ARE YOU MY REAL PARENTS?
2008 Words
[And what she feared the most, became her nightmare...]
TIP. TAP. The sun were already setting up on the sky, when Rio woke up. Disoriented, she lay sprawled on her mattress. It’s crumpled, a reminder of the carnal pleasure that even occurred outside El Casa. It’s insane—totally insane to have herself bound onto something she wasn’t supposed to. How can she explain what lies between them? He did not pay her, which would earned rage and pits of curses if he does, because Rio knew that she’s willing to gave in.
To cave in on an utter pleasure, which subsequently means nothing. But no matter how much she deny it, even on herself, Rio knew that nothing would turns up the next day as something else. It would be much worst—painful scenarios that she grunted, a messy thought, which burdened her how can she shared them with Malcolm. Speaking of the male, he haven’t left any missed calls on her call logs, which is oddly strange as it never happened before.
Rio rolled on her stomach. Bare and n***d, the flawless skin of her back were set on display. But then, she stop mid-way. A memory flooded her worries and replaced her concerns for Malcolm. It’s Midnight...again, invading her head about what he mentioned right after they’d dwelled onto what they can openly eluded with ecstasy for each other.
The contract he had offered.
[MIDNIGHT DEL FIERRO AND RIO’S FLASHBACK]
Rio bit her lips. She was squeezing her thighs tightly. It is to suppress herself from launching up and taking Midnight’s lips on hers again. It’s intoxicating that Rio couldn’t help herself get drawn towards his den. When he kissed her, she felt like almost floating on a dream state she had never attained before. He made her breathless. He deems to caress her where no men can, and made her feel things that she never had experienced before. His presence domineering, and she’s bound in submission allowing herself be on his mercy. It wasn’t right, however Rio is strung out loaded, and craving for the promises without words he had inclined her into.
It’s different, much more different than what she and Jed have.
Suddenly, the car slow down. That put her in attention. She had never given her address, but somehow, it did not surprise her that Midnight know where it was as men like him knows how to handle the power they have. They are invincible, and unreachable—but the irony to see her seated beside one of those men is one of the most rare thing she was least expecting, and had never imagined would happen once.
But worries ruptured again. Should she invite him inside?
“E—er, thank you for sending me home.” Said Rio, unease, and fidgeting, full of thoughts, yet the question asked coming from Midnight had left her intrigued.
“How long had you been working for Chicago?” His tone isn’t dry, it was meekly curious in fact.
That reminds her. An avalanche of memories, and anguish she buried before took her by means. How long has it been? She lost count of years and day, the time prolongs by her goal sough after— it is to survive. To woke up the next day, breathing and living, in spite of the filth, and how she had chained herself on El Casa. To endure whims coming from men. They may have praised her. They may have admired her, but Rio is disgusted that she thrive for those just so she could fed herself, but she’s left with no option. She needed the job, and she stomach all those things for herself. Though, she had never questioned how long has it been.
“I don’t know.” She whispered softly, her eyes not meeting his in fear that he may be able to see through her. Her—scarred, and wounded soul that set to harken back how did she end up there. Not literally in El Casa, but right there in Mexico.
The blood shed that night flashed before her eyes. Rio shut down her orbs tightly.
“What?” It’s Midnight.
She could feel his gaze digging holes to where she was. They are inched apart, but Rio isn’t bothered by how close they are. She have more to worries about the bottling darkness ready to consumed her again.
“I don’t know.” Her eyes fluttered open. She repeated the same exact words, and enclosed her fist above her thighs. “I started young, but I couldn’t remember. It’s been so...long.”
There is a moment of silence.
“I see.” Briefly Midnight said.
They sit there entirely in solace. Rio was ready to bid her farewells, when Midnight caught her off guard for the second time around.
“Had you ever thought about leaving El Casa?” He asked.
Leaving? To leave something she’s been used to? Had she ever had that thought?
Rio leans her back to her seat to make herself comfortable.
“Maybe—” She paused. “—Maybe I have, but—” Suddenly a bittersweet smile came to pester her feminine visage. “—I have no power to do so. Chicago had me on the neck. If it wasn’t for him, I would die, rotting on the street already. He gave me job. He dressed me. All thanks to him, I am still alive on this day.”
That’s true. She may have hated his guts, but Chicago were the one who rescued her, and Malcolm, when the world turned its back on her. He brought her on El Casa, and in exchange, Rio worked for him. Unlike some, he is not blinded by money and greed as the hefty amount she earned were solely given to her without any ado, neither oppress to pay everything towards the old man himself. He earned more than what they can. He had millions of transactions, and it wasn’t El Casa, the only pandemonium he runs around in Mexico and Belize.
“If he had freed you—”
“He won’t do that.” Rio cut him off.
“And if he does?” There is an affirmation she couldn’t comprehend on his tone that she failed to understand.
Her head whipped across to him.
“Chicago is a man, who won’t free something on his possession so easily.” Rio firmly said.
“I can take you from him.”
Their eyes meet.
“You wouldn’t do that.” Rio gaped at him.
“I can.” Midnight were so sure that hope looms on her chest, but Rio scolded herself as quickly as she can.
“Why would you do that even?” Her tone suspicious that she felt guarded. “What value do I have for you to spend money with?”
He never responded. The hope diminished. Had he just felt responsible? Her walls rose up. The distance became much further away from Midnight. The closeness concealed by something wary, but when he leaned closer, Rio’s breathe hitched. She became frozen on her spot, and glued to how Midnight were staring at her. His gaze – soft, and secured. It’s too ensuring, and honest that she felt like her orbs were just deceiving her again. All over again. To trust means to actually had a knife pointing at your neck. It could slit you anytime, the least you are oblivious and unguarded. Much worst, it could kill you—shatter you until none left.
For the very first time, Rio fear how much she’s allowing herself be drown more closer.
“S—Sir.” Rio gulps.
She could feel his hot breathe against her skin.
“What value do you have?” His voice husky that it didn’t help how much he is affecting her already. “You’ve worth more than any gems I have seen. You’ve caught my eyes, when I first laid it on you. You are—” He brought his head and buried them on the crook of her neck “—worth more than my money.”
His lips run to where the curves meet. It earned a pleasurable gasp from her. Rio bit her lips, but it wasn’t enough to suppress the groans left earning gratification from the male, who’s causing her shameful reactions.
“Are you trying to seduce me—” Rio’s own reflexes guided her hand to seek support on his strong arms, when he nibble her neck. Her toes curled up. Her thighs shaking at the sensation at the close proximity. “—j—just so I could agree at your proposal?”
“And If I do?” Midnight’s throaty hummed filled her stomach with butterflies as he did not hid what his real intention was.
“You’re being unfair, Sir.” Rio chuckled.
“If that by means I can have you, I will.” Midnight pulled apart from his assault with her neck, but his gaze continue giving her this intense feeling, evoking something that were deeply rooted. “Leave El Casa.”.
“It wouldn’t be that easy, Sir.” Rio hid her amusement.
“I can make it easy—”
“And where would I go afterwards?” She raised her eyebrows.
There is a challenge on her tone. Where would she go? How will she live? El Casa had made her earned money that she used to support her needs. Who would even accept her, when they saw her records? Women like her were overlooked. They are discarded as many are disgusted at their job no matter how long has it been, when they left. It would always be a mark separating them from those collared people, including Rio. She knew how cruel the world was—it shows no mercy in a heartbeat. It’s the world full of series of s*******r that she’d choose rather to be secluded.
But what he said next left her stunned.
“Work for me.” He proposed.
‘Are you insane?’ Thankfully, Rio managed to stop herself from blurting that out.
“And what kind of work are you expecting from me?” She laughs. “A maid?”
“Silly.” His chuckles syncs with her. “But I know it would be something that were easier than a helper.”
“What’s the catch?”
He look at her intensely.
“Freedom.” Midnight said. “It’s nothing, but freedom.”
“Let me think about it.” She sighs.
“You’ll have plenty of time to think about it.” Midnight planted a soft lingering kiss on her forehead before he entangled himself from her. But something caught her eyes. A cufflink intricate by something that she’s been familiar with...since that night.
Her blood runs cold. Rio could find herself on the same pit until she heard him say goodbyes.
“Goodbye, angel.”
[END OF FLASHBACK]
It’s been bothering her consciously. She have so many questions, suspicions that all had never been a coincidence. The buried past she had dig hanker heed to agreed and confirmed everything. But to be reckless means offering herself to a lion’s den and getting herself killed.
Her eyes landed across the card he left. Midnight Del Fierro. As she have done her research, she found out how powerful the man was.
Before Rio could run her thoughts, she found herself dialling the number engrave on the card. There is a dial tone, before a woman’s voice received her call.
“How may I help you?” She was full of glee, and rigor—perhaps, a receptionist.
“I am looking for—” She paused. “Mr. Del Fierro.”
“Do you have an appointment?” The woman curiously asked.
“I have.” Rio lay on her back. “We have an appointment to settle with.”
And so she knew that there’s no turning back again.
@cycy
- Writer
