Chapter 5

Enzo looked like the embodiment of the devil himself as he stared down at the man who was already shaking like a leaf.

“E-Enzo… I didn't know she's y-yours… I'm sorry”

“I don't like apologies, Ricardo. You crossed a line.”

“I'm sorry! I really didn't know… she didn't say anything.”

Enzo smiled a smile that sent shivers through my body.

“You know what? You're right. You didn't know, mistakes happen.”

The man looked visibly relaxed as Enzo lowered his gun. That was until Enzo’s men picked him up and held out both his hands on the ground.

“The thing is, I promised that the next person who would lay a finger on her wouldn’t have hands anymore…”

The man stared up at Enzo in horror.

“Also, I don't forgive mistakes” He said coldly, before he fired two shots and I looked away as a scream was ripped from my throat.

Not again, not again. Another person was dying because of me.

I kept my eyes closed until I felt someone holding my face. It was Enzo. I opened my eyes. I zoned out as I looked at him. I wasn't sure if he was speaking to me or not.

I could hear the man groaning on the ground. That was when I realised he was still alive.

Then I mustered up the courage to look and saw that both his hands were bleeding. Enzo had shot him in his hands instead. As gruesome as it still was, I felt a mild sense of relief.

But that feeling was short-lived. My belly churned and I felt my head spinning. I quickly rushed for the closest potted plant before I puked out my guts.

I stayed on the floor for a while, feeling disoriented and just generally out of it.

Enzo picked me up and took me inside through the back door.

“Are you okay?” He asked although I doubted he actually cared. He was just pissed because someone else had dared to play with his toy.

“I'm fine” His blue eyes stared deeply into mine and for a moment, I almost forgot who he was.

“I have guests to attend to. Wait here. I'll be back” He said before leaving me in my room.

I went into the bathroom to rinse my mouth and splash some water on my face, the sound of the gunshots still ringing in my ears. I didn't belong in this world where girls were commodities and where people were killed everyday. I couldn't belong to a man who knew nothing other than violence.

My thoughts ran back to Nicolas. I'd been gone for a week, he must have been going mad searching for me. I wondered what lie my parents would tell him.

I couldn't give up. I at least had to try.

I went back out into the hallway and found my way back to the exit Enzo had brought me through. Everyone was occupied and no one was looking. I took my chance and I bolted out the door.

I don't know if it was luck but there weren't any people stationed at the main gates. They were probably dealing with all the bodies Enzo had piled up. The gates however, were locked so I had to climb over the fence. I didn't care about the dress I was wearing so I ripped it up to my thighs.

I found a hedge closest to the fence and I climbed on it for support. I got on the fence and said a prayed before I jumped down.

I hit the ground with a thud and I rose to my feet feeling slightly bruised. But I didn't care.

I ran.

I didn't know where I was going, the point was for me to run as far away from the mansion as I could.

I must have been running for an hour before I finally reached civilization. Enzo’s mansion was built far away from the rest of the city.

By then he must've realised that I was missing. I wondered what would be going on in his head. All I knew was that I couldn't see him again. I didn't want to.

It was dark so I managed to move around without anyone noticing my dishevelled state. I finally stopped when I reached a phone booth. But I didn't have any quarters. I saw a young lady with groceries passing and I stopped her.

“Hello, excuse me miss. Could you help me with a quarter? I really need to make a phone call”

She looked at me from top to bottom. “Sure… are you okay?” She asked, handing me the coin.

“Yes, thank you”

The lady nodded before walking away.

I rushed back to the phone booth and dialled Nicolas’ number. It rang and rang but he didn't pick up. Then I tried him at work, still nothing.

I began to panic. Nicolas was the only one I could trust and he was the only one who could help me. I couldn't call my parents. Afterall, they were the ones who'd sent me to the wolves for money.

I waited a few minutes and tried both his numbers again with no luck.

Oh God, Nicolas please, please pick up.

I tried his work line again but I didn't get anything. For the last time I called him and just when I thought all hope was lost, he picked up.

“Hello? Who is this?”

Relief washed over me as I heard his voice on the other end. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't muster up any words.

“If this is a prank call it's not funny. I am not in the mood for pranks”

“Nicolas…” I whispered.

“Olivia? Olivia is that you? Oh my God. Tell me where you are? Are you okay?”

I bit back a sob.

“Nic…”

“Just tell me where you are Olivia, I'll come get you”

“I-I don't know. Nic I'm—”

Before I could finish, the phone was dragged out of my hand and slammed down.

I turned around slowly as I came face to face with the devil.

“What did I tell you about obedience?”