"I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

This chapter is dedicated to neonaata. Thanks for reading my book.

Amelia

My stomach grumbled, I was feeling extremely weak, both mentally and physically. The door cracked, I was petrified.

Did he come back?

I can still feel the pain on the back of my head, he tugged my hair so hard. It reminded me of the old man when they would force me down on my knees and tug my hair. I wanted to be strong, when dad came to take me I thought I was safe, but how wrong I was.

I am now thrown into an unknown place, at least on the orphanage I knew what's happening, I had the complete idea of how things were worked there. The abuse that I tolerated torments me every moment. I can't shake off those from me. But here, I am clueless. I don't know what the man wants, I don't know what he will do to me.

The footstep came closer, it was softer this time but this didn't reduce my terror. I gripped my eyes and hugged my knees tighter, concealing my face from the view of whoever is coming tucking my legs to my knees. A hand was placed on my shoulder and loud scream erupted my mouth, my vision clouded with tears. "It's okay, calm down" It was a man, he gripped both of my hands. This time the touch felt different, it wasn't him but someone else. His voice was soft as well his grip on my hand. His hold didn't pain me, it was to steady my movement.

"shhhhh..it's okay. I won't hurt you" the voice was telling me to calm down and somehow I obeyed. My eyes opened slowly facing the man. It was the same bulky, muscled man who carried me to the car first. This is the same man who pulled me away from my dad, who was tied and duress me into the car. The image of my dad, on his knees, hands tied, patches of blood all over his body flooded in my mind. The fact was positive that he works for the man who tried to coerce me into sexual acts on the plane.

"Don't touch me" The anger on my voice was prominent, it was something I couldn't hide at that moment. These people tore me away from my place and for them, I am now thrust into an unknown place, where my life is completely uncertain, on top of that I have no clue what's happening or going to happen.

His hold on my hand loosened, it took a minute or two maybe, I wasn't sure but he took his hand from me. "I know you are angry but it won't take you anywhere"

The man moved towards the sofa, and simply just settled himself. He was a tall man, head full of curly hair and subtle hair on his face. His grey eyes caged me as he fixed his gaze on me.

"Why am I here? Who are you? Where's my dad?" So many questions were running on my mind, this man wasn't like the other one. He seemed less cruel and was able to make me feel relax. Something about him was soothing, at least, at that moment I felt that. He didn't look like a predator who was determined to devour me, unlike the other man.

That man was scary, his electric blue eyes were cold, like a maniac. But this man was different, his grey eyes were cold but warm.

"You need to eat first." The commanding on his voice bothered me, I was clueless with everything and this didn't help me at all.

"Please, I need to know" tears pooled my eyes, clouding my vision. I hated feeling helpless, I have been feeling it for my whole life. Being always at someone's mercy isn't a life to lead, Often I thought death might be better than this. But I was a coward, never I was able to do that would make me free.

"You will get the answer once you eat" His warm eyes made me believe him, it was unbelievable how those cold eyes hold so much warmth. This man has an aura around him.

Slowly I approached the sofa and glided on the carpet. My eyes roamed around the food, there was one sandwich, a small bowl of pasta and some fruits. My tummy grumbled, the food seems delicious, it looked so good, so good. I never had food look this good, I always watch them on TV or sometimes I would see the people who work in the orphanage would eat it. But it wasn't for us.

Before I could dig in, two hands lifted me by my waist and placed me on the sofa in a swift motion. It took me a while to register what happened, this man just lifted me as if I weighed nothing.

He poured water from the bottle to the glass and offered me. "You need to drink first" His voice was smooth, nodding my head I accepted the water. The first sip of the water made me realize how dry my throat actually was, I didn't notice with all the tension.

The table was big, I placed the empty glass where it was before and took the sandwich first. Drinking the water made my stomach and mind register how much starved I am right now. The sandwich was heaven, the meat was freshly cooked, it was stuffed with mozzarella cheese. When I finished it, I wished there was more. I have never eaten food this good.

"You should eat slowly" he directed, I felt embarrassed about how quickly I finished the sandwich, it was quite big and I was still hungry.

"I am sorry" Not knowing what else to say, apologizing is always the best root, It reduce the punishment.

"Why are you sorry?" His brows furrowed, he looked at me as if whatever I said was foreign to him. This is man ants, don't they? The woman always needs to apologize to men if the men don't like what the women are doing. Its what I have been told.

"I made you displeased." His question took me off guard, all I wanted to eat food and not to infuriate him.

"No you didn't" he sighed and then spoke " We haven't introduced yet. I am Caluccio" He had a smile on his face, at that moment I realize he has dimples and when he smiles his eyes look less cold.

"I am Hailey" Fidgeting my fingers together I avoided his gaze. No one asked for my name before, It felt weird. When he didn't say anything else, I took the clue and picked the small bowl that is filled with Pasta. The smell was so good, my mouth immediately watered.

The taste of the pasta was foreign but I didn't care at that moment. I consumed the food hungrily and was satisfied when the bowl was empty. My stomach filled, he already filled the glass for me. I drink the water quietly. This is the best meal I had in my entire life. "It's so good"

"I will tell Nina you enjoyed it" He was beside me, I felt him taking a sharp breath. He had a weird emotion on his face that I couldn't comprehend. I ducked my head down and look at my fingers again to distract me

"You told me I will get the answers once I eat. I did what you said, now you should respond to my questions."

"Your dad owned money to Diego. And when Diego saw you he wanted fancied you so he took you" when he finished, I was surprised he actually responded to me. Although I trusted him, but never in my life someone bothered for me.

" What do you mean he fancied me? Where's my dad? Is he okay? How much money he owned, I will give it back, I promise. Please let me out" Pleading at him because I felt he cared or at least will help me to some extent. "I will give back every penny my dad owned" I added quickly. Maybe it was foolish but I still hoped. Maybe I was stupid but I need to get out of here and I will do what it takes.

"You think he wants money. You silly girl, He wants you" This made me sick and beyond disgusted. He saw my face and must have an idea of what I felt because he looked at me as if he knew what's going on in my mind.

"Please Caluccio, help me" I begged, this was the only thing I knew could work at that moment. In the orphanage whenever we made mistakes, they would beat us. If we apologize and begged sometimes they would be satisfied and left us. This may work here too.

"I can't Hailey. Diego wants you and You should give yourself to him. That the only way you can save yourself." He didn't give me another chance to talk, almost jumped out of the room. I called out his name but he locked the door. I pounded with all the energy I had, screamed his name but it was all nugatory.

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