Leila woke up to the sound of noises and indistinct chatters. Music, smoke and the stench of alcohol lingering in the air. She tried to open her eyes, meeting a blurry vision. The atmosphere around her forced her to wake up and she realized that she was hanging up in the air of a stage, inside a golden cage. She was barely wearing any clothes, just a to-match lace panties and bra that barely covered her boobs. Uncomfortable, she didn't understand what was going on around her. How did she get there?The last thing she remembers was that she was arguing with Dominick Castillo and he hit behind her neck which made her pass out. As she tries to stand up, the cage lowers slowly. She heard the people cheering and laughing pleasurably to her current situation. Suddenly, she hears a loud roar and she looks below. "Why is there a fucking lion underneath the cage? Do they want to get her killed?" She asked rhetorically, shocked by it. Leila was furious, what was dominick planning, why did he d
Leila was so scared, the lion grew wilder and it began to hit the cage again. She knew that she couldn't hang on for long. She would die soon, in the hands of a godforsaken lion. Is this the death Dominick has planned for her?Different thoughts ran through her head as she was stuck up there, she saw and noticed the club was slowly emptied. What was going on? Why is everyone leaving?She asked herself rhetorically, Confused and exhausted at the same time. The lion continued to roar and jump, stretching it's paws to get her."Help me!" Leila screamed again, this time, she already gave up. The cage was vibrating, she noticed that some security men were trying to break it open, but the lock was stuck. It continued that way, she tried to climb up, and her leg slipped. Leila screamed out loud and hung onto the net quickly. This was her final struggle and fear gripped her. "Dominick!" She screamed out his name hoping that he would appear and save her from getting eaten to death. The lion
DOMINICKI am sitting at the bar of my penthouse, drowning myself in alcohol as the thoughts of Leila didn't leave me for once. She is inside one of my rooms, probably wailing about her earlier experience with the lion. I only wanted to punish her for slapping and disobeying me. I never meant for it to turn out this way. I regret everything and wish to make it up to her now. Leila was right after all. I've been putting her life in danger ever since we met.I know that she would never forgive me, especially because of this. I picked up the glass in front of me and I poured out more of the ambient liquor on it. I drank more and more glasses of whiskey, hoping that it would be enough to get me drunk. Enough to make me stop reminiscing on what happened to Leila earlier. I also couldn't forgive myself for it.I turned around, staring outside the window. It was dark now, almost nighttime and Leila still hasn't come downstairs. I wanted to see and talk to her again, but I don't think tha
LEILA"I want you to be happy no matter what" I heard Dominick say to me. It was unbelievable for him to say that. I never expected that he'd make this decision on his own. I wanted to be sure that he meant it, that he wouldn't put me under surveillance if I left."I'll leave tomorrow then" I suddenly say,He turned at me, looking stunned. He didn't expect me to leave that quickly. But I really want to be far from him at this point. I am scared of what he might do to me next time I disobey him. Feed me to the crocodiles maybe? I grinned at my silly thoughts while I stared at him. Dominick was busy, drinking the wine I had ordered. I thought he doesn't drink wine. I heard he never does. Why did he drink now?After a while of sitting together at the bar, Dominick was dead drunk and I had no choice but to take him upstairs. "Dominick, I'll help you up now" I stated, carrying him with me. I wrapped his arm around my shoulder while I took him upstairs. He weighed so much, I could barely
LEILAThe sound of my alarm clock ringing dominated my room and made me wake up. I looked towards the window, the morning sun was scorching hot, as if it was a Sunday. I stretched my body and I stood up. Working part-time in different places has never been easy for me, but I was free from the sinful life now. For the past seven days, I've never for once heard the sound of a gun and I had peace. I shoved my foot into my bunny slippers and I headed towards the bathroom to bathe. As I went in, I turned on the water but it barely worked. Only two spots of water fell into the bucket and it stopped. "Argh!" I exclaimed in frustration as I took the bucket from the tap.The water must be off again. I thought to myself as I left the bathroom. I had no choice but to bathe at the coffee shop and also change there. It was just a few blocks away from my apartment. I was lucky to get an apartment near my working place, only the restaurant that I have to spend transport money on. If not for Jason
LEILAThe coffee shop is closing today, after Mr. Chen sells it to a new buyer, I won't be working here anymore. Not unless the buyer decides to employ me in his own will. The truth is, I still wish to work here. I love and have already bonded with this place. It's peaceful, the freshen smell of freshly made coffee, the aesthetic decorations. I really don't think I'll want to leave here even if it gets sold."Leila, aren't you done with this stuff?" I heard Shen say, she was standing in front of me. I raised my gaze and looked at her. She was also as sad as I was, having lost our jobs is so difficult to take in. If I didn't have another part-time job, I would've been regretting my decisions deeply now.I looked down at the wet dirt turned brown rag in my hand, I should've been done cleaning the counter since, but thinking wouldn't let me.Shen soon left to continue with cleaning the kitchen, I hastened my job and soon I was done. I finished mopping the shop too. As I was about to go i
LEILAAs I packed up my bags after I changed from my uniform, Shen walked inside the locker room to inform me about the visitation of our new boss. And that he has decided to let us keep our job with a salary increase. Interesting, right?I turned and looked at her with a dubious stare."Are you serious?" I asked her, I had my doubts. Of course, I had to. Shen isn't someone to tell the truth at all times. I can never forget how she tricked me into doing her job once. Shen nodded and she answered me quickly."Yes,""Matter of fact, he'll be here in a few minutes" she informed me. I watched Shen rush out of the locker room. I focused on what I was doing, I am still packing up to leave. Not because I didn't accept the job, I just don't think that it's awkward for someone who doesn't even know the situation of the coffee shop to suddenly want to raise our salaries. I finished packing up and I went outside the dressing room— to the shop. Just when I arrived I met Mr. Chen speaking with s
DOMINICKI stepped out of the office pulling out my gun and aiming it at the direction where the gunshots came from. More bullets shot past me and I laid down quickly, dodging them. I looked around the place, hoping to see the old Chinese man and girl. Many of the tables were turned upside down, while some blocked my view. I think they might be hiding behind one of them.Just as I thought about it,"Pssst" I heard a whisper and I looked in that direction. My assumptions were correct."We are here" Renee whispered.Renee had them hide behind the counter while he protected them. I breathed in relief, seeing that they were safe. Leila wouldn't have forgiven me if they'd died.I rolled on the floor, and I shot directly at the door. A man in a dark suit had just entered the coffee shop, holding a gun in his hands. As soon as he heard my gunshot, he quickly took cover. Shooting back at me.I stood up and shot at him, he didn't expect me to stand up— so my bullet hit him.After that, I laid