MERCY

t w o

PRESENT DAY

D A R I A N - 11 PM

Twisting my car keys before pulling them out, I momentarily glanced at myself in the rearview mirror and fixated on my reflection. 'This is the face of a man who cheats on his wife, huh' I looked the same, but I feel dirty.

How would I even face her, my lovely wife who had done nothing but stay devoted to me? I can't face her. I can't do it.

Taking my phone from the dashboard. I called Lila, but she didn't pick up.

I left her a voicemail.

"Hey, work is taking a bit longer. I'll sleep in a nearby hotel tonight since I'm too tired to drive. Love you, bye."

'Do I even love her?... I swear I'm starting to go crazy. Staring from my driver-side window. My vision set on my front door, which had my wife and kids in sleeping or waiting up for me. I quickly ignited the car when I saw the bedroom light turn on and drove off, leaving a trail of regret behind. I didn't know where I was going but who could I blame for my despair except myself?

R O S A L I N E - 1 :0 6 A M 

Sighing, I opened the door to my penthouse, holding my heels in one hand. Only to be welcomed to the sight of Sailor sleeping in front of the fireplace. With our Shih Tzu cat Alice. Alice came running towards me, her furry body going past my leg.

'I'm so tired, Alice," I said letting out a yawn and she purred at me in response. As I carried Alice in my arms, I slowly set her on the kitchen tabletop. Opened our white fridge looking for something good to eat, but nothing did it for me, so I brought out a leftover cheese and ham sandwich. 'I should reorder our grocery list' peeking down at Alice's food supply 'and more food for the cat'.

My eyelids grew heavy with fatigue. I started to feel dirty like ants were crawling all over for me with a remedy only a shower could fix, but that can wait until morning. Humming a song I heard on the car radio, I searched our spare blanket closet and fluffed it out before placing it carefully over Sailor. Lowering my head to kiss him on his forehead and then walking to our bedroom and into my personal walk-in closet.

"It's so messy in here," I whispered in disgust while creating a walking path by pushing the clothes to the side with my foot. Undressed in the mirror, I stared at the fresh red marks on my neck with annoyance. 'I guess I'm not showering with Sailor for the week. I'll wear a turtleneck tomorrow'. I threw on a shirt and pyjama shorts and went to my bedroom. Sitting on the bed, both hands on either side of me. I stared past the window and blankly looked at the gorgeous view of Chicago that I was getting tired of seeing.

I quickly fetched a glass of water from the kitchen and put it on my nightstand. Then took two pills prescribed by my doctor. The side effect I usually experience from it, loss of balance, started to kick in. I slowly slipped into bed, falling asleep.

......

R O S A L I N E  -  P E N T H O U S E   3 AM

My eyes shot open, instantly looked at my alarm clock. 3 am. Soothed because I knew the time, I started to look for the cause of my awakening. Someone was calling me.

Grabbing my phone in annoyance, taking one look at the name: No Caller ID, I instantly answered.

No Caller ID: "Did you do it?"

R: Yeah, did you get the proof you needed?"

No Caller ID: Mhm, we got the footage to blackmail him. All thanks to you, Rosaline."

R: "Look, I can't keep getting involved with you people, even if my father had ties to underground operations. It doesn't mean you have to involve me."

No Caller ID: "I own you, Rosaline, remember that. All the wealth you have now doesn't mean shit to me. Your father still owes us so until that dirty work is complete. You will remain working for me. I could have given one of my men that little high-paid desk job of yours, but I gave it to you."

R: "It's my own father's company; I got it because I'm the heir, it's my right, how dare you!"

No Caller ID: Chuckling in a deep voice, he spat at me. "Correction, you got it because your daddy left his company to my organization. It's a cover-up for money laundering it wouldn't ever go to you, you're just the best visual disguise, Miss Silver Spoon."

Then the phone call was cut, and I was left staring into the dark abyss of my room. My only company is the windy noise outside now.

"Miss Silver Spoon huh."

My fingernails dug into my palm as I tried to blink away the tears that I could feel forming in my eyes. I've never met the man at the end of that call. I don't know his name or anything about his organization. He gives me tasks to do and I have to do them in the name of my father and his underground operations or a missing police report would be sent with my name.

I'll gain my freedom back and relive a normal life instead of having to fuck my employees because of a phone call, I swear it. I will never be anyone's slave or do their dirty work, starting today. Crawling back into bed, I glanced at my alarm clock and hoped my wish would come true.