I tossed and turned in the bed, squinting my eyes, as a ray of sun light seeped through the curtains, intercepting my path. I let out a groan and held my head in pain as my hangover came to life. I reached over for J, but he was gone.
I hobbled over to the bathroom and opened the medicine cabinet, popping open two ibuprofen's and filled a glass up with water, before returning back to the bed. As I was walking out of the bathroom I felt a sharp pain in my foot. I looked down and there were shards of crushed up glass on the floor.
Oh.
'I must have been really drunk' I thought.
I quickly examined my body for bruises, knowing that If I threw a glass at the wall, J would have probably thrown me back. To my surprise there was none. Well, no new fresh ones anyway. I carefully treaded over to the full length mirror and stared at my naked body. I started to trail my hands across my lips, my neck, down to my breasts as my brain graciously started to remember J's touch from the night before. My heart started to flutter as I let out a smile.
Me and J had never had sex like that before. Normally it was rough and angry, dirty and kinky. This time around it was almost like... he cared for me. Like he was mine as I was his, but not in a dominant way. I tend to be the over-thinker but my mind couldn't help but dance over the thought that possibly we had made love for the first time.
I couldn't wait to see him. I could hear music playing downstairs and knew straight away it was coming from him.
I quickly jumped in the shower and threw on a pair of black jeans and a black knitted jumper, a small Vivienne Westwood logo securely embroidered in rose gold, sitting on my chest. I eased my feet into the black heels to match. I tied my hair up into a messy bun and emerged from the bedroom, knowing to follow the sound of music.
As I walked into the dining room, my face lit up as my gaze met J's. It soon quickly fell as I spotted Nyah sitting opposite him - in my seat.
''Oh good you're awake'' J said, letting out a cheshire cat smile.
I raised my brows and shot him a sarcastic smile.
''Why didn't you wake me'' I replied, walking around the table, pulling out a chair, sitting in between the middle of them.
''You looked peaceful.'' J said, scoffing eggs into his mouth.
I filled my glass up with orange juice.
''Morning Nylah.''
She didn't say anything.
''OK then...'' I trailed off cutting into my sausage.
I looked over at J.
He was grinning from ear to ear.
''Do you want one of my sausages?'' I asked him.
''I don't eat pork, Kitten.'' He replied.
''Seriously?'' I said, a little surprised.
''Yes. Why would I want to ingest all the people that I've killed.''
''...Im not following'' I said dazed.
''He feeds them to the pigs, child.'' Nylah stated sharply.
I slowly stopped chewing and spat it out.
J's laugh echoed around the room.
''Hmm, isn't this nice'' He grinned, taking his coffee mug up towards his lips.
I felt like I was living my worst nightmare to be honest.
I finished my eggs, not daring to touch the sausages again.
''Boss your meeting is here'' Mike interrupted.
''Oh goodie'' J grinned, finishing off his coffee. 'Ill leave you two ladies to chit chat'' He smirked, heading off out of the room.
A deathly silence fell over the room.
''Your loyalty intrigues me, Pussy cat''. Nyah said, breaking the silence, lighting up a cigarette.
''My names Liza'' I stated
''And I already told you, I have no care for your name. Pussy cat.'' She snarled.
''Why are you here?'' I replied sharply.
She let out an eerie laugh that sent shivers down my spine.
''Well someone has to clean up this mess now don't they? Its evident that you don't know who I am. I find it fascinating the way that you think you can address me.''
''I know who you are''
''HA! Oh you do? And who informed you?''
''Crane''
''Oh please, that sad sad little man doesn't know his face from his ass'' She said blowing smoke into my face.
''You don't know who I am Pussy cat. But I know who you are, and I also know what you are going to do for me.''
''Tell me who you are then?'' I challenged.
''Ooo, does Pussy cat want to have some fun? Its so early.'' She replied before clicking her fingers at one of her gimp slaves.
He bought over a silver tray which had a set of pliers and scissors.
She edged up out of her chair and slowly started to walk over to me. I tried to edge away.
''Shh shh shh'' She hushed, stroking my hair.
She spun my chair around, and stared at me.
I looked at the tools on the tray and looked back at her. My heart started to beat fast.
She started to whistle along with the song that was playing and picked up the pair of metal pliers. Nylah grabbed my mouth and forced it open, clamping the pliers on my tongue.
''Normally I would cut out peoples tongues if they ever spoke to me the way you did. I can see why J hasn't already. Such a pretty looking tongue you have.'' She hissed.
I pleaded with my eyes, trying to speak. It was impossible. I tried to lift my hands up to hers but she quickly pushed them back down onto the table, slamming the pair of scissors down. I looked at my hand and shrieked. They has just missed my finger.
''I told you it was too early to play games.''
All of a sudden I heard J shout down from the balcony.
''Play nice'' He hollered.
Nylah's eyes shifted.
She released her grip and took the pliers off of my tongue and out from my mouth.
''He's being such a bore today. What have you done to him'' She sighed, walking off back to her seat.
I held my hand up to my mouth and stroked my jaw.
She carried on staring deep into my soul.
''I like you Liza. We should do this again sometime'' She snickered, before outing her cigarette, exiting the room.
****
After my traumatic experience at breakfast, I decided to go for a swim in the indoor pool. Back when my life was normal, swimming always used to clear my head and make me feel better.
As I walked down into the basement, I was a little thrown by how big it actually was. It was so pretty and colourful, I was surprised that I had never been down there before.
I threw my towel down and eased myself into the water, grateful that it was heated.
I pushed myself off and did a few laps around the pool. The exercise felt good, so I decided to push myself harder. As I emerged from the water to take a breath, Crane was in front of me.
''Oh my god, you scared me'' I shrieked.
He let out a smirk ''Sorry. Nylah wants to see you.''
''I didn't know she was holding try outs for her little gimp slave team'' I snickered, edging myself up out of the pool.
Crane's eyes gawked open. I quickly grabbed my towel, covering myself up.
''I mean... you didn't have to do that'' He smirked again.
''Oh trust me, I did.' Nodding my head over towards the doorway. 'Hi Mike''.
Crane bowed his head down and cleared his throat ''Mikey boy, good to see ya on this.. breezy day?''
''Leave us'' Mike ordered.
''Sure thing.'' Crane replied, quickly leaving the room, tapping Mike on his shoulder as he walked out.
''Whats up'' I asked, starting to shiver.
''Its Mona.'' He trailed off.
My heart started to beat fast
''What's going on? Is she OK?''
''She wont be when J finds out.''
''Oh shit, what has she done?'' I quizzed
''In a nut shell?'' He replied
''Yes, yes, just tell me'' I barked
He let out a long breath, leaving me on edge. ''Couple of the boys downtown have seen her about on the streets of Gotham. She's turned into... ''
''Into a what, Mike?!'' I questioned sharply
He let out a long breath again ''The Del a Rosa's have been pimping her out. She's been selling all our shipment routes to them, for smack.''
I just stood there in silence. What the actual fuck. I never should have abandoned her. I felt like it was all my fault.
Fuck
When J finds out he'll probably kill us both.
Shit.
All of a sudden a wave of anger infested me.
That little fucking bitch. Out of all of the years I've known her, I never had Mona down as a snake.
A crack head.
A prostitute for crying out loud.
A part of me felt disgusted, but the love that I had for her deep down inside of me wanted to help her. I felt obliged to protect her.
''What can we do to help her?'' I questioned Mike.
''Help her? We can't. You can't. When J finds out, its over for her, Liza.''
''He doesn't have to know'' I quickly interrupted
He shot me a look and laughed
''Listen, I just thought Id let you know, thats all. I am no longer involved.'' He said, turning on his heels and walking out.
I clenched my jaw in anger and stamped my foot down hard onto the wet tiles.
''Ouch'' I said to myself.
As I was walking down the hallway upstairs, I heard someone call my name from one of the rooms.
I peered around the door and it was Nylah.
''Come.'' She ordered
''Can I at least go and get dressed first?'' I asked, wrapping my towel around me tighter.
''You've already wasted enough of my time.' She hissed. 'Sit.'' She continued, lighting a long cigarette that was elegantly placed in-between her two fingers.
I did.
She looked so beautiful, whilst I was sitting opposite her looking like a drowned rat.
''Lets talk''. She coaxed, crossing her legs up onto the desk whilst sinking into her black leather arm chair.