Page 11 of From My Past
“Oh, okay.”
“I have a fever. With medicine. So, I think it will be a few days.” I looked at my face, taking inventory of the damage and I knew that I would be hurting and covering bruises for days.
“I’m sorry, Talia. Feel better.” Mark said, his voice so full of sympathy that I almost felt bad for lying to him. But with one look at my face, I knew it would bring far too many questions, too much attention about my relationship than I could have right now.
“I will, thank you.” I hung up and sat down with my back against the wall and brought my knees up in front of me so I could rest my head on my knees.
I was stuck. Forever stuck.
* * *
“Get your fat ass ready, we’re going out.” Luca yells at me through the door as his fist pounds against the wood, shocking me awake. My face had gone from sore to burning, sore and painful as I had cried myself to sleep against the tiled floor of the bathroom. Based on how sore my body is from laying against the hard floor, I’d been asleep for a long time.
“Answer me!” His fist rains down on the door again and I jump away.
“Yes, I hear you. How long do I have to get ready? Where are we going?” I asked, my voice squeaking.
“We’re going to a bar. Make sure you’re dressed to the nines, you better look hot. You have an hour.” He barked and then I heard the heavy steps of him leaving before I let out a deep breath.
The first thing I needed to do was shower, then I would have to focus on covering up the damage to my face.
I’d do what I’d have to do for my sister to ensure her safety and freedom, even if it was for a crime she didn’t actually commit.
* * *
I’d dragged myself into the shower and done everything that I knew was expected of me. I shaved, exfoliated, moisturized, and made sure to bathe myself in the very specific perfume Luca wanted me to wear at all times when out in public.
He wanted to control my every aspect of being. What I wore, where I worked, what I ate, when I slept, what I drank, who I met with, and every little thing in between. At first, it was so subtle, I didn’t notice it happening. A comment here, a suggestion there, always added with a smile and a kiss. Then it turned more obvious. He would order my meals and drinks for me, would talk for and over me, went over my head for important decisions we should have made together. These were always met with an argument between us, nasty words being said as I made myself and my wants known. That’s when the hitting started, a slap, a rough shove, a bruising grip on my arm. But I always thought that it was an emotion that he couldn’t control, he was so apologetic after. Luca would shower me with love and gifts, apologizing as much as he could. Then my sister was beaten and he had something to hold over my head to keep me there, regardless of what he did. It was like the last piece he needed to ensure that he could do whatever he wanted and I wouldn’t leave. The love, the romance, the apologies; they all vanished. Left only with the bad.
Luca was the Italian Mafia Prince and if I valued my life or the life of my sister and family, I had to play my role. So, I do. I’m trapped with no one to help me. And even if I did have someone to help, I wouldn’t pull them in and give Luca and his family one more person to hurt.
I spent an insane amount of time and makeup to cover the bruising which had deepened to a dark purple and would be so much worse tomorrow, and my eye was definitely swollen, almost shut. I did my best to cover it, but there wasn’t anything I could do to hide the swelling. I had curled my long blonde hair to perfection and put on a tight, little black dress. One that Luca had deemed ‘slutty’ but still was long enough to provide me some coverage.
I set my bronzer brush down and stepped back to admire my work. As terrible, awful and used as I felt on the inside, my outer appearance was passable as someone who was happy and taken care of.
“Are you ready yet?” Luca’s voice was harsh and short as he hit the door, signaling the end of my hour time limit.
“Yes.” I croaked.
“Good, get out here.”
I took a deep breath and smoothed my hair back, off my shoulders. I hoped that there wasn’t anything wrong with my appearance, I don’t think I could take any more hits.
I opened the bathroom door and slowly stepped out for inspection. Luca had changed into his going-out uniform; his too-tight skinny jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt that he layered with thick necklaces. The overall look was very popular and polished, but on him, it screamed false. Like he was trying too hard to be something he wasn’t.
Like a good person.
“About time.” He muttered and pulled my wrist so that my whole body fell towards him.
“Is this the best you could do?” He snapped, gesturing to my makeup. Instead of talking back and telling him to fuck right off like I wanted to, I just nodded.
“I guess it will have to work.”
“Where are we going?” I said with a soft voice.
“To meet some of my college buddies who are interested in joining the restaurant.” He said and I stumbled in my heels as he shoved me towards the front door. I didn’t need a purse or a phone, Luca wouldn’t let me order anything I would want anyway.
“I didn’t think you handled recruitment.”
