Money and pride

Let me speak with you for a little bit about my life. I am Lily Anderson, daughter of the neighborhood gambler. I came from a poor family and I have a single older brother, my mom breaks my heart whenever I am reminded of her. She died from hunger; dad preferred to sleep with a prostitute instead of feeding her.

I was 13 years old when I witnessed my mom's death, she refused to eat the food I brought her and insisted that dying would just be better, I begged her to reconsider as I didn't want to lose the only reason why I continue living. She did not listen to me nor care about me at all but I do not blame her for leaving me behind, after all, no human would want to live this way.

One day, Dad came back drunk from the club he frequented; he looked at me with disgust in his eyes.

-" I never considered you as someone useful in my life, Lily. Today I can proudly say that you are though." he started.

I ignored his drunken talk, it was my exam period and I was not in the mood for this. Studying was the only way for me to escape poverty so I studied as hard as I could with the money I get from my job.

-" You fucking bitch... I am talking... to you, stop ignoring me... for god's sake." He stuttered throwing a bottle of whiskey in my direction.

I dodged it and got up heading to step out of the tiny tuna can we lived in, I knew that he would not shut up anytime soon. I opened the door and was surprised when my eyes met those of a scary individual leaning on his car's rail. He had several bodyguards by his side and they were all wearing black.

I suddenly recalled what dad has said earlier and turned around closing the door behind me.

-" What the fuck have you done, asshole?" I asked imagining the worst scenario ever; I am not ready to become a prostitute. I have to run away, I thought.

-" I sold you out to a fancy-looking businessman to pay off the debt I owed him." he retorted struggling to get up from the ground.

I had to act quickly; I need to run away as fast as I could. I grabbed a backpack in which I put my wallet, mobile phone, several books, and two sets of clothes, that is literally all I own. I jumped from the back window and ran into the backyard trying to get away from this house. As soon as I passed the high backyard fence, a hand came out of nowhere and held my arm.

I flinched awkwardly directing my gaze to the man who towered over me preventing my escape. I tried to kick him in the guts but he grabbed my leg and lift me on his shoulders. I tried to get down but his hold was stronger than I expected, he swiftly threw me into his car and closed the door.

I glanced to my right and spotted a bodyguard sitting by the right window, another one was sitting in the front and the man who caught me sat on my left side closing the door behind him.

-" Go." he ordered the driver.

-" What is the deal you made with him?" I asked trying to stay calm, it was not the first time I go through a similar situation so I dealt with it professionally using my wits.

-" He sold you to our master to pay his 2 million dollar debt." the bodyguard who sat in the front replied looking at me from the rearview mirror.

I already know that the deal was made illegally so there is no need of mentioning that what they are doing is wrong because they will not give a shit about it.

-" What is my fate?" I asked again trying to pull any information out of them.

-".."

No one answered me, the air was too thick and even breathing was hard to do. I was scared that they would force me to do something I hate. I don't mind working or even participate in an underground ring fight but not stripping out of my clothes, my pride wouldn't allow it. I prefer to die than to go through such humiliation.

My mind started going wild so I decided to brush these thoughts off by doing something else. I pulled out a book from my bag and started studying the lecture I could not continue earlier, I have an exam tomorrow.

They all stared at me which made the ambiance even more awkward and all of a sudden, a burst of laughter came out of the man to my left.

-" Ha-ha... You are a courageous little one, I like you already." he commented. His voice was so rough and his body figure was huge so even his smile was a little bit scary, to be honest. I did not know how to react to what he said so I just did not reply and kept reading my book silently.

-" We have reached, master," the driver said.

They stepped out of the car and pulled me out; they were surrounding my petite body so that I would not even think of an escape route. I glanced at the mansion in front of us who is a million times huger than my house.

What the hell? I thought that this kind of structure only existed in movies; it would take me an hour to walk through every inch of this mansion.

-" Do you like it?" The mysterious man questioned.

-" It will be your home from now on," he added in a dark tone that made goosebumps run through my body.

I am not trying to be pessimistic but this does not sound good at all, I prayed silently.