine.” I weakly uttered, clenching my jaw to stop myself from pouncing to the food he offers.

“If you continue to be like this you’ll die—”

“It’s much better than living here thinking that I am hopeless.” I bites back a remark.

He sighs.

“I get that the situation is not on your favor, but you should be grateful, Anna.” Grateful for what? “In spite of what you pulled, my Lord still shows his mercy.”

“If his mercy means keeping me here and driving me crazy, I don’t think so that I should be grateful.”

Aiden chuckled, “you are stubborn, aren’t you?”

There is a hint of humor on his laughter.

“—but eventually I hope that you could think through things. The only thing I am asking for your own good is to submit. It wasn’t too hard, you know? Just beg and perhaps, my Lord would gave you his mercy, Anna.”

“And if I am not?” When I whipped my head across and looked him directly on the eyes, I could see the surprised on his gaze. My fiery pit stared down on Aiden. Cold, full of hate and grudge condemned towards the Lord he calls. My orbs, like an endless void had no future in them.

Romanov Salvador.

“Then….” Aiden cleared his throat, when he composed himself. Long gone the smile and the assurance. “… you might wish you’ve never cross paths with him, Anna.”

“I hate it! Arggh!” Natasha gritted her teeth. “Why do we need to go through this just because of that bitch?!”

Her tantrums made her mother worried. When she stomped her feet hard and it made a clutter, Mrs. Mason was quick to hold her on her shoulder.

“Calm down, will you?” She hissed.

“How can I calm down, mommy?!” She was furious. “Anna bring troubles to the family more than what we can handle! That wrench was really trying to get us killed!”

She has been cursing her name ever since they were brought to the Salvador’s mansion just because of her. Natasha Mason is the daughter, sole heir of Mathew Mason. Anna is not her sister by blood, or so what his father told to Natasha. What she couldn’t understand is how they grew up together and Anna, although she was treated with contempt was never thrown out of the household, except today. She was supposed to get sold. The family should have get rid of her, but now—Anna made a fool out of them!

Who would have think that she would not only offend Mr. Deogracia, but as well as the feared tyrant, Romanov freaking Salvador?!

“I know, darling.” Mrs. Mason also feel the same. “But don’t you worry, your father will handle this matter, okay? He’ll make sure that Anna would be out of the way—”

“How is he going to do that?” She groans. “Mr. Deogracia held us captive here in our own house!”

If only there’s another way they can deal with this.

Natasha’s tantrums were cut short, when the door to her room was pushed open. A stressed Mathew Mason walked inside. His hair disheveled. His usual organized and composed appearance seems to be a little disarray. His jaw clenched and he seems to be in an unfathomable thought drowned that he never noticed his wife and his daughter. Natasha and Mrs. Mason looked at each other.

His wife was the first one to greet him, “Honey, what’s the problem?”

Her voice faltered.

When Mathew looked up, fear envelope his eyes, “He wanted Anna—”

“Then that’s good, honey. We can hand her over to him—”

“—but if we failed to give him Anna, Mr. Deogracia demanded that he takes our daughter instead…”

“W—what?”

Mathew’s eyes watered, “He wanted Natasha to replaced A—Anna!”

“N—no!”

Natasha’s eyes widened. The family is terrified. Mr. Deogracia is a renown killer. What he wants he will get, and he takes no for an answer.

“O—oh my god!”

EARLIER

“So you say that Romanov Salvador forced Anna to a union that she is firmly against with?” David Deogracia speak calm.

His voice is low, but the chilly tone made Mathew unnerved.

“Y—yes, Sir.” He cleared his throat.

He was terrified of the man sitting before him. When he offered Anna to David, he almost thought that everything would be okay, not until Anna escaped and they were caught between Romanov Salvador’s way. It is not included on his plan.

If only that bitch did not cause any trouble things would be different!

“How interesting.” David poured him a glass of wine. “Who would have think that somebody powerful would get in my way?”

With one gulp, David drink from his glass, emptying it until no drop left. The butter taste lingered on his throat. His eyes suddenly turned sharp.

Mathew fidgeted on his seat.

He looks deadly.

“That wouldn’t be a problem anyway, because I am sure that you will deliver Anna to me, Mathew.”

Their eyes meet.

Mathew Mason gulps, “Sir?”

“Anna, deliver her to me, because if you failed—” A gun was pointed beside his head. Cold sweats trickled on Mathew’s forehead. His clothes become damp. His palms are clammy. “—I’ll have to take your other daughter by force...”

For the first time in his life, Mathew Mason became terrified for his family.