Chapter 7

Angel

I feel like I'm going crazy with what Salvatore is doing to me. I prefer to call him by his full name rather than nickname because it sounds more intimidating and scary. At least with his real name, it feels like he's just a pair of shoes. In that small way, I can annoy him, even if it's only in my mind.

Yesterday, when he told me he would "kill me from pleasure," and I felt his hands on my womanhood, my world turned upside down. My heart raced because, even though I was wearing panties at the time, I could feel the heat from his hand caressing my private area, which made me blush. I have never felt anything like that before, nor have I gotten attracted to or felt the same to any man.

You could say I'm still young and inexperienced. Still, I'm not innocent when it comes to those things, especially considering the environment I grew up in, where vulgarities were rampant. Hearing people at a very young age talk about such things was normal. However, I made an effort to protect myself and my brother despite that. I'm also grateful to Nadia's parents, who acted like my parents due to the care and love they showed me and Angelo.

I'm especially thankful today that Salvatore left. I don't know where he went because he didn't tell me, and I didn't ask. Even if I had, I'm sure he wouldn't have answered because who am I to him? I'm just someone he uses; he doesn't need to say anything to me.

Speaking of being used, aside from touching and teasing my body, he hasn't done anything more to me. Yesterday, I thought he would go further, but I breathed a sigh of relief when he suddenly stopped and allowed me to stand up from sitting on his lap. But there was a part of me that wanted him to continue. I'm not a hypocrite to deny that. From my body's reaction, I know I enjoyed all of it.

As usual, I stayed in the room, on the balcony, where I could see the beautiful surroundings. Salvatore owns a vast estate with many trees and plants, providing fresh air. Even where I sat, it was shady because of the branches of a tall tree I didn't know the name of.

It was only nine in the morning, but Salvatore had left early and still hadn't returned. I didn't have breakfast either because I wasn't hungry, and besides, I'm used to skipping meals. I picked up my cell phone on the table in front of me. Thankfully, there was Wi-Fi here, so I could video call Nadia.

"Hello, girl!!!" she squealed when she saw me. "Wow, you're so fancy now, you can even video call."

Before, we could only chat. It seemed wasteful to use our load for video calls. But with unlimited internet here, I felt bold. "Wait, wait, wait. Where are you?"

"At home."

"Home? But it looks so big! I guess the people who took you in must be rich, huh? Are they not hurting you?" she asked, concerned.

"Not really. Not yet, actually. I don't really know why I'm here either."

"So, you're not working as a maid there, like your uncles and aunts say?" I shook my head, and she fell silent. "They're not teaching you any illegal things, are they? You know, anything obscene—"

"No, nothing like that," I quickly cut her off. I didn't want to think this might be where I'd end up. "Even Angelo said they would send him to school."

My best friend stayed silent, just looking at me. "Don't tell me you've been kept by whoever that is?" she blurted out. I suddenly thought, have I been kept by Salvatore? But we don't even know each other, and if that were the case, why hasn't he claimed me?

"Bes," I called her by our endearment. "Do you think I'm attractive?"

"Are you out of your mind?" she asked, her eyes wide. "Do you still not know how much our neighbors desire for you, especially the young men? It's a good thing you left because if not, we might have found your lifeless body one day after being raped. The men here are practically drooling over you because of your chest that could knock someone out!"

"You're so mean!" I exclaimed.

"It's true, bes. So if the person who bought you isn't hurting you, you might as well stay there; at least I know you're safe. Besides, think about it; they'll let Angelo attend school, something even your aunt refused to do."

She had a point, which is why I told myself that if there's anything I can do for Salvatore, as long as I can, I'll do it, even if he doesn't have to threaten me. I've been here only a week, but he hasn't hurt me. So maybe I can repay his kindness for helping my brother.

Our conversation ended because Nadia had to get ready for school. I remained seated until Mauro called to tell me to go to his boss's office. I moved quickly, expecting to find Salvatore there, but Mauro greeted me when I entered. I felt a bit disappointed but didn't show it.

"Why did you call me here?"

"Please sign this." I looked at what he was pointing to before picking it up and reading it.

"Sit down," he said, which I did as I continued reading.

"Marriage application?" I asked the man in front of me, who smiled. Am I getting married?

***

I reluctantly filled out and signed the marriage application that Mauro gave me. There wasn't much I could do, and after that, he left while I returned to our bedroom and began scrolling through social media. It's the only thing that keeps me occupied since I can't play games on my phone—it's not exactly old, but it's definitely outdated. Candy Crush is the only game I can d******d, and even that runs slow.

I can watch short videos, though, and I'm particularly fond of funny ones. Given everything I'm dealing with, those are the only things that make me laugh—aside from earning 500 pesos daily. I was scrolling mindlessly when something caught my attention.

"Senator Caloia's daughter, Victoria, spotted with a man doing something indecent?"

That's what the caption said. Normally, I wouldn't care because I don't know the senator's daughter and am not interested in politics. But what grabbed my attention was the man with her and what they were doing.

They were in a hallway that looked like it belonged to a hotel, and they acted as if they were the only people there, kissing passionately. The woman was leaning against the wall, her legs wrapped around the man's waist while he caressed her. I couldn't be mistaken; no matter how I looked at it—even with my outdated phone, it was clear that the man was Salvatore.

I felt overwhelmed because I thought I was the only one—no, no. I shook my head to clear my thoughts of whatever was entering my mind. I didn't care which woman he got involved with or how he pleased himself. It's better that way; he won't try to claim me because someone else already satisfies him.

But I couldn't shake off the irritation no matter how much I tried to console myself. I remembered filling out that marriage application just earlier.

"What is this? He wants to marry me but still has another woman?" I yelled in frustration, tossing my phone onto the bed. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away since I'm jobless now and have no money to buy a new one.

In my anger, I decided to sleep even though I hadn't had lunch. I didn't have an appetite anyway. Who would have, after seeing that? I'm unsure if it was due to anger or exhaustion, but I fell asleep. I was only woken up by a hand gently stroking my cheek, which I brushed away and ignored. It happened several more times until I finally opened my eyes, and there was Salvatore's face.

"My men told me you didn't have lunch," he said, his tone sounding almost sweet, but because of what I saw earlier, I just rolled my eyes at him and turned away, trying to go back to sleep. But my reaction angered him because he suddenly grabbed me, pulling me up to face him. Given how small I am and how big he is, he could easily lift me like I was a sack of rice. He might struggle more with the rice than my tiny frame—except for my chest, which I was blessed with.

"Don't turn your back on me when I'm talking to you, Angel. I must've been too lenient with you, so you think you can do whatever you want, even though you know it'll make me angry." His eyes were red, and it was only then that I noticed the smell of alcohol on him. Drinking in the middle of the day?

We were face-to-face, with me looking up at him while he looked down at me. He was already sitting on the bed, which made the smell of alcohol on his breath even more potent. But that didn't stop me from expressing my irritation.

"And what? You expect me to welcome you with open arms after you had fun with your woman and made me fill out that marriage application?" His brows furrowed at my words.

"What woman are you talking about? Don't tell me you're jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous? Who do you think you are? You're too old for me to be jealous over. There are plenty of guys my age who would want me!" I spoke without holding back, not caring about the words spilling from my mouth.

"Don't you dare threaten me with other men, Angel. One thing I can't stand is another man touching my woman." I realized too late that he was gritting his teeth before he yanked me closer and kissed me roughly.