Insurance Daughter

Madeline Point of View..

“After everything that we have done for you, it is time to pay your parents back. Marry Mr. Morrison at all costs. It is your only contribution to this family after all!” My father’s words resonated; I was being pushed inside a room in an unknown unit.

“Dad, I am your daughter. I can help you in another way, this is not how to do it. Please spare me! Be my dad even only for this time.”

I begged as my tears began to fall. I am shivering in fear, I couldn't imagine what will happen in the next few minutes after they leave me in this room. I am too young for this. I am too young to pay back for the sacrifices of my parents to me. After all, I have been a big help to them since I was 10. I did house chores. After I turned 16, I had several jobs-part times just to help them, but how could they do this to me suddenly? How bad is their financial crisis that they had to push me into this?

So, these kinds of stereotypical things still happen in my generation? All I thought about was, liberation is the trend now. One must decide their future, especially who they get married to. This is what I know but look at what is happening to me right now?!

“You must stop your daughter from crying. The big boss won't like this, we cannot leave her in that state. She must be presentable. You know that from the beginning.” The big man, who was in black suits who pushed me inside the room, spoke to my father. He was beginning to get irritated.

“I am sorry, boss. Can you leave us two alone?” My father was very quick to respond to the big man.

After we were left alone, I looked at my father, begging. “Dad, please help me out. I promise I will do everything that you want me to do, just don't let me do this.”

“You must do this Madeline, there is no turning back because I have already accepted the payment. You know that this is the only way to send your sister abroad. Your mother will kick me out of her life if I do not do this.” I could tell that there was a little guilt in my father's eyes, so I went on pleading.

“Dad, I promise I will work as hard as I can, even if it means I must drop out from school. Just not this. You don't know who the man is. Even I couldn't imagine being in this room alone with him. You know what will happen after you leave me alone…” I was already sobbing, holding my father’s hands, but he turned his gaze outside the window and smiled bitterly.

“It will just be a night. If the big boss won't like you, then he will let you go, but if he likes you, he will marry you. Don't you like that? You will live comfortably in his wealth once he chooses you!” Dad was so convincing he was trying hard to persuade me. But how could I be persuaded in this kind of offer?

I could sense that there is no hope already. He's really into this. He even accepted my payment. I don't know what differs me from my little sister so much that they must give her the best, even if they couldn't. I don't know why I had to be the sacrificial lamb for her luxury, when I am also a child of our parents.

I am not demanding for a luxurious life. I am so fine with what we have.

“Dad, I grew up thinking that a father protects his child. I grew up believing that a father is the one who sacrifices for his children’s comfort. Little did I know that all of those were just fairy tales. What does it have to lose when mum kicks you out of her life? Am I and my sister not enough for you to go on with your life if ever that happens?” I tried to instill guilt in him. But I was surprised by what happened next…

‘Pak! Pak! Pak!’ Those were three slaps on the sides of my face. I almost fell on the floor because of its impact. My heart aches as well as my face does.

“Stop crying and do what you are ordered to. If you don't, I will tell the big boss to do anything that he wants to, even if it must be your death!”

I felt numb. I couldn't say a word anymore. I just held my face, which began to feel sore as I watched my father storm out the room.

“Stop crying. The boss doesn't like to watch you that way. Now take your rest and eat everything that you wanted to eat. He is eager to meet you at 10 in the evening, you have all your time to relax.”

What I didn't know was that I was being watched on a CCTV monitor somewhere. I assumed that I was being watched because how good the big man tells me that the boss doesn't like what he was watching.

I was frightened even more realizing that every move that I do is being watched. I slowly turned around to check if there was any sign of a CCTV camera in the room, but I failed. I am not a fool. I know that there are different types and designs for CCTV cameras, one of which might be as tiny as a needle.

After the man left, I walked to the wall dividing the bedroom and the bathroom. I slowly squatted and hugged myself tight as my tears began to fall again. Waking up from a nightmare is one of my dreams now. I am hoping that I am only dreaming, but it is so impossible because I felt the three strong slaps from my father.

I am in this position for almost 10 minutes, but I do not want to move. I hope that I can sleep this way. Hugging myself is my only way to protect my body from any harm. What is being paid mean for if not to be used by a man?

My watch says it is already two in the afternoon, but I haven't eaten anything yet. The man told me to dial 01 in the bedside telephone if I need anything, but I don't feel like doing it.

I didn't know if the walls understood me because somebody knocked with a tray of food after I opened it. I wasn't scared to open the door because I was told that 10:00 PM is the meeting time with a big boss. I just stared at the middle-aged woman who entered the room and slowly put the tray on the table then smiled at me gently.

“You have to eat Miss.” After that, she rushed out the room as if she was being monitored.

I am beginning to wonder who the big boss is. Why does he seem to be feared so much? If he is a rich man, why does he have to force someone to lay in bed? I mean, of course, he watched me already disagreeing with this, so why couldn't he just let me go and retrieve the payment from my father?

While I am thinking my belly made a sound which implies that it couldn't take its hunger anymore. I slowly reached for the sandwich and began to take a bite. Whatever is in store for me in this building, I must keep my body strong if I want to escape from here. There is no one to help me but myself.

I have the charm, I know that. I am planning to use it once I meet the big boss. I will beg that I will do anything for him just so that he will spare me from this kind of thing.

I can even be his maid if needed to, that way I will be able to repay my father's debt to him.

After I finished eating and making a good plan, I walked to the bed and lay down as I pulled the comforter and covered my body tightly, hoping that it would be enough to protect me from untoward incidents. I must sleep because I need to be strong to have my proper mental ability to think.

I shouldn't let my guard down, because even if I cry gallons of tears here, it wouldn't help me out and I know that.

“Wake up and get prepared. You must take a shower and be groomed

Madeline Point of View.

The familiar voice had woken me, and it aroused the fear that I felt.

I was too quick to open my eyes and look at him, who was standing by the door. I got up and fixed myself at the edge of the bed and did not say a thing. After a few more minutes, two women came in.

“Fix her and make sure that she looks like what the boss likes.” It was his only words before he turned around and left the room, leaving the two women beside me.

The other one smiled politely while she approached me while the other one was busy taking out a thing in her bag.

“Miss, I am sorry, but you must take your shower so we can prepare you. We have already ordered a meal for you, so after you take your shower, you can eat while we prepare your attire for tonight.” The woman said as she tapped my shoulder. I felt like she was sorry for me, or maybe I was just too sentimental now.

I just noted and gestured to walk in the washroom when she spoke again. “I am Nadia. You can call me Nadia, because from now on I am sure that I will always be around you while this lady with me is Faby.”

I turned my gaze and smiled at the two of them before I finally walked in the shower room. Although they were kind, I don't feel the ambience of the place. Fear and the agonists are still running through my veins. I haven't figured out how to escape yet and it worries me.

When I opened the shower and the water began to fall on my body, I felt comfort. The cold water seems to remind me to come back to my senses and think cleverly.

I intended to stay under it for 10 minutes while I was figuring things out before I finally decided to shut it off and walk out the shower room and as the woman named Nadia said, the food was ready at the bedside table.

“Please suit yourself.” She said again while she was sitting at the couch near the table while sipping a cup of coffee. When I turned my gaze towards the other woman, who she introduced as Faby, she was still busy with the makeup kit right in front of her. She barely smiled ever since they came in, so I could tell that she is not the friendly type.

Following Nadia’s instruction, I went to the table and began to dig in. I must be prepared for my plans later. While eating, I acted innocently and asked.

“I haven't seen the big boss yet. If in case later will be the very first time to meet with him. What kind is he, if you don't mind?” I asked politely.

Faby cleared her throat before she spoke fearfully. Her expression made me regret asking so I quickly followed up my question.

“Oh, sorry for asking. You don’t need to answer, I shouldn’t have asked about that.”

“Well, thank you for understanding Miss, we are not allowed to talk about the big boss to you.:

After Nadia explained that I confirmed my guess. The boss might be so cruel, just by the expression of Nadia that I witnessed.

I continued to eat then went to brush my teeth from the made ready toiletries that I saw at the wash roam. This room is too expensive looking, I am not sure if I am in a mansion or a hotel room because I was unconscious when I was taken here, I only woke up when we arrived in front of this room where I am being locked up.

“Come and sit comfortably.” Nadia instructed when I walked out. So I did it without saying a word again.

They began to fix me while I was staring at the big mirror right in front of me. Most people around me say that I am beautiful, and I can be more presentable when I am groomed. I didn't believe them because I do not see that beauty in me. I mean, I was too busy to mind how I look. Ever since I was young, I worked so hard to help the family and to impress my parents. For me, helping financially is what gets their attention because money is all talk to them.

I didn't even hear my mom say that I am beautiful, needless to say how she looks down on me.

“You are really a Princess!” Finally, I heard the woman named Faby exclaim after I was done being fixed. I stared at her, surprised because I didn't expect her to be a little bit appreciative.

“I told you; she is really a Princess. It just needs her to be fixed.” Nadia exclaimed excitedly. They gave me smiles because for the first time we felt like someone really appreciated how I look after I was placed with makeup and dressed nicely.

I should be happy to hear that I am beautiful, and I look like a Princess, but as soon as I realized that every preparation that was made for me is for the big boss, I suddenly became sad. Sad that this beauty is only for sale.

“Smile again. I must take a picture of you with that smile. You are so beautiful. Give me your remembrance of your first smile.” Faby requested when she noticed that I suddenly withdrew my smile. However, I couldn't take it back anymore because the filling has totally switched from being flattered to scared.

“Come on, it will just be a smile. Let her take a photo of you. It will be our only remembrance from you. Things will depend on if you stay here or not after you meet the big boss.” Nadia seconded. I was taken aback of what she said. Will I be dispatched when he doesn't like me? If that's the case, then I can leave this place if I will disgust him, right?!

Because they are kind to me, I forced a smile. What do I know if this will really be our first and last meeting? When I began to smile and realized that I had a chance to leave this place, my smile was Heartfelt, just then that the flash off the camera was released.

“You see, I told you you're too pretty when you smile. Now get yourself ready because you will be fetched in a minute.” Faby said while she put her mobile phone back in her pocket.

Nadia came near me too and held my hand before she said sincerely.

“Good luck… We'll pray for you. Try your very best to impress the big boss and never ever plan to run away or escape because you will be in a bad shape. Many women have done that already, and we haven't heard from them since they left this mansion!”

I was frozen when I heard Nadia. What does she mean that they haven't heard from anyone? Does that mean that I am not the only woman who was taken here forcibly by the beat bosses’ men?

My eyes opened wide fearfully. I didn't expect those reminders from the makeup woman, Nadia. When I glanced at Faby beside her, her face was gloomy as well, and it gave me creeps even more!

What the hell am I into?!