THE DANGEROUSLY SEXY MAFIA KING’S WIFE

CHAPTER 2

My legs swung from the mattress. My head was pounding because I had to write another assignment and did not know how I would do that. The lecturers were no longer patient enough to take my hand-written assignments. I had chewed my nails away, had emptied every crappy bag that was in the room looking for any money, anything I could use to pay at the internet café. My hands wrecked through my hair, my skull burning hot and as I paced a knock came, making me halt in my steps.

Was it Becka? Oohh lord, I hoped so. I could beg on my knees for her to borrow me her laptop. I did not know where she had been relocated to. If I knew, I would have run there a while ago but I was left pacing in the empty room, not sure what I would do. It was set, I would flunk again and I would have to stop this foolishness and go beg for a job to be a waitress or something, yet who would hire me? Hands shook, grabbing the handle and pressing down with the door opening.

Light shone through, nearly blinding my eyes as I stepped back, yet soon my body was tilted away, someone walking into the room followed by another. The scent of sweet sucrose hit my nostrils, nearly making me vomit because I was on a water diet coupled with a sweet when I felt as if I would fall. I was so hungry it was more than painful, it was pure hell.

“Hello.” I called out, turning from the door with heels clicking on the floor. I closed the door behind me, wondering who it was and what they wanted. For sure it was not Becka. The clothes I was seeing were ones Becka did not own. The labels were just screaming out, designer everywhere. They all had style, all shinning as if pulled from a sorority movie filled with beautiful girls as if they had been dolls brought to life. They had long legs which were shiny, skin so flawless it had my eyes wide.

“Oohh wow.” One spoke up and I suddenly recognized the voice with everything clicking in place. Of course, it was Charlotte, Alexia and Jane, but what were they doing in my room? My mind was too exhausted to even contemplate about it. I just sighed and sat back down on the bed.

“I have never seen anything so sad.” Alexia said, pulling out her phone to take a photo of my room. What would I even say? I just sat there staring, their eyes wrecking over every corner with their noses wrinkling. They were in my class but you rarely saw them there. They sometimes showed up to write a test or the exam, but even then, it was on rare occasions. I had actually thought they had dropped out, but I guess not. I could not believe it though. Just three years ago, I could remember Alexia. I had been sitting next to her on orientation day and she looked nothing like how she did as she stood in my room. They had all changed, their hair, their clothes, everything. They were seriously living Hollywood life and everyone in school knew what they did, how they changed their lives. I was envious. I would not lie. I did not judge or blame them, but just wished they had used their money for better things, invested because, surely at the rate they were going at, it would all end one way or another.

“Thyra right?” Jane asked, her face wrinkled as she stared. I was not in the best shape. My skin was hugging my bones and even with that, there was still somewhat of a shape to my body. My hair was thin and stringy with bags under my eyes.

I nodded my head because I had not spoken in a long time. I was not even sure I could remember how to do it, who could I speak to really. I had no friends, no family, just me, myself and I.

“Charlotte, look at her, she looks like a ghost, do you want to get us killed?” Alexia asked out loud, knowing she was talking about me. My head hung low, not in the mood to be reminded of how I was, the condition I was in.

“That is the whole point, Alexia. Just trust me. Once Striker sees that she won’t do, he will be forced to lead me to Vladimir. When I have Vladimir’s attention, no one will dare touch us. I will make sure I have us taken care of girls. Have I ever let you down?” Charlotte asked, with me looking from one to the other, trying to think how people could be that beautiful. Their bodies were shaped like a coke bottle, their faces like angels. Were they wearing makeup, I could not tell but they looked really nice.

I suddenly wondered why they had done what they did because all of them were from middle-class families with their parents supporting them as best to their abilities. Maybe the situation was not as pretty at home. I could understand, staring at my feet as they proceeded to walk around.

Charlotte tried sitting next to me but as soon as her butt hit the mattress she stood up as if it had shocked her. She shook her head, brushing her hands against each other, frowning deeply. I could have really laughed if it was happening to someone else, yet it was not fun with me in the mix.

“Lord, you sleep there, it’s as hard as wood. Where are your things? There is nothing here.” Charlotte asked, with me swallowing. I did not know what to say, did not have anything to say, so I just shut my mouth and stared at my hands.

Nothing but silence filled the room.

“Uhm, okay, we want to help you. Do you want to earn some money?” Charlotte asked. She was the leader in the room, the others were still cautious of touching anything because I was sure they thought they would catch something just being in there.

My head picked up, my heart drumming.

“You can make thousands of dollars just this weekend only and all you have to do is attend a party.” Charlotte finished, my eyes on her with my hands clamped on each other. What did she mean? Thousands of dollars.

“Just one party, we will get there, have drinks, talk and then go home after with money.” She added, seeing my hesitation.

I was not stupid, I know they thought I was. I knew that it would not just be drinking, they wanted to introduce me to some men.

I shifted in my bed, everyone knew they were dating old men for money. The cars that would drop them off day and night had set the rumours all over campus. Even the lecturers knew and some of them had been dating the three girls, yet no one said a thing.

“I don’t know, I don’t drink.” I said, my voice shaky and husky from not talking for so long.

“You don’t have to drink.” Jane added, smiling.

“Uhm, I don’t have any money or anything to wear.” I pointed out. I had three jeans which had been donated while I was in Juvie, along with four t-shirts and a pair of sneakers that were tearing off and I was afraid I would find myself walking barefooted one of the coming days.

“Don’t worry about that, we will organize everything. We could go shopping on Friday. It will be so much fun Thyra. Oohh, I can’t wait.” Alexia said, already walking up closer. I had to think about it, I knew what they were doing and I had to take my time and see my options.

“Can I just think about it please?” I asked.

“Better be fast because we can just ask someone else. We could have gone with our friends but we thought you needed the money. If you don’t, then just say and we can go to our friends. It will only be fun Thyra. Just take one day away from books and have fun with us.” Charlotte said. I could see her face turning less friendly. I took a deep breath. Do I have a choice here? Well, we always have a choice and I sighed before the words slipped out of my mouth.

“Okay.” I said back and they all brightened up.

“Great, we will come and get you on Friday morning to go shopping, then at ten pm we will leave for the club.” Charlotte said, a smirk on her face. There was something wicked about that girl, but alas we would see what happens.

“There you go, go get yourself something to eat.” She said, slipping a few hundreds from her purse and holding them out for me. My body froze as I stared at her hand carrying the money. Who was I kidding? I had begged for so much less, my pride had been thrown out the window long time ago and still the shame ate at me as my hand spread to take the money.

“Thank you.” I said lowly, my head bowing, swimming in nothing but shame.

“Cool, see you.” She said, taking one look at the room in disgust before walking out, sure to sanitize her hands from holding my door handle. They left, closing the door and leaving nothing but their delicious perfumes. I stared at the money, never having held so much money in my hands and I did not even know what to do with it. I sat there for some minutes before standing up to grab my books and walk out of there. I locked the door, walking all the way out of the gate. There were takeout restaurants there, so I bought myself fries worth ten bucks and ate them. I could not finish them all. My stomach was not used to having so much food and you would think the pain would go away, but not really. My stomach was in shock, painfully twisting as it got a taste of food it had not felt in so many days.

I stumbled out, taking the rest to eat it later. I crossed the road which was busy, making my way into the internet cafè where I paid, then sat down and began writing my assignments. I put all I had in them, writing and pouring my soul into my work as I wrote the best work I had ever in a long time. My energy picked up with every hour that passed, just researching and writing away. When all my assignments were done, I proof read them then sent them through my school email. I sat there, studying for the rest of the day until they closed the cafè.

I picked up my books and walked back to my dorm room, buying bread and the cheapest concentrated juice I could get. That would be my food for the weeks that would come. I would eat a slice of bread and a cup of juice to sustain myself. I also bought bathing soup, Colgate and some deodorant. Becka would buy soap, Colgate and a deodorant for me when she bought hers. Her father had heard of my situation and would give her money for me too, which I was grateful for. As much as Becka never gave me the money, she did buy the few toiletries which I would forever be grateful for.

The door was locked, all my food put away with all the other things I had bought. A tiny smile graced my face, sitting on the bed and taking my books to study. I studied for the rest of the night, sleeping at four in the morning to wake up at eight and get ready for class.

The day was not as dreadful as the others. Nothing had happened but I was so excited because when my stomach began growling I knew I still had the fries from the previous day . I ate them for lunch and decided that was it for the day. I studied some more. I would milk the cow while I still could, studying as much as I could, because I knew that the food would finish and I would find myself starving again.

I sat in the library, studying all day and all night before going to my room to get some sleep in the very early hours of the next morning. I skipped meals on Wednesday and did not eat to save my bread, but then realized it would rot. My head pound, walking out of my room to my neighbours. They had a fridge. I knocked and kindly asked if I could just put my bread in their fridge. They smiled and said, of course, which made me smile. That was how my bread was saved. Life seemed to be looking up and it was time to think of my game plan for Friday.

I wondered what men the girls would introduce me to. My face wrinkled thinking of old fat men. I would never do that, I had to be smart with my approach. I had only one chance and I knew I had to shoot my shot at the wealthiest of them all who would also fall for me. What did I know about taming a man?

My feet swung from the bed, touching the cold ground as I made my way to the mounted wardrobe, opening the door to see my reflection on the small mirror. My face had nothing but dark under eyes. My skin was spotless but it was pale. I pulled my long hair back and it was so thin it broke just from even pinching it. I turned around, staring at my body. The clothes I was wearing were too big for my body. I took them all off, seeing my ribs outlined as if to pierce from my skin, yet there were some hips there, my belly flat, of course, with something I could consider a butt, not too small but just okay. My breasts were full and peaky, even creamy I dared to say.

I sighed, wondering if it would be enough. I took a step toward the mirror, trying to be seductive, yet it was an absolute nightmare having me laugh at myself. I turned around, wondering what I would do. This was it, this was my shot and if I missed, there was nothing else. I knew I could not do what the girls were doing, sleeping with different men. I had to pick one, just the right one.

I was in over my head, I knew it, looking at the three girls, I had nothing to them. So, how could I coax a rich man to marry me when the competition was surely steep? I sighed, shaking my head because it was impossible.

The next day would be the day and I had to look presentable, so I decided to get as much sleep and not study. I ate two slices of bread in the morning and for lunch with juice on Thursday. I made sure to sleep all the hours I could until morning came. I got up, went to take a shower, rubbing more soap than necessary on my face, as if that would help the dark marks. I stepped out, walking to my room to oil my skin with Vaseline, it shiny, maybe a little too much of it than needed. I was nervous, pulling up my torn up underwear along with my faded jeans and a black t-shirt. I pulled on my socks and sneakers.

I sat on bed, waiting patiently for the girls. Who knew when they would arrive? After ten minutes, I decided to do some bit of studying while waiting for them.

It was two hours later when the knock came on my door. My heart drummed, so nervous having me sweat just a little. I took a deep breath, getting off my bed and walked to the door to open it.

Charlotte was at the front, of course, her eyes wrecking up and down my body.

“Are you ready?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said back with her frowning.

“Don’t you have anything better?” She asked as I bowed my head in shame, only to look up and shake my head.

“Okay then.” She said, already turning. I rushed back to the room to get my keys. I locked the door then rushed after them. We walked down the steps in silence. All those who passed us gave me a look, like, what the hell was I doing? I just stared at my feet and followed the three girls. We slipped into the pink mini cooper which belonged to Alexia. I was sitting at the back next to Jane, Charlotte was at the front, fixing her make-up. Music was blasting as the car moved.

The only car I had ever been in before was the one that took me in and out of Juvie.

My eyes stayed on the trees on the side of the road. They were tall and beautiful. I had always been in love with nature from a young age. All kinds of cars passed us and some men could not keep their eyes off the girls as they drove past the car I was in.

“Greg found out I am sleeping with Roman. He said I should choose.” Alexia said, with Charlotte slapping away the sun visor, turning to stare at Alexia.

“Well, you already know what I will say. Greg does not do anything for you. He just sleeps with you for nothing.” Charlotte said with me listening to the conversation. It was rude but necessary. You always had to be alert in every environment you were in.

“But I love him and he loves me.” Alexia said back, seeming frustrated.

“What can a bank teller do for you Alexia? Stop being stupid. You are willing to give up everything, all the trips, the clothes and the money for that wanker’s dick.” It was Charlotte again.

“Well, he tries to give me a girlfriend allowance every month. As much as he doesn’t have much, he tries to make me happy and he would never hit me. He treats me so well.” Alexia said back as I sucked in a breath.

“You know you will choose Roman, we all know you will, so stop confusing yourself. I think it’s good that you and Greg break up. We don’t want you getting pregnant for the wrong man with all these fertility pills we are taking.” Charlotte, the bulldog of the group spoke. She was scary in a way.

“Urgh, I guess so. I just….anyways.” Alexia trailed away with my head snapping, seeing that we were parking at the mall.

The engine was killed, the girls getting out as I did the same. I closed the door behind me and walked around the car. They walked on ahead of me and I followed after. My head was kept down, nervous as we entered into the first shop. They shopped for themselves but made me try on a few dresses now and then which they did not like, so we moved on to the next shop. My feet already hurt in just an hour and I stood carrying all their bags. They just bought everything they liked, just picking and I did not even want to stare at the price tags because I was sure I would faint. I had never been to any of the shops, they were all so beautiful along with the clothes. I was so envious but I took a deep breath and just lived in the moment.

“Go try this on Thyra.” One of the girls said, throwing a dress at me.

I took the dress, placing all the heavy bags on the couch before walking into the dressing room. I hoped they did not walk in because they would laugh at my underwear. It was ripped apart, holes all over it. I dressed as fast as I could, having seen the girls watch each other as they dressed. Their bodies were spotless, their ribs were not protruding, just thick enough to have even myself in shame.

I shook my head, looking at myself in the mirror and I could not help but harshly breathe out. The fabric, first of all, was just pure bliss on my skin and the colour went well with me.

I stepped out, hands shaking. I loved that it covered some of my body unlike all the others they had given me. It was just a simple satin dress that fell down just below my butt. I would have to be careful when walking since I was sure my butt would show with the wrong move.

Stepping out, they just brightened up.

“Turn around.” Jane said, having me turn for them. My legs were long, I was quite tall, five point seven feet tall.

“I think this one will do. Does everyone agree?” Charlotte asked as she stood up to walk to me, walking around me.

“Agreed.” Alexia agreed, my heart drumming.

“Okay, go take it off.” She said, with me walking back. I did not dare even pull to look at the price tag. I just minded my business because I was sure I would faint.

The dress was slipped back on its hanger. It was a size zero yet still loose on me. The problem at the other shops was how the clothes just hung on me, but thank the heavens for all the dresses they had picked were barely covering anything, basically just prostituting myself.

I pulled back my clothes and walked out with the dress carefully in my hand, not wanting to damage it because what would I pay for it with?

They picked up heels for me and we went out. The girls did some more shopping, the bags in my hand so heavy, cutting through my skin, but it was the least I could do as they bought all they did for me.

When they were done, we went to a beauty parlour. My hair, nails, and face were treated then styled. I was given a body massage along with the girls to relax. I had never felt such pleasure, smiling with me so excited. I wanted to live a life where I could enjoy such things, yet at what cost? I asked myself, deciding to kick my conscious to the carb and enjoy.

The sun was setting when we were all done, so the girls went to eat out at some fancy restaurant. They all got salads, Charlotte buying one for me which I was so grateful for. I thanked her until she flickered her hand at me in irritation. I sucked in a breath, sitting and eating my salad. It was delicious. I had thought it would not be fulfilling, but in fact it was. My stomach could not carry much food anyway, so it was good for me. The restaurant was high end. Business people in suits ate their lunch with colleagues, some with families and others just with their spouse.

It was a world I had not seen, I did not know much stuff, I only grew up staring at a wall. My time had been served when I was fourteen, yet I had continued staying because at least there I had a bed, food and an education, while out in the world nothing waited for me. I had finished school and applied for varsity. When I was accepted, the problem was getting a scholarship. I applied to many organizations but none took me. Why would they? I had grown up in a place people thought was meant for criminals.

I took all the paper bags and together we made our way to the car. They took us to their apartment, which was most girls' dream. It was so stylish, a large screen TV, fur everywhere, the kitchen so pretty. I had never seen anything so classy, scared to even touch a thing. No wonder they had been so disgusted being in my dorm, they lived in heaven, I swear.

My eyes were wide, taking everything in with a breath sucked.

“Place the paper bags there.” Charlotte pointed and I was quick to place them down as they sighed and slipped onto the couch. I stood there not sure what to do with myself.

“Let’s Netflix and chill, we will get ready at eight.” The boss lady said as they kicked off their shoes and began ripping their clothes away from their bodies. They all sat in their fancy lingerie as I watched with wide eyes. If I was a guy, that would have been a dream, yet I could not help but admire. I pulled a chair from the kitchen island and sat on it just behind the couch as the movie began. I had only watched television a couple of times. It was not something I was used to and I found it exciting as the movie began. My hands sweat from the excitement as I tried to keep my smile at bay. It was sad really, I realized, it was sad how all these things seemed like heaven to me. I swallowed, watching with the quality of the screen just impeccable.

“Thyra, bring me a bottle of cider from the fridge.” Alexia said, with the others humming in agreement too. I slipped from my seat, quick since I did not want to miss the movie. I opened the fridge, finding it packed with so many things. My eyes went wide, swallowing before looking for the bottles of alcohol. I saw them and took three to walk back and give to the girls. They took them and began drinking. I sat back in my chair, watching with the sound as if we were at the cinema. It was one of the best days of my life, I had to say, yet suddenly my mind just had to bring up how that very same night I would sell my soul to the devil.