Chapter 12: Jessica

JESSICA’S POV

I stared up to above Victor's arms where the phone hung on with some kind of weight that pressed on me.. I reread the message on the phone screen as if it was all a lie. But Victor? He only stared at me as though he was studying me, he remained calm and smug and even though I had thought earlier he was wounded, it appeared to me it was blood splatters. Not his blood — just someone else.

David. My mind darted to him. He couldn't have written this. No,I refuse to believe as I read every words again trying so hard to analyze his writing tone.

“This… this isn't him. He wouldn't just leave me like this” I said with my voice that was already breaking as tears I fought back to my eyelids started to rush down.

“People change when they lose. When they're backed to a corner, there's just nothing they can do. Turns out love is real until it costs too much.“ Victor said as he let the smile of a devil spread on his face consequently. Every words he said, hung in the air and pressed its prowess on me who was broken. And, I felt every damn mockery in it.

“No, this isn't real. David… he wouldn't do this. We made promise. No! He wouldn't write that.“

I chose not to believe and Victor? He stepped in, closing in on me as all I heard were the breath of a wounded beast and broken damsel in distress. He lifts his hands to rub the tears off my face and so — I slapped them off.

"He did. And if it makes you feel better, he did hesitate before giving you up. But not for too long, he has his life too, you know."

Once Victor left, I was all alone again in the dark room still trying to process what would have made David reject me. My cries bit with rage, grief, disbelief and somehow, my inner strength started to rise once I reflected on every single moments with David.

Always tender,— and when we made promises, there was sincerity that followed.

From the art gallery to meeting in his home, how we fell in love slowly and I started to accept the dangerous mafia I got to know and only thought of him as a soft gentleman. How we pictured our future — kids, home, Business, integrity displayed in my head and for once, the doubt begins to fade.

It's all a lie. It could be.

My mind snapped to the woman from earlier. It was all real. Help knocked and I knew, — something was going on.

And then to David again, I thought as I walked back to the chair almost with life sunck out of me.

"I know him. The real him. He wouldn't leave me like some object to be traded. Victor’s trying to break me."

I promised to stay strong.

But that message! It bothered me a lot. I could have been a distraction, Truth be told.

Time passed, and I decided to pace the room I was in and suddenly, I find a loosened knot the mysterious woman add left. I slowly began to find more to drift away from everything that was a bother.

I took out a piece of nail from the wall to cut through the rope. It was an already tiring process and while I got halfway, I listened carefully for guards or footsteps that could be approaching.

It then dawned on me. I could only do this at night when the night fully falls and sneak through the hallway I saw earlier.

"No more waiting. No more screaming into the dark. I'm getting out. I don't care if I bleed trying." I muttered to myself with every ounce of determination.

The dim light spread ahead almost illuminating shadows that hung on the walls . I tiptoed to my safety but then I heard muffled voices — two voices none other than Victor's dogs.

One mentioned 'shipments' and the other 'the girl's value.'

I couldn't understand and so I pressed my ears to listen only to them. Victor was planning to sell me and it was possible tonight. My body shuddered at the thought. And successfully, I slipped out of the hallway to the warehouse, eyes darting around like a criminal on runs. Once I heard a pin drop, I would hide behind crates, that was when I saw a crate full with all armed weapons, it had name tags on them and while I tried to debate within me what they were for, I could hear those guards already hear and their voice low like whispers.

"He instructed we keep her clean and unbruised. Client wants high value. She's going overseas, maybe."

"Shame. She’s got the fight in her. Hope they don’t break it too soon."

I covered my mouth to stop me from crying or screaming because somehow, I exchanged my carefree life to one tied with chaos and unrest.

I tried to turn away, but my body hit one of the many crates grabbing the attention of the guards.

“Who's there!?“ They shouted. I froze, my body went rigid. I was nearly spotted by a guard but suddenly, a sharp noise distracted the guards — the light goes out and the woman from earlier appeared again.

"You're tougher than you look. Good. You’ll need it." The woman said in a low voice that was filled with urgency.

“Who are you?“ I questioned with a hoarse voice wanting to know.

"Someone who used to be where you are. Now shut up and move.“ She warned but I followed helplessly.

As we ran, alarms begin to blare — someone saw us. We would split up into two to confuse the guards.

And somehow, we escaped. And while I searched through, I saw them. Files that entailed everything. Including the company's rising again.

But I understood the message. I wasn't safe and now, my only person — Victoria

would have to bear in this dangerous game she has no pact to play.