â¼ï¸ NOW PUBLISHED AS A BOOK ON MY ACCOUNT â¼ï¸
Ophelia
Were my lungs going to give up? Probably.
Was I going to stop running and give up? No. Hell nah, I won't give them that satisfaction.
Maybe I was being reckless and putting myself in danger but I had to. It was the only way to survive on the streets.
I couldn't just sit on the sidewalk and pray for people to pity me. No, I had to work and find a way to get myself at least a piece of bread.
And this time it was a good catch. I have been following these two men who were currently running after me. Yes, I was trying to get away from two giants. What were these people eating anyway?
Earlier, I caught a sigh of two men dressed in expensive suits, waiting for someone. Well, and something.
Another elderly man who didn't look exactly like them, gave them an envelope filled with money. And of course, I had to steal it, what else?
It was not the easiest task I have given myself but I successfully did it. If you can say successfully because they saw me.
Can they give up already? Damn...
They have been chasing me for forever now. Foreign words were thrown around and I placed my hand over my chest, trying to catch up on my breaths.
My sneakers were beaten up and it felt like my feet were touching the ground. My clothes barely kept me warm from the cold as I ran in the dark alleys. I knew these streets even if you blinded me but it was hard now that I had two guys chasing me with guns in their hands.
Oh did I forget to say that? They had freaking guns!
I have been chased by people with knives but never guns. Well, you experience something new every day.
I clutched the envelope in the pocket of my hoodie. I can't risk losing it right now. It had a lot of money inside, from what I was able to see.
My breaths were getting shorter and my head was getting dizzy. I haven't eaten properly in two days and I only drank water once today. From the pipe in the public bathroom. That thought alone makes me want to throw up.
Did this opportunity have to pop up today from all days?
That's how much luck I had.
I passed a few homeless people that I had never seen before. They must be new here because I haven't seen them yet.
I passed a corner and quickly ran to the big green dumpster. The lights were very dim here and I can just hope they don't find me.
I placed a hand over my mouth to muffle my harsh breathing. My whole body was shaking as I curled myself closer to the dumpster.
It was cold, like really cold. It was mid-November and I was thankful that snow hadn't fallen yet. It was the hardest when it was snowing. For now, I was staying in an abandoned house nearby but the roof was falling apart, and getting snow now, meant having to find another place.
And finding another place was not easy. Not easy at all.
Before I found the house, I had to stay under bridges which is not safe for a girl my age. Even after being on the streets my whole life, at age twenty-two, I was petrified of people around me.
Having to wake up next to other homeless men touching my hair was something I didn't wish to experience again. Creepy.
"Credo che sia andata da questa parte." A rough voice spoke a little too close to me. (I think she went that way)
I pulled my legs to my chest and held my breath.
Tears welled up in my eyes. My whole figure was shuddering as the cold material of the dumpster was touching my barely covered body.
How long will it be till they give up?
My cold fingers wrapped around my arms as I leaned my head against the wall behind me. My black hair fell down my face as it kept some of the breeze from touching my sensitive ears.
I couldn't afford to completely lose my hearing. My left ear was constantly bothering me with buzzing noises. It could be from the cold or it could be from something else.
Before I could blink, a hand fisted my hoodie and I was hoisted up. A loud scream escaped my throat.
"Noo!!" I wiggled my body but strong arms grabbed my waist and I was lifted up from the ground.
"Cosa dobbiamo fare con lei ora?" One of them spoke, I think it was the one who was holding me still in his arms. (What should we do with her now?)
They spoke a foreign language and I didn't know if they were plotting to kill me or throw me somewhere where no one could find me.
"Ci ha visti prima. Non possiamo lasciarla ora." A hand was placed over my mouth while the other one spoke. This guy was strong. My feet were not even touching the ground as I did my everything to free myself. (She was us earlier. We can't just leave her)
"Suoniamo portarla al capo. Lui si occuperà di lei." After the sentence was finished the other one hummed, I guess in agreement. So this is my ending. They will kill me. (We should take her to the boss. He will deal with her)
The other one grabbed my legs and they started carrying me somewhere. My eyes wandered over and I saw a few people around. No one did anything. They just watched everything evolve. Wow, great.
Such nice people.
I tried to kick the guy but nothing was helping me. I turned my head and a black car appeared in my vision. Oh, crap!
A third guy opened the door and I was pushed in the back seat. Wait a minute! This was no regular car, it was more of a luxury van or something.
"Let me go!" I screamed again but to my luck one of them, the one with a buzzcut and neck tattoo, struck me with his gun.
The pain on my cheek was almost unbearable as I fell against the seat. My head throbbed and I lifted my head to touch the wound.
An arm extended to me and someone took the envelope from my pocket.
"Tutto è qui." A low voice grunted. (Everything's here)
The vehicle was moving fast and the sharp pain in my cheek was not going away. I'm surprised there was no blood.
There was no power in me to fight when they had their guns pointed at me.
They started talking again and they spoke fast and yet again in a foreign language. Tears welled up in my eyes again. This was not how I thought my life would end.
I have spent my whole life on the street and I had some tiny hopes that things would turn out good for me. Maybe I was able to find a job someday.
Maybe one day.
When Dad died everything changed, I was left alone. He did everything to provide for me and Mom but all of it went to waste when she died. He lost his job and we were left with no home.
I was only four. Dad always told me stories of when we actually had a home. When everything was alright. That's how I was able to stay sane. By remembering his stories.
And when I was ten, he died as well. I was left alone to roam around the streets and find a place on my own.
It was definitely not easy but here and there people who were kind enough would help me which I was more than grateful for.
"Spostati!" The buzzcut grabbed my hand and pushed me to the door. Did we stop somewhere? We must have because the car was not moving anymore and the other one opened the door. (Move!)
It was still night but the place was lit up with lights. My mouth opened agape. It was a mansion. Where the hell were we?
Buzzcut pushed me again.
"Damn! Can you stop with that? You already hit me once." I rolled my eyes as I looked at him.
In front of the mansion which looked like it belonged to the richest man ever, was an army of men dressed in suits. Some of them had guns some of them even bigger weapons.
Well, at least I'll die in a beautiful place not on the streets.
The entrance had big ass doors that went on forever. Buzzcut pushed me again and I swear I almost lost it. What was his deal?
One of the guards nodded and grabbed me by my arm. These guys were definitely single if they acted like this around every woman.
Like some savages.
Didn't they know of words? It's not like I can run away with all the weapons pointed at me.
The inside was even more beautiful. The tall ceilings, the glistening chandeliers, the shining marble floor. I felt like even my presence alone would filth this place.
My feet have never touched a ground as expensive as this one.
We walked through a hallway that felt like a separate hotel itself. Did people really live like this? Must be nice.
I turned and twisted my head, trying to memorize as much as I could.
If I stay alive at least I'll have something to make fake scenarios about.
Black colors spilling into the beige and navy one decorated the whole interior. It was very pleasant for the eyes. Whoever lives here has a good taste.
My stomach growled as we continued our way down the hallway. And when we came to the end, the whole space was open and there was a big dinner table.
The guy next to me bowed his head and I was confused for a second but then my eyes caught sight of a man.
He was sitting at the head of the table.
"Oh wow." The words escaped my lips but I quickly sealed them together.
The man was gorgeous. He waved his gloved hand and the guard left me there standing while he turned around and left.
The handsome man behind the table had a jet black hair slicked back, and beautifully styled. His eyes were down but I'm sure they were as gorgeous as him.
A clean all black suit was wrapped around his strong body. He had black gloves on his hands that were holding a spoon as he was taking a small scoop of the delicious-looking dessert.
"And now what?" I said and pushed my hands in the pockets of my dirty blue hoodie.
His eyes lifted to me. Piercing grey ones. They looked terrifying yet so alluring. There was something strangely beautiful about them.
Dark perfectly shaped eyebrow raised at me as he leaned back on the chair.
"This is all I've got." I did a three-sixty turn and lifted and shrugged my shoulders. "Nothing else. They got your money back. I have nothing to pay you with for my fault."
He swallowed the piece of dessert and placed his hands on the table.
"Well...?" I swayed from one to another foot.
Was he mute?
To my surprise, he gestured for me to sit by the table. What was he planning to do? Was this some type of trick?
I hesitated for a second but then decided to follow his order. What else was I supposed to do anyway?
I felt bad for lowering my body on the clean chair but I did it. I haven't sat on such comfortable furniture in forever. The velvety material was so, so soft.
Two maids walked in and started putting food in front of me. Type of food that I have never seen in my entire life.
"Are you trying to poison me?" I pushed the few strands of hair behind my ear.
His eyes never left me as his lips settled in a straight line. Okay, he was pissed I think.
Was I stupid? If he wanted to kill me, he could just fire a gun or even wrap his gloved hands around my throat and I'd be dead in a minute.
I chewed on my lip before I took hold of the fork and dug into the appetizing-looking food. Just as I brought the fork to my mouth I felt the sharp pain in my cheek from the hit that buzzcut caused.
Not caring about the pain, I chewed on the food and dug the fork into the meat again. I was starving.
A set of eyes were still staring at me as I filled my stomach. I didn't care. I was too hungry to be saying anything to him right now. I was offered food and I was not going to jeopardize that for myself.
So what if they kidnapped me? Food is food and I'll never say no to it.
My stomach felt like it was going to explode as I swallowed the last bite.
"What happened to your face?" A dark rough voice reached my ears and my body stilled.
"Wait you speak?" I asked sarcastically.
"I asked you something and I expected you to answer me." He tapped his finger on the table. It was something he did a couple of times. Like a rhythm. Exactly nine taps.
"Okay, no need to get angry." I know I can be annoying but I couldn't help it. It was not like I had someone to talk to every day.
"Buzzcut happened." He cocked his head to the side and lifted his eyebrow yet again.
"I mean the guy who I stole the money from... he hit me with his gun," I explained further.
"Mhmm." He hummed as he tapped his fingers on the table.
His eyes went to his hand and I used that opportunity to ogle the tattoo on his neck. It was small yet visible.
A dove.
Hmm. Interesting choice for such an imitating guy.
"And what do you want from me? Like I said, I don't have anything to give to you."
"I have, let's say a little job for you. That way you can repay me back." He took hold of the glass filled with water and took a sip.
The way he moved was very calculated and calming. It was like everything he did, was for people who watched him to be hypnotized. Especially his eyes. I couldn't get over the color.
"What kind of job?" I felt a lump form in my throat.
"You're good at stealing, yeah?" I wouldn't call myself a professional but I was good at it. Years of training were not for nothing.
It was the only way for me to survive.
I usually stole from rich-looking people. They had enough so me stealing ten bucks won't affect them.
"You could say that."
"Alright then. I want you to steal something for me." Huh?
"Don't you have people for that?"
"I don't exactly have someone who can perform that. I need someone more suitable." He ranked his eyes over my figure and not in a creepy way but still, I felt uneasy.
"If you think I will use my body for your sick games, I won't. You can kill me if you want."
"Did I say that?"
"No, but you initiated it with your look." His eyebrows creased and he nodded in understanding.
"Maybe it looked like that but I didn't. I want you to steal a necklace. An expensive one." I carefully listened to what he was saying.
"I will give you the address to where it is. You'll just have to steal it."
"And what happens after that?" The tapping noise filled the silent room.
"I will pay you half of the price and also give you a place to stay."
"And what if I don't succeed?" My heart hammered against my chest.
"Then you will have to pay me back the money you wanted to steal. Until you don't you will have to deal with me." What kind of bullshit was this?
"I didn't even steal it. You have the money back."
"Too bad then. You got yourself involved in this." A huff almost left my lips. This was not fair. If I don't steal that necklace then I'm stuck paying this guy back probably forever.
I don't even know how much money that envelope had.
But on the other hand, If I do succeed, I get money and a place to stay.
This was a win-win situation or, a completely lose situation. It's not like I had any other choice.
"Fine. I accept."
He nodded, satisfaction written all over his face.
"I don't even know your name," I said. His grey eyes connected with my green ones.
"Rome."
Rome
"Boss."
"Yes, Sergio?" I replied without looking at him.
"We dealt with Gio." Good. He should know his place. Buzzcut she called him. What a weird girl.
With thin clothes in this cold weather and a fierce green eyes, she talked like her life was not in danger.
An image of the dark wound on her cheek made me tighten the grip on the pencil. I tapped my fingers on the table nine times and felt the anger bottle up in my chest.
"Also boss." He spoke again.
I looked up at him this time. His head was bowed.
"What now?"
"Isn't that necklace yours? At your hotel? I mean on the task you gave that girl." He bowed his head even further after he said the words.
Sergio was my right hand and knew of every little thing in my business and what occurred here.
My back met the chair as I spread my legs and comfortably leaned back.
"Yes it is."
CHARACTERS AESTHETICS
OPHELIA
22 years old
ROME
33 years old
Thoughts?
I don't know how to feel about this one. I just got the idea today and immediately wrote it so I don't know if it's goodð
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