Chapter 1 Papers from hell

"Damon, please, I beg of you, let me go," she cried as he pulled her with his tie, which he used to bind her hands. Damon looked at her eerily, causing her to shiver within her. She tried to read his eyes, but like his conscience, they were all blank. He left her and walked to the bedside table in the room. Maya felt frightened as she wondered where he had gone and what he would do with her. When he came back, he was holding a pair of scissors. "I love it when you beg me," he muttered, snipping her white dress away, tearing it to pieces, till she was completely naked before him because she wore no undergarment. "Beg me, Maya, beg me!" Maya gulped. "Oh, you're being disobedient, aren't you?" He poked his tongue in her ear and whispered, "I like that too." He dug his fingers into her bum. "Because now, I have every reason to do what I've always wanted to do to you. Maya..." **SOME MONTHS EARLIER** Maya walked into the room, completely tired from work. Being a journalist had its fair share of risks, and that day was quite eventful; it was a miracle a stray bullet didn't slash her due to the coalition of criminals and the police. Hearing footsteps stroll in, Maya raised her head to see her sister stopping right in front of her, her shoulders raised high and that defiance at her upper lips. She would have that confidence, too, if she were the favorite of Alfredo and his wife. Well, AKA her parents. Filthy rich, and not only that, the fifth in rank to the Don of Sicily, the wealth was enough to go around without each daughter feeling left out, but it was either her creator hated her, or something was wrong with her stars. Right now, her sister looked like she was about to be summoned by satan, and knowing Ana, that was her hobby, delivering bad news to her, "Maya's father calls for you.""Why?""Well, he didn't tell me, but there's dinner; he wants to talk to all of us over dinner." Maya looked at her suspiciously, knowing Ana was lying through her teeth, the bitch knew why the monster wanted her, and seeing the glint in her eyes, it wasn't good. "I'll be there in a minute," she sighed finally. "Be fast about it," Anna said as she walked away. "There will be a visitor soon, and Dad wants to be done with the conversation before he comes in." When she was at the exit, she added with a mocking tone, "Don't forget to take your bath also, Maya. You stink." As she watched her sister leave, Maya became scared. The last time her father had called her was six years ago when she had slapped Anna because she had disgraced her in front of a whole crowd. Not to forget, she was locked in like one of his goons who had broken a rule. But since it was over dinner, maybe it wasn't so bad. Being the second daughter and child of Alfredo Petra, she was always on the defensive. She got into the bathroom and took a quick shower, then made do with a light gown. Maya strolled to the dining room, where her family sat around the table. She stood beside an empty seat, waiting for him to scream at her. She wondered what she'd done this time. As far as she knew, she was successful in avoiding him and staying clear of his part. She guessed that wasn't enough. "Sit down, Maya; let's have dinner," his tone was soft, yet it knocked her out. She looked up at him sharply. Did he use that soft tone on her? She couldn't believe it. Was she dreaming? Still standing and wondering if she heard well, her mother repeated, "Take your seat, child. Your food might get cold." Her bones stiffened. But she did sit down, and her food was served to her by a maid. The seat opposite her was empty. Her father sat at the head of the table, while Anna, who was opposite their mother and still sizing her up, was close to their father, holding his hand. Maya noticed that the older man looked frail and sick. He also looked worried. When they began eating, Maya watched them, unsure of what to do. She wasn't comfortable within her own family, and it showed. Her mother noticing, enquired, "Why don't you eat your food, Maya?""Maybe she thinks we poisoned it," She so wanted to glare at her elder sister; how could someone be so childish and evil at the same time?! "No, no," she cut, "I don't think it was poisoned. I'll never think of that, Mother.""Then eat your food." Quickly she began piling the food in her mouth and still not tasting anything. Her father cleared his throat. "I know you're wondering why I called for you," he paused, letting a lengthy silence fester. Then he shut his eyes, "I want to know if you can make a sacrifice for your family.""I don't understand, father." In a flash, his face turned red, so she quickly added, so he wouldn't hurt her like he always did, "Yes, I can, Father. I can make a sacrifice for my family.""No matter how big?" He prodded. Maya wasn't comfortable with where all of this was going, but still, she answered, "No matter how big, Father." He nodded then, and from a briefcase at his side, he brought out a piece of paper and handed her a pen, "Sign this," and he gave her the papers. This time she had to ask, "What is this?""This will be the proof of your love for your family," he broke eye contact with her and looked out of the window before he began to explain, "Anna found the reports on Cosa Nostra you've been working on." Her heart beat loudly against her chest. The project on the Cosa Nostra was a personal one; it wasn't supposed to be seen by anybody. What had Anna been doing in her room to bump into the papers it had been on? Maya hoped nobody else had found out. "And she sent it to the police for a small bounty." She gasped. She was shattered. No matter how badly her sister treated her, she wouldn't wish her that. She looked at her father. Weren't they making a big mistake by keeping Ana here instead of hiding her somewhere far away from all of the danger that was sure to come? "Luckily, Don had an insider who got the papers, so it's safe. But the Don..." His breath went shaky. "He wants something in return if we want to keep our lives.""What's that, father?" She asked. As far as she knew, she was ready to do anything to help her family. If he wanted her to go to the public and tell them everything she wrote on that paper was a lie, maybe with that, she could even earn her parents' love: "What do I have to do, father?" He gazed at her as he ordered her doom, "In place of your sister, you must agree with whatever Don Damon says. Make him believe you committed the crime." The shock stuck in her throat.

Chapter 2 Devil's Incarnate

As her father glares at her, his icy green pupils she had inherited from him, watching her every change of mood, Maya knows she has to be careful with her words. "I'm sorry, father, but I wish this would be explained to me clearly," Before she could finish, he slammed his hand on the table, making her jump in fear. "What do you want to understand again? You good for nothing...""Alfredo!" Her mum runs to his side and hugs him, "it's not your fault you have such a selfish daughter!" Maya swallowed, her heart thudding wildly against her chest. For a moment, she thought her father was going to hit her. Her mother settled Alfredo on his seat and rubbed his shoulder. Then she looked at her in disgust. Maya lowered her eyes to the table. Her mum ordered angrily, "Guardami!" Maya raised her eyes to her mother's brown orbs; the hate in the woman's eyes was deep. She held no affection towards her last daughter, who was just Twenty years old. If she had her way, she would have killed her a long time ago. "Just take a look at yourself, Maya. Aren't you ashamed you can do something to help your family, and you don't want to?" there was silence everywhere, then her tone softened, "how will you feel if we all are killed, Maya? We are talking about Don Damon here." Maya shuddered when she heard the name. Don Damon, the ruthless leader of the Mafia. Her father was a member, the fifth in rank. Maya had seen Don twice when her father threw a party. Don had graced the event. He didn't look like someone to be played with. She looked at Anna's scared face, then up at her mother's, and back down at her father's; he looked like he would have a heart attack any moment from now. She picked up the pen and signed the papers. She pushed it towards her father. Anna stood up from her chair and hugged her father, her arm tight around his neck. Blond hair tied in a ponytail reached her shoulders. "I promised you nothing would happen to you, Anna, didn't I?" Anna nodded, and he kissed her on her forehead before she returned to her feet. To the two maids waiting behind her, Alfredo ordered, "Begin to pack her clothes; she's leaving soon." Maya's head jerked up from her plate, "so soon, father?" The old man nodded without remorse, "Don doesn't want to wait any longer; for our sake, we shouldn't keep him waiting. and Maya?""Father!""Play along; he has to think you committed the crime,""She can't, even if she tried," Anna boasted, annoyed that her personality would have something to do with her sister. "I know, princess, it's for your good" he squeezed her hand affectionately. "Maya, this is the first good thing you've done since birth. And I'm so proud of you." She felt a surge of happiness; for the first time in her life, her father appreciated her. She made up her mind she was going to make this sacrifice for her family, no matter what it cost. Which wasn't much, she hoped. But what did he want? She asked herself. Not only did she not read what was written in the contract, but she also wasn't sure of what her sacrifice was going to take. She wanted to take the paper and read everything in it again, but she was scared of what her father would say. A servant ran into the room, her face all anxious. "Don is here." Alfredo looked at Anna and her mother, "both of you should leave, do not let the Don see you," he ordered. "Except you, Maya" she sat back down immediately. Maya felt nervous and, most of all, under-clothed. With all the excitement and fear, her nipples hardened more. Her sweat also dampened her white clothes, making her body visible under them. She hugged her shoulders to herself. Soon Don was going to be sitting at the head of the table. She clenched her fist on her gown so tight. Her eyes stuck at the entrance of the dining hall. She could hear footsteps. He was drawing closer and closer. Then in came Don Damon. His presence was frightening. Though the weather Wasn't cold, Maya still trembled. His grey eyes fell on hers, she tried to search for emotion, but his face didn't show any. He wore a dark blue suit, unbuttoned. The shirt collar folded neatly and perfectly. But the shirt had its two buttons undone. Neat but terrifying. Maya thought to herself. The first thing he saw was the girl staring at him fearfully. She was the only one in the hall apart from her father, and he immediately knew she was the offender. Hate flooded his heart. But he had to admit it. She was beautiful; those green eyes were arresting, even though they quivered most of the time. Surely from fear. His heart hardened the more. She didn't know fear yet. As his gaze left hers, Maya was distracted by her father struggling out of his seat; finally standing up, she watched him greet the Don respectfully. The Don gazed at her again. Immediately thrown into confusion, she lowered her gaze and bit her lips. Remembering her manners, she rose and genuflected, her face to the ground. "è lei?" _is she the one_ she heard him ask. His deep baritone taking charge "Si Capo" _yes Boss_ She heard him coming close to her slowly, then he pulled a seat opposite her and settled in it. He placed his hand on the table, tapping against it. The girl didn't move. It was like she was frozen in place; he didn't need any more evidence to prove that she had sent the information to the police. The information that had almost cost him something essential. He was going to make her pay for it. No matter what it took from him. But first things face, he picked up the paper in front of him, and seeing her signature on it, he smiled. It was done then. He had her life in his hands. He looked up at her, stretching his legs as he leaned back on the seat, "Look at me," he ordered. She didn't budge, and she just stood there shaking like a leaf which made him angrier. He hated repeating himself, and the earlier the whore knew it, the better for them both. He stood up, usually strolled around the table, and stopped before her. Yank! He pulled her hair so that she looked up at him, pain hitting her scalp as he gripped it tight. She winced, biting back her tears. Her hands were on her hair as he yanked her hair down again so that he was looking into her face. "Sto parlando con te cagna! Guardami!" _I'm talking to you Bitch! Look at me!_ In pain, she opened her eyes. And when her green met with his grey, she knew she had made a mistake signing those papers, for this man was the devil.

Chapter 3 Leaving Home

She struggled to keep eye contact with him since he wanted that, but the pain made it unbearable even to think. It wasn't a mistake the pain he inflicted on her. His hands rounded her neck as if to strangle her. She held his fist as it tightened slowly around her neck. This man would kill her, and not even her father could stop him. "Good!" He was satisfied she was focused now on him; this was only the tip of the iceberg of what he would do to her and with her. He was going to make her suffer. He was going to make her beg "Do you know why you are coming with me?" She tried shaking her head, but his firm hand held her neck. She was scared of him before. But seeing the hate in his eyes, she became scared of him more. "Speak with your lips, puttana!""No, sir!" Her voice flowed into his ears. She sounded just how she looked. Like an angel. An angel who will be in hell soon His brows furrowed dangerously, "Sir? Did I hear you call me sir? Didn't you read the papers you signed?" He released her neck and grabbed the paper on the table, pushing it against her face, "Here, this is what it says; you're my slave now! I own you. When I say jump, you jump. When I say lay dead, you lay dead." So he wouldn't inflict more pain on her, she stuttered again, "Y- ye- yes, Sir." He chuckled, "Do not call me sir, slave. Call me maestro, yes maestro! Understand?" She nodded again, and seeing his hand raised as if to slap her, she shut her eyes, blurting, "yes, maestro." Instead of his hand hitting her hard on the face, he tucked a hair out of place behind her ear and smiled at the fearful little angel trembling in his hands "good girl," he muttered, leaving her; she fell roughly back on the chair. Then he caressed her cheek. "Wipe your tears," he orders her, enjoying the sight of her messed-up face and perked-up nipples. Imaginations played in his mind. She was his toy, and he would use her anyhow he wanted. Her father didn't look concerned at all about what was happening. Maya felt betrayed. What had she signed? Something told her it was going to ruin her life. "Go pack your things and wait for me in the car; I'm giving you ten minutes and not a second. Understand?""Yes, maestro," she began to wonder if that would be her only word from now on like a robot. The tears sting in her eyes, and she refuses to let them fall. Something told her it was going to make him hurt her further." She bowed her head and left the room. The pain hit her from all sides and was traumatizing. Every inch of her body hurt, including her hair scattered on her head like a mop. When she reached her room, she fell to the floor and wept, the tears dropping on her hands. An older woman came in, and when she saw her, her face filled with pity. She was Dora, and she controlled the servants in the house; she was the only one who took Maya as a person. She knelt and hugged the girl, "it's okay, Maya. It's not the end of the world," but she, too, didn't believe what she said. The Don was heartless. The innocent girl had no chance against his empty conscience. She shook her head in pity. "H- he is going to kill me, Dora; he wants to kill me," Dora held the crying girl firmly on her shoulder, "there's nothing we can do about it now; I'll pray for you." Maya stood up in a jerk. The Don had ordered her to park in ten minutes. She didn't want any mistreatment from him. "We parked everything we think you might need. It's in the car waiting for you," Dora said, much to her relief. She went outside, where three limos were waiting. She could see Damon, now her maestro, at the passenger's; his eyes focused forward. Though the night was cold, sweat poured from her body. Confused about whether to get on the same ride as him, she saw her bags on the ground close to the booth of the Limo. She picked up the courage and asked one of the men, "why is my luggage on the floor, sir?" "Capo said you won't need them." The answer sent a chill through her. She walked slowly and then increased pace when her Maestro began to look impatient. She closed the car door after her. He gave her just one glance, then returned it forward. Maya looked out of the window. The last she saw of the beautiful house she had lived all her life in was Anna, at her bedroom window smiling mischievously. "Start the car; let's go," Damon barked. Maya trembled at his voice. He smiled as he knew he had her where he wanted her. She was scared now, and he wasn't even started. The car began to move out of the gate as Maya said her last goodbye to her home They rode in silence. SHE rode silently, listening to his voice as he barked orders on his phone. After a long ride, they drove into a massive mansion with tall Gates and fences. It was much bigger than her father's. Her mouth opens in awe. They came out, reaching the door, when suddenly a girl about her age ran up and wrapped her arms around Damon in happiness. He hugged her back tenderly. Maya knew who she was. She had met her at the party. Except at that time, she was in tears. She didn't know her name, but she knew she was Don's sister. Now he caressed her hair affectionately. The girl was eighteen. "You left without saying bye, soon I'll replace you with Derinem as my favorite brother," He smiled, "we will do the outing another day, Maria, because I went for important business today." Maria's eyes fell on the girl beside her brother, she looked sad and scared, and her neck had the dent of a hand, as if she was being strangled. "Who is she?" Maria pointed at Maya. "She's the new servant" Damon didn't know his sister would still be awake. He didn't want her to see Maya, especially not like this. "Hi, what's your name?" Maria asked in a friendly tone. "Maya," she whispered, feeling Damon's hot gaze. Damon cut in, "now is not the time to exchange greetings. Maya, follow me." Maya obeyed. She was going to do everything her Maestro told her to do. It was the only way to survive in this place, and so far, she was doing good. He led her to a room, and immediately after she was in, he locked the door. His hand met her face. She fell to the ground. She knew her cheeks were going to swell from the slap. Hot tears fell from her eyes. "Why did you tell her your name without my permission, stupid puttana" _you stupid bitch_ She sobbed silently, her face on the ground, He dragged her with her cloth from the ground. Her red eyes opened wide in fright. He liked what he saw. "One more warning, Maya," he whispers, "do not breathe until I tell you to. comprendere?!" Her rough voice came up like a choking sound, "yes, maestro."

Chapter 4 Her Crime

Damon's pov Seeing her broken state and the way she replied submissively was all I needed. I wanted to break her will to the tiniest bit. But then, as I looked into her face, those arresting green orbs Frozen in place pricked under my skin. After a moment of softness, I sighed and helped her to her feet, caressing her hair gently; "Now, Maya, all this wouldn't have happened if you had only kept what you saw to yourself, but now, I'll have to keep you here till all the controversy dies down." She looked vulnerable yet suspicious of me, but she still managed to whisper, "when, maestro?" I smiled a little at her reassuring voice. The Devil in me wanted to break it again. But even if I tried to hurt her, it would be slow. "Soon" I leaned my head close and kissed her on her lips very tenderly. She didn't expect the action from me, so she froze in shock not returning it. She was like a rock, stiff. It made me frown against her lips. I enjoyed the taste of her lips and wanted her to make an effort. My hand moved to the back of her neck, and I ordered against her mouth, "restituirlo"  _return it_ She still stood frozen. I bit her lower lips, and she sobbed, closing her eyes in pain. But then, slowly, she kissed back. I broke from the kiss and looked at her face. Her cheeks were reddened by embarrassment and confusion. She lowered her lids. I grimaced "look at me!" She slowly raised her blood-red eyes to mine. "When I talk to you, look at me," she nodded. "I'll be going out. When I'm back, I don't want those clothes on you." She looked confused. "I - I don't understand, master." My brows furrowed. What did she mean by she didn't understand? I put my hands around her slim waist and pulled her; she fell on my chest, her two hands first. "I want you naked by the time I'm back, no clothes, just naked, from your head to your toes" I kissed her forehead. "I'll see you later." I left the room and was surprised to see Maria in the sitting room; she was supposed to be asleep because it was already eleven. "What are you doing awake?" I asked when I was close to her; she turned her brown eyes on me suspiciously "You said she was a maid, so what is she doing in your room?" I poured myself a tequila before answering, "she's my servant, and I don't want you going close to her whatever you're doing.""Why?""If you don't want to go back to Derinem, you better do as I say" Derinem is my elder brother. He controlled half of the Mafia while I handled the other. He is also strict with Maria. She pouted, "fine" soon, a cloud of sadness covered her face. I knew why she was worried. "Don't worry; I have taken care of everything," I assured her. She rubbed her shoulders, the silk gown she wore rumpling, and her blonde hair was packed in a loose ponytail. "Are you sure no other person saw the report? What if the journalist writes another?" She whispers I didn't know why she didn't believe me when I told her I had taken care of everything. "The journalist won't show up," I remembered Maya. Maria glanced at me, "what did you do to the journalist?" I thought of a lie, "I paid her off...""It's a woman?" I held myself in check, so I didn't give out more details "what's important, Maria, is that no one will find out what happened." One year earlier It was a happy night, and the most prominent people were at a house party thrown by Alfredo. With so much pleading from my then seventeen years old sister, I took her along as my escort. She looked so beautiful in her straight blue gown, and her hair was done beautifully, with curls dropping down the side of her face. We danced to the gentle music, my hand on her back and her waist while she stared at me in excitement. "I'm so glad you took me along, Damon. Derinem will never have let me come," she whispers. "You've been good. Do not just go near the alcohol," she smiles at me mischievously. "Ok, Damon" I was tapped on the shoulder by Alfredo. He wanted to talk to me about business. We never talked business in front of Maria, so I left her, promising to come back for her. She didn't mind. We went to the far end of the room where I could still have my eyes on her. She held her two hands nervously, looking around the room. Then a young man approached her. He was the president's son. The president couldn't make it, so he sent his son. He asked Maria for a dance, and she accepted, looking thrilled. I frowned, wanting to go over and separate them, but I also didn't want to be perceived as a control freak, so I focused more on what Alfredo was saying concerning a package that moved to the shore without my permission. Soon they walked out of the party hall, his arm intertwined with hers. She was happy that she couldn't even stay still. After about eight minutes and she wasn't still back, I excused myself and followed the route I saw them go through. It was empty, I frowned worriedly. How could she have gone far without my permission? I was angry at her too. "We'll have a very long talk when we get home Maria" I muttered under my breath. That was when I heard the gunshots. Loud and resounding It came from a room. I ran and tried opening the door, but it didn't budge. Maria cried inside. With my feet, I kicked open the door, and what I saw made my heart race. The president's son was lying on his stomach, and Maria was under him on the bed; she was trying to get away from him, and her clothes were torn and bloody. Tears welled down her eyes. "I didn't mean to shoot; he was coming on me..." I placed my fingers on my lips, and she kept quiet. I closed the door and walked to the bed.  I rolled the president's son's body off Maria and saw that his flyer was undone. Hate and anger filled me. If he weren't dead, I would have killed him in the most gruesome way possible. I just had to find a way to dispose of his body. I wrapped a bedsheet around Maria, "Now listen to me, go to the limo and wait for me there. Do not let anyone see you. Now go" She hurriedly opened the door and stood in shock when she saw someone looking back at her. It was Maya. She looked frightened, looking at me, then at the dead body, and back at the crying Maria. Knowing better, she said nothing and just walked away. Who would have known she'd waited a year to spill information to the police? *Present* "I didn't mean to shoot him; he was just so strong" Tears welled in Maria's eyes. I hugged her, kissing the top of her head "Non hai fatto niente di male" __You didn't do anything wrong__." Seeing my sister in that state made fury rise to my chest. What other way to spill my anger than on the offenders? Her bruised cheek wasn't enough. I wanted her life.

Chapter 5 What he wants...

Maya's pov It was early in the morning, and I sat inside the maestros' room in front of a large beautiful painting of a snake-like creature; I was alone and naked; it was a couple of weeks since I came into the mansion, and his treatment of me had not changed. I learned to respect him no matter what he told me to do or how to do it, I never left his room, and even though I was always brought food, I lost a little weight. The way I got treated depended on his mood. When he was angry, I stayed in the corner of the room, almost breathless, so he would forget I was even there. It didn't always work. When he was in a happy mood, he brought me close, kissing me and playing with my hair like I was a doll. One of his rules was that I slept naked; I didn't know the reason why but I never asked questions because I didn't want to be punished. The maltreatment still hadn't stopped, now my lips were bruised, and my face looked swollen. The dark circles around my eyes couldn't even be covered with makeup. Each day, I cursed Anna. What was she doing in my room? I blamed myself the more. Even though I wasn't planning on sending the report to anybody or talking more to the police, I still shouldn't have put it on paper. The door opened, and Maestro came in; when he saw me naked, he grinned in satisfaction. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks and lowered my eyes. He hadn't slept home last night, and on the white shirt he wore, there were stains of blood. Involuntarily I began to tremble. I searched his face trying to tell what mood he was in. But it was futile. He approached me and caressed my cheek with his thumb; his hands were also bloody. I did not need to be told why he wasn't around last night. "I've had a terrible night, and you can't even greet me at the door" his breath stank of alcohol. "Kiss me," he orders. I obeyed, kissing him on his lips as tenderly as I could, I hoped it would be just a light kiss, but then he held the back of my neck and gnawed on my lips. I felt tired, so I let him do what he wanted with me. He was always interested in kissing me but never tried to go further than that, even though he insisted I slept naked. I yelped softly when he bit my lower lips. When he broke it, I felt my lips swollen and sore. He liked what he saw. He wants my pain. "Take your bath and wear something; I'll send someone to you in the next twenty minutes." He left me. I sighed in relief and then got set to take my bath. After I was done and still tied in a towel, there was a knock on the door. My heart skipped. I knew I was fast in taking my bath; there was no way twenty minutes could run so fast. I opened the door, and a young woman was dressed in a maid's uniform. She held a package and handed it over to me. "Sir Damon, say you to wear this.""Thank you," I said. She looked surprised I had thanked her. If only she knew I was much lower than her in class now. At least she was paid, but I— I was just a mere slave. I closed the door and wore the cloth. It was a milky-colored gown that showed too much skin. I sighed. I was his putanna, and I could do nothing about it. A knock came at the door again, and I opened it. It was the same girl. "Sir Damon, say you to come with me." I followed her barefooted because, except for the high heels I thought were too extravagant, I had nothing appropriate. She took me to the dining room, where Damon sat waiting for me. He had changed clothes and was in an Ash Polo and Jean trousers. There was food on the table. By food, I mean good food. I soon realized I was hungry. I stood close to the table, waiting for his orders. He leaned back on his chair, stared at me, then sat up "sit down and eat. You've been a good girl for the past week. You're allowed to leave the room now." It came as a shock to me that I was allowed to eat. "Thank you, maestro" I sat down and began to dig into the food before me hungrily. The taste was heavenly, and I didn't mind choking on it. I was starved, and now my taste buds were loving this taste. All this while, he didn't even touch his food; he just kept watching me. I was soon self-conscious and dropped my fork and knife. He dug into his pocket and brought out my cell phone, and pushed it onto the table. "Pick it up." I obeyed. Since I was brought to the mansion, I haven't seen it. I didn't know it was with him all this time. "Two people have been calling your phone since you came here. Abby and Manuel. I was hoping you could call them, put the phone on loudspeaker, and whatever I say, you tell them. Now do it." I gulped. I called Abby first. "Hey, human, you know it's been two weeks, and you can't even pick up your calls? Where have you been?" Abby was my co-worker and also my only friend. I could hear the worry in her voice. "Tell her you're fine. Make it believable," Maestro commanded. "I'm fine, Abby. I just wanted a little time to myself. How are you doing?" I answered. Maestro's eyes were on me. He watched my every mood. I was getting frightened and prayed it didn't show in my voice. "Really? It's not like you leave without saying a word; no one has heard from you. Dora doesn't say anything, and you say you're fine?" I faked a small laugh. "I told you, Abby, I'm okay. Things weren't going well, so I thought I should sneak away for some time. You know: get away from Anna," I lied. Maestro looked impressed. If I kept this up, I wouldn't get maltreated today. Abby sighed. "Alright, if you say so, let's meet sometime and grab lunch together. Manager Dawn is thinking of booting your ass out; let's have lunch, what do you say? I looked at Maestro. "Tell her you'll be ready when she is, but not this week." "Not this week Abby but Sometime soon." "Ok, bye" The call ended. He smiled at me "good girl, now call the next person." My hands were shaky when I dialed Manuel, RING RING RING Maestro's eyes didn't leave me. The food in my stomach turned to bile. I prayed Manuel didn't pick. But then he did... "Hey, barbie," my boyfriend answers, "you've been gone for two weeks." I slowly looked up at Maestro's face. His eyes were dark and furious. I sat shakily, waiting for his orders. He didn't look happy one bit. Then his voice boomed "BREAK UP WITH HIM!"

Chapter 6 He gets

Authors POV Damon watched her tremble before him, the phone to her ear. Her eyes were soaked in fear. Even though he hadn't touched her YET, her eyes still glistened. He knew he had put her up to make a hard decision, break up with the so-called Manuel, or get punished, and now she was still going to get punished for making him repeat himself. "Break up with him," he grimaced his tone stern. She was sobbing hard now, her hands over her mouth as she tried stifling the sobs. She knew it wasn't going to be that easy to avoid punishment. But this, what he was asking her to do, was just tricky. She and Manuel had been together for two years now. Even though she didn't love him, they were still planning on getting married, and her secret reason was to leave her family. So how could she tell him that she wanted them to be over? "HELLO," Manuel's voice filtered out of the phone. She blocked the speaker so he didn't hear what her Maestro said. "HELLO, BABY""BABY" In a moment of bravery, she ended the call and sobbed, "I can't do it." Damon's face darkened the more; he dragged his hands over his face and sighed, "You disobeyed me?" He stood up and approached her, his face emotionless. But she knew he was angry. "I I - I am sorry, M - maestro I didn't mean to please — Forgive me —ahhhhhhh!""_SHUT YOUR STUPID MOUTH UP WHORE!_ Wrapping his hands around her slender, graceful neck. She choked, holding his hands as he dragged her back into the room. She tried struggling, but she was no match for him. She thought she would pass out from the strangulation, but even her body didn't want to save her. Now in the room, he let her go and began to fumble with his tie. Maya's eyes widened. No, she didn't want to get intimate with anybody to talk more about this monster; this would be the last straw for her. She stepped back, "Please, Maestro, I am so..." He struck her against her right cheek. "I SAID SHUT YOUR UGLY MOUTH WHORE! You disobeyed me, now face the consequences." He looked like a God with his upper body bare. _god of the underworld_ blinded by fury and the will to possess. How dare she say no to him. He slammed her hard on the wall; her whole body ached from the coalition; the pain affected her sight, blurring her vision and making her scream. He blocked the scream with his mouth, biting and sucking against it; it hurt so much that she cried when kissing back so he would reduce her punishment or even have mercy on her. This was torture His angry mouth found its way to her shoulders; using his hands to hold her to the wall, he gnawed on it very hard. He wanted the reddish mark all around her body, in every area that he touched. Yanking her head back, he began the rough treatment on her neck. If she wasn't going to have a dislocation, she was undoubtedly going to have bruises "Did Manuel touch you like this?" He dug his finger into her arm, "DID HE." She trembled. "No, Maestro." "LIAR" in a shred, he tore the cloth in two so that her naked body came into view. An evil smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He placed his hand flat on her taut belly tracing it down until it was on her mound. Her eyes widened; she thought she was going to convulse. Everywhere he touched, he Left pain. He pushed some glasses and ceramic sculpture that sat on a drawer, lifted her, and placed her sitting on it so that her legs were around his waist weakly and her hands around his neck. When he began to fumble with his flyer, she tried one last time, whispering with the final strength she had left, "Maestro, please, I haven't done this before," The confession cut through him like a knife, his hands froze at his flyer, and he took a step back to look into her face. There she was, eyes swollen, mouth patched, and skin all red, her chest heaving couldn't even be seen. She looked half dead. He frowned at the innocence in her eyes and felt the bite of pity again. He wasn't sure if to believe in her innocence. "You haven't had sex?" He couldn't believe he was asking a grown beautiful woman this question, but why was he also feeling relieved? What she did in her past wasn't his problem. So what was this feeling? She shook her head, her voice faint. "I haven't, Maestro. Please don't do this to me. Not like this." He took a step towards her and caressed her hair gently. She still trembled under his soft touch. "We were good, but then you had to ruin it; it was just a simple command, Maya, so why did you disobey?" He kissed her bruised cheek and patched lips in sobriety like he wasn't the one who inflicted the pain on them. She sat on the table, glass eyes unfocused, the wave of pain flowing through her body, blocking her from feeling anything else. Gently brought her down, holding her in place; when he thought she could stand on her own, he took a few steps back. Her head was complete. Her body shook, sweat filled her body even though she felt cold inside, and even though her eyes were on him, she still couldn't see him. "Hey, focus on me" he tapped her cheeks. He left her and went to the dining room, grabbing her phone from the floor where she had mistakenly left it on the verge of trying to flee from him. Flee from him. He grimaces He returned to the room. She still stood there like a statue. He dialed Manuel and handed her the phone, "Let's try again. Straighten your voice and make it believable." She collected the phone and placed it to her ear; Manuel picked it up immediately. His familiar fun voice filled her ear. "Barbie thought I had done something wrong." Maya swallowed, "Manuel, I don't want to do this any longer; I want to break up with you." Manuel stayed quiet, "are you kidding me?" "No, Manuel. It's not you. It's me..." He cut her short, sounding desperate, "You want to get married soon; come on, Maya, we can sort it out." Damon motioned for her to wrap it off. "Not that, we are just over, don't call my phone anymore because I don't want to have anything to do with you." She ended the call and looked at Maestro. He seemed pretty pleased with her. "Good girl," he ruffled her hair like a doll, "now block his number." She did without hesitating. She was going to explain to Manuel when all of this was over. He was going to understand. He loved her, so he will. Damon collected the phone and placed it on the table. Then he swept her off her feet, her hands around his neck and her head to his chest. He placed her on the bed, then lay beside her, his hands around her and on her breast. He whispers. "Sleep, Maya; you've had a long day." There and then, she made up her mind; she would die if she remained here, so why not run away? After all, it was pretty much the same if she got caught. She shut her eyes when she felt his nose on her neck. And his breath on a regular. She turned to face him; he was already fast asleep. She said a prayer and began to sneak away from his hold. If she was going to die, then so be it.

Chapter 7 The Clash

But wasn't that the goal? To not die? She pushed the voice of reasoning out of her head; _even dying is better than this_ Hardening her heart and mind, she began to pull away from him, slowly, sneakily trying to make as little movement as possible, she was making progress, and soon she was out of his elbow. His hand still lay straight on her. She looked at his face and sighed. Phew, he didn't look disturbed. The alcohol must have knocked him down like a dummy. She tried lifting his hand away from her, but with each gentle push, she was more convinced that his body was made of iron. Solid iron She glanced back. This time his brows furrowed. She swallowed in anxiety and had a rethink. What if she got caught? She ignored the thought of gaining more bravery. She continued sneaking out of his hold until only his fingertips touched her. She blinked in relief, but then he stretched and wrapped his hand around her again so firmly that she couldn't even move. She became frustrated and on the verge of tears. Even in his sleep, he still controlled her. But not anymore. She was going to fight till her last breath till she escaped him. Picking a pillow, she raised his arm with all her strength and put it under his arm, using the opportunity to snuggle away; _ She did it_ she was free. But it wouldn't last if she stayed around him. She tiptoed, grabbing the white dress she had pulled off the night before and wearing it back on. She snatched her phone and sneaked to the door. Accidentally she kicks a ceramic that had formerly been pushed to the floor by Damon; it made a little noise and just enough to make him groan in his sleep. He nestled into the pillow the more, thinking it was her. She sighed, walking stealthily out of the room, closing the door. She made her move past the corridor as she quickened her pace. She didn't know her way around this place even though she had been there for two weeks. Her heart beat faster when she saw two of Damon's men coming toward her, and she bowed her head so they wouldn't see her face. "Who is she?" She heard one of them ask. The other chuckled and answered, "She's Capo's new whore. But he's obsessed with this one. Haven't seen the other bitch in a long time." Maya's face reddened. This is what she is known for now, even though it was against her wish. She was no threat to them, so they didn't try to stop her. She was in the dining room and wasn't surprised to find out the place had been cleared. She could see a door leading out of the dining room and figured out it was the kitchen, and kitchens always had back doors, right? She thought to herself. She was going to find out. She was about to make her move when she heard footsteps coming, her heart beating fast; she quickly hid underneath the table, the tablecloth covering her perfectly. She saw the legs but couldn't see the face, which was okay. The legs and shoes were feminine. They paced the room in worry. The person was muttering many things she couldn't make sense of. "Lina! Lina!" She called out. Maya knew that voice. It was Maria's voice. A girl in the blue and white maid's uniform came running out of the kitchen, "Ma'am, you call me?""Yes, I called you Lina. Can I get a glass of cold water?" Lina appeared shuffling, "But Madam Maria, you can't have water every time. Sir Damon, kill me if he knows.""He won't know, just please, Maria. Here are twenty-five Euros. Just one glass." Maya wasn't sure they were talking about just water. Water was a code word for something else, and with Maria's desperation, she needed it. "I bring glass to your room," changed Lina's mind immediately. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Lina, you're the best," she left the dining room. Lina sighed and also left. Maya sighed. This was her chance to sneak out of the table, satisfied that everywhere was empty; her anxiety was affecting her, making her want to disappear. She shook her head back to the mission at hand. Approaching the kitchen, she came face to face with the maid that her Maestro had sent to bring her clothes, and she looked startled because she wasn't expecting her downstairs. "Please don't shout," Maya begged, on the verge of tears. Lina looked at her battered face and weak body and felt pity for her. Since Maya came into the mansion, she knew something was wrong, but she was just an ordinary servant; she couldn't do anything about it. "You not to be down here," she told Maya. Maya nodded ."I know, I know, I need to leave this place, or he will kill me; I don't know my around, please help me." Lina sighed. She was always the one made to put her job and life at risk. But she couldn't let this innocent girl stay here; the sight of her face was terrifying; she looked so weak she might not even make it to the doorstep. "I not show you, but I direct you." Maya nodded her head vigorously, sending sharp pain into her skull. "I'll appreciate anything.""You do not follow the kitchen; it's bad, bad place, follow sitting room and downstairs. Go outside. No one stops you. They think you are Sir Damon put...." She stopped wondering if she said too much. Maya let it pass. She thanked her profusely and continued her journey. She went past the sitting room and found the stairs, climbing down it she couldn't believe her luck. She had gone this far, and soon she'll be out. The freedom she yearns for is just a few steps away. She flew down the remaining stairs; the phone tightened around her right hand. Her palms were sweaty and slick and a wicked ache pounded in her head. She rejoiced and spoke of her freedom too soon because before she could place her hand on the knob that led to freedom, the door swung open, and the familiar face of her Maestro came boldly into view. She froze."Maestro, please forgive me," she heard herself say. Not able to take it any longer, she fainted ,falling back.