The Debt

Chapter 4

          The door opens and I exit the car quickly, hoping that no one will touch me. Someone grabs my arm and 'helps' me toward the front door of the biggest house I have ever seen; and my house wasn't exactly the smallest house in the world. Nothing like this. The house exterior is amazing, nothing like the inside which I soon find out. The door closes behind me and my arm is free. 

          "Come with me," a voice calls out to my side. A man who is probably around twenty-five is standing their staring at me, waiting for me to move. I cross my arms nervously as I follow him to who knows where. I bite my lip anxiously while he talks to me a little, though I don't reply. He stops and sighs. 

          "No one is going to hurt you here. Please understand this," he says softly, putting a hand on my arm and I flinch, tears coming to my eyes. 

          "In here is the kitchen, can you cook?" the man asks me with a glint of hope in his eyes. I almost didn't realise he was talking to me as he spoke so kindly. I nod quickly and he smiles joyfully. 

          "You have no idea how glad I am about that. The girls cook here. Most of them are dreadful," he announces quietly, hoping that just I hear him. I know he's trying to make me smile, so I do as he wants, scared to make anyone angry. It's not his fault I'm here after all. As far as I can tell he has no liking for what goes on here, but I've only just got here so I don't know anything yet. 

          "Oi Dante I heard that!" shrieks a voice from further inside the kitchen. She leans on the side of the fridge as she looks at me. 

          "They just keep getting younger don't they?" she asks, to herself or to me I wasn't quite sure, so I bite my lip nervously. She shrugs and gesture I sit down.

          "GIRLS GET IN HERE!" bellows the lady and I jump at the sound. I feel a hand on my waist and I freeze and Dante quickly lets me go when he sees my reaction. He looks at me apologetically and I smile at him to say that it's fine. He sits next to me which I don't mind, I know he means no harm. 

         "Gee Amara do you need to shout? I was up all night with a splitting headache . . . why who do we have here?" questions a girl with bright purple hair. She looks like she has a tough exterior but she is probably lovely. Another girl comes out of no where and I receive a massive hug from a girl who looks to be only a couple of years older than I am. 

          "Now we have Sarah, Amara, Lilliana - but you can call her Lilli - and last but no means least me . . .  Karoline. Don't worry you'll fit right in," says Karoline, looking at me sweetly.

          "At least ask her name Karo! Guys this is Siena. She's young so look after her okay?" Dante demands softly to the girls. Sarah I think it is asks me if I've seen my room yet. My room? I shake my head and she grabs my hand and drags me out of the room joyfully. I look back at the girls and I notice they are talking about themselves quietly, looking at me concerned. 

          We turn a corner as she speaks, and I walk into a room that has the most lovely shade of beige on the walls. The room is simple but grand at the same time. The bed is massive and there is a whole bathroom just for me. At home I shared with my sisters. There are curlers and straighteners. Shampoos and conditioners. Shavers and so much other things. 

         "Don't worry about them, you're new but they will calm down soon. So tell me why you are here?" she questions, cocking her head to the side curiously. 

          "My family didn't have the money that the Mafia's son wanted. He - . . ."

          "He was there himself? Gee it must have been an awful lot of money that they owed. Sorry that was an awful thing for me to say. You understand what it means for you to be here?" she asks, looking at me with sudden seriousness.