Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Maria Pov

“Get out of my way,” I said to two bulky men standing at the entrance.

“You aren't permitted to go anyway, I advise you back to your room or I will force you,” the blonde and the tallest among them said but I didn't flinch, I expected this much after all a prisoner doesn't have any freedom.

“Out of my way” I repeated while the blonde scowled ready to attack me, but the other guy stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Calm down Patrick, we can't hurt her remember” he warns but it doesn't look like Patrick cares, and neither do I.

It had been two weeks, of hell and neglect. I had not seen Rico for the past two weeks, he hadn't stepped a foot inside the house, leaving me alone here with men who would love to harm me the first chance they got.

“She’s asking for it, Kai” Patrick speaks glancing at me with so much hatred and disgust.

“Miss, please go back inside. You can't step out of here” Kai said respectfully but I know he didn't mean it, he was only being polite because he feared what would happen to them if they hurt me.

Fine, if that is what they fear I just give it to them. One thing that I know is that I'm stepping out

I went back inside and Kai sighed thinking I had agreed, I could hear him and his buddy talking about me the moment I went back in, but I didn't bother paying attention to these words.

I went to the kitchen picked one of the knives there and went back to them. They were busy talking so they didn't notice me behind them.

“Call Rico now”

“Seriously, you bit…..” Patrick stops seeing the knife on my throat. “What are you doing?” he asked with his eyes widened.

“Miss” Kai called with the same expression.

“Call Rico and inform me that I'm leaving the house to go see my mother, you have three minutes or he will find my dead body here” I threatened but Patrick just rolled his eyes, he must think I'm not serious enough to harm myself.

He isn't wrong, I'm not. But I'm on the verge currently, I have not stepped out or made contact with anyone for weeks now, and all I hear is different men talking about me every time, I don't even know who comes here to clean the house because they only do when I'm sleeping.

I’m isolated from the world, that is what Rico wanted and it is no different from dying. So yes, if this is the only way to gain freedom then I will take it without fearing, even if it means hurting myself.

“You are joking, you won’t hurt….” I bring the knife closer to my throat, drawing blood.

“Stop, fuck. You have no idea what you are doing? Rico will kill us and our family if you are hurt” he says this time with fear on his face.

“Then call Rico now”

“You….”

“Take, he would like to talk to you instead,” Kai said extending the phone to me, I was so focused on Patrick that I had no idea he made the call already.

I took the phone from him putting it with my free hand and moved closer to my ear.

“Hello”

“What the fuck do you think you are doing? Are you crazy?” he sounded so angry and even though I hadn't seen or heard this voice for now, I felt so calm, at least he cared that I was hurt.

‘Of course, he does. You are his prisoner, after all, it will be no fun if you die’

“I want to go see my mom, tell your man to let me out,” I say but in the process mistakenly cut myself again drawing more blood.

“Fuck Mia, put the fucking knife down before you bleed yourself out” I was surprised that he was aware of what happened.

Perhaps….. “Can you see me?” I asked looking around then saw two cameras installed at the wall. I never noticed them before, but how bad can this get?

“Just put the knife down, I will be at home in the next hour. You can go….”

“I want to go now, I either leave now or you come to meet me lifeless, you choose”

“Don't say that princess” he speaks in a soft tone like it hurts thinking about it, but I know better than.

Rico is the devil and all he cares about is himself.

“Fine, Kai and Patrick will escort you everywhere you go. You wait for me till I come to pick you up”

“You don't have to”

“I'm not asking Mia, give the phone back to Kai” I sighed and handed the phone back to him.

“Yes boss” I heard him saying before the call ended.

“Let’s get going,” he says and I drop the knife from my hand.

“Wait, she is going out?” Patrick uttered like he misheard, but Kai nor I gave him a reply as we moved out of the penthouse.

It has been weeks since I have been locked in Rick's house, but it feels like forever. I miss the harsh cold breeze, the car hanging, seeing people walking around, and most importantly my life before he found me.

I was free, happy, and going to get married. My perfect life is all gone, forcefully taken away from me.

“Should we branch at the hospital first, you are bleeding?” Kai asked looking at me from the rear-view mirror.

“I'm fine, I won't die from this. I know that much” I answered and looked away from him.

“Brat” Patrick muttered under this breath, he was being rude but compared to the guard I had before.

He was nice, I know how they sexualized me, wondering if Rico had fucked me and if they get to have a taste when he get tired of me.

Disgusting and alarming words, make me wonder what my fate will be if Rico is no longer interested in tormenting me.

For once, I was grateful for his interest.

The rest of the ride to Vitalio's house was silent and soothing. Kai parked in front of the house while I stepped down not waiting for them to open the door for me.

I looked at the huge building in front of me as memories surged in, I was reminded of how much I hate and love this place.

It holds both good and bad memories. The front door opened and my mom stepped outside, Rico must have called to inform them of my coming.

“Maria” she called and I rushed to her and hugged her. It has been weeks since I saw each other but I have missed her so much.

She felt so warm and smelled like home, it gave me peace of mind but only for a moment.

I pulled away from her and gulped down when my father came out. As always he had a disapproval look on, and I gulped down clenching my fists.

“You should be at your husband's house, coming here without informing us is so….”

“It is her home, why will she need to inform us that she is coming” Mom cut in while father grunted displeased but instead of her to take her words back, she didn't.

Ok, did I miss something?

“Why don't we?….. Wait, what happened to you?” Mom asked and touched my neck. “Did Rico do this to you? I swear I will”

“No, I hurt myself. It was the only way to come and meet you” I explained and her eyes turned teary, she looked at me from head to toe.

I anticipated her to complain that I was in a top and jeans trousers, and how it was inelegant for me, but she just took my hand and walked me past my dad, as she led me upstairs to where my room was before.

I smiled when we entered the room, it was still the same, purple everywhere, my teddies and my mini-library next to the couch beside my window, and the furniture was the same way I left it.

“I couldn’t bring myself to change anything, it was the only thing I have left of you,” she said and I turned and hugged her again.

“I missed you, let me get the first aid box” She left the room before I could reject.

I laughed and moved closer to my mini-library, it looked the same and neat, I picked a book and stroked my hand through it.

“I’m home” I muttered as a slash dropped from my eyes.

The door opened and someone stepped inside, I turned thinking it was my mom but I was wrong.

“Maria” he called and I swallowed the bile in my throat, as I stared at him.

One of my biggest regrets.

“Shaun”