Chapter 35

I took his arm and we went inside. The ballroom was enormous, and it was packed with peoplewearing expensive jewelry and clothing. People were talking, but when they realized who Andrewwas, the entire room fell silent.

I tightened my grip on his hand because my nerves were getting the better of me, but whenAndrew's hand squeezed back, and I immediately let go of my tension because he was the only manin whom I had complete trust. Despite the fact that the feeling never left, I straightened my backand lifted my head to show everyone that I knew I was important, that I knew my worth, and that Iwouldn't accept anything less.

Andrew simply nodded, and the rest of the room went on with their conversation. When I lookedaround the ballroom, I noticed that all the women my age were staring at Andrew and glaring atme.

I gripped him even tighter, letting everyone know that I was with him and that I will not be leavinganytime soon.

"I have some business to discuss; you can stay here or go to the bar." Andrew said as he lookeddown at me.

"I'll accompany you." I expressed my displeasure with the way some of the men were looking at me.Andrew must have noticed because he leaned in and whispered, "If any man other than me touchesyou, I will put a bullet between their eyes.”

He drew me into his embrace by wrapping his hand around my waist. I smiled up at him, feelingsecure in his grasp.

"How are you, Andrew?" A man said approaching us.

"Arthur," Andrew stated.

"And who exactly is this?" Looking at me, the man inquired.

"This is no one of your concern. Have you received my shipment?" Andrew inquired, his griptightening around me.

"It will arrive tomorrow." said the man.

"Fine, you'll get paid when it arrives.” You may leave now if there is nothing else to discuss.” Andrewsaid, sounding completely bored.

After the man left, two more older men arrived and discussed "business" with him.

Andrew let go of me and faced me after one of the guys left. "Do you want to dance?” Andrewinquired

"l have no idea how to dance.” I confessed.

"And you couldn't let me know before we went to the ball?" Andrew inquired.

"It didn't seem pertinent.” Shrugging my shoulders, I said.

"It's impossible for you.” He said grinning and taking my hand in his.

He led me to the center of the dance floor, wrapped one hand around my waist, and held my handwith the other.

I began to dance by imitating his movements. I swayed to the music as he led me through the song.When the song ended, he escorted me off the dance floor. "I believe I can dance very well." I saidwith a smile.

"Or you just have a fantastic teacher.” He remarked sarcastically.

"You're right," I said, pecking his lips.

"Andrew." Behind me, a stern voice said.

Andrew wrapped his arm around my waist and swung me to his side, tightening his grip as the manapproached.

The man was old enough to be my father, but he was still intimidating.

Andrew said coldly, "Uncle."

Uncle?

"I need to speak with you about business, so your little whore must depart.” The gentleman hissed."She'll stay, and if you call her that again, I'll rip your head off your neck.” Andrew snarled.

"It's fine, I just need some fresh air. I'll be outside.” I informed Andrew. I didn't need Andrew toargue with his uncle about me.

I made my way through the ballroom until I came to the door.

I dashed outside and breathed in the fresh air.

My shoulders relaxed and my chest dropped. There was a certain beauty in being alone outside; youwere free to do whatever you wanted without fear of being judged. There was nothing but you andthe sky.

I looked up at the sky, admiring all the beautiful stars, each twinkling with their own beauty, only tobe surrounded by darkness

"Good day, pretty little thing.” A man said in a sinister tone

When I turned around, I saw a man evilly ginning in front of me.

Then it all went black.

I could hardly open my eyes because my head was pounding. I opened my eyes to adjust to thedarkness after feeling a hard cold surface beneath me.

My last memory is going outside and seeing a man before everything went black. The person isRobert. My eyes widened as I realized Robert had kidnapped me. I needed to get out of here assoon as possible.

I was lying on the floor in a small room with no furniture and a metal door on the other side. Theroom was nearly identical to the one Sylvester had kept me in.

I pushed myself up and stood up, almost passing out from the throbbing pain in the back of myhead.

I stumbled over to the door, tripping twice over my dress. When I realized the door was locked, Itried to open it but was unsuccessful.

"She's awake, boss."

Someone on the other side of the door said.

"Fuck."

I walked to the center of the room, knowing they wouldn't let me out without a fight. I decided toplay the weak card, and when they got close enough, I would grab their gun and flee. That is,assuming they had any on them.

I heard footsteps approaching the door and keys jingling together. I watched as the door openedand three men entered the room.

It was Robert and the two men from the alleyway who took my breath away. Robert was in themiddle, with two men on either side of him, all of whom appeared to be ready to kill me.

All of my strength had been drained from me; I didn't stand a chance; the two men both knew whatI was capable of, and they were prepared for me this time.

"Baby, you're finally awake." Robert said, sending chills down my spine.

"Do not address me as such.” I replied.

Robert clenched his fist and stormed over to me, fire in his eyes. "Don't argue with me." He hissedand smacked me across the face. His strike pricked my cheek, and I collapsed to the floor in agony."That should have taught you a lesson.” He said, squatting down in front of me.

"What in the world do you want from me?" I said, my gaze fixed on him.

"Not just yet, baby.” Robert stood up and turned to face the two men.

"These two men will now take excellent care of you.” He returned his attention to me.

I shifted my focus away from Robert and toward the two men who were approaching me. With thetwo men only a few meters away, I scrambled to my feet.

As I stood up, I heard Robert chuckle, which made the hairs on my back stand up. "I'll be back, don'tcause too much damage to her.” He gave a snarl.

"Yes, sir." The tattooed man stated.

I heard Robert's footsteps leave the room and the door close behind him, leaving me alone with thetwo men.

"This is payback for the alleyway.” One of them said, swinging at me. His fist collided with the sideof my face, causing me to back up a few steps; he hit like Sylvester.

The thought made me freeze. Will I be alive for the rest of my life, or will they kill me?

My body had collapsed to the ground and refused to move, so when the man hit me again, I simplyaccepted it. They continued to kick and punch my stomach, ribs, and upper body over and over.

I cried in agony from the blows until I went numb and my mind began to shut down my body. Themen continued to kick and punch me, but I couldn't feel them hitting me anymore, so I stoppedscreaming.

After a while, the two men became bored with me because I wasn't screaming anymore, and theysummoned Robert.

When I heard the door open and Robert walk in, I was still hunched over on the floor.

"Aw, you're not as pretty as you used to be." Robert said as he approached where I was lying."What exactly do you want?" I crocked, raising my head with all the strength I could muster.

"I'm going to call Andrew, and you're going to scream, and if you don't, I'm going to kill you." Hemotioned for one of the men to hand him the phone.

"Why?" I inquired. Why did he require me to yell for Andrew?

"Because then he will try to save you." Robert smirked and reached for a phone, dialing a number."Why do you want to kill Andrew?" I croaked, still lying on the ground curled up.

"I don't want to kill him, baby; I just want to torture him by killing you, and then I'll torture and killhim." Robert elaborated.

I couldn't scream. Andrew was a good person who had Dalia and his mother. I couldn't live if he waskilled as a result of my actions. I wouldn't scream, and death didn't frighten me; I'd rather die thansee Andrew die.

Robert took the phone and placed it on speaker, putting it between us.

Ring...

Ring...

Please do not pick up Andrew.

Ring...

"Who is this?" Andrew growled on the other end of the phone.

I missed his voice; he was enraged. But knowing that he was safe gave me strength.

"It's been a while, Andrew." Robert stated.

"YOU. WHERE IS SHE?" Andrew yelled.

"She's right here with me, and just for kicks, I'll let you hear her.” Robert said this as he drew a gunand placed it on my head. He wanted to scare me with the prospect of death.

I kept my mouth shut and returned my gaze to Robert, assuring him that I would not scream."WHERE IS SHE?" Andrew yelled.

Robert removed the gun from my head and punched my ribcage with his other hand; he had hit meharder than Sylvester or the two men. In pain, I screamed.

"IF YOU TOUCH HER, I WILL KILL YOU." After hearing me scream, Andrew screamed through thephone.

I noticed Robert shift his gaze from me to the phone, his gun still in his hand. This was myopportunity.

"This i-." I snatched Robert's gun from his grasp, taking him by surprise. I took the gun and shotRobert in the stomach while he was still lying on the floor.

"AVA!" Andrew yelled from the phone.

The two men on the other side of the room pulled out their guns and, before I could shoot them,one shot the side of my stomach and the other shot the phone.

I sobbed and placed my hand over the spot where he had shot me. I aimed and shot both of themin the neck before they could shoot me again

I saw them both fall to the floor, blood pooling beneath them. As I tried to stand up, I winced inpain and fell back onto the floor.

My body was no longer numb, but adrenaline was coursing through me, preventing me frompassing out from the pain.

When I looked down, I saw that my stomach was bleeding through my dress and that I couldn'tbreathe properly, most likely due to my broken ribs.

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