NYLAH
Arianna's sober expression made me tear up. The moment she opened the door after knocking on it a couple of times, I couldn't stop myself from tearing up.
Without any words, she embraced me in a warm hug. Holding me in her embrace for minutes, she didn't say anything, neither of us did. We just stood there, holding each other so closely, letting the tears flow uncontrollably.
"Why didn't you tell me all the while we were in the hospital together?" she asked when I finished narrating everything to her.
From how I got to dance for Alpha Xavier to my decision to sleep with him, giving him my virginity in the process and then stealing the expensive wristwatch I sold to clear her bills. Up to my current status as his dancer and whore.
She hugged me again when I could reply with a shrug and this time around, it was a hug of pity, regret and guilt.
"Don't blame yourself, Anna, you would have done the same if you were in my position," I said with a weak smile even though deep down, I wanted to break down in tears and tell her I didn't want to stay in that prison of a house anymore and it was horrible staying alone.
I wanted to tell her how I loved the sex I've had with the ruthless Alpha but at the same time, how I felt bad about it. How could I be okay with being treated by a common whore who was only used to satisfy the Alpha's cravings?
"You were going through all that on your own. I was worried sick about you. I didn't know where to go or how to start my search. I knew from the moment they knocked on my doors that it was nothing good." Her worried voice cut through my thoughts, making me smile at her. But the smile was a stark contrast to the deep pain I felt in my heart.
"There was nothing you could do. I wanted to come to you but I couldn't even get past the door." I laughed dryly at my own words, remembering the times I tried to leave the room I was locked in, and how many futile efforts I had during my attempts.
"I feel like the cause of all this." Arianna shook her head, a regretful expression on her face.
She threw me a glance, shaking her head with a resolved look.
"Let's run away. We can make it if we go undetected." As she spoke, I shook my head to stop her but she persisted with her words, holding my hands in her to reassure me.
"We just need to plan it without leaving any traces, we can make it. Move to another city, country, continent, anything!" Her voice broke at her last word and she broke down, letting the tears she'd been fighting back flow freely down her face.
"There's no escape, Arianna, what if we get caught? He said he's going to kill you without a trace if he sees me anywhere around your house, I had to plead with him to let me come here today and I was given a--" We both turned to the door where the loud bang came.
"Your time is up! Step outside!" One of the guards announced, making me smile at my friend. A dry smile crossed my face instead of the bright reassuring smile I intended.
"I have to go, take care of yourself. I'll try to see if I can come around once every week." I was unsure of my words and the possibility of keeping to it but it was the best I could do.
As I approached the door and opened it, two guards stood with stiff expressions and it was hard to tell their thoughts or emotions. I wanted to beg them for a little bit more time to ask my friend how she was, healthwise and how she managed without me but decided against it when I saw their faces.
It was as though Rex read my mind by looking at my face, he walked towards me with a playful smile on his face.
"Do you need more time with her?" He asked, still smiling.
I nodded, not sure whether to trust him.
"Give her some more time with her friend. They're ladies, they must have a lot to discuss." Then turning to me, he added, "How's twenty more minutes? I'm sure the boss can understand."
"Thank you." Was all I could make up with my brain processing what just happened before me.
I scurried back into the house and I couldn't be more happier I was given some more minutes to speak with my best friend and ask her about how she'd been faring.
I must have taken twenty or more minutes but none of the guards came to knock or remind me that time was up and it felt like a light in the dark tunnel I was in just shone on me and it shone brightly.
By the time I got to the car waiting for me, I couldn't find him around or in the car. I had to kill every inquisitive thought that pushed me to ask the guards once I saw their ever-stiff faces.
When we got to the massive gate of the enormous house, I could see the guards tense up. And I knew the reason why. They were probably going to be punished for staying past the time that was given to them.
And I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to me if his guards were that tense. I steeled my mind as we approached the building but my tense expression was replaced with relief and inquisition when I saw Rex standing in front of the mansion instead, his hands folded to his back with a wide smile on his face like someone expecting guests.
I disembarked the car and made for the figure who was as mysterious as my fate.
"Relax my lady, the boss is not in." He must've sensed the tense up as well as that was the first thing he said when I closed the distance.
"You-" I began, wanting to ask why he left first but he was a mind reader.
"I decided to come home first to pacify him and it worked. He left for some business and might not return for days." It seemed to me that the broadened smile on his face was more from his last sentence than from his being modest.
"Ohh," I replied, processing his words and what it would mean for me, what I could achieve with those days. Arianna and I could plan an escape and execute it before he came back.
"He left you in my care and I think the earlier I start my job, the better." He said, cutting my thoughts.
Turning around and turning slightly to the back with his hands gesturing me in, he asked.
"I hope you like steak. I asked the chef to put something together for you." He walked ahead of me, leading me to the dining before I could answer his question. I had no idea what his deal was but whatever it was, I was going to use it for my escape plan.