Chapter 3 Fear

• Bang
• Bang
• Bang.
• I woke up to those sounds as I've done the past few years. My eyes flutter open, but I close them again as the sunlight is blinding.
• "Good morning, Miss Ava," My maid, Cecelia, greets me with a smile.
• "Morning,"
• I get out of bed and start getting ready for the day. Going to the bathroom, I wash my hair thoroughly and wash my body with oils. My skin should be perfect and radiant because Mario likes it that way.
• The maid comes in with a small frown on her face and gets on one knee, helping me as always. Finishing, we go to the closet, where I pick out a two-piece floral dress, but Cecilia protests, bringing out a short turtleneck dress.
• "This one will look nice on you and cover the bruises on my shoulder," I nod. I put on the dress, did my makeup, and wore my heels, allowing the maid to guide me downstairs.
• "Where to?" I ask.
• "Breakfast, and then you are going to the doctor's,"
• stop in my tracks, my heart pounding against my chest. Mario has been wanting to put a baby in me, but it's been futile because I use contraceptives. Oh lord, how will I escape this?
• "Let's go, Ma'am, the boss is waiting,"
• I follow her to the dining area, where Mario is sitting at the head of the table. He smiles at me, but I don't smile back. I think I've actually forgotten how.
• Sitting down, I gulp the apple juice before me and put the empty glass down.
• "Get her another," he tells my maid. You look exhausted today. Is everything alright, my dear Ava?" I roll my eyes. The maid puts red meat in front of me, and I almost puke.
• "I don't eat this," I sneer, pushing the plate away, and it clashes with the floor.
• "You know she hates that. Why would you put it in front of her?" My captor roars at the maid, and the poor woman yelps. I regret reacting the way I did. I ignore the food on my plate as my mind wanders elsewhere.
• "I'm not going to the hospital," I blurt.
• "You are. I want to know why you're not getting pregnant yet." He says calmly, someone's desperate.
• Have you thought I didn't want to have a child?
• "It's funny how you think you have a say in this issue," he chuckles.
• Mario has been obsessed with me since I was only a girl. He kidnapped me from my family. He hits and abuses me in all ways when I disobey him.
• "It's my body," I whisper. The psycho slams his hand against the table, making me jump.
• "We are going to the hospital, and that's final,"
• Breakfast continues as he keeps taking one call after another.
• "Tai is bringing his girls here; CIA raided his place," he informs Troy, one of his men.
• Tai is Mario's best friend and business partner. His business is different from Mario's. Tai owns brothels and trafficking girls, while Mario just does drugs.
• I cringe at the thought. We get in a Cadillac and go to the hospital.
• ...
• We walk to the doctor's office, his hand on my lower back like we are a perfect couple. Everything should look good since he's running for governor. The drug lord is good at pretending and making it look like he's good, so sadly, he has a good chance of winning.
• "Mr future governor," The doctor greets him with great merriment.
• "Hello, doctor,"
• After explaining the situation to the doctor, the doctor asked some questions, but I refused to answer.
• "Could it be she is on a contraption without your knowledge?"
• I bite my lips, anticipating my punishment.
• "Mi Chiquita," Mario calls, motioning me to follow the doctor. After running a series of tests, we come back to the office.
• "I was right. Miss Aviana is on a pill," The doctor informs Mario, who looks hurt by this. After the gentlemen finish discussing, we get up to leave.
• "Thank you, Dean,"
• "Anytime, and good luck, sir,"
• "Baby, let's go,"
• Marion is silent the whole way. I am just making phone calls.
• "Faster," he orders the middle-aged driver, who steps on the gas. When we reach the estate, he opens the door for me.
• "Do you have it ready?" he asks one of the guards.
• Mario dragged me by my hair, walking fast to the back of the mansion. I am struggling between walking and the pain in my hair.
• "Bring it!" he shouts, pushing me into a vast empty building. This is the room he comes to beat or torture his enemies, the room of horrors.
• "Mario, you're hurting me. Stop,"
• "Hurt? Denying me a child is what is hurting me right now!" he yells. I try to get away, but two huge men stand in the way. My eyes find my friend, Troy, and he looks petrified.
• "Hurry the fuck up, you bastards!" Tears well in my eyes as more men come in, and I sob,
• "Marion, I don't like it here. Please let me leave," I beg.
• "Give her a gun," he orders, and one of his men does that, but I shake my head, not wanting to touch it.
• "Marion, please," I beg, ugly tears running down my cheeks.
• "I've been tolerating your insolence and going easy on you, but no more," He grits. "Refusing me an heir is unpardonable," he growls.
• "No-"
• "Take it," he whispers. I look at it again; I can't touch that. "TAKE IT!" he shouts, and I cover my face with my shaking hands in fear of the angry drug lord.
• "Aviana, please, pick it up," he tells me softly, and I clumsily do just that.
• "Good girl," He praises. They drag a man who is covered in blood and injuries.
• "Please, Boss, don't kill me," The battered man begs.
• "Someone gag him, he's annoying me,"
• "I've been wanting to kill this pathetic traitor for a while, but I wanted to make it memorable," Mario sighs, coming close to me. "And this is it, I want you to him, Aviana,"
• "No, no, Mario, don't make me do this," I cry.
• "Your first fucking kill. Clap everyone, my little angel is going to kill,"
• His men clapped just as he ordered.
• "And you get to kill with the one weapon you despise so much," I'm looking at the killing machine in my hand, and I shiver.
• "This scumbag was one of your father's former partners. Remember how they haunted you and your mother when he died?"
• I scrutinize the man who is on his knees and memories of how the cartels hunted us come to me. My mom had to marry a high-ranking drug lord for protection and smooth operations.
• "Too bad you're not as smart or as cunning as your mother," He scowls.
• As soon as those words leave his mouth, Mario pulls out a gun from his belt and shuts the man. Blood splatters on my skin, and I scream, holding my ears. He breathes out loudly, satisfied. I flinch when he points a gun at me but put it away.
• "Ok, bring it out!" he orders. I almost fall on my ass when a man brings a branding iron. I've never been more scared in my life! It is red, and I'm sure it has been in hot coal for hours. I start to back away, and tears blind my vision.