Using Him

Chapter 2 : 'They'

Erika

I was sitting on the dirty floor of a dark, humid cell, with mould-covered walls that made me puke every time I looked at them.

As a result, I was busy peering out the rusted window, which was the only source of limited light and air. The window was old and covered in iron bars, which were installed specifically to keep me from fleeing.

The metallic smell of rustic iron bars added to the suffocating atmosphere.

It had been a year, fucking a year, since I was trapped in this maze.

No matter how many times I tried to flee, they always caught me and beat me up, but this did not stop me from taking another chance. So I tried again and again.

They expected me to willingly accept my fate as a sex slave, mistress, or prostitute for someone, but they did not realize I was too stubborn for them.

I was a victim of human trafficking, and I was aware that it was far from the land where I was born and raised.

After a year in a small, foul-smelling cell, I started to question my own identity. It was difficult to keep my sanity in this situation.

So I frequently remind myself of who I am, where I came from, and why I need to survive and be alive in the face of any difficulties that may arise.

At first, I was irritated when they called me 'Brownie' because of my brown skin tone, but I am gradually accepting it, and it feels almost like a new name to me.

For the time being, my only goal was to avoid breaking down until I had achieved my freedom or died.

However, it seemed impossible when I was struck in this hell hole; even time blurred for me.

The last time I stepped out of this cell, Vincent attempted to sell me to one of his prestigious clients.

Nonetheless, because of my skinny and bony figure, he cancelled the deal as soon as his gaze fell on me.

After checking his cell phone, I discovered that it had been a year. This left me speechless and shocked me to the core. Still, I was counting from that day on, and if I was correct, two months had passed, bringing the total to one year and two months.

Regardless, I could not stop laughing at him that day because it was his idea to feed me only once in three days. After that, I was nearly beaten to death by him.

I still thanked that man for staying true to his word and never attempting to drug or force someone on me. Nonetheless, he used everything to break me.

He never provided me with any necessities of life, and I was even forbidden from taking a bath for days. He never gave me a toothbrush, a comb, or any of the monthly necessities that women require. He let me deal with it all on my own.

I was lost in thought when I heard the jingling sound of keys and the cell door opened, revealing a face I had not seen in two months.

He walked into the cell, followed by two other men dressed in bodyguard uniforms. Aww! Why did he have to be protected from me? I was quite harmless. I snickered at the thought.

It implied that he still remembered the punch I gave him at our first meeting.

He held a plate of food in his hand (a bribe). He cleared his throat to get my attention, but I barely glanced at him.

This offended him, and he greeted me with colourful words like whore, slut, and so on; however, I paid little attention to it. He sucked in the air to calm his temper and motioned for his men to leave.

They obeyed him and left us alone. He crouched to my level on the floor and slid the plate towards me.

"Listen, brownie! I am here for you, dear. You and I both know you can not get out of here, so let us compromise on the situation, which will benefit both of us. The Mafia has planned a large banquet for the day after tomorrow. I know who is the most powerful among them. I will help you find a specific master who treats you the best way—" he tried to sweet talk to me and I was going at him with disgust.

"You only need to compel us. You know all of your batch mates have a good life, but you have been rotting in a smelly cell for a year," he reassured me with a disgusting smile on his face that I would like to wipe away.

"Aww! Almighty Vincent is begging me now. I take it you accept your defeat," I taunted softly, a smirk creeping up my face. I had not eaten in days and did not have the energy to argue with him, but with just a few words, I could at least provoke him.

I felt a sense of satisfaction as I watched his face turn red from anger.

He reached out and grabbed my hair in his fist. He yanked my hair and angeled my face, gripping my jaw so tightly that his nails began to dig deep into my flesh.

"Listen to me carefully, you bitch! This banquet occurs once every five years and is organized by the King of the Mafia; all of the powerful mafia bosses are expected to attend. Therefore, I want you to be on your best behaviour. You cost me a lot, brownie... a lot.... and this is your last chance to change your life, and I will help you—" he blurted out angrily as his whole demeanour changed in an instant.

"If you do not get sold this time, I will have to kill you and sell your organs on the black market to make up for my loss, but first, I will enjoy myself with your body and love to shred your dignity... That you are so proud of," he threatened, gritting his teeth.
Meanwhile, his breath was blowing over my face as he spat out the venom-laced words.

I could feel his anxiety, and the wheels in my head began to spin. I considered the situation and how I could turn it in my favour. If I wanted to get out of this cell, I had to leave it.

So I had no choice but to agree with him.

"Okay!" I responded meekly, and he let me go after giving me a suspicious glare and narrowing his eyes. I picked up the plate from the ground and began eating the food. He analyzed me thoroughly for a few minutes before leaving the cell.

As soon as he left the cell, a smirk crossed my lips. Vincent had no idea that I had a surprise for him in my sleeves.

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