Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen

Camila's POV

The world moved painfully slow that day and I worked tirelessly ensuring that the chef prepares a five star quality meal only for me to receive a soothing and infuriating text from Marco.

Won't be home tonight, throw out the food or something, dinner is canceled.

‘Arrogant prick.’ I cursed, furious at the sudden change in plans. I told the kitchen staff to throw out the food or eat it while I went upstairs to my room and just slept.

Over the next few days, Maeco didn't return home and there were no texts from him, I didn't bother to show up at the part time job I got and just stayed at this place, thing to set up an online source of earning for myself and everything was going on quite well, the nightmares subsidized and it was refreshing.

But having a taste of paradise is a taboo at the devil's residence isn't it? One calm evening, I was having a lovely dinner until an unexpected visitor showed up.

“So, here you are.”

I stabbed my fork into the steak before me as I slowly raised my head. “Anthony.” I hissed, furious.

“You weren't returning my texts so I decided to pay you a visit.” he smugly replied, tilted his head sideways.

“What do you want?” I spat, impatiently.

“You know what I want.”

Not interested in entertaining the obscure ideas that were displayed on his face, I sprung to my feet, ready to leave. “I'm not interested.”

He moved swiftly and blocked my path, his eyes glistened with amusement, closing in; his phone suddenly rang, he looked at the screen and immediately stepped away from me. “Gotta go, I'll see you around, you've got a nice ass.”

As he disappeared from my view, I heaved a sigh of relief and headed to my room. Subsequent times in the following days, he'd pop out of nowhere, make a lewd joke or pass at me and I've always been saved by the bell and this made me miss Marco, at least he wasn't sexually abusive and lewd though he brought a different kind of hell.

Exactly a week after Marco's mysterious disappearance which I'm grateful for, I decided to finally leave the house and a change of scenery in the city and I returned home to see some men setting up the grand hall for some sort of party that screamed of illegal activities but it was none of my business.

“Hey, you're finally here, I've been wondering why I couldn't see you around, come join the party. “ Anthony's obnoxiously loud voice rang out.

I ducked as he spread his arms wide, closing in for a hug. “I think I'll pass.”

Without wasting another second, I hurried away and slammed the door the moment I got to my room. I hit the shower, changed into more comfortable clothes and just lay on the bed, the loud music blared even through the thick walls and I cursed the hooligans.

A sharp knock on my door woke me up and looking at the time, I realized I had fallen asleep for about three hours. Thinking it was a maid, I yanked the door open, rubbing my eyes with the back of my palm.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, sleepily.

“Hello babe.”

My eyes flew open and by instinct, I tried to shut the door but the force keeping it open was stronger than mine. “Let go of the door Anthony.”

Anthony shook his head and raised the bottle of beer he was drinking from. “Come down and have a drink with me, join the party.”

“I have no interest in your party, please leave me alone.”

“You know I like you and if you're obedient enough, I might even convince Marco to set you free. He never says no to me.”

I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. “I have no interest in having anything to do with you.”

“You don't like me?”

“No, do you want me to say it in Spanish before you understand?”

His face dropped and I seized the opportunity to shove him aside and slam the door as hard as I can, to his face.

‘Bloody hooligan.’ I hissed, heading back to bed but the door flew open and I jumped up in fright.

Anthony walked into the room like he owns the place. “I don't appreciate being told no, besides; I see the way you look at me, I know you want me but you're playing hard to get, you lowly whore!”

My instincts yelled that something was wrong though I was determined not to show how afraid I am, I still moved a few steps backwards. “Get out of my room, or else-”

He caught me by the arm and drew me closer to himself. “Or else what?”

“Let go of me!” I intoned, trying to wriggle free but his other hand caught my waist and roamed to my butt, with all the strength I could muster, I slapped him hard across the face. His expression darkened.

Smack!

He slapped me right back and I collapsed on my bed, taking this opportunity, he pounced on me, ripping my dress away. I punched and kicked but he easily avoided them all.

“Marco will be upset if he sees you touching me!” I cried out, panicking as it was my last resort.

He guffawed. “Marco would be pleased I'm teaching his whore a lesson.”

My bare skin was exposed to the air and he had me pinned to the bed like I was nothing. Tears rolled down my cheeks as panic struck my guts, in his eyes; lust glistened like a twinkling star and he crashed his lips on mine, forcefully.

‘Someone help me!’ My subconsciousness cried out, all self will crumbled knowing fully well that hell was about to be unleashed on me. The thought of being defiled paralyzed me and my breath got rough as helplessness hit me like a tornado. I shut my eyes, feeling his disgusting hands explore my body, all hope lost.

Bang! Plop.

The world came to a standstill, or maybe the gut wrenching feeling disappeared. The hands that were intent on defining me suddenly retracted and the air rented with a loud cry of agony. My eyes flew open and I saw Marco, standing in his glory, gun in hand, pointed at my direction.

“Who the hell said you can touch what belongs to me?” Marco roared, his eyes reflected his fury.

“Argh!” Anthony cried out, holding his left leg where he had just been shot. “You shot me Marco! Over a whore?”

Marco handed over the gun to the man who stood beside and casually walked over to us, stopping right in front of Anthony. “Did I say you could touch her this way?” Marco calmly asked but it was lethal enough to make Anthony uncomfortable. His eyes trailed over me too, I remained in the same position, too shaken to move.

His eyes softened for a second with a flicker of sympathy as he quietly exhaled. He leisurely searched for a blanket and threw it at me. “You should cover up, breathe, you look hurt.” He calmly instructed, his expression unchanged.

My body reacted to his orders and I pulled the blanket over my body, covering my shame.

“We're friends Marco!” Anthony cried.

Marco scoffed. “Nobody tries to touch what belongs to me without my permission, you had that coming.”

Elegantly, he motioned for the man who barged into the room with him and the man nodded, he stepped forward and threw Anthony over his shoulders, exiting the room.

“Wait, do you know who I am? You can't do this to me Marco!” Anthony protested as he was being bundled away.

The room fell silent afterwards, Marco just stood there, looking at me and I couldn't even decipher what his eyes conveyed. I heard him exhale quietly and he pursed his lips as if wanting to say something but he simply turned around and walked away and somehow, that was scarier than being almost molested.