Sold to the Mafia for a Million Dollars

Ashley POV.

My alarm woke me up just in time for my morning chores. Even though sleep is still very much in my eyes, I have to sober up and get my chores done before my parents wake up, or I won’t like the consequences that will follow.

I walk into the bathroom and splash water on my face to clear the sleep off my eyes and then go downstairs to start my daily chores. I did my chores silently in order not to wake my parents up. I remember the one time that I accidentally woke them up because of the noise I was making while cleaning the house. My parents were beyond furious. My dad hit me with the vacuum cleaner so hard that I couldn’t eat for a week because my ribs were swollen.

Ever since our family business went bankrupt five years ago, out of frustration my parents developed anger issues and became very aggressive towards me. At first, they would emotionally abuse me but as time went on, they started abusing me physically. The drugs they are taking aren't helping matters either. Many at times, I am tempted to report them to the social welfare and child abuse commission but I could not because I am afraid. What if they don’t believe me? What if they take me away and give me foster parents that are just like my parents? And so many others ‘what if’ prevented me from reporting them.

Even my friends in school do not know what is going on in my house. I usually use makeup to cover up the bruises. The ones that are not able to cover up, I lied that I fell down the stairs or the bed or hit a table or the wall. My friends brought my life up and nicknamed me ‘the clumsy girl’. Since I lost too much balance. If only they know the real cause of the bruises. If only they know.

Luckily enough for me, I was able to finish all my chores and make breakfast without my parents waking up. They must have had a long night yesterday. They came back home around one in the morning. Although I was awake, I did not even bother myself to go downstairs because if I dare do that by mistake, I will surely wake up in the hospital, which is if I even wake up at all.

I rushed into my bedroom and quickly took my bath, dressed up and rushed out of the house. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

I made my way to the bus stop just in time the school bus arrived.

“Good morning Mr. Joe.” I greeted the bus driver as I got into the bus and looked for a seat by the window and sat down. I took out my eyepiece and connected it to my phone as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the rest of the ride to school.

“Thank you for the ride Mr. Joe.” I waved at the driver who waved back at me. Although it’s not compulsory to greet the driver or thank him because technically he is just doing his job. I believe in appreciating people for what they do even if you are paying them to do that work. It’s not going to cost you anything if you do that but as for the person, he or she will feel loved and important.

I made it to my locker and I frowned as I reached there. Usually my friends and I gather ourselves here, gist and gossip a little bit before heading to class together. But right now, none of them were present. I checked the time on my phone and frowned deeper. Usually by this time Sophia and Lisa are supposed to be here already.

I waited for another five minutes but none of them came. Maybe they planned on not coming to school today. I concluded. But why will they plan to tell me? I questioned myself. My friends are one of the reasons why I still have my sanity. Whenever I am with them, I forget all the pains I am feeling.

I started making my way to class alone and that will be like the first in forever that it is happening.

“Hey Ashley, Good morning!” Cole, a classmate of mine, greeted me.

“Morning to you too Cole.”

“Why are you alone today? Where are your sisters?” Cole asked. Everyone usually calls my friends and me ‘sisters’ they are actually not wrong though. We see and treat each other as if we are sisters.

I flex my shoulders up; “I don’t know. I just arrived a few minutes ago”.

“Maybe they are already in class?” Cole tried to think of possible places my friends could be.

“Maybe.” I responded and kept on walking. Why didn’t I think of that? They must have thought I was coming to school today and went ahead without me. After all, I was not in school last week and gave them a reason that I am sick. They must have thought I was still sick. Although I wasn’t actually sick. My mom hit me with a pan and it left an injury on my forehead and I needed it to heal before I go out because I don’t think I can survive the looks and questions I will get from people.

Suddenly, a hand dragged me into a classroom. Everywhere was dark and I couldn’t see a single thing.

“Who is there? And what do you want from it?” I asked in a frightened voice. I don’t usually get bullied here in school so I wonder who is doing this.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to everyone. Happy birthday to you!!!!” A lot of familiar voices in the dark started singing.

They must have gotten the wrong person because today isn’t my birthday. Just as I wanted to open my mouth and talk, someone on the lights and lo and behold standing before is my friends holding a cake with a big smile on their faces.

“Happy birthday Ashley!!!” They all screamed at once. I am actually touched by what they did but today isn’t actually my birthday so I wonder why they thought so.

“Thank you so much guys. I appreciate it. But today isn’t actually my birthday. It’s next week”. I remained with them. And they gave me a look of shock.

“What?” I questioned when I saw their expressions.

“You can’t be serious right? Bring out your phone and check today’s date on the calendar.” Lisa commanded. I brought out my phone and checked the date.

“What! How? I can’t believe today is nineteenth already. I really thought it was next week. Who in her right sense will forget her own eighteenth birthday?” questioned my sanity.

“You obviously!” Elsa jest at me. I didn’t even know I was thinking out loud.

“How the hell did you even forget your own birthday?” Lisa questioned me. I honestly don’t know either. To think that I have been waiting for my eighteenth birthday so that I can get freedom from my parents.

“We will talk about that later on. Ashley makes a wish and blows out the candles, it's already melting.” Unice who was holding the cake moved closer to me. I blew the candles then closed my eyes and made a silent wish in my heart.

“So to celebrate your eighteenth birthday, we are going clubbing tonight.” Lisa excitedly stated. My heart immediately picked up a race.

“Em..” I started saying before Unice cut me off.

“Don’t even think about saying no. We are all going and that’s final.” Unice said and before I could reply to her, the bell rang and we all hurried up to our class.

All through the day, I was thinking of how I could get out of the house without my parents noticing.

Nervous couldn't describe how I was feeling right now. Lisa had earlier sent me the address of the club. We are to meet in front of the club before entering together.

I wore a short lava red dress that hugged me tight like a second body. The back of the dress is entirely open leaving my back to be bare. I matched the dress with red high heels and red lipstick. I looked at myself in the mirror. I could hardly believe this was me. On a normal day, I wouldn’t be dressing like this. Well on a norm, I wouldn’t even be going to a club at all. Unice gifted me this dress and made me promise her that I will be wearing it tonight. I must admit I actually look very hot in the dress. Since I have flesh in the right places, the clothes fit me quite well.

My biggest problem is how i am going to leave the house without drawing my parents' attention. I removed my shoes and held it in my hands along with my purse. I quietly tiptoe down the stairs trying my best not to make any sound at all.

I am able to successfully reach down the stairs and make my way to the kitchen. I plan on using the back door to go out. As I entered the kitchen, I mistakenly stumbled upon a bottle that was left carelessly on the floor of the kitchen. I immediately froze and my heart started beating irregularly. Am afraid that my parents will wake up because of the sound the bottle made. If they actually wake up, I will surely end up dead.

I waited for some minutes and I didn’t hear any movement or sound, I let out a deep breath I was holding. I quickly rushed to the door and ran out of the house. I didn’t stop until I was three minutes away from our house. I wore my shoes and waited for the Uber I ordered while I was still in my room.

*****

The cab dropped me in front of the club. I saw people queuing up to enter the club. I brought out my phone to call my friends so that I could inform them that I had arrived when I heard someone calling my name from a distance. I walked towards the direction of the voice and saw all my friends standing. I took a double breath when I saw them. Damn! They look so hot. Elsa is putting on a short black dress that has a deep cut V neckline that causes her breast to be on display. Unice is also putting on something similar to Elsa except hers it’s dark blue in color while Lisa is wearing a white dress that is so little that it can fit a ten years old.

“Here guys, you are all looking very hot tonight!” I hype them as I reach the place they are standing.

“You to Ashley. You look like a hotter and sexier version of yourself.” They all hyped me back.

“So how are we going to enter the club? The queue is too long and it will take us forever to get in." Elsa complained. She is indeed very correct. The line has even increased by at least thirty people since I arrived and that’s crazy because I just came five minutes ago.

“Oh, leave that to me!” Lisa winked and started walking towards one of the bouncers that was answering a phone call just next to us. He ended his call and started conversing with Lisa who is already running her hands all over his chest. Trust Lisa to always be ready to flirt. Every group of friends has one who is the player among them and Lisa happens to be ours.

After a few minutes, Lisa beacon on us to come over and we did. The bouncer led us to the side of the club towards an isolated door.

“This door is only used by the workers. You can go in. Just walk straight it will lead you to the club’s party hall.” The bouncer explained and we thanked him.

“See you later, right?" He asked Lisa.

“Definitely, handsome!” Lisa dropped a peck on his check as we entered the club.

“Are you actually going to see him later?” Unice asked Lisa.

“Maybe, maybe not. I mean he isn’t bad looking at all”. Lisa answered as we arrived at the party hall. Everywhere is full of people dancing and some drinking while others are making out with each other.

“Let’s go to the bar!” Elsa suggested and we headed there and took our seats.

“Hello gorgeous ladies. What can I offer you?" A handsome bartender asked us.

“How about you offer us yourself?” Unice bit her lips trying to flirt with the bartender. I can’t believe these shameless girls are actually my friends.

The guy laughed out loud. Honestly speaking, he has an amazing deep voice. “As much as I would love to be your order, I am not available on the menu”. The guy said looking directly at Unice as if he was waiting for her responses.

“Well that’s too bad. Can we at least get your name?” Unice stare at the bartender with cute eyes. I don’t understand why she keeps using the term 'we' instead of 'I'. I can’t remember us telling her that we are interested in the bartender too.

“The name is Caleb. Will you guys like to make an order now?” Caleb switched back into a professional voice.

“Yes, give us a one-man-army shot." Lisa ordered on our behalf.

“Em.. I will have a soft drink please. Something that doesn’t contain alcohol. Thank you." ordered for myself. I have never drunk before and I don’t want today to be the first time I will. I need to stay very much sober and alert so that I can return home in one piece by eleven o clock.

“Seriously, soft drink? You are too upright. Learn to lose up a bit." Lisa warned me. I didn’t give her any reply. They will not understand what it means to be in a situation like mine.

“Here you go mams!” The bartender brought our orders. Each and every one of us took our drinks in our hands and Elsa decided to make a toast.

“A toast to the birthday girl.” Elsa lifted up the glass.

“A toast to her!” The rest of us responded and took a sip of our drink.

Soon my friends were tipsy and got on drinking.

“Let's dance." Lisa's voice echoed in the mist of the loud music. We all made our way to the dance floor and started dancing with each other.

As we kept on dancing, I could feel someone's eyes on me. I took courage, turned back and met the daring eyes of the person.

He was sitting with four other guys. I could not make out his face completely, just the outline of his body. Even as of that, I knew that the man was hot. Even though his friends were talking to him, I could feel his eyes on me.

His stares gave me a kind of boldness I didn’t usually possess. I turned around and started tweaking the music. I shook my body up and down knowing fully well that the man was looking at me. After a few minutes of dancing, I turned back and to my disappointment, the man was no longer there again.

Just then, I felt someone place his hands on my waist, I turn to give him a piece of my mind and lo and behold it is the man that was staring at me earlier.

He pulled me closer to him and whispered into my ear; “I am not the kind of person you tease and get away with Mia Cara!”

His voice was low and dangerous. It made me shiver down to my spine. There is something in me that tell me he is a dangerous man. But instead run away from him. I wrap my hands around his neck.

“And who told you that I want to get away with it?” I smirked at him.

“You have no idea what you are asking for!” He let out a laugh.

He has such a lovely voice. I don’t mind listening to his laugh all day. The man started moving our body according to the rhyme of the music and I followed his lead.

I turned around and started to grope him. He encouraged me by pulling my body closer to his body. There is no more space between us. I could feel his hard body completely pressed to my back.

I kept pressing my body on him more seductively when I felt his hardness pressed on my back. I feel very proud that I am able to get a reaction out of him.

He started to drop light kisses on my bare neck making my body go on fire. I kept biting my lips to prevent me from moaning out loud.

“You have no idea what you are doing to me Mia Cara.” He huskily whispered into my ears.

And just before I could reply, the alarm on my phone rang. I have earlier tied my phone on my lap so that I will know the time to leave.

Well just like Cinderella, it’s time to go.

“I have got to go!” I said to the man and without waiting for his reaction, I flew.

I went over and tapped Elsa at the back and told her that I am going home. She waved at me and went back to dancing. I looked for the other two so that I can wish them goodbye too. I spotted Lisa making out with a guy at the corner of the club while Elsa is dirty dancing with a guy. Not wanting to interrupt them, I decided to just leave. I untied my phone on my lap to see a text from the cab driver. Damn! He has been waiting for me for the past thirty minutes. I quickly rushed out of the club.

“Sorry!" I apologized to the driver for keeping him long.

During the ride, I kept rubbing my neck thinking about the man I just danced with. I realize that I don’t even know his name. But it didn’t matter. I enjoyed every moment of the dance.

The cab driver dropped five minutes away from my house. I paid him his money and started trekking home. The weather was chilly and since I am putting on a tiny dress, I am feeling a little bit cold.

I took off my shoes as soon as I reached our lawn. I silently tiptoed into the house and into my room successfully without getting caught.

I changed my dress into my night wear and slept off with a big smile on my face.

That night, I dreamt about the hot stranger I danced with.