Chapter 5: A failed escape.

Nadia’s POV

My heart hammers frantically against my ribs as I watch Lorenzo walk to my uncle and crouch down in front of him.

“I want her. Consider it a repayment of your debt. Also, here is seven million dollars. Do not come for her in future, I’m paying you pretty well for her.” He says as he throws a check at my uncle’s face.

My chest tightens. I could not believe what was happening. My uncle crawls and picks up the check from the ground. “Yes, Lorenzo. You can take her, she’s all yours.” I look at him, hatred burning through my gaze.

Lorenzo walks toward me and crouches down, drew in his cigar and puffs the smoke on my face, “you belong to me now, but I will give you time to digest everything.” he says, tangling a strand of my hair in his fingers before grabbing my chin and pulling me closer to him.

“Seven days, piccola. Crawl to me or I take you by force.” He whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, releases my chin and straightens up, then he walks out of the living room with his people following closely behind him.

Tears burns my vision. I blink hard trying to understand what just happened.

Did he just purchase me like I am some item? How did things turn out this way.

I take my gaze to my uncle and I could see the satisfied grin on his face as he stares at the check.

“You really are not selling me to him, are you? You definitely are not.” I mutter.

He scoffs and look at me, “the deal’s been made, Nadia. You belong to him now.” He says, his face void of any emotion.

I blink back the tears that is already forming in my eyes, what is happening? I was finally going to leave this hellhole soon, and now this?

“I won’t accept this. I won’t!” I yell at them. My aunt gets furious and slap me, the force sends my head sideways, the metallic taste of copper filling my mouth.

“You will accept it, whether you want to or not. Consider it a means of repaying us for taking care of you for the past five years!” she yells at me.

The tears i've been trying to hold back finally comes rushing down. "But why? You owe him, not me. Why do I have to pay for something I know absolutely nothing about?” I ask my uncle, staring daggers at him.

“Because you deserve nothing good in life, Nadia, that’s why.” Elena chips in, a big smile on her face.

“Don’t forget you have just seven days to go to him, make the right choice, Nadia. Lorenzo is not someone you can mess with.” my uncle says and walks out of the living room, the three of them follows, leaving me alone.

I let out a bitter laugh, my hands were trembling. I am still suffering the aftermath of what Alex tried to do to me, now this.

Tears flow freely from my eyes. My life has not been easy these past years, and now its about to get a lot worse. I can’t accept this.

I have seven days, I have to leave Italy before then. With a heavy heart, I climb the stairs back to my room, shower and get ready for work. I arrive late at the bar and the manager scolds me.

“Why are you coming this late, Nadia? Do you not want to work here anymore?” He thunders.

“I am sorry. Something happened at home.” I murmur.

“Let this not repeat itself again," he warns and stomps upstairs.

My shoulders slump with a numb sigh as Jaxon rushes over.

“Are you okay? Your look so pale.” he asks, a worried expression on his face.

“I’m fine Jaxon, I’ll go and change now.” I smile softly and walk into the locker room to change my dress, my hands were still trembling. I sigh and walk out after changing.

The day went on at the bar as usual, I keep staring at the door at intervals, hoping he wouldn’t come here again.

I couldn’t sleep the days that follow, I jump at every shadow at the bar, my eyes always looking behind me, checking over my shoulder everytime a black car drives by. I am gradually losing myself.

* * * *

its been five days, andvI haven’t heard anything about Lorenzo, deep down, I pray he totally forgets about me.

I’ve managed to book a flight to Australia, I’ll be leaving tomorrow. My aunt and her family have been totally hostile toward me, pretending like I don’t exist.

“Nadia, can you cover for me? I have somewhere I should be now.” Jaxon pleads, I was already tired from working extra shifts, but I couldn’t refuse him.

“Sure.” I say, he smiles and walks out, while I continued working.

My shift ends at nine and i returnv to the mansion. After taking my shower, I arrange my things properly and go to sleep.

I wake up at four the next morning, quietly shower and get dressed. I grab my bags, tiptoeing down the stairs as I walk out of the mansion to the gate. I already discussed with Max and he promises to help by leaving the gate open at four.

I step out of the gate, the street is eerily quiet, I quickly walk down and head to the bus station. Luckily, an early bus to the airport is waiting. I guess God is helping me.

I arrive at the airport at five, an hour before my flight. We board the plane and wait.

I close my eyes, letting out the first real breath I’d taken in days. My dreams of college were shattered, and I’d have to start at nothing in Australia, but I am free. I made it.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, I peer out the small window, my blood turning to liquid ice.

Men in tailored black suits are walking towards the plane, cutting through airport security like they own the runway. I recognize the lead guard instantly.

Lorenzo’s men.

Panic rising in my chest, I bolt from my seat, rushing blindly towards the exit, only to freeze as the cabin door hissed open, i almost crash hard into a broad, solid chest.

“Well, well… we meet again, piccola.”

His voice is a low growl that vibrates through the floorboards. My breath hitches, my legs turning to lead as I stumble backward into the aisle.

“What do you want?” I murmur, he keeps walking closer, his hands in his coat pockets until I collapse into one of the passengers seats. He leans forward and grabs my chin.

“Where do you think you are going? Hmm?” a dangerous glint flashes in his eyes.

“Away from you.” I blurt out, my voice trembling with fear.

“Tsk tsk” he clicks his tongue and digs his fingers deeper into my chin, “I would have been lenient with you if only you did not try to run,” he roughly releases my chin and straightens up.

“You are coming with me,” he states firmly.

I shake my head vigorously in refusal. “No, I am not.”

He scoffs, a dark grin spreading across his lips as he grabs my arm, pulling me up against his chest. “Non provocarmi, piccola.” His expression darkens with every word. “You do not get to negotiate with me.”

That is the last thing I hear before his hand strikes the side of my neck.

Then, the world goes black.