2

My legs burned as my breath came out in gasps, but I couldn’t stop.

“God, please… please help m. I promise never to go to club again. I wont be returning home late at night again. Please lord…please help me.” I whispered as I ran, not even sure if God will answer my prayer.

I didn’t know the streets, didn’t know where I was going. I only know that if I stop….. they would catch me.

I ran straight with my heart pounding as my feet slammed the ground. I could hear them behind me, their footsteps, their voices. They weren’t giving up. They were still chasing me.

Then suddenly, I saw a road turning to the left. Without thinking, I forced my legs to move faster and turned. My chest heaved as my body begged me to stop, but I couldn’t.

And that’s when I saw it.

At the end of the road stood a huge mansion. Its tall walls and shining gates looked like something from another world. My heart leap with a tiny spark of hope. Maybe someone there can help me.

I glanced back quickly, expecting to see them right behind me , but to my surprise, they weren’t there anymore. The road was empty.

Relief washed over me for a second, but fear quickly returned. What if they are hiding? What if they come back later? What if they are waiting for me somewhere else?

As I got closer to the mansion, I noticed the large gate in front. Strong-looking men stood there, all wearing black suits and dark sunglasses. There were many of them, their bodies straight and firm like guards.

I slowed down a little with my breath shaky, my heart was still racing. I don’t know who lives here. I don’t know if these men are good or dangerous people. Well, I have to save myself.

I moved forward to the gate and one of the men step forward.

"Who are you?" He asked in a monotone.

"I...I...my name is Rosa…lina. T-they will kill me. Please, save me."

"Miss. You need to leave here."

"No!" I begged. "I have no where else to go! They will kill me! Please." More tears fell down but he still had a poker face.

He glanced behind me. "I don't see anyone."

"They were following me! They just disappeared suddenly! I am not lying! Please!"

He pressed his lips into a thin line and turned around to leave when his phone rang and taking it out of his pocket he picked it up. "Yes, sir?"

I watched his back as he talked to whoever was on the call.

I was still kneeling on the ground because I had no energy to get up.

I couldn't hear him as he talked in a hushed tone.

"They are the Cruz Mafia! They will kill me!" I shouted realizing this man is not going to help me.

I saw how his body became tensed when I mentioned the Cruz Mafia. He said a few more words into the phone before keeping it inside his pocket and turned to me. "What did you say?"

"They are the Cruz Mafia." I cried. "They will kill me. Please, save me."

"Do you have any idea where are you right now?"

"No." I stated. "and I don't care. Just save me."

He ruminated for a moment with his eyes still scrutinizing me. "Our boss wants to meet you."

"What?"

"My boss wants to meet you." He repeated in an exasperated tone.

"Is he going to help me?" I asked, surprised. My eyes lit up with hope.

"I wouldn't put it that way." He spoke. "Get up. He doesn't like waiting."

I got up from the ground and dusted my jeans and wiped away my tears.

"Thank you so much." I muttered but he ignored me and opened the gate. … We got into the mansion and went upstairs, he walked down the long corridor and stopped at the huge door at the end and pressed his thumb against the small digital box type thing.

It beeped and the door clicked open and he walked in with me behind him. Once again, there was a small corridor with a few doors on either side of it. A huge door was at the end and he knocked on it softly.

“Enter.” The deep voice from inside said and suddenly I started feeling nervous.

He turned to me. “You may go inside.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

I nodded nervously and pushing the door open, stepped inside. I slowly closed the door behind me with fear as my eyes wandered around the study. The room was beautiful, with dark shelves filled with books and a large desk standing proudly in the center.

Then my gaze landed on the man sitting in the swivel chair with his back facing me. He wore a crisp white shirt.

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat softly. The chair turned around, and I felt my breath seized when his cold eyes met mine.

A paper rested in his hand. He didn’t speak at first, just studied me quietly before lowering the paper and leaning forward, resting his arms on the desk.

I froze and twists my fingers nervously.

He was handsome.. Beautifully handsome with gold hair, sharp features, and a strong jaw. But there was nothing warm in his stare. Those eyes felt like they could see right through me, and I had to look away.

“Sit,” he said in a low and rough tone.

I hesitated before slowly stepping forward, keeping my head lowered, and sat in the chair he pointed at.

“I… I need help,” I whispered, “Please.”

He didn’t move.

“what is your name?” He questioned.

“My name is Rosalina, sir” I answered.

“The men chasing you. Who do you say they are again?”

“They said they are the Cruzi Mafia “. I informed him.

“And why would they chase you?” He calmly asked but with a sound tone.

It feels like he is the kind of person that won’t accept a lie..

I took a shaky breath before explaining everything to him .

He listened in silence with unreadable face. Those cold eyes didn’t leave mine until I looked away again.

When I was done, he leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. “And your family?” he finally asked.

To be continued