Mafia's African Rose

Liberation

     I woke up feeling drained, memories of last night flooding back. My body ached, and my backside throbbed with soreness. I noticed I was now wearing pajamas, though I didn't recall putting them on. As the pain sank in, tears welled up. Standing before the mirror, I glimpsed the redness across my skin and replayed his words in my mind, "I couldn't get turned on by you." For some reason, that stung the most.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Quickly wiping my tears, I opened it.

"Alexa," I greeted her, my voice quiet.

"Hi, Angel." She took one look at me and immediately noticed my puffy, tear-streaked face. "What happened?"

"I'm fine," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Respecting my space, she didn't press. "Come shopping with me," she suggested, her tone light.

"That would be nice, but..." I started.

"No buts—Alexio agreed," she said cheerfully.

His name alone made me wince. I shook my head. "I don't want to. I'm fine."

She looked at me with understanding, sensing my hesitation. "Will you at least come down for breakfast?" she asked hopefully.

Though I wasn't hungry, I nodded out of politeness. She smiled. "Let me get you something comfortable to wear," she said, heading off.

"Alexa," I called after her, "something loose, please."

Sitting down for breakfast was painful. I felt physically and emotionally drained. I had no appetite for my favorite pasta, and to my relief, he wasn't here. Alexa chatted animatedly with a man named Luca, her cousin, and another man with strikingly long, healthy hair named Damon. She introduced me to them, but I just nodded, avoiding any interaction that could lead to more scorn.

"So, Angel, what part of Africa are you from?" Damon asked, his tone casual.

"Nigeria," I replied simply, going back to forcing myself to eat. I barely had a moment before the Boss entered, accompanied by Austin and Leon. I didn't bother to look up, keeping my gaze focused on my plate.

"Good morning, bro," Alexa greeted him warmly. Luca and Damon echoed her.

I remained focused on my food, hoping I'd go unnoticed. But Austin's cheerful voice broke the silence. "Hey, Angel! You look like you've been crying all night."

A hollow laugh escaped me. "Well, isn't that what bitches like me deserve?" I said, my tone sharp. Austin's face fell in understanding, and he quickly busied himself with his own meal.

Then, the Boss's deep, commanding voice broke through the room, directed at Alexa. "Still planning on going shopping today?"

I couldn't bear being in his presence a moment longer. I stood abruptly, a bit too forcefully, gripping the loose floral dress Alexa had lent me. The fabric flowed freely, my soreness not allowing me to wear anything tighter. My face flushed, but I kept my composure as I walked away, each step a reminder of the soreness, each sway noticed.

As I left, I felt his gaze bore into my back, intense and unrelenting.

     I'm so bored, I'd rather be working than sitting here doing nothing. I've slept, I've paced around, and now I'm losing my mind. Just then, Alexa's voice called out, "Angel!" Grateful for the distraction, I rushed outside, desperate to shake off this boredom.

"I know you must be dying of boredom—come with me, let's Netflix and chill," she said, smiling.

"You're a lifesaver," I replied, smiling back sincerely, which made her laugh.