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Catalina Martinez

'Get back here, now!' I heard his guard yell after me, the thud of his footsteps making me sick, scared.My legs worked faster than my mind. Escaping this dead ass situation was everything I could think about. Body, heart and soul. I decided not to risk a glance to the back, afraid I'd lose it once I do. I continued, hastily running out of the suite lobby. Unfortunately, my legs weren't running as fast as I wanted them to run. The dress my mum had picked out for me wasn't helping at all. A short, black decollete sparkly gown that hugged my body. She made me match it with glossy heels, talking non stop about why I'm supposed to look 'breath taking' for this man. At that time, I never considered the contingency that this man is going to try rape me. I had been so calm, unscathed, trusting my mum's decision. I found myself in front of an elevator. I pressed the button. While I waited for it to open, I turned back, met the angry, icy eyes of a man whose expression alone could kill.

'Where do you think you're going? You can't escape!' his raging voice boomed, making me flinch in fear. My legs wobbled, my heart beating faster each second. He was getting close and the elevator was yet to bulge. My mind worked, so did my heels. I targeted his face and sent my heels flying towards it. He didn't see it coming so it worked a bit. Fortunately, the elevation slid open, I dashed in, pressed the inner button severally, not minding the floor number I chose. The main priority now is to escape from this grumpy, inhumane man.

I watched him from within the elevator as he increased his pace, wanting to get to the elevator in time so as to stop it from closing. My heart raced and I set to plan another escape route if he manages to get to me. Assuagement flooded me, a heavy sigh escaped my lips when the door finally closed, taking her to wherever....

Moments ago, my mother accompanied me here, into that very suite, filling me in on good behavior and etiquettes. What an irony!! She left me with him soon after. I wonder if she knew this was his plan the whole time. He had tried to touch her. Even when I recoiled, he didn't stop. So, I did what I had to do.. I fought. I bit him hard on the arm, simultaneously kicking his almost naked balls in the process. He groaned in pain, relieving me a little from his tight hold. While he still nursed his pain, I fled. His body guard ran after me. Orders from his Ra**st boss.

He had caught up with me once, knocked me off my feet, sent me flying to the hard ground. He dragged me with my back on the floor. Thanks to him, I sustained a severe scratch on my bare elbow.

Again, I gained ground, fighting away from the psychopath. It was until then, I managed to make it to the elevator.

...I caught a glimpse of myself through the elevator mirror. I looked a whole mess. I collected a tissue from my purse, did small cleaning with it. It didn't make me look better but I looked better. The elevator door came open, revealing the entrance to another suite. I froze, concentrated, waiting for sounds. There was none. The place was in cementry silence. I started to doubt if anyone was in this suite. I could use it for the mean time till I'm sure it's safe to go outside. I twisted the door knob. Only to find it locked. I removed one of the numerous pin mum used to style my hair, inserted it into the key hole. Kylie was the one who taught me this trick some months back when we were trying to break into our boss's office to get few Dollars for ourselves after he refused to pay us for working extra time. It took a little long but we succeeded. My insides jumped excitedly when I heard the door click in response. I twisted the doorknob again. This time it bulged. While I tried to make a quiet entry, my legs stumbled on an obstacle. I crashed to the ground aggressively. Amidst all the wariness, I enjoyed the floral aroma the suite provided.

I was so dumb to have not noticed a figure standing by the window side. It wasn't just any figure by the way. It was Miato once again. He was staring at me like I was a mad woman on the loose. His eyes roamed over me, carefully examining my body proportion and current state. I felt embarrassed. This was definitely not going to end well. I became conscious of myself. My clothes are literally hanging in bad proportion, my long silk hair scattered, sticking to the sweats which covered both sides of my face. Why does he have to see me like this?!I

I returned my gaze to the floor, my cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. I couldn't face him.. not with the way he was looking at me. I said nothing else and proceeded to the exit. Almost there, my knees buckled and my legs gave in, causing me to crash to the ground.

Miato rushed to my aid, grabbing my up with his right hand. I was aware of the closeness... of the heat radiating from his muscular body. I got tempted to lean into it. It was once my safe place, after all. I expected him to let me go. Rather than doing that, he touched the base of my jaw, raised my head up so we lock glances.. I whimpered fearfully when I noticed the look on his face. Dark, stoic, angry. The way his jaw muscles ticked, it was easy to note how unpleased he was.

'I.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..' i started to apologize till he cut me out

'Tell me, Lina. Who the hell did this to you?'

~Catalina Martinez~

My chest tightened at his proclamation. What am I supposed to tell him? That my mum set me up on a blind date and I almost got raped? I couldn't do that else I'd be putting both my mum's life and the ra**st's life on the line. I shifted back, created enough space between us.

'Nobody did this to me... I'm fine' my voice trembled as I spoke.

'Talk to me Lina.. I'll find them, make them crawl at your feet and beg for forgiveness...' he calmly implored. He wasn't having my 'I'm fine' response. No one in their right senses would believe me anyways.

I left the suite without a backward glance. No way I'm dealing with this again. I'd just go home, tell my mum about it. I'm sure she will take legal actions against the criminal. I heard Miato come after me. That didn't make me stop or wait. I continued heading for the elevator.

'I'll drive you home'

My mind told me to decline but my body refused. I needed the favor. It's just gonna be for today.

'You wanna go to the boutique and get some other dress?'

'No... It is okay.'

We got to the underground, private garage of the hotel. I let him lead me to where his vehicle was packed. He stopped beside a dark blue, latest model Tesla. It beeped when he pressed his car remote.

'Get in' He ordered, distractedly looking towards the elevator where a man emerged from with his envoy surrounding him.

I followed his line of sight and froze when I saw who it was. The scumbag from minutes ago!! My heart skipped a beat if not two, I scanned around, searching for where to hide but it was already too late. He saw me. His eyes pierced mine. Those black eyes staring at me unforgivingly and emotionlessly. He flexed his jaw, gritting his teeth, his hands balled up in a fist.

I thought frantically for a way out, should I run away or just wait. Miato wasn't a Saint or a saviour in shining armor but I knew he wouldn't let me get hurt. Deciding the former was a good idea. I told myself to count to fifteen and make a dash for it.

He continued staring at me, not breaking eye contact. He brought a cigarette to his lips, one of his men lighted it for him then he took a deep breath and released a puff of smoke in to the air in my direction.

" Five.... Four..... threee.... Two..."

He stomped on the cigarette with his shoes, this time he directed his gaze at Miato who equally discharged a malice, death glare. It was as if they knew each other... Like they've once had an unpleasant experience together causing them to despise themselves. The aura was tensed. Too charged for my liking.

Abruptly, he moved, headed for his own vehicle, his envoy followed not without glaring at me scornfully especially the one I threw my heels at earlier. I released a breath and doubled over in relief. Miato frowned at my reaction.

'Are you okay?'

" Yes, I am." It came off harsher than I intended.

" You don't look okay. Is it because of him' whether he feigned ignorance to the harshness of my voice or he didn't notice at all. I couldn't tell.

'I'm fine' I reassured

I was all sweaty and my insides shook as well, same as the outside.

Jeez...... I have just written my own death sentence and it is without doubt that this man won't let it go. I know the likes of him.

But the question is how far can he go and how well would I be able to endure whatever he is going to throw my way. One thing is certain though, amongst all, He is never having me! No matter what!!

I checked my phone and realized I've had missed calls and enough voice mails. They were all from my mother.. I really wanted to fill her in on everything that happened but for now, I wanted some time alone. I hoped she was away from home so I can atl least have sometime to myself. Soon after, Miato dropped me off a mile away from my house. I requested that he dropped me here. I trekked the remaining mile home.

My dream vanished when I almost reached the front door and met the lights on. Quickly I squatted to avoid being seen and crawled to the side of the house, under the window.

Getting my feet to work, I climbed the wall, an art I managed to learn in self defense in case I wanted run away from my mother or come in without being noticed. Thankfully, my window was open, making it much easier for me to manipulate.

For some reason, I kept falling. My grip not firm. It almost felt like the wall was slippery

I put in all my strength and tried again. Halfway up my window, I fell back to the ground.Exactly four trials later, I managed to climbed in through the window.

Exhausted, I fell with a thud on the floor of my room, grunting in pain.

"Welcome back darling."

I froze, scrambled up to my feet to see for myself who just spoke. The owner of the voice is sitted on the edge of my bed, smiling at me humorlessly.

I stuttered, struggling to get the next words out of my mouth. "Mo...mo.... mother?"

I braced myself, soothing my self with the reality that I did nothing wrong exactly.

" I .. I d... di.... didn't expect to s... see you here!" I stated, stumbling on my words yet again.

" But here I am darling.. stuck in the mess you caused" she growled at me.

'Now, tell me honey, why you chose to come in through your window" she demanded.

I smacked my lips, searched through my head for an excuse I could come up with but I failed miserably.

My mum rose to her feet, standing upright with her hands on the hips.

" I'll not let you bring disgrace to my name Lina, not in this life or the next" her mum added as she moved to the window and bolted it shut.