Chapter 157: Eat
I was sitted on the bed, watching the window and contemplating my current situation, I couldn’t help but wonder how being kidnapped could be both comfortable and damn annoying at the same time. It was a strange mix of emotions that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around and it’s boiling me up, I felt like crying and smiling at the same time.
Thoughts raced through my raging mind. Would anyone even notice that I was missing? Luciano was in God knows where, I don’t know if he’s dead or alive and my parents? Would they notice my absence? Would they come looking for me, or would they simply ignore my absence and think perhaps I went off gallivanting, or they could be consumed by their own lives and oblivious to my situation?
Damn! The uncertainty of it all weighed heavily on my heart making me feel so weak.
The thought of it all made me think about the past and I couldn’t help but remember what Gladys had told me about boys and how we would laugh and joke about it. A soft laugh escaped my lips at the amusing complexity of boys, their enigmatic ways creating a whirlwind of excitement and confusion in my mind by their cologne and their smile.
Lost in my thoughts, I looked out the window again and suddenly spotted something unusual. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized one of Luciano’s men, I actually saw him or… The figure that had crossed my path before. A surge of excitement coursed through my veins, lighting up my senses. Could his presence mean something significant for me? Anticipation and curiosity filled my mind, gripping my attention like a vice. Would I be saved soon?
I looked again but my excitement quickly transformed into confusion when I noticed a younger man accompanying him. The man looks so young and normally, it’s not meant to be so. The initial thrill dwindled as I pondered the purpose behind their unexpected encounter. Who was this young man, and what connection did he have to the familiar face from Luciano’s group? A sense of foreboding settled deep within me, hanging heavy in the air. Was I hallucinating? Luciano’s men don’t move around with young guys nor with anyone, they keep to themselves and don’t even have the time to joke around.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
I realized that my once-ordinary day had taken an intriguing turn, and my curiosity was fully aroused. The uncertainties about boys and school momentarily faded into the background as my focus shifted to the mysterious encounter outside the window. I felt like screaming, if I do that, perhaps someone will hear me, luckily if it was my mum or dad. I was in the same place with them, yet they don’t know. I could scream now but the nerve to do that was gone.
I lost it all to even say a thing. I was tired, tired of everything and I wanted to die. I’ve told Gladys I wouldn’t want to die in her hands but now, I want to take back my words. I want her to take my life and end my misery.
Interrupting my thoughts, someone brought food for me. I couldn’t bring myself to even look at it. This food smells better than anyone I’ve been given before. It was soup with meat and cold bread. Sounds like a prisoner’s meal but still it was looking good. The hunger pangs gnawed at my stomach, but I simply stated that I wasn’t hungry and asked the person to leave.
“I’m not hungry.” I told him again when he wouldn’t leave.
The man looked at me and spat. “You should eat that else you’ll starve. It’s the best you’ll get today.”
I ignored the man and he walked out after his gibberish words. I felt so empty and wanted to coil up in a ball. The food was like poison to me.
Hours passed, and I found myself wallowing in my solitude when Gladys made her entrance. She looked skinnier each passing day, it looked like she was on drugs or something. And if she was, it’d kill her soon. She also had her heavy make up on. Her eyes was fixed to mine as she came closer.
“You wouldn’t eat? That’s the best food you’ll get.” She repeated the same thing that man told me and I swore silently. “You are ungrateful! How many kidnappers will feed you the way I do, you ungrateful fool.” She accused.
I said nothing and looked at the window again. Gladys seemed offended I ignored her so she spoke again. “Eat, Tiffany, think about that baby in you, my dear. For the sake of the baby’s health.”
“I don’t want!” I vehemently refused, determined not to give in to her twisted game. “This whole shit, this mafia shit don’t move a muscle in me, I don’t even want to be part of this and I promise you wouldn’t get a thing out of this either.”
Gladys stiffened and looked away, and to my utmost horror, I heard her sob and then started to cry. Her tearful response caught me off guard and I didn’t believe her. Sje was so evil.
“I’m trying my best, my all not to hurt you, I swear that I am but if you continue like this, I will hurt you.” She said, left to me, this was an ironic statement and with that I longed for the friend I once had. A wave of bitterness washed over me as I looked at her.
“Well, you can starve if you want, I’m just trying to keep you healthy till your father comes. Moreover, Massimo has been calling, I bet he has a lot on store for you, you’ll be amazed.”
In a moment of anger and frustration, I lashed out at her. ‘Bloody bitch! You should be taken to the rehab, you should return to rehab because you are clearly still mentally unstable. You fucking bitch!” As I said that, Gladys moved forward, wasting no time in spitting in my food.
“Now, eat it.”
I was dsgusted and enraged, I threw the food at her, hoping to convey my defiance. “You go to help now!”
Gladys grinned maliciously, reveling in her power to control and punish me. “You’ll die, Tiff, for doing this, you’ll did. I’ll starve you for three days.”
As I sat there, my hunger gnawing at my insides and my spirit battered, I couldn’t help but cling to a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be free soon.