Chapter Two

Roselyn

                               She was sprawled out on her stomach on the queen size bed, her legs upward swinging in smooth arcs. With her chin propped on her hands, she propped herself up on her elbows and leaned on them. She tried to immerse herself in an online book to escape the embarrassment of her blunder mistake she made the previous night. The truth was she couldn’t recall much at all, no matter how hard she tried to remember. It was her first experience with alcohol. Isha and Ana, her sister and bestie had locked the cupboard, refusing to let her use the bathroom until she told them the whole story about last night. The only thing that lingered in her mind was the memory of his charming face. She brutally bit her inner lip to distract herself and tasted her own blood. She sighed and chided herself before focusing on her reading again.

             ‘ I am happy with you, but maybe you aren’t happy with me. That’s why you are breaking my heart. – The girl said to her boyfriend with tears brimming in her eyes. ‘

          Suddenly, a notification popped up on the screen, ‘ Where are you? I’ve been searching the whole dam* house for you, girl! When are you going to share the full details about your last night? – Isha’ 

       She was Isha’s adopted sister. When she was twelve years old, Isha came to the orphanage of Goa city on Christmas even for a charitable visit. She had spotted Roselyn there and had asked her father to adopt her as a gift for Christmas. She was nothing more than a present for Isha. Isha’s father, Mr Mario Pinto adopted Roselyn to fulfil his daughter’s wish like Roselyn was some kind of stuff in a showroom. Isha still treated her like a present and she tried to rule over her. In fact, she exerted her authority over her. Roselyn felt helpless to comply with Isha’s whims, like a beautiful doll. 

               ‘ I’m at Ana’s residence, waiting for her.’ She typed the response in the message box and said it out loud, feeling petulant. The last night had ruined her life, turning it upside and down. She couldn’t stand being interrupted while she lost in her book. So, she continued with her reading, hoping it was distracting her mind from the turmoil of the night before. She only remembered the slight pain in her lower belly when she woke up in a stranger’s bed.

“

    ‘ I love you. Why would you say that? – The boy asked, his face reflected heartbreak. ‘

       ‘ Because you love my outer beauty, not inner beauty. – The girl replied with tears welling in her eyes.”

                                                                            ”                                                            

           Isha’s message popped up again. – She didn’t adopt you. Why are you still waiting for her? ‘ It was a taunting message from her, a cruel usual jab. 

       She wished Ana’s family had chosen to adopt her. 

       Isha couldn’t order her to walk out of here as Pinto and Fernandes were business partners in the P & F construction company, as well as neighbours and friends. Mr. Victor Fernandes owned sixty percent of the company. She clicked on cancel with vexation. Turning on her back, she buried her face in the pillow as silent tears slipped from her eyes. 

        “ Why didn’t you create me as a doll, dear God? I don’t want to feel embarrassment and agony.” She lamented softly. Her lower lip began to tremble.

        “ Hello, Rose? “ A soft voice interrupted her thoughts, bringing a smile to her face.

        She was her best friend, Ana Fernandes. She was taller than her, with short hair and brown eyes. She cared for her like a real sister, not like a doll in a showpiece. Whenever she went shopping with Fernandes, her parents treated her like their own daughter, purchasing things for them equally. She was wishing they could truly be family. 

        She couldn’t tear her gaze away, as her tears welled up in them, not wanting Ana to see her like this. 

       “ What are you up to? Thinking about your lovely night?” She giggled , asking in a teasing way.

       “ Last night ruined my life. I lost my virginity to a stranger, I didn’t even remember dam* thing about it. “ She said as she wiped her tears away. 

       “ Isha shouldn’t have spiked your drink. Why do you think so? Don’t let it bring you down. S*x is beautiful.” Ana said, rubbing her back gently, “ Are you crying? “ She asked softly.

       “ Um no, I’m just reading.” She replied smilingly in pretence. 

       “ Is it a love story? Your smile says otherwise,” Ana chuckled, drumming her fingers against her back.

       “ What do you think is more important before falling in love – a good heart or a beautiful face? “ She asked her, hoping to change the subject. Though, her mind kept drifting back to the image of his handsome face and his well-built muscular body. 

        “His pocket, then his face, I’m not certain about the heart thing,” She replied. 

       When she glanced over, she saw Isha, who was also present. Isha was applying the new foundation on her creamy complexion, standing at five and a half feet tall, she had brown and short hair and green lenses that concealed her black eyes. Isha and Ana mostly looked like sisters due to their similar features.

        They exchanged warm smiles and laughter. Abruptly, the door burst open. A group of five men in their twenties stepped inside, all dressed in black formal suits. Her dilated eyes snapped at the door.

      Only one figure caught her attention. A wave of recognition hit her. She sucked in her breath, her heart began to race, and her body trembled. Clenching the bed sheet in her hands, she felt tightness in her chest, her belly ached, and a wave of dizziness washed over her. The memory of the previous night stood in front of her, manifesting vividly in reality.

       Him! It was him! He had taken her virginity. Just the sight of him set her body on fire, reminding her of opening her eyes in the ring of his arms, naked. She swallowed hard.

        His white shirt clung to his muscular frame, not overly bulky but the regnant. Top three buttons of his shirt were unfastened, showing tattoos etched across his chest and toned body. An endearing smile played across his face, making him appear almost God-like. Behind him were four individuals, guns drawn and charging their weapons at them. Her eyes widened in fear. She was deeply terrified of him. 

        Was he here for her? What would he do to her? Why couldn’t he just forget what happened the previous night and allow her to forget her mistake too?

       “ Wow! He’s incredibly handsome. Is he the same guy from last night?” Ana whispered. 

       She felt an urge to shout her lungs out.- He was the same guy. But her fear immobilized her.

       What does he want? She pondered.

       Crap!!! I’m still wearing his shirt.

       His eyes never left her, making her gulp in fear. 

       “ You’re the daughters of P&F shipping owners.” His bodyguard behind him dressed in a black suit, taller and more muscular than him, asked in a heavy voice. 

       “ We are! “ Ana smiled. 

       “ Stop! They’re dangerous.” She whispered urgently. But Ana walked closer to him. The pointed gun of his cruel men stopped her. 

       “ They were also at the club.” One of his bodyguards spoke slowly. 

“My shirt is the evidence.” Mr Dapper said with a cheerful grin, speaking up for the first time. Why was he acting this way? The room was well-lit enough for them to see each other. Though she had been drinking, she was still relieved to remember him when she woke up.

      ‘Thankfully at least I remember what he looks like.’ she called in her mind. 

        She swallowed hard the guilt as she glanced at him. 

        “His voice is also like a god.” Ana said. 

        Ana’s father has a keen interest in politics, too. Maybe it is normal for her. But for her, Ana looks like a moron right now trying to engage in a conversation, especially with four guns pointed at us.

       ‘ More than guns I’m scared of him. There were security guards with guns when I left his place. Some were very scary with cuts and scars. I don’t want to know how they get them.’ She thought.

       A tremble ran down her spine recalling her early morning adventure when she had woken up next to him, his arm had locked around her. She was scared his guards wouldn’t allow her to leave his place. 

       “Would you care for a romantic tale, Mr. God?” Isha said in a flirty tone, picking up her phone and blowing him a flying kiss. Isha’s tone carried the remnants of her hangover from the previous night.

      She couldn’t peel her gaze off him. Sweat trickled down her forehead, sending shivers down her body. 

      He must be over six feet tall! She thought. 

      “ Can’t you both keep your mouth shut?” She whispered slowly, holding herself back from snapping. She was feeling paralyzed on the mattress in his shirt, too scared to move, yet her eyes glued to him.

      “ You’re coming with me,” He commanded in a domineering tone. 

      Is our life truly in his hands? Is he here because of what happened last night? She bit her inner lip and shook her head.

       “Tik Tok! Tik tok! Five seconds and I’ll pull the trigger!” The man next to him said mockingly. His gun was pointed at them. 

        “I’ll go,” She whispered instantly as fear clawed her.

       His grin widened, the corners of his pink lips’ curled up in a sinister smile. His intentions weren’t appearing decent. He looked deadly handsome but his darkness was also unnoticed.

       He walked toward her, stopping on the peppy pink carpet beside the bed. He leaned down, his eyes never left her for a second, revealing his stunning emerald eyes. Her lips parted in wonder. 

    Oh! My God! His eyes… They are so captivating.

        She couldn’t have seen his eyes when she exited his house because his eyes were closed as he slept. He had been looking into her eyes moments before. She blinked after staring too long, He gazed down at her, his eyes praising wrapped her in his shirt. His strong hand crept onto her waist, causing her to suck in her breath. Her chest heaved in anticipation, her big eyes stared at him. Her heart raced as his touch sent shivers through her body. She noticed his grip around her waist tightening slightly and she let out a squeal in dread. Although it wasn’t so tight, she was afraid of him. 

        “ Shhh! Keep quiet. This isn’t the first time I've touched you. Your friends’ lives depend on you.” He said with a smile that carried an edge of menace. 

        Fear gripped her as he threw her over his shoulder and walked out of the room. She squealed again, but she firmly covered her mouth with her hands one after another. Once they reached the parking lot, he set her on her feet. A black Jaguar car pulled up behind her, and his man opened the door. He rested his hand on the top of the opened door.

        “ Get in, “ he demanded in a soft voice.

        “ N no way. “ She stammered, trembling in fear. 

        He shifted slightly to her left side, revealing her friends, who looked terrified as they faced men with guns aimed at them. There was a horrible look on her friends’ faces. 

        Her eyes fell to the ground. All the security guards were on the ground. Dread clenched her chest, her heart racing in her chest. 

        “ Sit, “ he said with a wicked smile. 

        Less than a second later, she complied him and climbed into his car. He settled into the seat beside her with a soft smile which seemed odd to him as it wasn’t part of his life. She instinctively slipped away from him. Fear clawed at her insides, and tears hovere

d on the edge of her eyes as she struggled to control her trembling.