His Collateral

Chapter 1

Wake up Bella! Wake up!

"Just a few more minutes. I haven't slept this long in months."

"I said WAKE UP!"

"Just a-...That voice... that's..."

Before I am able to register what's happening I feel something wet and cold on my skin. I jolt up to see Marion by my bed with a bucket in her hand. I look down and I am completely soaked, as well as my sheets.

"Breakfast isn't going to serve itself now, is it?" She smirked

I looked at her in disbelief, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

"Be down in 15." She ordered before throwing the bucket on the floor and walking out of the room. I quickly got out of my bed and ran into the bathroom. It wasn't much of a bathroom though. It had just a shower head, a sink, a WC and a small drainage in the corner where water could flow out after my bath. I took a cold shower since I barely ever got hot water up here then I dried myself with a towel. I stood before the half mirror in my room while dressing up and I couldn't help but notice the fresh long scars that stretched across my back to my waist.

Flashback...
"You ruined my dress you brat!" Marion yelled while I screamed in pain. Her belt continuously coming in contact with my back.

"I... I'm s..sorry it was an a- accident." I stutter tears streaming down my face. But in-fact, it was no accident. I was busy ironing Marion's dress in the laundry room when Luca crept up behind me. He held my hand in place with the iron in it straight on Marion's dress while his other hand pressed my neck tightly.

"You have no idea what you do to me Bella." He whispered.

"Let me go Luca please." I pleaded but instead he pressed my hand further into the dress. His hold on my neck not loosening. I began to feel out of breathe and his tight grip was definitely going to leave a mark. Then he finally let go.

"Catch you later Barbie doll." He whispered before walking out of the room. I quickly turned off the iron and lifted it from Marion's dress. It was completely ruined.
Flashback over.

A tear had already slipped out the corner of my eye as I stared at my body.

Suck it up Bella. Breakfast isn't going to serve itself.

Recalling Marion's words, I quickly threw on a black cotton knee length gown with cap sleeves before drying my hair and rolling it up in a bun. Then I wore my slippers and rushed downstairs.
Marion was seated in the living room and she gave me a hard glare as I walked by her. I avoided her gaze as much as I could and left for the kitchen to start with breakfast.
Few minutes later I had the table all setup and was ready to serve breakfast.
Uncle Aldo and Aunt Theresa walked in . They seemed to be discussing something important. Marion had also joined the table after which I began serving. I was almost done when Luca walked into the dining room and took a seat across Marion.

"Late again Luca?" Aunt Theresa asked staring at him intently.

"Slept in, had a busy day yesterday." He said smirking at me. I wanted to puke. I walked over to his side of the table to serve his breakfast. I had put two slices of bread on his plate and was just about to pour his coffee when I felt a pair of hands in between my legs. My eyes darted to Luca who had a smug look in his face. His hands roamed around my thighs while I quivered in fear. I looked at him with pleading eyes but he kept going deeper. I picked up the coffee mug trying to act as natural as possible when he squeezed my thighs causing me to almost spill the coffee on Marion.

"Can't you do one single thing right?" Marion snapped causing Luca to take his hands out of my thighs.

"I...I'm sorry."

She was about to continue yelling when uncle Aldo interrupted her.

"Listen everyone." He said drawing our attentions.

"I would be hosting a get together this evening. A few well known business men and women of course will be in attendance and I would need the both of you to be on your best behavior." He said looking at Luca.

"And you, Bella." He added turning to me

"You are not to be seen nor heard. You will prepare dinner and stay up in your room afterwards till the party is over. Is that clear?"

"Yes uncle." I slowly nodded and everyone went back to eating their breakfast while I ate mine in the kitchen since I wasn't allowed to eat with them on the dining. Afterwards, I cleared the m table and began the preparations for tonight's party. It took a few hours to prepare the dishes that Aunt Theresa had requested be made for the party and I had totally lost track of time.

I was just carrying over the last bowl of food to the dining table when Aunt Theresa approached me.

"Leave immediately. Your uncles guests have started arriving and the last thing I want is to answer any questions about you." She said. I slowly nodded my head and left for my room. I took a shower and changed into something a bit comfy before crashing onto the bed. I laid there staring at the ceiling, the soft jazz music coming from the party downstairs echoing all over my room.

I really wanted to see what was going on down there. I had never really been to a party like that before and not to mention a lot of rich people were there as well. I contemplated sneaking out to get a glimpse of what was happening and staying put in my room. Deciding on the latter, I got off my bed and slowly worked my way through the doors. I stood towards the bottom of the stairs, in a corner making sure keep out of the eyes of both the guests and my family.

I watched as they all moved about in clothes that screamed rich and expensive. Marion was no different except she wore a more revealing outfit. My eyes followed her as she talked to one of the men who appeared to be well off as well. I couldn't help but listen in on their conversation as Marion took credit for the food. My eyes also spotted uncle Aldo and Aunt Theresa as they conversed with a few guests and it made me a bit glad that I wasn't allowed to come.

I didn't have the right clothes for such an event and I probably wouldn't fit in.

I smiled lightly to myself and slowly made my way up the stairs. I was either too fast or I couldn't see it but I bumped into a flower pot at the corner of the stairs and the shattering noise of ceramic was heard throughout the entire living room.
The murmurs amongst the guests stopped and all eyes were in my direction. They couldn't see me as I was far up the stairs by now but I could see them clearly and aunt Theresa didn't look happy neither did uncle Aldo.
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