Indebted: A Debt-p*****t Romance (English Version)

Chapter 4: Horrible

I held the bottle of medicine I drank last night. It's a painkiller that helps with my throbbing legs. It was effective because I didn't feel the pain this morning until now. I found it inside one of the drawers in the bathroom, and after reading the label, I took two pills.

Now it's late afternoon, and the pain is resurfacing. It's not just in my legs; it feels like my whole body is in pain. I have difficulty processing everything that happened yesterday, and today isn't helping either.

I feel the throb on my cheeks, but I can barely handle it. It's difficult to understand the situation I've been suddenly thrown into. Why did Mr. Montevalles' son call me "mom"? What does that even mean?

I tried asking Manang Imelda, but she remained silent. I even think I hurt her arms in my desperate plea for an explanation, but she left me without any answers.

I've been through trauma, which almost drove me to madness. That's why I'm sure I haven't lost any part of my memory. They must be playing tricks on me, but I don't know why. I know myself better than what they want me to believe. The fact that they're doing this, knowing it's not true, is driving me crazy.

If I did have my own family, it would be impossible for me not to remember. I remember everything from my childhood to the tragic incident in our family and my life with my cousin, Dion, afterward. I would remember Mr. Montevalles and his son if I had known them.

That's why I find it hard to understand why his son called me that. I don't want to think of it that way, but could it be possible that Mr. Montevalles sees me as his wife? A battered wife, perhaps?

With trembling hands, I shake my head and reach for the medicine bottle on the nightstand beside the bed. I tilt the bottle to take two tablets. Swallowing these medicines I can't believe I'm taking now is challenging. This will be my escape while I'm here. I've only been here for one day, but this medicine will only last at the end.

Gradually, my heart rate slows down. Thanks to the medicine Ate Ime gave me; I think my system is relaxing. My body becomes numb, and I can barely feel the pain in my leg.

Clutching the bottle in my hand, the only thing that can keep me alive in this place, I slowly lie down on the bed. I stare at the intricate design on the ceiling, contemplating the difficulty of my situation. I try to understand everything, but my attempts are always in vain. My eyelids grow heavy, and I can no longer fight to stay awake. I allow sleep to take me away, hoping I'll wake up and find out that this is just a nightmare and my old life, where my family is still intact, is waiting for me. I desperately wish for that.

I wake up to the noise coming from outside the room. My eyes are heavy as I struggle to open them. I sit on the bed and blink several times until I realize that the noise is someone knocking on the door. The fear from last night returns, and I'm unsure if I should open the door and face the apparent rage that awaits me, especially after becoming familiar with the angry voice.

"Who tried to lock this door?!" Mr. Montevalles screams from outside. I check the clock on the side table; it's only one o'clock in the morning.

I'm the one who locked the door. They told me this is now my room. I don't see anything wrong with locking the door while I sleep. I don't know any of them, and I don't trust anyone here. Considering how Mr. Montevalles and his son treated me last night, it shouldn't surprise them.

"Hurry up!" He continues to shout and urges someone to open the door. I hear hurried footsteps and the sound of keys.

My heart pounds hard in my chest. I know staying here is better, but it's futile now. The door is about to open.

I'm about to leave the bed when the door is forcefully opened, causing the walls to vibrate. An enraged Mr. Montevalles appears, his eyes dark and his face red angrily. He doesn't take his eyes off me, even after our gaze meets. His hands are heavy as he drops the keys into Ate Ime's awaiting hands. She almost loses her balance, not because the keys are heavy but because of the anger emanating from Mr. Montevalles. Fortunately, she regains her composure and scurries out of the room without bothering to close the door behind her. Unfortunately for me, I am left alone with Mr. Montevalles.

In desperate fear and helplessness, I follow Ate Ime into the hallway with pleading eyes, but all I see is the son standing stiffly outside. He looks directly at me but not into my eyes; his gaze travels down my body, sizing me up with a disconcerting expression. I shudder, realizing that he bears a striking resemblance to his father. However, at this moment, as his father turns into a demon before my eyes, he appears like an angel with an alarming facade.

These types of angels with tame faces seem almost expressionless and emotionless, yet you know they could be very dangerous. They don't need to show their true selves, hold hands, or come closer. You know how bad they are already. They're like vices—anything but good for you, yet you're tempted to try them, unable to stop yourself because you're already so deeply immersed, too addicted.

Mr. Montevalles doesn't notice his son. He forcefully slams the door shut behind him, causing the wall to shake. I jump in shock, and I can see the son reacting similarly. I realize I should run when Mr. Montevalles approaches me with his cold-blooded, anger-filled eyes. I jump out of the bed, away from him.

"Why did you lock the door?" Each word he utters carries a thick authoritative tone. I clench my fists and jaw, trying to suppress my body's trembling out of fear.

I just stare up at him, scared. I don't dare open my mouth to scream for help because I know how feeble it would sound; no words would come out.

I've seen Dion at his worst, but I've never been this terrified. Somehow, I know Dion has some control over him. Despite his anger towards me because of what happened to our family, Dion only resorted to physical violence against me once. It was his way of showing me his frustration, blaming me for our misfortune. But he never became as frightening as this. And I don't know what I should do in this situation with the enraged Mr. Montevalles. I don't even know why he's acting this way.

"I'm talking to you, lady!" he shouts again, making me jump, startled and frightened.

I blink several times, feeling tears forming in the corners of my eyes. He still hasn't reached me, but I feel like crying out of fear. I scream until my throat and lungs hurt when he abruptly lunges toward me.

"No!" I cry out with a broken voice when he grabs a fistful of my hair and forcefully makes me kneel on the bed. "S-Stop."

"You don't tell me what to do!" he spits in my face. I can smell the alcohol mixed with his manly scent.

I close my eyes tightly, tears streaming down my face like a waterfall. I can't help but feel sorry for myself, no matter how much I try to resist it. A pitiful gasp is stifled as he unexpectedly throws me back on the bed. I bounce from the impact, and his hand is already choking me before I can breathe.

I try to shout or utter words to plead for release, but every attempt only comes out as a groan or whimper.

I reach for his arm, trying to lessen the pressure, but he's too strong for me to stop him. If anything, his grip tightens around my neck as if he intended to come here tonight to kill me. Maybe it's my survival instinct kicking in, but my knee touches his groin before I realize it.

He shouts in pain and involuntarily releases his hold on me. I use the opportunity to gasp for air, filling my lungs as much as possible.

Mr. Montevalles is still on the floor, nursing the pain in his groin. I glance back at the door, contemplating my escape, only to feel frustrated. His son is outside, most likely instructed to stay there if I decide to flee.

I gaze back to Mr. Montevalles, who struggles to get up. I didn't intend to hurt him, but he was strangling me. And fearing that my resistance would only provoke him further, I instinctively scrambled forward to help him.

In an instant, he stiffens, surprised by my action. His brows almost furrow, but his eyes darken before they have the chance. He backhands me so hard that I fall back onto the bed. He reaches for my hair and grips it tightly. My stomach is pressed against the bed, but I'm forced to look at the opposite wall and up at the ceiling as his hand yanks my hair from behind. I cry and whimper until my throat hurts, but my cries are only muffled.

I try hitting the back of my head against the wall, hoping the pain will bring me back to a time when my family was whole, and they could protect me. But it's futile. I'm not his wife. I'm no one's wife or mother. The idea that I'm somehow connected to this twisted family is beyond comprehension.

Who is responsible for this sick idea? Is it Dion? Did he accept me as a p*****t for his debts to this family? Or does he even know the extent of the suffering I would face here? Or perhaps it's someone else?

But regardless, what more can I expect from this place? Isn't this enough? They think I'm part of this family when I'm fully aware and in control of my mind. They are the ones who are deluded, and if I stay here any longer, I fear I will lose my sanity.

Days pass slowly. Manang Imelda, and Suzeth helped with my bruises. They don't need to ask who did this to me; they already know but remain silent. They try to engage me in casual conversation, but I'm too physically and mentally exhausted to chit-chat with them. I've grown tired of asking because they always respond with a shake of their heads as if they're programmed to do that annoying action. A pregnant silence follows it.

It has been days since Mr. Montevalles and his son were home. As rude as it may sound, I feel like the people here are patching me up so he can play with me again when they return. I want to laugh at that thought, but the dread of it being the truth stops me from making fun of myself.

My eyes remain fixated on the floor as I enter the kitchen. It's dinnertime, and as much as I hate leaving my room, I'm starving and can't afford to uphold my pride any longer. Usually, the food is brought to my room, but I rarely eat it. Now, my stomach is punishing me with hunger.

My thoughts wander as I keep my eyes on my plate. I notice Manang Imelda smiling at me, but I have no interest in returning the smile. She's been like a mother to me, except she's allowed Mr. Montevalles to beat me to a pulp. She assists me with everything and attends to my needs, but she was nowhere to be found when I needed her to intervene and protect me from Mr. Montevalles' violent outbursts.

Sometimes, when hope feels like it's slipping away, I try to convince myself that maybe this is the best it will ever be. In the past, all I heard was Dion's shouting whenever he was frustrated and drunk. Now, all I hear is deafening silence. But even as that thought crosses my mind, I must brace myself for Mr. Montevalles' return. Yes, I may not be doing anything here besides locking myself in my room, but the thought of enduring more of his cruelty fills me with exhaustion.

"Señor," Lala's voice suddenly interrupts my thoughts. I quickly turn my attention to the dining hall entrance, expecting someone else to accompany him. But no one else appears. I let out a secret sigh of relief. He won't be coming home tonight, granting me a reprieve to heal my bruises.

"Is your dad not coming home today?" Manang Imelda asks casually, seemingly unaware of the fear that has consumed me, as she addresses the "señorito" sitting across from me. His gaze is fixed on me, but I realize he's staring at my lips as I hold them between my teeth. I quickly look away and take a sip of water to divert my attention.

The "señorito" responds to Ate Ime's question nonchalantly, shaking his head. He remains silent as he helps himself to the food on the table. Dressed in a white button-down shirt, he eats quietly, and I follow suit.

I want to stay seated with something other than another potential threat in this family, so I devour my food. I didn't mean to be nosy, but I occasionally steal glances at him. It's hard to miss his unwavering gaze fixated on my every move. I furrow my brow at him, but he doesn't avert his eyes.

"Something wrong?" Manang Imelda asks, despite already knowing the answer. She must be aware of the impending arrival of Mr. Montevalles, and yet she still asks.

I look up at the "señorito" seated across from me. His eyes are still fixed on me, and I can't help but feel a shiver run down my spine.

My knees turn weak, and I instinctively sit back on the chair, trembling. Ate Ime rushes to my side, supporting me in her arms. But my gaze remains locked on the man before me.

"What's wrong?" she asks again, oblivious to the reason for my distress. She should know by now what awaits me when Mr. Montevalles returns, considering she willingly lets him brutalize me. I wanted to voice my frustration, but my fear is overpowering any anger I may feel.

For a moment, I struggle to comprehend the cause of my sudden fatigue, my overwhelming exhaustion. Is it the message itself or the voice that delivered it? Or is it the person behind the voice who uttered those horrifying words?

I can't quite pinpoint the source of my unease amidst these three possibilities. And as I sit there, I realize that my mind is preoccupied with these thoughts, preventing me from even considering the horrors that await me at the hands of Mr. Barron Montevalles.