Mafia's Forced Love

Chapter 3: The Escape

Cora’s Point of View

The harsh voices and yelling woke me up. With a headache, I opened my eyes forcefully. My gaze fell on the unfamiliar dark curtains and those expensive porcelain vases. I wasn't in my bed. Panicking, I tried to get up, feeling the muscle pain. Where was I?

"I don't f*cking care. It should be done by midnight."

A deep rumble brought me to the senses. I would recognize that voice anywhere, anytime. Lorenzo. Slowly, the memories of yesterday flooded in my mind. That b*stard drugged me and dragged me here. Then he kissed me forcefully.

If I were in my right mind, I would have punched him hard, surely giving him a black eye. I wasn't someone to eavesdrop on, but I couldn't help when I heard him taking my name twice.

I concentrated on what Lorenzo was saying.

"No matter what, Cora shouldn't be leaving this f*****g room until I say so. Do you understand?" He instructed.

"Sì," some of his men must be answering.

I could tell there was more than one. What was he planning to do? Why couldn't I leave?

'Come on, Cora. That man has kidnapped you. Isn't it obvious he wants you here?' My conscience snapped.

Suddenly I saw the doorknob rotated with a click sound. Without thinking for another moment, I laid back, pulling my cover swiftly. I pretended to be asleep, shutting my eyes tightly. I tried my best to keep my breathing normal. Gradually, his proud footsteps were approaching me. And then I felt the bed moving a little. Something touched my stomach. Soon I figured it was him sitting on the bed, touching my torso.

I felt a cold touch on my cheek. He brushed his hand against my face as he spoke, "finally, you are here."

I felt his breath on my nose. He might be leaning over my face. Then I felt his lips on my forehead as he whispered, "and I'm never gonna let you go, cupcake, out of my sight, never in this life.”

His warm breath brushed my nose one last time. His voice was deep and sincere. Was he gonna keep me here for eternity? No... I couldn't stay! What about Lily?

'Just stay calm, Cora. There's no way we are staying here with this lunatic.' I collected myself.

Taking a strand of my hair, he took a deep breath and soon I felt him standing up. I felt relieved as I heard the sound of the door lock again.

"SHE SHOULD BE HERE WHEN I AM BACK," I heard him yelling again.

I waited for a few more minutes before opening my eyes. I was right. He was gone. Now it was my turn.

I stood up, ignoring the muscle pain. My eyes met the digital clock sitting on the bedside table. The clock was ticking at 6 in the evening! Gosh! How long was I asleep? An entire day? Wait! Wasn't it Jinny's birthday? God! My poor god-daughter.

I had to leave, and I already knew the front door was closed for me. I scanned the room. My legs dragged me to the large window. At least what I thought was a window. It was attached to the patio.

Opening it wide, I stepped onto the balcony and looked down. It was on the first floor. Okay! The half railing around the balcony wouldn't be hard to cross. It was already dark out. Good for me. It would give me shade.

I looked around the room. What did I get here? The bedsheets came into my mind first. It was too big, easily detectable. Besides, I wasn't sure if it could take my weight. Then my gaze fell on the lap wires. It looked strong and was long enough to reach the balcony-top on the main floor, and the rest would be easier.

I took my chances and unplugged the wire from the lap and secured it on the side of the metallic bannister of the balcony. Hanging it down, I took a good look at where I was going to land.

'You can do it, Cora. Just stay calm and we will be out of his clutch in no time.' I whispered myself.

Taking a deep breath, I climbed up the boundary and then, holding on to that wire tightly slowly, I started to slide down. My training for years came in handy.

'Just a little more,' I muttered under my breath.

My muscles were stiff, which wasn't helping at all. But I refused to give up and stay with that monster. After a long struggle, finally, my feet touched the roof of the patio on the main floor. I sighed in relief.

Only one more step left. I slowly slipped my body down, holding on to the roof, and then climbed up the railing surrounding the little porch and jumped down.

"Ah," I low scream left my mouth as soon as something sharp torn off my skin on my foot, making me realize I wasn't wearing any footwear! Which only made me realize I was wearing only an oversized t-shirt and nothing else.

That a*shole! Did he do that with me? Violating one's body wasn't a bigger deal for an obnoxious, narcissistic moron like him. I felt disgusted even with the thought. Only if I could punch him harder. But I needed to concentrate on how I could get out of his grasp first. Revenge could wait.

He was in the city and there was no way I could go back to my home. He just needed to snap his hand, and I would be in his cage again.

The only road I could see from where I was standing was Lily. I dragged my legs out onto the main road. This area was less chaotic. I knew this part of the city. My gaze fell on a few shops by the side of the street. They were ready to put down their shutters.

I hurried to one small gift shop, ran by an old lady, assuming she could help.

"Excuse me," my voice was hoarse. Of course. I was thirsty.

"Sorry, I am closing," she spoke while looking at the papers she was holding.

"Please, help me..." I mumbled, gaining her attention.

"Oh, my! Are you okay?" She asked, creasing her eyebrows. Her warm voice rang like bliss in my ears.

"I... I just need to make a phone call... please," I whispered.

"Of course. Here," she pointed at the phone.

Lily’s Point of View

The gorgeous Rodriguez mansion was decorated beautifully. They screamed only two words, elegance and money. As I entered the party, I kept looking for Cora. We hadn’t talked since yesterday after I left her at the bus stand. She didn’t even text me after reaching home. I was worried and mad at the same time. How could she forget about me, especially after the proposal?

I gave up soon. It was impossible to locate Cora. Better I look for Valerie. That would be easier. And it was just the way I thought. She was wearing an elegant dark blue gown. Beautiful as always. But not as cute as my Cora.

I tried to get a hold of her, but she walked past me, ignoring my presence. What was wrong with her? She had always been friendly. With a quick step, she reached for Liam and dragged him into a corner. They were discussing something with a serious face, and something was telling me it wasn’t good news. I couldn’t contain my curiosity anymore. Slowly I walked near them, enough to listen to their conversation.

“Liam, answer me.” Valerie sounded desperate. She spoke, shaking his shoulders.

“Val… Cora hasn’t been home since yesterday. She’s missing.” Liam informed in the end, turning my world upside down.

“What did you say?” The words came out of my mouth involuntarily.

“Lily…” Valerie gasped with teary eyes.

Liam pulled me into a side hug. “Don’t be worried, okay? I will talk to Daniel right away. We will find her.”

I didn’t know what to say. I stood there in silence. Cora! She was missing! My judgment became clouded. Suddenly, my cell phone vibrated, bringing me into reality. I saw an unknown number on the caller id. Mechanically, my hand took the call and held it in my ears.

“Hello,” my voice was a mere whisper.

“Don’t take my name, Okay, Lily. Please stay calm and listen to me…. Please,” Cora’s desperate voice brought life back to my body.

“Hello, are you there? Lily… Please answer me… Please Lily,” she pleaded.

I took a few steps back from Valerie and Liam as I whispered, “Cora… sweetie… where are you?”

“God, Lily. I’m in such a mess.” She sobbed. I hadn’t seen her cry in months. She was one tough girl.

“Please, help me. Please, Lily, don’t tell anyone about me. Please,” she begged again.

“Cora, calm down, okay?” I tried to comfort her. “Where are you, sweetie? I will come right away.”

“No… Don’t… Go to my home first and pick up some clothes and my national Id…. And… some money,” she blurted.

“Sweetie… where are you? What’s going on?” I questioned again. She sounded so vulnerable.

“He’s back, Lily. Lorenzo is back,” and her word shook my entire world.

That arrogant bastard walked right through the door with a wild smirk on his face. He walked past me without even acknowledging my presence. How dare he hurt my girl?

“Lily… Please hurry…. I need to leave before he finds out… please… I can’t stay here anymore.” She kept ranting over the phone.

"Where are you?" I whispered again. 

She informed me of an address. That was the furthest corner of the city. It would take me at least an hour to reach the area. Hanging up the phone, I left the party as quickly as I could.