Chapter two
The past weeks had been hellish.
I couldn't look at my reflection in the mirror, but I knew I looked worse, like a hazard.
Neo and Cassie had fully taken over the house. Cassie had moved in as the woman of the house.
All my maids had been fired, including my personal chauffeur. They spared my life only because I had no power to go against them, especially with my phone seized. I was turned into their maid despite my condition.
Things were critically hard, and all I hoped for was my death because they were right, no one was coming to save me.
"Lock her in there. Don't give her a single drop of water until she learns her lesson that I am the boss in this house!" Cassie yelled behind us as her men dragged me to the last room in the hallway, my present room.
Cassie had taken over my bedroom and pushed me into the basement, where the window was broken beyond repair. The thought of the cold every night made me shiver.
The men didn't look at me with pity as they dragged me all the way there.
"I clearly told you to make a proper meal since my friends were coming over! What the hell is this trash you made? Were you trying to disgrace me?" Cassie screamed.
"I—I'm so sorry, Cassie. I didn't mean to. I just couldn't see…" I stammered, not knowing where to even begin.
Cutting the cabbages had left my fingers covered in cuts. I could feel the blood, but she didn't care.
They stopped. I knew we were at my door.
I heard one of them kick it open.
"Throw her in there. She won't learn her lesson until I discipline her properly," Cassie commanded.
The man threw my light body inside like a heap of garbage.
I groaned as I hit the cold floor. I thought I hurt my back, but no one cared.
The door slammed shut. I heard the key turn as Cassie locked it from outside.
"I hope you rot in there. I don't even know why Neo won't let me just end her miserable life!" Cassie growled.
I crawled to the door, banging my fists and screaming for help, but she didn't listen.
Sometimes I preferred being locked inside. At least I didn't have to see Cassie for days. But the cold and hunger always made my body shake.
No matter how much I begged, Cassie didn't listen. Her curses continued until her footsteps faded away.
Defeated, I curled my knees to my chest and cried.
The worst mistake of my life was falling for a man I never knew was a devil. It cost me everything—my parents, my life. It felt like heaven itself had forsaken me for a sin I didn't remember committing.
I stayed in the same position for hours. My stomach growled painfully. The last time I ate was two days ago. Even though I worked in the kitchen, I wasn't allowed to touch anything without Cassie's permission. The only thing I still had access to was water from the sink.
My stomach growled louder. I gently patted it, hoping for a miracle, And eventually it was as if my prayer was answered. I heard the key turned from outside and the door quietly opened.
I turned in the direction but I froze as the familiar scent filled my nose.
It wasn't Cassie. It wasn't her guards.
"N… Neo?" I stuttered.
He chuckled low, amused, unsettling. "Have you been waiting for me?"
"W-why are you here?" I stuttered.
The last thing I wanted was Cassie finding him here. The last time this happened, she ordered her men to flog me until I passed out. The bruises still lined my back like trophies.
"P-please leave," I whispered. "I don't want Cassie to see you here."
Instead, he stepped closer. His cologne grew stronger. He crouched in front of me, and suddenly I felt his hand on my body—his fingers sliding, crawling, touching places that made me freeze.
"What are you doing?" I flinched back.
"What does it look like?" he said. "Isn't this what you always wanted?"
Fear consumed me.
"I don't want anything from you. Please leave me alone, Neo," I pleaded.
"Do you hate me now, little princess?" he said softly. "You always loved me."
"And I want you to prove that love," he added.
"W…What are you talking about?" I asked my brows snapping together.
For a minute I knew something was going on.
"You know, Estelin," he said casually, "greed grows. I want more. I want to expand your father's business—and I need your help."
"What help?" I stuttered. I just had this feelings that it won't be anything good. "Please… just leave me alone."
Neo clicked his tongue. "I don't even know what he wants from you. Maybe he wants a taste of the disabled."
"What are you talking about…?" I whispered, confused.
"Get ready. We're going somewhere," Neo said, standing.
"I don't want to go anywhere!" I grabbed his leg, pleading, but a harsh kick from him knocked me off completely
When I woke up, it was evening. Cassie's maids immediately rushed in and dragged me out as if they had been waiting.
Before I could process what was going on, I was dressed in Cassie's most expensive gown, adorned with jewels and perfume based on the whispers I heard from the maids.
Confusion clouded me. I couldn't understand what was going on, until Neo and Cassie walked in.
"You're sure this is necessary?" Cassie scoffed. "She's wearing my best dress."
"We can't lose this contract," Neo replied. "She's the only thing he wants."
"W..Want??" I was shocked. I didn't realize when I had blurted it out loud.
Who? Who on earth would want me?
"You're going to please the old man, so shut up and help us win this contract!"" Cassie snapped.
I was going to please a man… for them to just
win a contract?
Tears filled my eyes. "Please… don't make me do this."
"It won't even last an hour," Cassie hissed. "You won't even see his face. So what's the fuss?"
I went silent immediately. There was nothing I could do but stand there and watched them decide my life.
But suddenly an idea formed in my head.
I had lived in this house almost since I was born. Even back when I was still a teen, I could close my eyes and walk freely around it without missing a step.
"Are you seriously looking at her?!" I heard Cassie rumble angrily at Neo.
I didn't know what it was about, but seeing them argue, I felt it was finally my chance to escape.
I turned and ran, my feet moving as fast as they could carry me as I searched for the exit and eventually I escaped the room.
"What the heck!" Neo growled angrily after me.
"Catch her!" Cassie screamed.
I didn't know how I managed it, but for a few seconds I was free. I ran without being caught.
But it didn't last long.
A pair of strong arms suddenly grabbed me. My feet lifted off the ground as I was spun around like some trophy. I was caught by one of Cassie's men.
"I caught her! I'm winning the prize!" he laughed.
I was soon dropped to the floor immediately after he declared his win.
Soon I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking rapidly across the marble floor. I knew at once it was Cassie. Before I could react, a loud slap rang across my face.
"How dare you try to ruin everything we planned!" Cassie screamed.
"I—" Fresh tears gushed from my eyes.
Neo struck me next.
"Do you know how important this contract is to me?" he shouted, grabbing my jaw and forcing my face up. "How dare you think of ruining it!"
"Beat her until she learns her lesson," he ordered. "Just make sure you don't touch her face. That's the only important thing to me."
"Please… don't let them hit me," I pleaded, fear crawling under my skin.
No one listened.
They hit me mercilessly until my body gave up, and only then did they stop—on Neo's order.
When it was over, I heard his footsteps as he moved closer. Slow. Solemn. Intimidating.
I dragged myself backward, away from him, until my back hit someone's feet—probably one of Cassie's men. A kick from the man sent me lunging forward, straight back to the devil I was trying to escape.
Neo crouched beside me.
"If you behave, you won't get hurt," he whispered. "If not, I'll make it worse, babe."
Cassie scoffed.
"Get her ready for tonight. Redo her makeup and put her in another expensive dress if necessary. She needs to look perfect for our client," Neo instructed.
"Get to work now," Cassie ordered the maids.
I felt my body lifted as I was dragged away like a piece of wood being hauled for processing.
This time, I didn't fight or struggle. I stayed still, praying, hoping for someone to claim me.. even if it was death or maybe another devil itself.